Human thought in the twenty-first century needs to work towards a new model that immerses the human being within a vibrant energetic universe. However, this need not demand that we throw away what we already have; rather, we can expand upon the tools that have brought us to our present position. There is an eastern proverb that roughly translates as: "You may ride your donkey up to your front door, but would you ride it into your house?" In other words, when we have arrived at a particular destination we are often required to make a transition in order to continue the journey. In this sense we can be grateful to a vast knowledge base of scientific and religious thought for helping us arrive at the point where we presently stand. Yet it is now imperative that we move forward. As Deepak Chopra wrote his post "Consciousness and the End of the War Between Science and Religion," how we move forward is likely to be centered in our understanding of consciousness.
Our physical apparatus is spectacular; consider that each of us carries around a 100-billion-cell bioelectric quantum computer that creates our realities, with almost all its neurons established the day we were born. Still, this phenomenal "reality shaper" has undergone monumental perceptual change over our evolutionary history. What is required, at this significant juncture, is again another catalyst of consciousness change. This may come about through discoveries in the field of quantum biology, and the idea, emphasized by Ervin Laszlo in his previous blogs, that the form of consciousness we possess is likely to be the result of quantum coherence.
The human body is a constant flux of thousands of inter-reactions and processes connecting molecules, cells, organs and fluids throughout the brain, body and nervous system. Up until recently it was thought that all these countless interactions operated in a linear sequence, passing on information much like a runner passing the baton to the next runner. However, the latest findings in quantum biology and biophysics have discovered that there is in fact a tremendous degree of coherence within all living systems. It has been found through extensive scientific investigation that a form of quantum coherence operates within living biological systems through what is known as biological excitations and biophoton emission. What this means is that metabolic energy is stored as a form of electromechanical and electromagnetic excitations. It is these coherent excitations that are considered responsible for generating and maintaining long-range order via the transformation of energy and very weak electromagnetic signals.
After nearly 20 years of experimental research, Fritz-Albert Popp put forward the hypothesis that biophotons are emitted from a coherent electrodynamic field within the living system. What this effectively means is that each living cell is giving off, and resonating with, a biophoton field of coherent energy. If each cell is emitting this field, then the whole living system is, in effect, a resonating field -- a ubiquitous non-local field. And since it is by the means of biophotons that the living system communicates, then there is near instantaneous intercommunication throughout. And this, claims Popp, is the basis for coherent biological organization -- referred to as quantum coherence.
Biophysicist Mae-Wan Ho has described how the living organism, including the human body, is "coherent beyond our wildest dreams" in that our bodies are constituted by a form of liquid crystal, which is an ideal transmitter of communication, resonance, and coherence. All living biological organisms continuously emit radiations of light that form a field of coherence and communication.
Moreover, biophysicists have discovered that living organisms are permeated by quantum wave forms. In her 1998 book The Rainbow and the Worm: The Physics of Organisms, Ho informs us that
the visible body just happens to be where the wave function of the organism is most dense. Invisible quantum waves are spreading out from each of us and permeating into all other organisms. At the same time, each of us has the waves of every other organism entangled within our own make-up ...
This incredible new discovery actually positions each living being within a non-local quantum field consisting of wave interferences (where bodies meet). Each person is thus not only in an emphatic relationship with each other but is also entangled with one another.
Neuroscience, quantum biology, and quantum physics are now beginning to converge to reveal that our bodies are not only biochemical systems but also sophisticated resonating quantum systems. These new discoveries show that a form of nonlocal connected consciousness has a physical-scientific basis. Further, it demonstrates that certain spiritual or transcendental states of collective Oneness have a valid basis within the new scientific paradigm.
If we are willing to step down from the donkey, we will find that our new path ahead has a place for reconciling science and spirituality. We should focus on the best of both worlds: engage in cooperation, not in conflict and competition.
An invited contribution to the Ervin Laszlo Forum on Science and Spirituality.
Follow Kingsley Dennis, Ph.D. on Twitter: www.twitter.com/@kingsleydennis
Quantum mind - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Myth of Quantum Consciousness
YouTube - Quantum Consciousness, Quantum Mind STUART HAMEROFF (P.1)
His musings are little more than wishy washy feel good ideas with little theological or scientific signfigance.
Several schools of Indian Philosophy have already dealt with these issues.
You might try the Charvaka school (materialist in origin), Madhyamuka Buddhism, or Perhaps Cittimatra Buddhism.
These philosophical structures have been dealing with these issues for centuries.
It IS ONLY WESTERN HUBRIS THAT BELIEVES WE ARE THE FIRST TO CONCEIVE OF THESE THINGS>
Using big words like quantum coherence and biophotons (which are just photons realesed by biomolecules in the normal fashion of energy relaxation) allows the author to misconstrue the meaning of these actual observable phenomena. Quantum coherence, as in a laser or superconductor, has never been shown to be occurring in the human body. An entity for which no one has even attempted to write down a wave function which would be necessary for understanding or establishing that quantum coherence was occurring.
Additionally, biological systems are highly localized. Although there exist interactions and entanglements between different organisms, the article seems to drastically over emphasize their relative importance. By comparison, a human standing in the sunlight is far more entangled with those photons than with anything emanating from another person. Yes, biological systems use signaling, such as quorum sensing, but that is very different from suggesting that we "emit radiations of light that form a field of coherence and communication." In what way are they coherent? What are the communicating?
Most importantly. While signaling has been shown to affect gene expression, it has never been shown to affect consciousness. This article claims that, "These new discoveries show that a form of nonlocal connected consciousness has a physical-scientific basis." No. They really don't. Because no one has provided any evidence that the consciousness of one human is affected by anything discussed in this article.
