Quantum Mechanics and the Power of Prayer

“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

[physicist, and originator of modern quantum theories.

Interview in 'The Observer' (25 January 1931), p.17, column 3]

QUANTUM ENTANGLEMENT

The most important term to know is entanglement, which lies at the heart of quantum physics. A very basic explanation is that entanglement is when elementary particles become linked and behave as one regardless of how far apart they are. Albert Einstein famously called the phenomenon “spooky action at a distance”.

So, when one changes, the other does, too, at the exact same moment; faster than the speed of light, which according to classical physics is impossible. We know it happens, we just don’t totally understand how or why it does. Though, of course, that hasn’t stopped us from using it to build the next generation of quantum computers.

Studying patterns seen in the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB), which is radiation left from the early universe, researchers have shown that during inflation (the process of the universe rapidly expanding during the 'Big Bang') a different quantum state called an "entangled state" naturally formed when another scalar field is present [specifically the Higgs field - a field that gives mass to other fundamental particles]. This suggests that on a quantum level, all matter [you, me, and the ground under our feet] are basically entangled from the creation of our universe.

[Summation #1: All matter, including us, are connected on a quantum level]

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CLASSIC vs QUANTUM PHYSICS

Classical and quantum physics are the two primary realms of physics. Classical physics governs the motion, energy, and force of the macroworld. It’s the domain of gravity and the motion of large objects like the solar system while also keeping us stuck to the ground. The human brain has mostly been assumed to be within this classical system.

On the opposite side is quantum physics which rules the micro-world of particles, atoms, photons, and waves that interact and behave in frustratingly unpredictable ways.

An analogy to these battling views of physics could be thought of as follows: Classical physics is like the ‘good child’ who follows the rules, and their behavior is mostly predictable. While quantum physics is the ‘rebel child’ who disregards all the rules and has no interest in fitting in a predictable ‘box’.

As it stands, no one has found a way to make these two children get along, but there is no shortage of brilliant minds dedicated to making it happen. Doing so would lead toward an comprehensive, unified theory of everything which would explain the entire Universe, and Life itself, in a single equation. The key lies in solving quantum gravity, which is still hypothetical, would help experts uncover more fundamental forces of our Universe and possibly lead us to a unified theory.

QUANTUM’S CONSCIOUSNESS EFFECT

The double-slit experiment is a fundamental experiment in quantum mechanics that explores the wave-particle duality of particles, such as electrons or photons. The experiment was first performed by Thomas Young in 1801 with light, and later extended to electrons by Clinton Davisson and Lester Germer in 1927.

Here's a basic overview of the double-slit experiment:

Setup: In its simplest form, the experiment involves a barrier with two closely spaced slits and a screen behind the slits to detect the particles.

DOUBLE-SLIT EXPERIMENT:

• A spray of light energy called Photons were shot towards a single slit in a barrier and noted the pattern it created.

• Predictably it made a single column of hits on the screen, matching the slit.

• When sprayed at two slits, they expected a pattern of two columns.

• But that’s not what happened; several columns of hits from the spray appeared on the screen.

• They theorized it was due to light energy behaving like waves on a pond. When they hit the barrier of the two slits, the waves then interfere with each other resulting in the pattern.

• So, they now tried the experiment again, but shooting the photons one at a time towards the screen in order to get the two-column hit pattern, but that didn’t happen.

• It still ended up making several hit-columns! How is that possible? There is no interference occurring.

• They repeated the experiment, but this time they watched to see which slit the photons went through and where it hit on the screen.

• But this time they ended up with only a two-column hit pattern!

• This phenomena in the physics experiment only happened when a Conscious Observer watched which slit the photon travels through.

This is called The Observer Effect.

DICUSSION OF WHAT HAPPENED

Wave-Particle Duality:

Before the particles are detected, they exhibit characteristics of both particles and waves. When no one is observing, they behave like waves, creating an interference pattern on the screen, where the waves either reinforce or cancel each other out, creating bands of light and dark.

Observer Effect:

The most intriguing aspect of the double-slit experiment is the observer effect. When you introduce a measurement apparatus to determine which slit the particle goes through, the behavior changes. The interference pattern disappears, and the particles behave more like individual particles, creating a pattern of two distinct bands on the screen.

Quantum Superposition:

The concept of superposition is crucial here. Before measurement, particles exist in a superposition of states, meaning they can take multiple paths simultaneously (passing through both slits as waves). However, when measured, the act of observation forces the particle to "choose" one of the possible states, collapsing the superposition into a definite outcome.

• This phenomenon is often described using the famous thought experiment called Schrödinger's Cat. The idea is that a cat inside a sealed box can be both alive and dead simultaneously until someone opens the box and observes the cat, at which point it must be in one state or the other.

The double-slit experiment and the observer effect challenge our classical intuitions and highlight the strange and counterintuitive nature of quantum mechanics. It raises questions about the nature of reality, the role of observation, and the fundamental principles that govern the behavior of particles at the quantum level.

