By Steven Richheimer
Introduction
Suppose a scientist wanted to test his theory that objects in the universe were connected by a hidden force or field of information that was not limited by space or time. To test this hypothesis he designed two identical roulette wheels with only black and red pockets that could be spun randomly every 30 seconds using a motor. Control tests indicated that both devices produced exactly 50 percent black and 50 percent red “hits.” After transporting one of the machines to a colleague on the Moon, both roulette wheels were started simultaneously and the two scientists recorded whether their machines produced a black or a red “hit” every 30 seconds for a half an hour. After comparing the two lists of 60 data points, it was found that the two data sets had a perfect negative correlation. In other words, when the wheel on Earth came up black the wheel on the Moon hit red and vice versa. When the odds that this would occur by chance were calculated they were found to be one in 1018 or once in a billion, billion runs.
Since this could not be a chance occurrence, the scientist concluded that the roulette wheels were connected or communicating with one another. There was simply no other reasonable explanation for the results. Although subsequent investigation could not find any known means by which the two machines were “talking” with one another, it would take only 1.3 seconds for signals moving at the speed of light to travel between the Earth and the Moon.
Hence, the scientist decided to repeat the experiment by placing the distant wheel on Mars where it would take much longer for information traveling at the speed of light to travel. After a start signal was sent to his associate on Mars, the scientist started his machine exactly 13 minutes later. In this way, the wheels were started simultaneously. The results amazed the scientist and confirmed his theory because the two sets of data were again perfectly correlated. This second experiment demonstrated conclusively that local signals traveling at the speed of light could not be responsible for the result, According to the laws of physics, there was simply no explanation for how the two randomly generated black–red data sets could be correlated, yet they clearly were.
Entanglement
Of course, this experiment has not been done, but it does illustrate the results obtained by scientists who have investigated the connection observed between small particles such as photons (light particles), electrons, atoms, and molecules. Physicists have a name for this connection: entanglement. It was predicted by quantum theory and first proven to exist in the 1980s. Physicists use terms like “weird,” “crazy,” “bizarre,” and “inexplicable” to describe entanglement. It demonstrates a level of reality that is governed by nonlocality—that is, a connection that is not dependent on either time or space. Entangled particles remain connected no matter how far apart they are, a change in one is instantly communicated to the other, and the connection is not affected by distance.
An example of entanglement is an actual experiment performed by astronomers in which a distant quasar appears to be split into two objects by the bending of light from an intervening galaxy between Earth and the quasar. The light that is bent has roughly 50,000 light years more distance to travel than the light that comes to Earth directly. However, the photon beams from the quasar interfere with each other in exactly the same way as if they were emitted seconds apart in the laboratory. The photons remain connected or entangled despite the fact that they were emitted billions of years ago and arrive 50,000 years apart.14
Entanglement has been shown to occur not only for small particles, but also for complex systems. There is even evidence that it occurs in the cells of our bodies. In addition, there is no theoretical limit to the extent of entanglement. Experiments indicate that quantum entanglement grows exponentially with the number of particles involved in the original quantum state.7 Since the universe is believed to have begun in a singular state that erupted in a massive explosion, it is believed by some scientists that on a basic level the universe consists of a vast web of particles that remain in contact with one another throughout all time and space.7, 13
Quantum Physics and Nonlocality
Our discussion so far has touched on one of the most important and successful theories ever discovered by physicists—quantum theory or quantum mechanics. The theory was first developed in the early part of the 20th century by such great scientists as Neils Bohr, Max Planck, Albert Einstein, Erwin Schrödinger, Werner Heisenberg, and others. It was needed to explain the discontinuous nature of energy that was observed in experiments. Quantum mechanics has been incredibly successful at describing with great mathematical precision the interactions of energy and matter that occur at the microscopic scale.
