In this article, we explore how ancient Vedic wisdom aligns with modern quantum theory, and how both may support the theory that consciousness is the basis for quantum field theory.
Where Do We Come From?
Where do we come from? Who are we and how do we explain the secrets of the universe that have plagued scientists for thousands of years?
Interestingly, some of the unifying theories of the universe resemble principles from ancient Vedic writings. While most pressing questions regarding the universe still remain unanswered and many of the theories unproven, much progress has been made. One theory that suggests the quantum field is in fact consciousness was believed to be true by two Nobel prize winning scientists. One was Max Planck—the father of quantum theory.
In this article we will explore the ancient Vedic wisdom when compared to modern quantum theory in an attempt to support the case that consciousness may in fact be the basis for quantum field theory.
Exciting, right? First, let’s see what Einstein had to say about this.
Quantum Principles
In 1935, Albert Einstein discovered something called “quantum entanglement,” which he called “spooky action at a distance”: the behavior of atomic particles change simultaneously and instantaneously over long distances—even light years apart. This discovery supports the notion that on a subtle level, our actions can create a ripple in the quantum field and affect particles on the other side of the planet. We are all connected. One physicist described it like this:
“Entanglement is the unusual behavior of elementary particles where they become linked so that when something happens to one, something happens to the other, no matter how far apart they are.”1
Before I attempt to describe this phenomenon in Vedic terms, let me list some of the basic (but very weird) rules of quantum physics:2
- Quantum objects (microscopic particles like electrons, protons, and photons) can be both wave and particle. This is called Wave-Particle Duality.
- Quantum objects can be in more than one place at a time. This is called superposition.
- You cannot simultaneously precisely know more than one physical property of a quantum object (such as location and momentum). This is called the Heisenberg uncertainty principle.
- Quantum objects can affect one another instantly over huge distances. Einstein called this spooky action at a distance or entanglement.
- You cannot measure anything without disturbing it, making quantum mechanics subjective. Quantum objects change when observed.
While each of these five rules are amazing, I want to focus of the fourth and fifth first. Actions of an electron are changed by observation and any electrons that it are entangled with it, no matter how far apart, change instantaneously when the first electron is observed—these electrons can even be light years away.2,3,4
Confused? This YouTube video by physicist Philip Ball may help you better understand how this happens.
The Famous Double-Slit Experiment
The double-slit experiments are perhaps some of the most famous in physics. Initially, they were designed to determine if light was a wave or particle.
Researchers discovered it can be either! What made the study famous was the surprising ingredient that caused the light to take form.
The study found that behavioral patterns photons follow when they pass through a barrier with two slits predictably change when observed or measured compared to when they are not observed. These studies have been repeated for decades and the results suggest that the process of observation changes the observed.3,4
Weird, right? Just having someone observe the experiment changes the experiment.
The quantum understanding of the double-slit experiment is summed up in a 2005 essay by RC Henry, Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Johns Hopkins University: “A fundamental conclusion of the new physics also acknowledges that the observer creates the reality.”
How Did the Double-Slit Results Change When Observed?
In the double-split experiment, when unobserved photons were shot at a barrier with two slits, they pass through and shapeshift from particles to quantum waves, interacting with themselves. When they hit the backstop screen on the other side of the double slits, the photons demonstrate wavelike patterns, not particle patterns.5-7
To better visualize this, the waves created in this experiment would look like tapping two spoons in a still pool of water—you would get two sets of waves that would interfere or interact with each other and themselves.
The mystery of this experiment is that when there are detectors to determine if the light was waves or particles, the experiment results dramatically changed.
When there were detectors “observing” the photon, they did not change into a wave! The observed photon particles shot through the slits like bullets and pounded the backstop without ever becoming a wave.
The researchers unplugged the detectors but left them in place and repeated the experiment. With the detectors unplugged (so not detecting or observing anything), the photons shot through the slits became a wave once again, as in the original experiment!5
Vedic Science Attempts to Explain How Observation Changes the Observed
Related to the results of the double-slit experiments that say the observer changes the observed, Vedic science describes this phenomenon with reference to a trinity: a concept common to many religions. In Vedic science, the observer, the observed, and the process of observing comprise the structure of three that make up the one whole underlying field of consciousness—a Vedic theory very similar to today’s Super Unified Field Theory and String Theories.
