what does what does jonathan robison phd, ms quantum physics have to do with it?
TRANSCRIPT
WHAT DOESWHAT DOES
Jonathan Robison PhD, MS
QUANTUM PHYSICS
HAVE TO DO WITH IT?HAVE TO DO WITH IT?
17th CENTURY WORLDVIEW17th CENTURY WORLDVIEW
Mechanistic: Mechanistic: universe as machineuniverse as machine
Reductionist: Reductionist: whole whole = = sum of its partssum of its parts
REDUCTIONISMREDUCTIONISM
Whole = Sum of Its PartsWhole = Sum of Its Parts classical Newtonian Physicsclassical Newtonian Physics
matter as discrete particlesmatter as discrete particles
atomic / subatomic building blocksatomic / subatomic building blocks
standard for scientific investigationstandard for scientific investigation
foundation for all human systemsfoundation for all human systems
1717thth CENTURY LEGACY CENTURY LEGACY
Only those things that can be Only those things that can be measured and quantified are realmeasured and quantified are real
Anything else is considered to be Anything else is considered to be unworthy of scientific investigationunworthy of scientific investigation
The purpose of science is to The purpose of science is to dominate & control the natural worlddominate & control the natural world
1717thth CENTURY LEGACY CENTURY LEGACY
“ “ What is being studied exists external What is being studied exists external
to and is independent of the scientist, to and is independent of the scientist,
who discovers and characterizes its who discovers and characterizes its
properties and behavior.”properties and behavior.”
Dr. George Engel, Psychother Psycosom, 1992
“ “CARTESIAN” CERTAINTYCARTESIAN” CERTAINTY
““All science is certain, evident All science is certain, evident
knowledge. We reject all knowledge knowledge. We reject all knowledge
which is merely probable and judge that which is merely probable and judge that
only those things should be believed only those things should be believed
which are perfectly known and about which are perfectly known and about
which there are no doubts.”which there are no doubts.”Rene DescartesRene Descartes
20th CENTURY WORLDVIEW20th CENTURY WORLDVIEW
OrganicOrganic: : living, spiritual in natureliving, spiritual in nature
HolisticHolistic: : whole whole >> sum of its parts sum of its parts
EcologicalEcological: connected “: connected “web of life”web of life”
PartnershipPartnership: : feminine & masculine feminine & masculine values honored values honored
20th CENTURY CHALLENGE20th CENTURY CHALLENGE
Anthropology / Archaeology Anthropology / Archaeology
PsychoneuroimmunologyPsychoneuroimmunology
Quantum PhysicsQuantum Physics
Chaos TheoryChaos Theory
QUANTUM REALITYQUANTUM REALITY
““No one understands quantum mechanics.No one understands quantum mechanics.
Do not keep saying to yourself... ‘But how Do not keep saying to yourself... ‘But how can it be like that?’ can it be like that?’ Because you will go ‘down the drain’ into a Because you will go ‘down the drain’ into a blind alley from which nobody has yet blind alley from which nobody has yet escaped. Nobody knows how it can be like escaped. Nobody knows how it can be like that.” that.”
Richard FeynmanRichard Feynman
QUANTUM REALITYQUANTUM REALITY
““All my attempts to adapt the theoretical All my attempts to adapt the theoretical
foundation of physics to this knowledgefoundation of physics to this knowledge
failed completely. It was as if the ground failed completely. It was as if the ground
had been pulled out from under one, withhad been pulled out from under one, with
no firm foundation to be seen anywhere.”no firm foundation to be seen anywhere.”
Albert EinsteinAlbert Einstein
QUANTUM REALITYQUANTUM REALITY
Principle of ComplementarityPrinciple of Complementarity
Subatomic entities exist Subatomic entities exist
simultaneously as both simultaneously as both
waves & particleswaves & particles
QUANTUM REALITYQUANTUM REALITY
Uncertainty PrincipleUncertainty Principle
Wave & particle nature Wave & particle nature
cannot be accurately measured cannot be accurately measured
at the same timeat the same time
Quantum UncertaintyQuantum Uncertainty
“ “ The exact properties of the duality The exact properties of the duality must always elude any measurement must always elude any measurement we might hope to make. The most we we might hope to make. The most we can hope to know about any given can hope to know about any given wave packet is a fuzzy reading of its wave packet is a fuzzy reading of its position and an equally fuzzy reading position and an equally fuzzy reading of its momentum.”of its momentum.”