One of the hallmarks of quantum theory and one that is borne out by countless experiments and observations is nonlocality. One example of this is entanglement, but in addition, experiments prove that all quanta behave nonlocally. They appear to exist not in one place but have a finite probability of being found anywhere in the universe. In a sense, they are spread through all space and time until they are actually observed.3, 9, 10
Second, depending on how they are observed, quanta may behave like particles at times and like waves at other times. Until a quantum is observed or measured, it has no definite properties but is thought to exist in all possible states simultaneously (quantum superposition).3 These are virtual rather that real states. Somehow, observation (normally by an instrument) fixes a quantum in a specific or “real” state. However, it is impossible to predict with certainty which of the possible states will emerge from the “quantum soup.” All that quantum mechanics can do is predict the probability that a quantum will assume a specific location and energy state.9
Third, even after a quantum emerges from its virtual state into physical reality it cannot be pinned down exactly. For example, the better the position of a quantum particle is known the less is known about its speed. Hence, there is always uncertainty in measuring quanta (Heisenberg uncertainty principle). Finally, quanta that are created from a single source are entangled, and as we have seen this connection is not limited by the speed of light or affected by distance.
Numerous experiments in the last one hundred years have clearly demonstrated that the behavior of quanta is not determined by the conditions of the test alone. Their behavior such as their wave-like or particle-like nature depends on the totality of the experimental apparatus and the intention of the experimenter. This outlines an important aspect of quantum nonlocality, namely, that the observer and the observed system cannot be separated. The observer or his instruments are part of the system and influence the outcome of the observation. In other words, the act of observing (consciousness?) alters or influences the system and this alteration is independent of the flow of time.9, 10, 14
One example of this is when photons are passed through two closely spaced slits forming a diffraction pattern of alternating dark and light lines. If the experimenter electronically closes one of the slits after the photon has passed the slits, the diffraction pattern disappears resulting in a simple diffusion pattern (slight spreading of the beam of light). This will occur anytime one of the slits is unavailable to the photon because it needs to act like a wave and interact with the wave front of other photons to produce the interference pattern. What is weird is that this effect occurs after the photon has passed through the slits. It goes to a different location on the photographic plate as though it knew that the slit was going to be closed. Such experimental observations are contrary to the common sense notion of cause and effect. In the weird world of quantum mechanics, an effect (the photon’s position) can occur before the cause (closing of a slit).10, 14
Quantum Computers, Communication, and Teleportation
Quantum entanglement makes possible the exciting new technology of quantum computing. Quantum computers use quantum bits (qubits) instead of bits. The quantum information encoded by a qubit contains information about the quantum state of the qubit—not just whether it is one or zero; but because a qubit can be a superposition of many states, the power of such computers can theoretically be orders of magnitude greater than that of classical computers in use today.
The development of such “supercomputers” is still in its infancy but researchers at IBM have successfully built a prototype processor having 50 qubits.5 While 50 bits for a normal computer is equivalent to seven bytes and could not even code for the word “computer,” in quantum physics one requires 102n–1 bits to describe the system completely. This translates to 1.1 × 1012 bits (100 terabytes) of data, which is equivalent to 10 times the print collections of the U.S. Library of Congress.
Currently, there is a quantum computer sold commercially, which can do simple computations using a small number of qubits. Unlike classical computers that can perform only one operation at a time, albeit very, very rapidly, a quantum computer utilizing qubits can perform many calculations simultaneously. For example, think of a single rat placed into a complicated maze with hundreds of dead ends and only one way out. It might take the rat many hours to find its way out as it tries numerous paths, only to be blocked most of the time. Now consider putting a hundred rats into the maze at the same time. Surely, one of the rats, by chance will find the elusive escape route in a short time.
A quantum computer with its entangled qubits, which can be either one, zero, and states in between, is able to make many calculations at the same time expanding its potential computational power millions of times over that of today’s most powerful supercomputers. In the future quantum computers will surely be used to greatly enhance robotics, artificial intelligence, and solve many complex problems such as weather and financial forecasting that are not possible using today’s classical computers.