These three Vedic attributes of observation may help us understand quantum entanglement and maybe even how the universe got started. Once again, the three are:
- Observer, aka rishi or knower
- Observed, aka chandas or the known
- Process of observation, aka devata or process of knowing
According to Vedic science, once the observer observes, the observed changes. We saw this in the double-slit experiment. After being observed, the object changes. Unobserved is a different state than observed.
Unified Field of Consciousness
The quantum rules one and two listed above suggest that quantum particles can be both a wave and particle at the same time, while existing in two places at once. Weird, I know!
Einstein suggests that light waves are actually many photon particles creating an electromagnetic field or the photoelectric effect.
When these particles function as a wave, they seem to display quantum principles (as our quantum rules have described), but when they behave as particles, they seem to function more like what we know as classical physics.3,4
Quantum Field Theory is a currently accepted theory suggesting that suggests at the most fundamental level, the universe is not made up of particles, but different types of waves that can express themselves as particles, thus becoming a desk or pencil.
The theory suggesting that quantum waves at a more fundamental level are unified is called the Super Unified Theory. Others, taking this one step further, have theorized that the super unified field is in fact conscious or consciousness. It is thought to be bubbling with creative potential; it is the source of everything; it’s pure potentiality and was there before the Big Bang.
Although unified field and related superstring theories have yet to be fully embraced, they are still contenders. The notion that the source of the universe is actually structured in consciousness, which could be the God we all seek, is not new to Western science. Max Planck, originator of quantum theory and winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1918, said the following:
“I regard consciousness as fundamental. I regard matter as derivative from consciousness. We cannot get behind consciousness. Everything we talk about postulates consciousness.”
Eugene Wigner, who also won the Nobel Prize in Physics, said, “It will remain remarkable in whatever way our future concepts may develop that the very study of the external world led to the scientific conclusion that the content of the consciousness is the ultimate universal reality.”
This story is part of a 6-article series on conscious healing and the restorative power or awareness, intention, and energy medicine.
Read all of the stories:
Self-Healing and the Power of Awareness in Ayurveda
Quantum Biophotons: The Science of Healing Prayer
Vedic Healing and the Power of Intention
Ayurvedic Techniques to Unleash the Power of Quantum Healing
What is Quantum Consciousness?
Quantum Physics Meets Vedic Science
Eppaik Yeffen says
This is what I don’t understand: if the particles location and momemtum are not isolated simultaneously, how can the wave and particle be the same process, simultaneously?
Nima Arkani-Hamed says humans are made out of atoms; David Kaplan says the atoms are misconstued as taught in education; how do I turn my confusion into knowledge? I think we agree, confusion is not knowledge.
The Renegade Report – Jordan B Peterson & David Benatar
LifeSpa Staff says
I would refer you to the work of Ervin Laszlo to help you understand how particles can be both vibrations and perceived by us as particles.
Vela says
Dr Rudolf Steiner has written 350 volumes on Spiritual Science. All we need to do it to explore his works. All the questions are already answered. One day our scientists will come to what he already brought to the word.
But I like that dr Douillard uses the word consciousness and tries to explain this matter through materialistic notions which are the only ones accessible to majority at the moment.
I really appreciate dr Douillard’s work and seeking mind! Always new and useful content that helped me heal. Thank you for bringing all of this to the world!!
Martha says
Read “The Tao of Physics” by Fritjoff Capra. You might find it interesting
Helene says
It seems that the debate is not over.
http://www.danko-nikolic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Yu-and-Nikolic-Qm-and-consciousness-Annalen-Physik.pdf
Sefirah Ellyon says
An important consideration for the double slit experiment is that of resonance. My theory is that the act of observing such as with s device is not a “distraction” as was posed, but it a demonstration of the particle resonating with that which is the instrument of observation. If an enlightened Rishi, for example , or perhaps an experienced meditator who regularly experiences samadhi, were to observe the experiment, I pose that there is the potential for the particle to go back to its more earlier emanation—its more subtle, less manifest version of itself.
I further pose that if we had a group of humans in samadhi, we’d be able to measure the resonance as (perhaps!!) the particle de emanates to wave and to its less manifest form before that, whatever that may look like. —I suspect a more subtle ether space quality.
This is s very useful line of inquiry, John, and I appreciate your putting this out there.
