This video explains the difference between higher and lower states of consciousness. The speaker, Harry B. Joseph, defines "occult" as hidden knowledge and emphasizes that life is a mental universe where mind and matter are interconnected. The video details the characteristics of lower consciousness, such as unconsciousness of one's internal world, emotional reactivity, and dependence on the five senses, and contrasts these with the attributes of higher consciousness, including self-awareness, mental discipline, and the ability to be an observer of one's own mind and emotions.