Recently, Chinese researchers were able to use a space laser on a satellite to send entangled pairs of photons to two sites in Tibet some 1200 km apart. This experiment was an important first step in demonstrating quantum communication, which uses entangled photons to encode information in such a way that it would be impossible to break the encryption.15 Normally if you want to send a coded message between two people, you must give them both a secure key that allows them to translate the message. At the same time, you must protect that key from any nosy third parties who are trying to spy on the conversation. A complex quantum key, shared via entangled particles, would do the trick because if a spy tried to steal the code-breaking information, this would disrupt the entanglement making it useless for the intruder, and in addition, it would inform the intended recipient that there was an attempt to intercept the message. Hence, the beauty of quantum communication is that the integrity of the data sent is protected by the laws of physics and thus there can be no higher level of security. This form of communication would enhance the security of data for IoT, blockchains, and big data business as we have covered in Chapters 1 through 3 of the book.
Quantum teleportation is similar to quantum communication in that quantum information, such as the exact state of a photon, electron, ion, or atom is transmitted from one location to another. It is another well-established example of quantum entanglement. It differs in that quantum teleportation provides a mechanism for moving qubits from one location to another, without physically moving the underlying qubit particles.
Quantum teleportation can take place when there is previously established quantum entanglement of particles at the sending and receiving locations, and the information about the particles is sent by way of a “quantum channel” to the receiving station from the sending station. Because such a channel must be set up using classical communication methods, the overall transfer of information cannot exceed the speed of light. In the process of transfer, the information carried by the particle at the sending station is destroyed.17 While the name teleportation conjures up images from Star Trek, it cannot be used to transport material objects—only information about objects, and it would take enormous technological advances before this quantum information could be used to assemble even a simple object.
Spiritual Ideology
Cosmologists have theorized that the universe began with a “Big Bang,” which led to the formation of space and time and eventually gas (mostly hydrogen), which under the pull of gravity condensed to form stars. Hydrogen nuclei in stars fuse to create heavier elements with the release of tremendous amounts of energy. The heaviest elements are created when large stars collapse and explode (supernovae). It is further theorized that it is the materials that are emitted from the stars that eventually form planets such as Earth. However, cosmologists do not explain how matter and energy emerged from nothing.
On the other hand, spiritual ideology (or spiritual worldview) has a simple and logical explanation for the origin of the universe. The entire creation is singular or whole and is formed from consciousness. Hence, consciousness is considered the “ground substance” of creation and it is consciousness that is transformed into cosmic mind (e.g., the mind of God) and then gradually into the material world. Hence, spiritual ideology is monistic—everything is a manifestation of cosmic consciousness.13 Furthermore, if suitable conditions exist on a planet, consciousness can express itself within individual physical structures beginning with single-celled organisms. Similar to the Darwinist model of evolution, but under the influence and guidance of cosmic mind, the living organisms evolve leading to creatures with more and more complex mental and physical structures and ultimately to sentient or self-aware beings—what we call humans. Because the human mind reflects the subtler aspects of cosmic mind, human beings are inexorably drawn back to the source of creation (consciousness); and eventually after many incarnations, they will merge their individual mind into cosmic consciousness.
This worldview is central to most of the religious and philosophical traditions of the East including Vedantism (Hinduism), Buddhism, Taoism, Sufism, Tantra, and yoga. Creation begins with consciousness and one’s individual existence continues until it is merged or lost in the unqualified sea of pure consciousness (God). In other words, spiritual ideology is “top-down” ontology, in which creation begins with conscious- ness and cruder aspects of reality are epi-phenomena of it.1, 12, 13
On the other hand, the materialist or physicalist worldview is a “bottom-up” explanation of reality. Subatomic particles such as electrons, protons, and neutrons make up atoms that combine to form molecules. Complex and self-replicating biomolecules originate by chemical trans- formations that give rise to simple single-celled living organisms. These simple life forms experience environmental and competitive pressures, natural variations, and with increased survival of beneficial traits, evolve into increasingly complex life forms with larger brains, developed minds, and consciousness.