Zohar, The Quantum Self
Quantum UncertaintyQuantum Uncertainty
“ “ This essential fuzziness…replaces the This essential fuzziness…replaces the old Newtonian Determinism, where old Newtonian Determinism, where everything about physical reality was everything about physical reality was fixed, determined and measurable with fixed, determined and measurable with a vast “porridge” of being where... a vast “porridge” of being where... everything remains indeterminate, everything remains indeterminate, somewhat ghostly and just beyond our somewhat ghostly and just beyond our grasp.”grasp.”
QUANTUM REALITYQUANTUM REALITY
The Double-Slit ExperimentThe Double-Slit Experiment
““All of quantum physics can be All of quantum physics can be gleaned from carefully thinking gleaned from carefully thinking through the implications of this through the implications of this single experiment”single experiment”
QUANTUM REALITYQUANTUM REALITY
Participatory UniverseParticipatory Universe
““What is being studied is inseparableWhat is being studied is inseparable from the scientist, who devisesfrom the scientist, who devises mental constructs of his/hermental constructs of his/her experiences with it as a means of experiences with it as a means of characterizing his/her understandingcharacterizing his/her understanding of its properties and behavior”of its properties and behavior”
Einstein, Heisenberg
QUANTUM REALITYQUANTUM REALITY
Participatory UniverseParticipatory Universe
““The act of observing alters theThe act of observing alters the properties of what is being observed.properties of what is being observed. Whether an electron acts as a particleWhether an electron acts as a particle or a wave actually depends on how or a wave actually depends on how we look at (measure) them.”we look at (measure) them.”
QUANTUM REALITYQUANTUM REALITY
““ Isolated material particles are Isolated material particles are
abstractions, their properties being abstractions, their properties being
definable and observable only definable and observable only
through their interaction with other through their interaction with other
systems”systems”Niels BohrNiels Bohr
ConnectednessConnectedness
QUANTUM REALITYQUANTUM REALITY
Sub-atomic entities are actually best Sub-atomic entities are actually best
described not as “things” but as described not as “things” but as
interconnections or relationships interconnections or relationships
between “things”between “things”
Niels BohrNiels Bohr
ConnectednessConnectedness
QUANTUM REALITYQUANTUM REALITY
““Ultimately, the entire universe (with all its Ultimately, the entire universe (with all its ‘particles,’ including those constituting ‘particles,’ including those constituting human beings) has to be understood as a human beings) has to be understood as a single undivided whole, in which analysis single undivided whole, in which analysis into separately and independently existent into separately and independently existent parts has no fundamental status.”parts has no fundamental status.”
David BohmDavid Bohm
ConnectednessConnectedness
QUANTUM REALITYQUANTUM REALITY
NonlocalityNonlocality
Subatomic particles that once Subatomic particles that once
have been in contact retain an have been in contact retain an
instantaneous connection no instantaneous connection no
matter how far apart they arematter how far apart they are
IMPLICATIONSIMPLICATIONS
Complementarity Complementarity both / and vs. either / or
ParticleParticle Wave WaveBodyBody Spirit / Mind Spirit / MindMasculine Masculine Feminine FeminineHealthHealth Disease DiseaseScienceScience Spirituality Spirituality
SCIENCE & RELIGIONSCIENCE & RELIGION
““Science without religion Science without religion
is lame,is lame,
Religion without science Religion without science
is blind.”is blind.”
Albert EinsteinAlbert Einstein
IMPLICATIONSIMPLICATIONS
““Cartesian” CertaintyCartesian” Certainty
““Twentieth-century physics has shownTwentieth-century physics has shown us very forcefully that there is nous very forcefully that there is no absolute truth in science, that all our absolute truth in science, that all our concepts and theories are limited andconcepts and theories are limited and approximate.”approximate.”
““Quantum” UncertaintyQuantum” Uncertainty
Fritjof CapraFritjof Capra
IMPLICATIONSIMPLICATIONS
Scientific ObjectivityScientific Objectivity
““There is no such thing as objectivity.There is no such thing as objectivity.
We all interpret our perceptions in theWe all interpret our perceptions in the
light of our beliefs and expectations.”light of our beliefs and expectations.”
Daniel Benor, Spiritual HealingDaniel Benor, Spiritual Healing
IMPLICATIONSIMPLICATIONS
Scientific ObjectivityScientific Objectivity
According to quantum physics there is no such thing as objectivity
Facts and scientific data are created in the act of observation
Zukav, The Dancing Wu Li MastersZukav, The Dancing Wu Li Masters
Stevens et al., NEJM 1998;338:1-7
The Effect of Age on the Association Between Body-Mass Index and Mortality
“An extremely important health
problem…reinforces the hazards of
body weight”
Mortality risk of obesity “is slight
…and nonexistent for the elderly”
Stevens et al.,, NEJM 1998;338:1-7
““OBJECTIVE” EVALUATION?OBJECTIVE” EVALUATION?