Taking pot-shots at Deepak Chopra is easy enough. Clearly possessing both a medical degree, as well as decades of experience and study of spirituality and nondualism renders him completely unworthy of the slightest modicum of respect.
But now, even when "hardcore" scientists like biophysicists come forward and produce actual hard evidence of nondualistic dimensions of existence, can we even get a "hmmm...." from these ignorant pinheads? No dice. The human ego's survival is fully dependent upon perpetuating belief in Duality, and ONLY Duality. No Subjectivity allowed. If it ain't OBJECTIVE, it must be "magic."
They are like the "flat-worlders" of the 15th Century, so certain because of their college degrees that they know everything there is to know, and yet probably never had an original, creative thought in their lives. Intellect can only take one so far. At some point, it becomes necessary to put one's RIGHT BRAIN into gear, and then it becomes possible to break the Ignorance Barrier. :^P
Secondly, what "hardcore" biophysicists do you mean? Certainly none were mentioned here, unless you count Dr. Ho who was primarily a geneticist. Even if you did count her, its not based on any studies, its based on a book she wrote.
And Chopra isn't a physicist. End of story.
Your own behavior is strong evidence of this, as those of you who disagree with these concepts almost always take a condescending position of arrogance which is, in itself, strongly rooted in dualism -- "I'm smart; you're an idiot. We are NOT the same. We are NOT one."
Ask yourself why you feel the need to belittle those you disagree with. (speaking to naysayers in general; not specifically your post). Why can you not simply disagree and counter with respectful argument? If this is nothing more than philisophical debate, why is so much anger and fear being generated in the "objectivity camp?" Clearly, there is more to this than meets the eye.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Bohm
It easy to see that you have some deep personal problem with these ideas but really what is the harm? It just makes you so mad that they are making money?
Supporting them is to support the same level of scientific rigor used by (anthropomorphic) global warming deniers and intelligent design advocates.
I've long held the belief that ghosts, if they exist, are little more than echos or artifacts within the local quantum fields. Or even quantum fuzziness 'bleed-through' from a nearby, nearly identical time-line. There wouldn't necessarily be much of anything for a camera to see, even though it's there, simply because the witnesses mind is detecting and interpreting a quantum field, and not visible light. So they sense a presence, or they see an 'outline' or 'impression' of a human body or face. It would also explain why these ghosts are 'confused about being dead'. In their time-line, they're very much alive, and probably thinking our witness is the ghost! So they're hostile, and they tell the witness to 'get out of their house' or some such. Just as victims of 'hauntings' here are encouraged to do. Then one spooks the other to the point of leaving, and it stops.
–noun
1. quantity or amount: the least quantum of evidence.
2. a particular amount.
3. a share or portion.
4. a large quantity; bulk.
5. Physics .
a. the smallest quantity of radiant energy, equal to Planck's constant times the frequency of the associated radiation.
b. the fundamental unit of a quantized physical magnitude, as angular momentum.
Instead of spending so much time (and ENERGY) trying to turn the Religion section into a punching bag of contemptible
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-FaXD_igv4
in which Chopra near the end claims that scientists have hijacked the word "quantum".
This should make you run for cover and firmly close your wallet every time someone utters this "quantum consciousness" nonsense.
Yet the only support you offer for your opinion is the fallacy of ad hominem attacks. Is that what passes as an informed and/or intelligent response in your discipline?
More importantly, we know a LOT more about computing and neurology than we did even 10 years ago. Artificial intelligence guys will tell you that in order to even approximate or mimic human thought in a machine, they would really need a quantum computer. Which means that the mind being modeled and mimicked must also be a quantum computer, or at least some kind of analog.
Once you establish that, and with knowledge of quantum physics, you may further extrapolate that unshielded, such a dynamic quantum system would be very sensitive to quantum differentials and electro-magnetic fields in particular. Which is corroborated by research into the influence of electro-magnetic fields on brain activity.
It's not such a far cry from the truth as you would seem to believe, I think.
This is wrong. There is no reason to think the brain is 'quantum' just because you do not understand science.
This is like saying 'the brain is silicone' because the simulations of it are run on silicone processors.
With that said, perhaps you would like to purchase my pamphlet, "The silicone Mind: Spiritual Transistor' - And, if you happen to be sick, I have some software I wrote for your silicone mind.. To run it, you just have to watch an informative video I created - the software is coded. You just watch it, the ads in it, and then you are healthy.
Note: These are not meant to be medical claims. For novelty purposes only.
I don't know if that's true. But if it is, that's because those things happen at the level where quantum effects matter.
You realize that "quantum" isn't at thing, right? Everything at the smallest scales behaves "quantumly"-- it isn't unique to biology or to us, and there's no reason to suppose it has anything to do with consciousness or the things people like you ascribe to it.
As a neurophysiologist (studying the auditory and oculomotor systems), I hope that this article is some sort of big hoax in the spirit of Alan Sokal. If this Dennis guy's right, clearly I've been missing out on an important body of scientific literature.
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=shining-a-light-on-plants-quantum-secret
Or go to the Scientific American website and do a search for 'quantum plants' and several related articles will also appear. Prepare to have your mind blown, and enjoy the ride!
Sure there is probably some role for quantum effects. Doesn't mean its the key to everything.
Step 2) Ask people what said word is.
Step 3) If said word elicited consistent responses go to step 3, else continue to step 4.
Step 4) Write big claim articles/books about sciencey word as if you know what you're talking about. Throwing in PhD in unrelated fields helps to establish perceived authority.
F&F
to God.
Romans 1:21-22