In this scenario, consciousness is an epiphenomenon of matter. Hence, the materialistic worldview assumes that all physical and mental phenomena can be explained by interactions of matter and energy. By necessity, all such interactions are local—that is, governed by local forces or energy fields. This requirement creates a problem for the materialistic worldview—quantum theory, which has been tremendously successful in predicting and explaining scientific observations that occur at the minute realm of matter and energy, is decidedly nonlocal. In other words, the phenomenon of quantum nonlocality can be considered to have put a dagger through the heart of materialism with its requirement for locality. Neither modern science nor Western religions have introduced the concept of wholeness as a feature of reality. To many in the West, the idea that the universe is one undivided whole is a foreign concept that goes against everyday experience. It implies that discreetness, differentiation, individualism, and so on are illusory, a relative reality—not ultimate reality. Hence, it is no surprise that most of the public and a majority of scientists are ill informed about the implications of nonlocality as it pertains to a basic understanding of reality.
The Quantum Wave Function and Spirituality
In the 1920s, the pioneering work of Nobel Prize winning physicist Erwin Schrödinger provided a method for calculating the possible wave functions for a system. Therefore, the quantum wave function is also known as the Schrödinger wave equation. A wave function describes mathematically the properties of a wave such as water waves or vibrating violin strings. However, for quantum systems the wave function is not a wave in physical space, but a wave in an abstract “mathematical space.” Although the mathematics is quite complex, in simple terms, the wave function details all the possible states that a particle or system may have and also gives the probability that it will assume any single state when “observed.” The Schrödinger wave equation provides an explanation for wave– particle duality. Before a quantum particle is observed and manifests in the “real” world it is best described as a wave. When it is observed or measured, it behaves like a particle. Observation apparently “kicks” the particle or system out of the realm of infinite potentialities into a specific state.3 When this occurs, it is called the “collapse of the wave function.” Since the wave function details possibilities, it speaks of a domain of reality that precedes and is subtler than what we perceive as physical reality. Hence, any ontology must include an explanation of this underlying and unseen realm from which physical reality emerges.
Since we cannot know the state of a particle before it is observed, quantum theory concludes it must be a superposition of all possible states. Hence, the underlying domain of the wave function is not one of separate parts but one in which all possibilities coexist in a state of wholeness—everything being interconnected and interdependent. By necessity, this web of connectivity must permeate the entire universe. Hence, the domain of the quantum wave function is one of temporal and spatial nonlocality.3, 10, 14
Following is a summary of the properties of the hidden domain of the wave function.
- It expresses wholeness. This is a fundamental aspect of reality that exists at a deeper level than ordinary spacetime.
- It is timeless. It exists outside spacetime. The past, present, and future are meaningless when discussing this realm. It is only after the wave function collapses by observation or conscious awareness that an arrow of time comes into existence.
- It is nonlocal. It penetrates and surrounds ordinary reality and is not localized in any part of space but is all encompassing, everywhere at the same time. It is only after an observation that a “part” of reality represented by the function becomes localized in space.
- It is a mathematical representation of the possibilities. It determines the probability that any particular quantum possibility will become “real” (when observed).
- Theoretically, all matter and energy have associated wave functions. This includes the brain, the body, and the universe as a whole. The wave function represents the gestalts for these individual entities.
- The domain of the wave function does not contain energy as such. Instead, it is the underlying source of all energy. In a sense, it contains the potential for expression of almost infinite energy.
- The collapse of the wave function does not require energy—just observation or consciousness. This appears to be the mechanism by which mind, which is nonphysical, affects matter (brain).
Interestingly the properties of the wave function are identical to the cosmic mind of spiritual ideology. The wave function serves as the mathematical underpinning of quantum mechanics and because its description of reality has been repeatedly verified by countless experiments, we must conclude that quantum theory is entirely consistent with the spiritual worldview but antithetical to the spatial and temporal locality of the materialistic worldview.