Awareness indeed!
angelo says
Dr. John, you (and Dr. Chopra) have been teaching me Ayurveda since 1988 (MIU, Fairfield Iowa) and I celebrate your new, in-depth exploration into the mind- blowing esoteric side of Vedic knowledge!
Though credit for the West’s introduction to Ayurveda and Vedic wisdom must go to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, he tended to downplay the rather intense, metaphysical aspects of this tradition of knowledge.
We know the quality of experience (the observed) is reflective of the level of consciousness (the observer) and that consciousness is a field. Thus, this experiment with photons may only have shown how subatomic particles- which share their own field of awareness, were affected by this particular collective of researchers and their “imprinted” technology. Regarding Einstein’s theory of Entanglement as applied to the missing glove; perhaps entanglement shares similarities to what we know as the Law Of Attraction.
Who has ever looked at a single glove and not wondered about the missing counterpart? I suggest the importance of a matched “pair”, may be embedded into the field of collective consciousness and a lone glove may in effect represent an “unbalanced” equation
BTW, I think there is something more fundamental than consciousness, yet less fundamental than “God”; that would be the One Mind of all souls, that needed a mechanism- consciousness, to interpret an inexhaustible Universe of form and diversity.
Diana Funk says
Dr John, you are so in tune.To find a doctor, a health professional who is well versed and diversified in knowledge, is a breath of fresh air. I have always suspected the connection of the Vedic teaching and the quantum field in science. As well Vedic medicine resonates with microbiology. So grateful for all you do.
Noelle Olson says
I noticed that when I say something (the shooting of partcle) in a mirror – the result is much more straighter.
Now if I said these things or someone else said the same thing to me.. the result would be much more wavier – as I would not be involved consciously at all or much less involved if not saying the thing in a mirror and observing myself.
This reminds me when I did Ayahuasca (once) and when coming clearer after taking the dose I got to a mirror and I stood in front of the mirror and just consciously interacted with myself for the sole purpose of getting straight – sober – clearer and feeling a connection that was more instant .. then going to possibly talk to someone I did not know (and besides we were not allowed to talk till after the ceremony was over and most folks spoke Portuguese.
Dr. John .. I am safe to say you would be uncomfortable being observed while you interacted with yourself in a mirror.
Funny last night I came home from the hospital where I had left my sister to possibly die last night. And as I was feeling a bit like unraveling (better words?) I got home and looked in the mirror and said to myself Loudly.. TAKE CARE, TAKE IT EASY and BEHAVE YOURSELF. – The affect seemed to be straight as an arrow as I began to carry on with taking care, taking it easy and behaving myself.
Oh, FYI – I believe that those 3 are all that G-d requires of us. Thank you
Tina Huston says
Oiy.
Tina Huston says
But wait. If they unplugged the detectors, but the scientists are still the observers, wouldn’t the particles respond to the awareness that the scientists are still observers? Then we get into the question of particles responding to synthetic observers as opposed to organic observers? Right-handed and left-handed would be an organic manifestation. Was a frequency transmitted from the detectors? If so, that would be a cause of the particles to respond differently. Although, everything puts out a frequency, some more subtle than others, some more synthetic than others. Left and right-handed put out different frequencies, right? That opens up a whole can of worms for testing. Even then, the chaos of so many variables can’t be harnessed to test consciousness. I don’t think we’ll ever really know the mysteries of this world.
Christine says
Fascinating! Another shining example of the vastness of Vedic wisdom. Looking forward to your next mind expanding edition on this topic. Creating our own reality, of course I want to know more! You’re awesome Dr. D!
Namaste!
Kathryn Cihak says
Observation is like “touching” the object with a thought…it is an interaction with intention…consciousness…action with a thought..
Trying to amend my previous comment some…
Melanie says
I totally agree. There’s information in the space and we’re all connected and able to “touch” or interact even from a distance….IMHO!
Kathryn Cihak says
When I think about these things what always comes to mind is Mr. Wizard (dating myself here) (or at least I think it was him) and his example of a ping-pong ball released in a closed environment with other ping -pong balls. and how they interact…they cetainly interacted among themselves for quite awhile…sort of a crude example but gives cause for thought….
Thank you for such an insightful program.
kellie urban says
thank you for the learning opportunity this a.m.! Nice item for comtemplation today!