Reading this page I call Quantum Queries we get into even more interesting things about which to think.  And what more interesting things can there be to think about than to seriously consider quantum mechanics (or physics?) “Why?” You ask. “Why consider such a tough theory to understand as quantum mechanics? especially since we are mainly interested in human beings and human behavior? Isn’t physics—even quantum physics—interested in and about physical but lifeless things and not about alive, sentient human beings?—even lower animals?” Truly, we need to think about quantum mechanics. Because of the many advances in studying the basic makeup of our universe, it’s actually the one field about which we can now say, “Little do people know, but it’s fact, that quantum mechanics have a great deal to do with us—alive human beings and other lower animals—as much if not more than they have to do with the non-alive Universe.” Surprised? I was too, until I realized that, when many quantum physicists talk about the “ocean of energy” and I talk abut God’s Energy, I find we are talking about the same universal energy that “runs” everything! And, since we are talking about the same thing—only using different words—I felt it a good idea to see how there are other areas in which we are talking about the same thing—other than just the “ocean of energy” or “God’s Energy.” We have to ask just how does quantum mechanics or physics figure into the human equation and our physical and mental—and spiritual dimensions? “So,” you might ask, “what is Quantum Physics that makes it so important for us to consider to understand ourselves, and especially to understand the component of us that is the most important—our mind and all its characteristics, its uniqueness—understand how we are integrated parts and parcels of the universe in which we live? Just what is Quantum Physics?”

Quantum physics is a branch of science that deals with distinct indivisible units of energy called quanta as described by the Quantum Theory. Generally, there are five (sometimes six) main ideas that the quantum theory represents: 1) All energy (every last bit of it) is not an uninterrupted, continuous flow, but is expressed in distinct units or particles—like a radioactive substance doesn’t “decay” in a steady manner; it does it in little “bursts” of energy. 2) These particles do not move or shift position in any routine manner. Their movement is intrinsically random. 3) Paradoxically the basic particles act or behave both as particles and as waves. 4) Knowing both the position and the impetus or drive (momentum) of a particle at the same time is physically impossible—the more precise one of the measurements is, the less precise the other is. When one measurement is accurate, the other is inaccurate—as if in opposition to each other. 5) The atomic (and especially the sub-atomic) world is nothing like the world in which we live. It is a world “of its own”—making ours topsy turvy in comparison. It is strangely different, yet of the greatest importance to our existence. One example: A particle of energy can be in several places at the same time! Another: Once an observation is made of a particle of energy, it changes its characteristics forever—nothing about it is the same. Still another: During observation, the observer becomes part of that which is being observed; and the observed doesn’t exist until it is being observed! How can all this be? It is; and its effect on us is profound! That we are made up of the same stuff as the universe triggers such effect, and makes our existence dependent on the universe’s balance and stability.

You might say that the universe is a macrocosm and the human body is a microcosm, having identical characteristics—containing exactly the same elements, to the exact degree! The human body contains the same elements that the universe contains, including the rare earth elements. We are made of the same stuff; so, how can we not be interested in our sameness? Also, we each have an “outer” part and an “inner” part. There are the laws of classical mechanics (about which the field of physics is concerned)—fluid dynamics and chemistry which occupy the physiology, the “outer”; and now, since assembling the huge amount of knowledge gained of the sub-atomic world of physics, we are beginning to recognize there is an “inner” part that is exciting. And still more exciting is that there exists a startlingly similar—detailed and profound—correspondence between the human body (the human mind in particular) and the unchanging laws that govern the universe. There is the “outer” part of our body (the materialistic), and the “inner” part that is non-materialistic and qualitative—of which the mind is a prime example.  One quantum physicist, John Hagelin, Ph.D., Presidential Candidate of Natural Law Party, says, “This wholly conceptual quantum-mechanical world, and the abstract mathematical laws that govern it, is the nonmaterial, inner mind or ‘soul’ behind outer matter. It is made of the very stuff that thoughts are made of. Mathematical logic alone governs its behavior. This abstract, non-material quantum world underlies, and governs, the other material universe.”