“ “ Uninfluenced by emotion, Uninfluenced by emotion,
surmise, or personal prejudice.”surmise, or personal prejudice.”
OBJECTIVEOBJECTIVE
IMPLICATIONSIMPLICATIONS
““Measurement Mania”Measurement Mania”
“ “ Not everything that can be countedNot everything that can be counted
counts and not everything thatcounts and not everything that
counts can be counted.”counts can be counted.”
EinsteinEinstein
IMPLICATIONSIMPLICATIONS
“ “Rather than ignore things we can’t Rather than ignore things we can’t
measure we begin to see them as themeasure we begin to see them as the
true foundations of our being andtrue foundations of our being and
our health.”our health.”
Michael D, World Future Society Bulletin, 17(1), 1-6.Michael D, World Future Society Bulletin, 17(1), 1-6.
IMPLICATIONSIMPLICATIONS
““Outcome Obsession”Outcome Obsession”
DescartesDescartes - - Gain knowledge by Gain knowledge by eliminating uncertaintyeliminating uncertainty
BaconBacon - - Eliminate uncertainty by Eliminate uncertainty by controlling naturecontrolling nature
“ “OUTCOME OBSESSION”OUTCOME OBSESSION”
““When we’re in complete control, everything When we’re in complete control, everything will be fine. We’ll have fusion power. No will be fine. We’ll have fusion power. No Pollution. We’ll turn the rain on and off…Pollution. We’ll turn the rain on and off…We’ll turn the oceans into farms. We’ll We’ll turn the oceans into farms. We’ll control the weather. No more hurricanes, no control the weather. No more hurricanes, no more tornados, no more droughts…All the more tornados, no more droughts…All the life processes of this planet will be where life processes of this planet will be where they belong - where the gods meant them to they belong - where the gods meant them to be - in our hands.” be - in our hands.” Daniel Quinn, IshmaelDaniel Quinn, Ishmael
LINEAR CAUSALITYLINEAR CAUSALITY
Disassemble natural processes Disassemble natural processes
Apply appropriate universal laws Apply appropriate universal laws
Predict and control future changesPredict and control future changes
CHAOS: CHAOS: The Science of ChangeThe Science of Change
“ “Complex” Systems Complex” Systems
Nonlinear CausalityNonlinear Causality
Everything Affects Everything Everything Affects Everything
IMPLICATIONSIMPLICATIONS
Outcome ObsessionOutcome Obsession
““Chaos theory tells us that our Chaos theory tells us that our
interventions are limited and that their interventions are limited and that their
outcome is always, to a certain crucial outcome is always, to a certain crucial
degree, unpredictable.”degree, unpredictable.”
Briggs & Peat, Seven Lessons of Chaos, 1999Briggs & Peat, Seven Lessons of Chaos, 1999
CHAOS & CHANGECHAOS & CHANGE
““The simple laws of cause and effect do not The simple laws of cause and effect do not sufficiently explain the life changes one sufficiently explain the life changes one experiences. We do not totally understand the experiences. We do not totally understand the complex feedback mechanisms at work in men complex feedback mechanisms at work in men and women. Nevertheless we can learn to rely and women. Nevertheless we can learn to rely more on our intuitive, creative capacities in the more on our intuitive, creative capacities in the face of disorder and uncertainty, even though we face of disorder and uncertainty, even though we may not “know” the mechanisms of cause and may not “know” the mechanisms of cause and effect.”effect.”
Gelatt, Chaos and Compassion,Counseling & Values 1995Gelatt, Chaos and Compassion,Counseling & Values 1995
CHAOS & CHANGECHAOS & CHANGE
““We can never be sure how important our We can never be sure how important our own individual contribution will be. Our own individual contribution will be. Our action may be lost in the chaos that action may be lost in the chaos that surrounds us, or it may join with one of surrounds us, or it may join with one of those many loops that sustain an open, those many loops that sustain an open, creative community. On rare occasions it creative community. On rare occasions it may even be taken up and amplified until it may even be taken up and amplified until it transforms the entire community.”transforms the entire community.”
Briggs & Peat, Seven Lessons of Chaos, 1999Briggs & Peat, Seven Lessons of Chaos, 1999
CHAOS & CHANGECHAOS & CHANGE
““We may never know if or how or when We may never know if or how or when our influence will have an effect. The our influence will have an effect. The best we can do is act with truth, best we can do is act with truth, sincerity, and sensitivity, remembering sincerity, and sensitivity, remembering that it is never one person who brings that it is never one person who brings about change but the feedback of about change but the feedback of change within the entire system.”change within the entire system.”