[Summation #2: Our consciousness determines the state of reality]

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STUDY OF QUANTUM CONSCIOUSNESS

In October 2022, a study by scientists from Trinity College Dublin, published in the Journal of Physics Communications, proposed that quantum entanglement might occur in our brains. While the concept of quantum systems in the brain isn't entirely new, understanding these systems remains a challenge. Previous research, such as a 2018 study on xenon gas, hinted at quantum effects, but the specifics are not well understood.

Christian Kerskens, a neuroscience researcher at Trinity, highlighted the difficulty in studying quantum systems in the brain. He suggested that if the brain utilizes quantum computation, the involved operators could differ from those observed in atomic systems. To investigate this, Kerskens and his team had to find a way to measure an unknown quantum system using limited equipment.

Their approach involved leveraging existing methods used in quantum gravity research, using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine capable of detecting entanglement. The study aimed to observe whether an unknown quantum system could interact with a known system (proton spins in the brain) and induce entanglement.

The researchers scanned 40 participants using the MRI machine and monitored the correlated activity between the subjects' brains and heartbeats. The heart-brain connection is intriguing due to its influence on emotions, attention, motivation, and pain levels, with connections to aging and short-term memory.

The study focused on the heartbeat potential (HEP), an electrical signal generated by the heart, linked to consciousness. When the HEP peaked, there was a corresponding increase in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signals, indicating interactions between proton spins. The researchers interpreted this as a potential sign of entanglement, especially since the signals were only present when participants were awake.

The results suggest a possible connection between quantum phenomena and brain function, offering insights into quantum gravity. If confirmed, this could be a crucial step in understanding how the brain works and may even imply that consciousness itself operates as a quantum system.

[Summation #3: Our physical brains can communicate on a quantum level and potentially entangle.]

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EFFECTS OF MASS CONSCIOUSNESS:

[Changes in Random Data during Global Events]

Starting in the early 1990’s, a laboratory scientist by the name of Dr. Dean Radin, began performing experiments testing the relationship between mind and matter. In these experiments, random number generators were used to test whether collective human intention (later also adding human attention) corresponds to a change in the physical environment; the research is still ongoing and is called, The Global Consciousness Project.

Basically, the experiment involves flipping a coin and wishing for “heads”, then flipping it again and wishing for “tails”. However, coins are not precise enough for this type of research. In place of flipping coins, the electronic number generators can produce random bits of data very quickly and precisely. In these experiments, participants are asked to mentally influence the output of the random number generator to create more “ones” or “zeros”.

The Global Consciousness Project represents a new stage in the study of a relationship between the mind and the physical world, building on fifty years of prior experiments. The main focus of these experiments was to investigate how “intention” impacts the behavior of matter, ultimately leading to the fundamental question of what role the mind plays in the physical world. Western science traditionally sees the role of the mind in the physical world as relatively insignificant; for an example, even if an automotive designer might have a mental image and “intention” to build a car, it takes a lot of effort to turn that “intention” into a tangible vehicle. However, the question at the heart of this research asks whether there is a direct link between one's “intention” and the behavior of the world.

Over the course of 30+ years, researchers have been studying the relationship between intention and the behavior of physical systems. During farther development of the project’s concept, Roger Nelson at Princeton proposed that “attention”, in addition to “intention”, may play a role in this relationship. Specifically, he suggested that attending to something creates a coherent mental state that can also affect the physical world. If the target of “attention” is a random system, attending to it can make the system more ordered and less random.

To test this hypothesis, Nelson conducted experiments where a random number generator electronic circuit was placed near a group of meditators, which is comparable to prayer groups. He found that the randomness of the system decreased during meditation, indicating a greater degree of order, suggesting that “attention” can lead to coherence and affect the behavior of physical systems. These experiments were conducted multiple times by Nelson and his colleagues, both with and without the meditators' knowledge of the presence of the random generator, and the results consistently showed a decrease in randomness during periods of coherence.

The project now has observed and recorded over 200 events such as terrorist attacks, tsunamis, earthquakes, political events, celebrity deaths, and other unexpected occurrences in their database. The odds against ‘chance’ for a composite of more than 200 events are ‘over a million to one’, so they have good statistical reasons to believe that the random generators are not behaving randomly during large-scale events that attract a lot of attention.

[Summation #4: Entanglement of our brain’s consciousness during periods of common ‘intentions’ and ‘attention’ effects physical reality.]

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CONSCIOUSNESS as a FUNDAMENTAL ASPECT of REALITY

Exploring the idea that consciousness is a fundamental aspect of reality suggests a paradigm shift, positioning consciousness not as an emergent property but as an intrinsic element. This perspective prompts considerations of how consciousness might interact with and influence quantum processes.

In this framework, consciousness is posited as a foundational and irreducible element of reality. This concept challenges traditional views where consciousness is considered an emergent property of complex brain processes. Instead, it suggests that consciousness is woven into the fabric of the universe.

