Consciousness can be loosely defined as an awareness of the outside world, or of the self. By it's very subjective nature it is difficult to place within a complete, all encompassing definition. Consciousness can be expressed as the awareness of external events and processes in the universe, and awareness of internal events and processes such as emotions and thoughts. This awareness of events and processes in the universe is mediated by the physical senses. Consciousness may also have emergent properties which allow for the direct transmission of information such as telepathy, intuition, or clairvoyance.