Workshop On Consciousness 3

Quantum theory and Consciousness This is an interactive discussion, not a lecture. Please feel free to interrupt at any time with your questions and comments.

Why are we dissatisfied? • We feel separate from ourselves. • We feel separate from the world. • Members of Unity know this better than most people!

But, what does physics say about separation? • Until the late 1800s, it was thought that all matter could be described by classical physics, which was a theory of separate, independent, observable objects. • The theory was thought to describe objects as they were, so… • …no interpretation of the theory was needed.

But, problems arose! • Classical theory could not explain certain experiments. • It turned out that something was wrong with the basic assumption that matter consists of separate, independent, observable objects.

After 3 decades of trying to make classical theory work, in the 1920s physicists replaced it with quantum theory • However, quantum theory turned out to be purely mathematical… • …and it was not immediately obvious how to relate the mathematics to observations. • An interpretation was needed for this.

In the workshop, we shall discuss the most widely used interpretation, which is called the Copenhagen interpretation. • This interpretation is not unique. • Physicists use different interpretations for different purposes. • But in all of them, separation is illusionary!

The orthodox (Copenhagen) interpretation of quantum theory • In this interpretation, the only thing that is assumed to exist prior to an observation is a wavefunction that exists over all space. • The wavefunction is assumed to exist whether or not there are any observations. • It represents the probability that a specific event will be observed by the observer using a specific type of apparatus. • It describes all of the possible events that could be observed, but cannot predict which event will actually be observed.

Wavefunction collapse • At the moment of observation, the wavefunction changes irreversibly from a description of all of the possibilities that could be observed to a description of just the event that is observed. • This is called wavefunction collapse.

The next observation • After an observation and wavefunction collapse, a new wavefunction emerges. • It represents all of the possibilities that are allowed by the previous observation. • Another observation then results in another wavefunction collapse, etc. • In this theory, there are no objects. There is nothing but a sequence of observations, which is represented by a sequence of wavefunction collapses.

The mind • “Your” mind consists of one sequence of observations. • “My” mind consist of another sequence of observations. • Both sets of observations result from the same sequence of wavefunction collapses. • However, the wavefunction represents all possibilities and therefore predicts only the probability, not the certainty, that “you” will observe something. Similarly for “me”. • It does not guarantee that what “you” see is the same thing that “I” see.

For example… • …suppose “you” and “I” set up an apparatus to drop no more than one B-B onto a table top, but we don’t know in advance where it settles on the table top. • Now, suppose “you” and “I” simultaneously observe the table top. • What prevents “you” from seeing a B-B at one place on the table while “I” see it in a different place?

Consistency requires that collapse be nonlocal • The Copenhagen interpretation requires that wavefunction collapse happens over all space simultaneously so that “your” observations are consistent with “my” observations, no matter how far apart “we” are. This is called nonlocal collapse. • But, Einstein’s special theory of relativity says that no physical effect can travel with a velocity greater than the velocity of light. • Thus, there is no physical explanation for anything that happens over all space simultaneously, so there is no physical mechanism for nonlocal collapse. • Therefore, nonlocal collapse can only result from a nonphysical mechanism.

What is it that… • …is nonphysical and can cause collapse to occur over all space simultaneously? • …can ensure that what “you” observe is consistent with what “I” observe?

A possible answer • Nonlocal, universal Consciousness (which we can call pure Awareness) is nonphysical and might cause wavefunction collapse. • It is nonphysical because Awareness is what is aware. It is not an object of awareness, so it cannot be observed. • If pure Awareness collapses the wavefunction, it collapses it so that what “you” observe is consistent with what “I” observe.

More conclusions • There are no separate objects that are observed. There is only a stream of observations. • Each mind conceptualizes its stream of observations into separate objects. • However, different minds can communicate and agree on what exists, so they are not really separate. • How can our minds not be separate? Because the Awareness that is aware of “your” mind is the same Awareness that is aware of “my” mind.

*Footnote *These statements are the essence of both Advaita and Buddhism. (In Advaita, nonlocal universal Consciousness is called pure Awareness. In Mahayana Buddhism, it is called primordial consciousness, or buddha-nature.

If “I” am not separate, why do “I” feel separate? • Awareness identifies with a “me” that feels separate and that clings and resists. • The “me” clings to the notion that “it” can think, feel, and do, and… • …“it” resists the notion that “it” cannot think, feel, and do.

Some examples of resisting and clinging • “I” should not have these thoughts (“I” should have only pure thoughts). • “I” should not have these feelings (“I” should have only pleasant feelings). • “I” should not have these emotions (“I” should have only loving emotions). • “I” should not have these body sensations (“I” should have only wholesome sensations). • “I” should not behave the way “I” do (“I” should always behave compassionately). • “I” should not be in this world (“I” should be in a more compassionate, loving world).

Let’s see if we can find a “me” • Let’s close our eyes and look for the “me”. • If the “me” seems to be located in the mind, what is it that is thinking that? • If the “me” seems to be located in the body, what is it that is feeling that? • If the “me” seems to be located outside of the body/mind, what is it that sees that? • If “you” cannot find a “me”, can there be one?

So, what can “we” do? • If there is no “me” that can think, feel, or do, there is no “me” that can do anything. • However, this does not mean that nothing can happen. • Spiritual practice can happen (but “we” can’t do it). • Spiritual practice helps us to see that there is no “me”, and to discover our true nature. • “We” then see that… • …“We” have no control. • …Everything that happens is impersonal. • …Karma is impersonal. • …Suffering is impersonal.

Spiritual practices • There are innumerable spiritual practices. Listed below are two that can be used concurrently for investigating the nature of reality. • Inquiry: We have already practiced inquiry by looking for the “me”. We can also investigate the doer, the true nature of the body, mind, and consciousness, the “I”, pure Awareness, pure Subjectivity, and pure Presence. • Mindfulness meditation: We focus on the breath. We will lose our focus and become lost in thought. When we reawaken, we refocus on the breath. We do this innumerable times. We see that all thoughts, feelings, and body sensations come and go spontaneously (causelessly). Thus, we see first-hand that there is no doer and that “we” have no control.

Links • Website: http://www.faculty.virginia.edu/consciousness

• Osher Lifelong Living Institute course: http://www.olliuva.org

• Personal Enrichment course: http://www.scps.virginia.edu/courses/ncph005.php

Namaste΄ “The Light of Awareness in me salutes the Light of Awareness in you.”