This being said, I have no qualms saying that what I call “God’s Energy” in my book Why Not Do God? Using Your Spiritual Dimension of Personality is the power behind the throne – the total support system of humankind—mind, body and spirit! I have no qualms saying that the “third” dimension, the spiritual, must be factored in to bring wholeness to humankind. As I said when I discussed the “closed-end” theories of personality, and their not considering the spiritual dimension, only Carl Gustav Jung gave any real consideration to this aspect of humankind. Which brings up my somewhat revised thinking regarding this great man. In my reviewing his writing (difficult to do at times), it comes more and more clear to me that he was “in tune” with the quantum mechanics principles, edicts and evidence more than one suspects. His collective unconscious pondering ties in with the principles of quantum mechanics almost as if he came to the same conclusion, that there is no difference between quantitative and qualitative concepts. I have observed that present day materialistic psychologists would like there to be a difference, and unfortunately have taken this tack in the study of human behavior—the mind. I might say that it isn’t so much that Jung recommends a synthesis or reconciliation of the “differences” as much as he believes some new level must be developed, a different context that helps to understand their sameness. His “collective” name, unus mundus, describes the new approach--unus mundus, one world! the world of wholeness, totality, absoluteness, completeness or my inclusive word spirituality, God’s Energy! Pretty interesting thing to think about, don’t you agree? In his words: “If a union is to take place between opposites like spirit and matter, conscious and unconscious, bright and dark, and so on, it will happen in a third thing, which represents not a compromise but something new.” I mention these characteristics of the spiritual dimension in Why Not Do God? Using Your Spiritual Dimension of Personality as the support system, body intelligence, sensation without language (noumenon), intuitiveness, ecstasy, telepathic insight, feelings of wholeness, completeness, totality, absoluteness and spirituality.

A most important thing to think about is the fundamental difference (and this is only one difference) between the material world of classical physics and the non-material world of quantum mechanics. The difference in the quantum field is phenomenal, and has remarkable resemblance to the mind (and its characteristics) of man—which is non-material and enigmatic. The human mind, and the fundamental nature of consciousness, cannot be understood in the slightest on the basis of classical principles of materialism. There will always be an enigmatic quality to the human mind as far as classical principles are concerned. The characteristics such as intelligence, creativity, noumenon, deduction, organizing and other activities of the human mind are antithetical to conventional, classic laws and materialistic explanation. These characteristics are properties and characteristics associated with quantum mechanics—properties that are non-materialistic and qualitative. It has crossed my mind many times that any person who aspires to understand human behavior (the “workings” of the mind) should be well versed in the field of quantum mechanics; for, without an appreciation for the non-materialism of this field, a true understanding of the mind of man is not only lessened, it is lost. There is no room for pluralism when dealing with humankind. The closely related, symbiotic relationship among body, mind and spiritual dimensions are lost to misunderstanding, misinterpretation and, especially, appreciation of wholeness when any attempt is made to separate (even segregate) these functions and human characteristics.

Life gains its basic qualities because it is rooted in the quantum mechanical realm. Life’s continuation and its ability to preserve its products, memory (as far back as the species existed, according to C. G. Jung) and knowledge—its order in an environment that is ruled by randomness or disorder—is due to its stability based on the RNA and DNA, both stable derivations and creations from our Creator. Indeed, if there were only one stable entity in the universe on which human (and other) life depended, it would be the stable characteristic of RNA and DNA—the codes of life. The abstract (some say “subjective”) nature of human consciousness is but a mirrored reflection of the abstract nature of the universe. This fact alone cries out that an understanding of this fundamental relationship and dependency be assured; that is, if any psychologist who aspires to understand the consciousness of humankind ever can come to such maturity.

To have a full appreciation of the closely integrated symbiotic relationship between human intelligence and nature’s intelligence (Intelligent Design), and a full knowledge of “a law of everything” through exploration and inspection of consciousness, there must be an understanding and appreciation of the importance of the latest discoveries of quantum mechanics. The absence of even the slightest difference between human intelligence and nature’s intelligence is a given in light of the large cache of knowledge of the fundamental constructs of energy, as exemplified by quantum mechanics. It should come as no surprise, then, that a thorough study of quanta be an important part of any curricula set up for training a psychologist, or any other person whose main interest is to gain an appreciation of and for the human mind.

Let’s go back to the main ideas that the quantum theory presents—particularly the idea that energy expresses itself both as a wave and as a particle. This is one of the truly interesting ideas. That sometimes energy acts like a particle and other times it acts like a wave sounds like (maybe looks like) a dog chasing its tail—never knowing whether he will capture it, or it will always elude being caught. Most quantum physicists take this situation as perfectly normal, saying that when it acts like a particle, it is a particle; when it acts like a wave, it is a wave. They go so far as to say that it is meaningless to ascribe any properties or even existence to anything that has not been measured!  Essentially, this is saying that nothing is real unless it is observed (measured in one way or another.) So? The big question is: Does anything exist if it has nothing to observe it? Does the falling tree make a sound (an interpretation) if there is nothing around to hear it fall?