Einstein’s theory of Relativity and its Spiritual Implications
In 1887 two American scientists, Albert Michelson and Edward Morley, showed that the speed of light was a constant whether the Earth was moving toward or away from a distant star. This observation contradicted the commonsense notion that speeds should add up—for example, a bullet fired forward from a fast-moving car should have a higher velocity than one fired backward. For light, this is not the case—it travels at a constant speed in empty space.
Albert Einstein realized that if the speed of light was a constant no matter what point of reference was used, then something else had to change to account for its constancy. He sensed that this “something” must be space itself. He proposed that space could flex and change, become compressed, or expanded according to the relative motion of an object and an observer. The only constant was the speed of light itself or an integrated four-dimensional “fabric” he called spacetime. These insights led to Einstein’s special theory of relativity, which states that the universe has four dimensions. There are three of space—width, length, and height—and one of time. Time is not a separate dimension in this scheme but is fully integrated with the three spatial dimensions. Hence, each of the four dimensions of spacetime has a spatial and temporal component. Einstein realized that with motion, space shrinks and time dilates, while for an object with no relative motion, the movement through spacetime is in time alone.
Einstein’s equations indicated that the faster an object moves, the slower the passage of time and the more mass it gains. Ultimately, at the speed of light, time stops. However, for matter it would be impossible to attain this speed since it would require all the mass–energy of the universe. Experiments have proven Einstein’s theories about space, time, energy, and mass, to be correct. For example, the rate of decay of unstable subatomic particles accelerated near the speed of light in a cyclotron is slowed exactly as predicted by Einstein, and such particles gain the exact amount of mass predicted by the theory.
However, photons, which carry electromagnetic radiation such as visible light, can move at the speed of light since they have no mass. Their internal clocks are stopped and they do not decay like other particles.
Einstein’s general theory of relativity describes gravity as a geometric property of spacetime caused by objects with mass. Gravity is seen as nothing more than a distortion of spacetime. The more massive the object the more it distorts or curves space. Such curvature of space caused by a massive object such as a star causes light passing near it to bend. This prediction of Einstein has been verified experimentally, as has the existence of black holes—objects with such tremendous gravitational force that nothing can escape their pull, including light.
Several startling and unusual consequences arise from Einstein’s new model of the universe. Following is a summary of some of the implications of this new view of space and time:
- Within integrated spacetime only events have meaning. An event such as the explosion of a supernova in our neighboring Andromeda Galaxy is considered a point in the four-dimensional matrix of spacetime. This event may be observed on Earth 2.5 million years later—the time light would take to travel the distance. However, for the stream of light particles (photons) no time will have passed during their transit because their clock is stopped. From the perspective of the photon distance does not equate to the passage of time, while for us, it does because we are accustomed to equating time with distance. The fact is that within four-dimensional spacetime, the exploding of the star is a singular event.14
- Movement causes space to convert to time. When an object is not moving relative to another object, then it is moving in time alone. If an object is moving near the speed of light, then it is moving mostly through space and its clock will slow down relative to a stationary clock. For example, in the future human beings might develop a spaceship that can travel at 90 percent of the speed of light (270,000 kilometers/second). After the astronauts reach full speed on their way to a planet circling a star 20 light years away, they will calculate the distance to the star to be only 10 light years (because of the compression of space). They will then calculate that it should take 11 years to reach their destination. However, because their clock runs at half the speed as clocks on Earth, the event of their arrival after 11 years of their time will correspond precisely with their expected arrival on Earth (22 years).13
- A massive object distorts spacetime. Like a bowling ball bending a rubber membrane, the bending of spacetime corresponds to gravity, and the distortion pulls on time as well. Time is slowed down near a massive object. This effect was demonstrated scientifically by synchronizing two atomic clocks and moving one to the top of a tall building for a week. Upon return to ground level, the upper clock was found to have run a little faster than the one on the ground because the force of gravity diminishes with distance above the surface of the earth. If astronauts orbited a black hole with its massive gravitational pull and then were able return to Earth, their clock would run significantly slower during their close approach compared to clocks on Earth. It is conceivable that after a few hours of “slowed” time near the black hole they could return to Earth and be younger than their grandchildren are.