One avenue that is being explored involves examining the concept of quantum coherence in consciousness. Indications are that states of heightened consciousness or focused intention leads to coherence in neural processes at a quantum level. This coherence, if extended beyond individual brains, could result in a collective quantum state influencing physical events.

The Orchestrated Objective Reduction (Orch-OR) theory proposed by Roger Penrose and Stuart Hameroff aligns with this framework. Orch-OR suggests that the exchange between the physical brain and the quantum world are processes within microtubules in neurons; with this information, implications arise that consciousness is not produced by the brain, but received from a collective source. Speculatively, these quantum processes could also extend beyond individual brains, and link through this collective source with others to form a global quantum consciousness.

[Summation #5: Our unified (collective) consciousness, occurring on a quantum level with our brains through identified nerve structures call Microtubials, is required for physical reality to exist.]

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ERROR CORRECTION CODE

In 2010, Dr. Sylvester James Gates Jr., a theoretical physicist at the University of Maryland (known for his work on supersymmetry, supergravity, and string theory), made headlines when he revealed discovery of what appeared to be computer code embedded in the equations of supersymmetry, a theoretical framework that attempts to unify the laws of physics. Gates' findings suggest that the fundamental laws of physics might have a computational aspect to them.

What he found was the exact same computer code used by the World Wide Web within the mathematical formulas of the String Theory. Specifically, he said it was an error-correcting mechanism; this has led him to speculate [in a mostly joking way] that we might in fact be living in a giant computer simulation.

Error correction code (ECC) is a technique used to ensure the accuracy of data transmitted over the internet. When data is transmitted over a network, it can sometimes get corrupted or lost due to interference or other issues. ECC helps to detect and correct errors that may occur during transmission by adding extra bits to the data stream. These extra bits are used to check for errors and, if necessary, correct them.

Think of it like a spell checker for data. Just as a spell checker can identify and correct spelling errors in a document, ECC can identify and correct errors in data transmitted over a network. By using ECC, the internet can ensure that data is transmitted accurately and reliably, which is important for many applications, such as online banking, e-commerce, and online communication.

It is worth noting this idea of the universe possibly being a form of computer or that the laws of physics might be based on an information system, has a long history in physics and philosophy. The hypothesis that space and time could be a quantum error-correcting code is only one of several recent attempts to explore this idea in the context of quantum information theory and the theory of quantum gravity.

[Summation #6: an “error correction” system has been found built into the fabric of our universe.]

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THE SOURCE

The global consciousness research explains the effects seen when a congregation of people pray to God for intervention. There appears to be a system we have yet to discover that our Creator built into the structure of our universe which responds to “Attention” and “Intention” of our consciousness (prayers). The Error Correction Code found by Dr. Gates would support this understanding, as would Roger Penrose and Stuart Hameroff’s Orchestrated Objective Reduction (Orch-OR) theory.

With this in mind, Dr. Gary Schwartz (having background at Yale, Harvard, and the University of Arizona) refers to the brain as a biological translation device, not to be used as the source of our wisdom but rather as a receptor. In his work, Dr. Schwartz often emphasizes the interconnectedness of all things and the importance of taking responsibility for the effects of our thoughts and actions on others and the world around us. He also advocates for the use of scientific methods to study spiritual and paranormal phenomena, and he has been a proponent of using rigorous research methods to explore these topics in a systematic and objective way.

Yet, science forcefully and fervently distances itself from any use of ‘scientific discoveries’ as evidence in support for a supreme being. The academic sciences are marred by a bias with an inclination towards materialism. Researchers either assume or find it convenient to conclude that spiritual experiences are solely the result of brain states; reducing the profound aspects of human rationality and spirituality to nothing more than evolved brain matter.

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AGGREGATE OF SUMMATIONS

Based on the summations, it is possible to draw the conclusion of a deep and interconnected relationship between consciousness, quantum physics, and the fabric of the universe. The 6-key points are as follows:

1. Interconnectedness on a Quantum Level: All matter, including humans, is connected on a quantum level.

2. Consciousness and Reality: Our consciousness plays a role in determining the state of reality.

3. Quantum Communication in the Brain: Our physical brains can communicate on a quantum level and potentially entangle.

4. Effects of Collective Consciousness: The entanglement of our brain's consciousness during periods of common intentions and attention can influence physical reality.

5. Unified (Collective) Consciousness: Our collective consciousness, occurring on a quantum level through identified nerve structures like Microtubials, is essential for physical reality to exist.

6. Error Correction in the Universe: There is an "error correction" system built into the structure of the universe.

The overarching conclusion is that the interconnectedness of matter, consciousness, and quantum phenomena suggests a fundamental relationship between our subjective experience and the objective nature of the universe, and that this relationship is intricately woven into the fabric of reality, possibly through quantum processes and a collective consciousness. All of which were established in the beginning by God for the purpose of communication and interventions with His creations through the action of prayer.

“The first gulp from the glass of natural sciences

will turn you into an atheist, but at the bottom of the glass

God is waiting for you.”

~Werner Heisenberg (1901-1976)

Founding Father of Quantum Mechanics