The Moral Law Within: How C.S. Lewis's 'Mere Christianity' Reveals the Universal Consciousness of Right and Wrong

What if the very sense of right and wrong that stirs within your consciousness is actually evidence of something far greater than yourself? In his masterwork Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis presents one of the most compelling philosophical arguments for the existence of a universal moral consciousness that transcends culture, time, and individual belief systems.

Originally delivered as BBC radio talks during World War II, Lewis's exploration of what he calls the "Law of Human Nature" offers profound insights into the nature of consciousness, morality, and our connection to the divine. For anyone seeking to understand the deeper philosophical foundations of human awareness and spiritual awakening, this book serves as an essential bridge between rational thought and transcendent truth.

The Universal Moral Law: Evidence of Cosmic Consciousness

Lewis begins with a startling observation: across all cultures and throughout history, humans have shared a remarkably consistent sense of right and wrong. This isn't mere social conditioning or evolutionary programming—it's something far more profound. He calls it the "Moral Law" or "Law of Human Nature," and argues it's as real and universal as the law of gravity.

"The moral teachings of the ancient Egyptians, Babylonians, Hindus, Chinese, Greeks and Romans are remarkably similar," Lewis notes. This universal moral consciousness suggests something extraordinary: that there exists a transcendent source of moral truth that speaks directly to human awareness, regardless of cultural background or religious upbringing.

This concept resonates deeply with Eastern philosophical traditions that speak of dharma—the cosmic law that governs both the universe and human conduct. Like the Vedantic understanding of universal consciousness (Brahman) expressing itself through individual awareness, Lewis's Moral Law points to a divine consciousness that manifests within human conscience.

The Paradox of Moral Awareness

Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of Lewis's argument is what he identifies as the central paradox of human consciousness: we all know the Moral Law, yet we all break it. This isn't a flaw in the system—it's a crucial clue to understanding our true nature and purpose.

"We all break the golden rule," Lewis observes. "The truth is, we believe in decency so much—we feel the Rule of Law pressing on us so—that we cannot bear to face the fact that we are breaking it." This internal tension between knowing what's right and struggling to do it reveals something profound about human consciousness: we are beings caught between two worlds—the material and the spiritual.

This mirrors the Buddhist understanding of suffering (dukkha) arising from the gap between our enlightened nature and our conditioned responses. It also echoes the Advaita Vedanta teaching that our true Self (Atman) is perfect, while our ego-mind creates the illusion of separation and moral failure.

Free Will and the Evolution of Consciousness

Lewis addresses one of philosophy's most enduring questions: why would a good God create beings capable of evil? His answer reveals deep insights into the nature of consciousness and spiritual evolution. "Free will, though it makes evil possible, is also the only thing that makes possible any love or goodness or joy worth having," he explains.

This perspective aligns with mystical traditions that view earthly existence as a school for consciousness development. The Sufi concept of the "perfect human" (al-insān al-kāmil) suggests that we are here to evolve spiritually through the exercise of conscious choice. Similarly, the Hindu concept of spiritual evolution through multiple lifetimes (samsara) toward ultimate realization (moksha) reflects this same understanding.

Lewis puts it beautifully: "God designed the human machine to run on Himself. He Himself is the fuel our spirits were designed to burn, or the food our spirits were designed to feed on." This echoes the mystical understanding found in traditions from Rumi to Ramana Maharshi—that consciousness seeks to return to its source, and true fulfillment comes only through union with the divine.

The Transformation of Consciousness

What makes Mere Christianity particularly valuable for consciousness explorers is Lewis's practical approach to spiritual transformation. He doesn't present Christianity as mere belief, but as a fundamental reorientation of consciousness—what he calls becoming "a little Christ."

"Every Christian is to become a little Christ. The whole purpose of becoming a Christian is simply nothing else," Lewis declares. This isn't about religious conversion in the conventional sense, but about a radical transformation of awareness that allows divine consciousness to express itself through human form.

This concept resonates with the Zen understanding of Buddha-nature—the inherent enlightened consciousness within all beings. It also mirrors the Advaitic teaching that realizing our true nature as consciousness itself is the ultimate goal of spiritual practice.

Practical Applications for Spiritual Seekers

Lewis offers several practical insights for those on the path of consciousness exploration:

1. Recognize the Moral Law Within: Pay attention to your conscience not as social conditioning, but as a direct communication from universal consciousness. When you feel that inner "ought," you're experiencing something sacred.

2. Embrace the Paradox: Don't be discouraged by moral failures. The very fact that you recognize them as failures indicates your connection to a higher standard of consciousness.

3. Practice Conscious Choice: Every moral decision is an opportunity to align with divine consciousness. As Lewis notes, "Every time you make a choice you are turning the central part of you... into something a little different from what it was before."

4. Surrender the Ego: True spiritual transformation requires what Lewis calls "handing over your whole self." This echoes the surrender (surrender to the Divine) found in bhakti yoga and Sufi practices.

A Bridge Between Reason and Revelation

What makes Lewis's work so valuable is his ability to build a rational foundation for transcendent truth. He doesn't ask us to abandon reason, but to follow it to its logical conclusion—that the universe itself bears the signature of a conscious, moral intelligence.

For modern seekers navigating between scientific materialism and spiritual truth, Mere Christianity offers a sophisticated philosophical framework that honors both intellectual rigor and mystical insight.

Lewis reminds us that "Reality, in fact, is usually something you could not have guessed." This openness to mystery, combined with rigorous thinking, creates the perfect conditions for consciousness expansion and spiritual awakening.

The Call to Conscious Living

Ultimately, Mere Christianity is not just about religious belief—it's about recognizing and aligning with the deepest truth of consciousness itself. Lewis invites us to see that the moral law within us is not a burden, but a compass pointing toward our true nature and ultimate destiny.

As you continue your own journey of consciousness exploration, consider Lewis's profound insight: "Look for Christ and you will find Him, and with Him everything else thrown in." Whether you interpret "Christ" as a historical figure, a state of consciousness, or the divine principle itself, the invitation remains the same—to discover the transcendent truth that consciousness itself is seeking to realize through you.

The moral law within isn't just evidence of God's existence—it's evidence of your own divine nature waiting to be fully awakened. In recognizing this truth, we take the first step toward the conscious living that all spiritual traditions ultimately point toward.