- Spatial dimensions are compressed at high speed. The shape of an object such as a spaceship would look compressed or flattened to someone observing it as it passed by Earth. To the astronauts on the spaceship, everything would look perfectly normal since everything including their measuring devices would have shrunk the same relative amount.
- Space and time are observer dependent. Time and length may expand or shrink depending on the relative state of motion of the observer and the observed. As space shrinks, time expands (slows). Space is transformed into time and time into space. This is the hallmark of a four-dimensional substance in which the dimensions have both spatial and temporal aspects that are fully integrated and inseparable.
- The “now” is not the same for observers moving relative to one another. For example, if astronauts were traveling away from Earth at high speed their experience of “now” would be of events that already occurred on Earth, while if they were moving toward Earth they would experience events that have not yet taken place on Earth. The “now,” just like the past and future, are observer dependent and therefore mutable.
- Four-dimensional spacetime is unchanging and characterized by wholeness. From the three-dimensional perspective of human experience everything changes in time, but underneath this relative reality lies the unchanging four-dimensional reality of spacetime.
Einstein’s theory of relativity with its mathematical description of a four-dimensional spacetime continuum has been verified by numerous experimental observations. Furthermore, predictions made by the theory have proven correct and highly accurate. It is one of the most important scientific discoveries of all times. Many of today’s technological advances (e.g., the global positioning system (GPS) system) depend on the relative mechanics derived from the theory.
What the theory says about the nature of reality is both mindboggling and revolutionary. It implies that beneath this ever-changing realm of human experience lies a deeper, singular, and unchanging realm of reality. Scientists call this new picture of space and time “block time.” The past, present, and future are all equally real and the flow of time is something human beings create as a convenient way to cope with their three-dimensional experience of reality.14 If one were to possess four-dimensional sight, one would experience things quite differently. Instead of seeing events unfolding with the passage of time, one could witness the entirety of all time and space. This may be the experience of mystics who have described their experience of union with God as entering the “eternal now” or a “timeless state.
Einstein’s new model of the universe has enormous scientific and philosophical implications. So why are there so few scientists today educating the public about what Einstein’s theories say about our experiential reality? Perhaps because to do so would be to admit that our experience of a three-dimensional world is merely a shadow of an all-encompassing timeless realm. This would be counter to the doctrine of materialism that is popular today among the scientific community since it speaks of a monistic view of reality similar to that proposed by idealist philosophers such as Plato. On the other hand, the model is perfectly consistent with the spiritual view of reality.
Nonlocal Mind
The bottom-up ontology of materialism purports the equivalence of mind and brain. That is, mind is a product of neurochemical brain activity. However, countless observations and a massive amount of experimental evidence indicate that mind is nonlocal and nonmaterial and cannot be equated with brain. Following is a brief summary of some of the evidence.
- The unity of sensory experience: There is no identifiable anatomical or brain basis that explains how sensory inputs are unified into a coherent experience. It can be concluded that mind, not brain physiology, is responsible for this.
- Psychosomatic illness: It is well known that mental states affect the body. Psychological feelings such as hopelessness and depression bring about an increased risk of chronic disease, while feelings of joy and laughter improve health. Another example is a placebo that produces a physiological effect due to expectations alone. The connection between mind and body is so strong that doctors sometimes call this “mind–body unity.”
- Other mind–body effects: Examples include stigmata, localized skin responses such as blisters and skin writing, false pregnancy, whitening of hair or skin in response to severe fright or emotional stress, hypnotic effects on autonomic functions, allergies, and skin changes.4
- Memory and dreams: Both are witnessed by mind. If memories were simply stored physiologically in the brain, then they could only be replayed and not witnessed from a third-person point of view. Mind, which is unitary and nonphysical, is able to supply this outside point of view.
