Do you see consciousness as the Absolute, or as an emanation?

[anagogy]

Ra said that in higher densities very little work is done in consciousness. So I don't think that's the Absolute.

They mean little work compared to 3rd density. They are intensifying rather than potentiating. So as Ra says, "The intensity of fourth density is that of the refining of the rough-hewn sculpture. This is, indeed, in its own way, quite intense causing the mind/body/spirit complex to move ever inward and onward in its quest for fuller expression. However, in third density the statue is forged in the fire. This is a type of intensity which is not the property of fourth, fifth, sixth, or seventh densities."

However, I would also point to the fact that if the first distortion is free will -- that means there was awareness in the state before because how can you "make a choice" you are not aware of?

If you were not aware, then that precludes choice. It wouldn't be a choice in such a case, it would just be a random movement. So to me, that logically points to the fact that there would have had to be awareness if the first distortion which has simultaneously been called by Ra, "free will" and also "infinity becoming aware (of what?)". If "infinity became aware" was the 1st distortion and free will was the 2nd distortion, it might work but Ra has not stated that free will and aware were separate distortions. This leads me to conclude they are the same distortion, thus infinity became aware of choice. In otherwords, it was already aware, just not aware of finity.

Unless there is more convincing logic someone can offer me, I think that awareness is required for choice, else it is not choice to my way of thinking.