Briggs & Peat, Seven Lessons of Chaos, 1999Briggs & Peat, Seven Lessons of Chaos, 1999
IMPLICATIONSIMPLICATIONS
Distant HealingDistant Healing Intercessory Prayer Intercessory Prayer Precognitive & Shared Dreams Precognitive & Shared Dreams Intuitive DiagnosisIntuitive Diagnosis Telesomatic Events Telesomatic Events
Nonlocality Nonlocality
““HOLISTIC” SCIENCEHOLISTIC” SCIENCE
““Scientists will not need to be reluctant Scientists will not need to be reluctant to adopt a holistic framework, as they to adopt a holistic framework, as they
often are today, for fear of being often are today, for fear of being unscientific. Modern physics can show unscientific. Modern physics can show them that such a framework is not only them that such a framework is not only scientific but is in agreement with the scientific but is in agreement with the most advanced scientific theories of most advanced scientific theories of
physical reality.”physical reality.” Fritjof CapraFritjof Capra
HUMAN SPIRITUALITYHUMAN SPIRITUALITY
““A feeling of belonging, of A feeling of belonging, of
connectedness to each other, connectedness to each other,
to nature, and to the cosmos to nature, and to the cosmos
as a whole” as a whole”
SCIENCE & SPIRITUALITYSCIENCE & SPIRITUALITY
““The main reason science is useful is that itThe main reason science is useful is that it
attempts to solve our human problems.attempts to solve our human problems.
The main reason spirituality is useful isThe main reason spirituality is useful is
that it helps to solve our human problems.that it helps to solve our human problems.
It’s time that we recognize that theIt’s time that we recognize that the
solutions science and spirituality offer aresolutions science and spirituality offer are
one and the same” one and the same” The Spiritual Universe, Fred Alan Wolf, PhDThe Spiritual Universe, Fred Alan Wolf, PhD
SCIENCE & SPIRITUALITYSCIENCE & SPIRITUALITY
“ “The world thus appears as aThe world thus appears as a
complicated tissue of events, incomplicated tissue of events, in
which connections of differentwhich connections of different
kinds alternate or overlap orkinds alternate or overlap or
combine and thereby determinecombine and thereby determine
the texture of the whole.” the texture of the whole.” HeisenbergHeisenberg
SCIENCE & SPIRITUALITYSCIENCE & SPIRITUALITY
““The material object becomes…The material object becomes… something different from what we something different from what we
now see, not a separate object on the now see, not a separate object on the background or in the environment ofbackground or in the environment of the rest of nature but an indivisiblethe rest of nature but an indivisible part and even in a subtle way an part and even in a subtle way an
expression of the unity of all that weexpression of the unity of all that we see.”see.” Yoga MasterYoga Master
SCIENCE & SPIRITUALITYSCIENCE & SPIRITUALITY
“ “ An elementary particle is not anAn elementary particle is not an
independently existing unanalyzableindependently existing unanalyzable
entity. It is, in essence, a set of entity. It is, in essence, a set of
relationships that reach outward torelationships that reach outward to
other things.” other things.”
PhysicsPhysics
SCIENCE & SPIRITUALITYSCIENCE & SPIRITUALITY
“ “ Things derive their being andThings derive their being and
nature by mutual dependence andnature by mutual dependence and
are nothing in themselves” are nothing in themselves”
Buddhism in Capra – Tao of Physics, 138Buddhism in Capra – Tao of Physics, 138
SCIENCE & SPIRITUALITYSCIENCE & SPIRITUALITY
““A Chinese tale tells of some menA Chinese tale tells of some men sent to harm a young girl who, uponsent to harm a young girl who, upon
seeing her beauty, became herseeing her beauty, became her protectors rather than her violators.protectors rather than her violators. That’s how I felt seeing the Earth forThat’s how I felt seeing the Earth for
the first time. I could not help butthe first time. I could not help but love and cherish her.”love and cherish her.”
Robert Keck, Sacred EyesRobert Keck, Sacred Eyes
SCIENCE & SPIRITUALITYSCIENCE & SPIRITUALITY
““The most beautiful and profound The most beautiful and profound
emotion that we can experience is the emotion that we can experience is the
sensation of the mystical. It is the sower sensation of the mystical. It is the sower
of all true science. He to whom this of all true science. He to whom this
emotion is a stranger, who can no longer emotion is a stranger, who can no longer
wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good
as dead.”as dead.” EinsteinEinstein
SCIENCE & SPIRITUALITYSCIENCE & SPIRITUALITY
““There are two ways to live your life.There are two ways to live your life.
One is as though nothing is a miracle. One is as though nothing is a miracle.
The other is as though everything is aThe other is as though everything is a
miracle.”miracle.”
EinsteinEinstein