Comprehending consciousness is perhaps the most profound mystery currently facing humanity. The realm of science is vast; however, the focus here is on research about consciousness. Modern science began in the 17th century when Galileo, the father of modern science, discovered that the earth revolves around the sun. Later, Isaac Newton, one of the most influential scientists of all time, published his law of universal gravitation. Both of these men were widely known for their belief in God. By the nineteenth century, however, mainstream science had become locked into the materialistic paradigm.
Materialism maintains that anything that is not material cannot exist. Materialism purports, without evidence, that consciousness is produced by the brain, and when the brain stops functioning, consciousness ceases to exist. Materialism is a false, dogmatic belief system that cannot be proven. Ivan Antic, author of The Physics of Consciousness, recognizes that scientific materialism is a false paradigm, “Physics as science will reach its ultimate peak through understanding consciousness.”
In the last century, experiments in quantum mechanics showed that matter exists as probabilities and tendencies rather than absolute things; all matter is made up of atoms and molecules that are in constant motion. Matter is energy vibration rather than actual solid material. Everything is energy, and everything is connected to everything else.
We learned in school that matter is made up of molecules consisting of atoms. Atoms consist of a nucleus with electrons circling around the nucleus. We think of these elements as separate particles. However, appearances can be deceptive. It turns out that solid matter is less solid than it appears. Scientists have calculated that your body is 99.99999999% empty space. So why do things feel solid if everything is energy?
Our electrons are everywhere at once, filling up space with their wave functions. The reality is that nothing is solid and you have never truly touched anything made of solid matter in your life. It is an illusion. It is all simply energy waves.
Given that everything is energy, the materialism paradigm has missed the mark. The following introductory video illustrates the energetic reality: Everything Is Energy (3:20 minutes)
Hungarian philosopher of science and systems theorist, Ervin László, who was twice nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, summarizes the energetic nature of reality as follows, “The universe is not a domain of matter moving in space and time; It is a sea of coherent vibrations.” (The Intelligence of the Cosmos: Why Are We Here? New Answers from the Frontiers of Science).
The Role of Consciousness
Consciousness plays a fundamental role in determining our reality. This principle has been recognized by some of the most prominent quantum physicists:
Max Planck, a founder of quantum physics, understood that consciousness underlies all matter:
All matter originates and exists only by virtue of a force…We must assume behind this force the existence of a conscious and intelligent Mind. This Mind is the matrix of all matter…I regard consciousness as fundamental. I regard matter as derivative from consciousness. We cannot get behind consciousness. Everything that we talk about, everything that we regard as existing, postulates consciousness.
— Max Planck (1858–1947), Nobel Prize for Physics, 1918
Another of the founders of quantum mechanics, Werner Heisenberg, recognized the fundamental role of the consciousness of the observer:
Separation of the observer from the phenomenon to be observed is no longer possible.
— Werner Heisenberg (1901–1976), Nobel Prize for Physics, 1932 (for the Creation of Quantum Mechanics)
The prominent physicist, Neils Bohr, also embraced this reality:
The universe may be nothing more than a giant hologram created by the mind.
— Neils Bohr (1885–1962), Nobel Prize for Physics, 1922 (for Contributions to Quantum Mechanics)
The Double Slit Experiment – The Observer Effect
The “observer effect” is the theory that the mere observation of a phenomenon inevitably changes that phenomenon. One of the most famous experiments in physics is the double-slit experiment. It demonstrates, with unparalleled strangeness, that little particles of matter have something of a wave about them and suggests that the very act of observing a particle has a dramatic effect on its behavior.
Aspects of the double-slit experiment (such as the collapse of the wavefunction upon observation) bring into question the possibility of consciousness interacting with matter. Nevertheless, experimental evidence for the interaction of consciousness and matter or the non-locality of consciousness is generally ignored by mainstream science, which limits its investigations to the physical world. The missing link in mainstream science is consciousness. (See Dean Radin, Ph.D., below.)
Scientists believe that non-local consciousness might be modeled by quantum entanglement. Quantum mechanics is a fundamental and well-established theory.
Parapsychology science (psi) also supports the existence of nonlocal consciousness. Psi science studies involve parapsychological or psychic ability. Mainstream science does not recognize psi science as being valid because it is outside the materialistic paradigm. Nonetheless, according to Charles T. Tart, Ph.D., there have been thousands of scientifically valid parapsychological experiments carried out over the past 100 years. Dr. Tart authored The End of Materialism; How Evidence of the Paranormal is Bringing Science and Spirit Together. (See his other books listed below).
Mainstream scientists maintain that the brain produces consciousness, and when the brain dies its consciousness dies as well. This is a false belief. Consciousness CAN indeed work without the brain because consciousness is nonlocal. Recently scientists confirmed that a single-celled organism can learn, remember, solve problems and make decisions, all without a brain or neurons. This study, “A Complex Hierarchy of Avoidance Behaviors in a Single-Cell Eukaryote”, was published in Current Biology on December 5, 2019.
The IONS mission is to reveal the interconnected nature of reality through scientific exploration and personal discovery with a focus on understanding humanity’s inherent inner wisdom.
The SAND community offers a range of courses designed to deepen understanding of the nature of reality, consciousness, and the interconnection of all things.
SCEPCOP is a coalition of researchers, investigators, and others who counter and expose fallacies spawned by “religious fanaticism, unscientific behavior, misinformation, denial, suppression, bigotry and ridicule toward data, experience or science that challenges orthodoxy or does not fit into a materialistic paradigm.”
The Rhine’s mission is to advance the science of parapsychology (psi), to provide education and resources for the public, and to foster a community for individuals with personal and professional interest in psi.
The SSE provides a forum for sharing original research into subjects that often cross mainstream boundaries yet may have profound implications for human knowledge and technology. The SSE publishes a peer-reviewed journal and the popular “EdgeScience” magazine, hosts conferences, and connects scholars.
As of the publication date of this book, Dr. Chopra had written 85 books translated into over 43 languages including numerous New York Times bestsellers.
Dr. Grof is a psychiatrist with over 60 years of experience researching non-ordinary states of consciousness. He has published 17 books translated into 22 languages. “To call him the Einstein of consciousness would be an understatement.” – Deepak Chopra, M.D.
Leslie Kean is an investigative journalist and a New York Times best-selling author. This book is a winner of the Parapsychological Association Book Award.
László has been nominated twice for the Nobel Peace Prize. He has published more than 75 books translated into 26 languages, and over 400 articles and research papers.
Manusco is the world’s leading authority in the field of plant neurobiology. He is a professor at the University of Florence in Italy. Manusco writes that “plants exhibit unmistakable attributes of intelligence with no central brain.”
This groundbreaking book by Dr. Candace Pert, a pioneering neuroscientist researcher and pharmacologist who discovered the opiate receptor, the cellular binding site for endorphins in the brain.
This is a highly acclaimed New York Times bestseller. Rovelli is an Italian theoretical physicist whose previous bestseller Seven Brief Lessons in Physics was translated into 40 languages.
This book discusses transformative experiences and their effects on our bodies, brains, and health. Sheldrake is a biologist and the author of 85 scientific papers and 11 books.
Talbot reveals parallels between ancient mysticism and quantum mechanics. It presents a theoretical model of reality that suggests the universe is a hologram based on the research and conclusions of David Bohm and Karl H. Pribram.