- Mystical experience: The experience is universally described as entering into a clear, timeless, unitary, exalted state of ecstasy and limitless consciousness. The similarity across cultural, religious, and national differences is indicative of a life- changing transcendental experience.13
- Reincarnation: There is a preponderance of evidence that some people, especially children, have accurate memories of previous lives.16, 19, 20 Mind, which is nonphysical, survives death and carries memories and karma from one lifetime to the next. This also explains genius and other cases where a child spontaneously develops extraordinary abilities without any formal training.14
- Out-of-body experiences: There have been thousands of cases reported of people floating above their body and witnessing events that took place from this unique perspective.
- Of particular interest are blind persons having visual experiences who accurately describe events that took place while they were unconscious.4, 8, 14
- Near-death experiences (NDE): There is no medical explanation of how people can experience vivid consciousness outside their body when they are clinically dead. There have been thousands of reports and numerous articles and books written about NDE experiences since the term was first introduced by psychiatrist Raymond Moody in his 1975 book Life After Life.8 Second, there is remarkable similarity between accounts, regardless of age, nationality, religion, race, culture, and other demographics.4, 6, 8 The fact that mind can function when the body and brain are “turned off” or considered clinically dead means that mind is nonlocal and separate from brain.
- Extrasensory perception (ESP): There is overwhelming scientific evidence that ESP is real. Any skeptic who was to read Dean Radin’s book, The Conscious Universe: The Scientific Truth of Psychic Phenomena with an open mind would have to admit this fact.11 Statistical meta-analyses of hundreds of well-controlled scientific studies provide the unquestionable scientific evidence for the factual existence of ESP capabilities in human beings.11, 12 ESP studies show that the human mind is capable of accessing information nonlocally in time and space. One of the best examples of this is remote viewing (a type of clairvoyance) in which the trained or gifted viewer is able to describe in detail a scene witnessed by another person—even before that person arrives at the target location. This capability has been extensively studied under controlled laboratory conditions and even used by espionage agencies in the past to gather intelligence.4 In addition, controlled studies of telepathy, precognition, and psychokinesis (intentionally affecting the output of random number generators) provide overwhelming positive evidence for the factual existence of psychic phenomena and demonstrate that information can be passed to an individual nonlocally.12 Naturally, skeptics are quick to dismiss the veracity of the data since the very existence of ESP would disprove the myth of materialism.
- Mind affecting machines: Scientists at the Princeton Engineering Anomalies Research Laboratory concluded after 30 years of study that intentions, emotions, and attitudes of human operators affect sophisticated equipment.2 Major world events have been shown to alter the output of random number generators.12 Studies using intention imprinted electrical devices (IIED) indicate that reproducible and robust affects are observed in instruments such as a pH meter when an IIED is placed nearby with a specific intention imprinted upon it by an experienced meditator.18
For readers of this chapter, who would like to investigate further the compelling evidence indicating that the human mind cannot be equated with the material brain, the author suggests the books Irreducible Mind by Edward Kelly et al.4 and One Mind by Larry Dossey.1
Conclusion
Recent discoveries in the physical sciences indicate that nonlocality is a basic feature of physical reality. Scientists are already taking advantage of this property (entanglement) to build quantum computers that will potentially be millions of times more powerful than today’s supercomputers. This will undoubtedly lead to tremendous advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics.
There is also conclusive evidence that mind is nonlocal. This leads to the conclusion that the spiritual explanation for reality is consistent with modern science while materialism falls short. Spiritual ideology states that consciousness is the first cause of creation and serves as the ground substance of creation; and it is consciousness, not matter/energy that is transformed into the material universe.
Taken from the book Economic Renaissance in the Age of Artificial Intelligence, with permission. Economic Renaissance in the Age of Artificial Intelligence, Apek Mulay (Ed.) Business Expert Press, LLC (2019), 222 East 46th Street, New York, NY 10017. www.businessexpertpress.com
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