Another interesting, but confusing, thing about particles of energy (referring back to another of the ideas of the quantum theory); it has to do with the random way in which the particles move about (even being in several places at the same time!) Still, there is a finite number of moves or routes an energy particle can take, and it is natural for it to take any and all of them. Only when it is observed is it forced to take the route required of it for the observation! So, what happens when it is forced to take this one and only path for the moment? In other words, what happens to the “other” routes it still has open to it, or are left un-traveled? One theory is that the particle continues on making the other moves, or taking the other routes, hence how it can be in several places at the same time—more interesting is the theory that the particle ends up in another world. Several physicists have theorized that there isn’t only a universe; there are multiverses—different and multi-worlds, and each identical to the one “held in place” caused by the act of being observed. Didn’t I say that quantum physics aren’t like anything in this world?  And you thought learning the times table was difficult! Trying to fathom such ideas presented by quantum mechanics make the times table look like playing in a sand box. But, then, we must realize that there is nothing simple about our universe—or any other universe that may exist, for that matter. Our Creator keeps all possibilities open, and doesn’t allow any simple answer to make it simple.

That enigma presented by a particle’s reluctance (an impossibility, really) for its position and momentum (movement) to be measured exactly at the same time (and be accurate), is more a problem than it appears on the surface. Einstein spent a good deal of his professional life trying to determine a way by which both could be measured exactly. He teamed up with two other theorists (quantum, that is), one named Podolski and the other named Rosen. They theorized that if you could fire off two particles at the same precise time, but in precisely opposite directions and assure they wouldn’t bump into anything else along their route, then wait long enough for them to be far enough apart not to interfere with each other regarding measuring the momentum of one, the problem of impossibility would be solved. Applying the principle of conservation of momentum (steady and stable), they figured that, since they knew the momentum of one, they’d be enabled to know the position of the other. Ergo! Both position and momentum could be measured at the same time! And accurately. Unfortunately, it wasn’t pulled off as they wished. We still don’t know how to measure both at the same time and be positive of the accuracy! The fact still remains that you can be accurate in measuring one of the conditions; but by the very act of measuring the one, you interfere with the accuracy of measuring the other—the impossibility remains. I guess it will always be that you can’t travel up and down at the same time. Maybe our Creator, if he allowed such an ability, feared a violent “meeting” of yourself and you in the middle and destroying both of you! He doesn’t appreciate anything happening to His creations; and, as Einstein said, “God doesn’t play dice!”

Now let’s look more precisely at how quantum physics embrace both sentient beings (us) and the universe equally. We’ve already established that the “outer” structure of the body mirrors the outer structure of the universe (or visa versa, since the universe was before us)—both being made of the same stuff. We’ve established how the biological, atomic and even the astronomical worlds are also celebrated in the structure of the physiology of sentient beings, the human body.  Some physicists suggest the interesting possibility of doing highly designed experiments on the human psyche (the mind) during deep meditative states—listing the characteristics and “composition” of the results—to get a “mirrored” picture of the characteristics and “composition” of the universe, since they are made of the same stuff. Like, if you know all about one, you automatically know all about the other. Interesting, but not practical nor tried at present.

Notwithstanding that studying the “working” of the mind during deep meditation and comparing the results with the working of the universe during its carrying out its “universe duties” may not be feasible or doable, there are distinct relationships between the two—the mind and the universe—that identify them as identical in function, in characteristics and in existence. Quite a complimentary statement or fact that is attributable to our Creator’s awesomeness! But who would argue this? I know, I know! There are the skeptics; however, most skeptics abound, if only for the attention they can’t get by being positive!

Regarding the intense study of the universe: The phenomenal synthesis of the factual evidence found in studying quanta and their characteristics (the subatomic particles, given odd names: quarks, bosons, etc.) and Einstein’s special law of relativity, resulted in the Quantum Field Theory and established itself as the most successful, reliable and workable, theoretical framework in the history of science. With other remarkable findings and problem-solving experiments in continued exploration of the unification of the two issues, it has been established that the elementary particles and forces are the “substance” that comprises the universe, and is like a cosmic symphony with vibration states (consisting of pure and harmonic tones), and all underlying a universal, unified field of Intelligent Design—nature’s intelligence. (Some of this is based on the writing of John Hagelin, Ph.D., Presidential Candidate of Natural Law Party. He uses such poetic language!)

Regarding the same intense study of the human mind and consciousness compared to the intense study of the universe, it is sad to say that there was nothing to show for a long time—and it’s just as sad to say that it remains meager still (by comparison.) Mainly it remains meager because psychologists are conceptually ill equipped to give even a miniscule explanation of the human mind and consciousness. Sometimes it’s because of poorly designed studies, or lack of interest; but mostly it’s because of the logic tight, compartmentalized thinking that the brain is the locus of the mind, and will explain its and consciousness’ mysteries.  They—as even today they continue--studied or speculated about consciousness within the confines and tight boundaries of materialistic measuring—using mechanistic models that began (and seemed never to change) in the 1800s! And, they call it science!

Fortunately this is changing, even though ever so slowly, because it became obvious to some enterprising and “independent” thinkers, who, thinking outside of the box, realized that the mind/consciousness and the brain are not synonymous—that there is a non-locality quality of the mind and consciousness—dependent on the architecture of the brain, but not its product! Also, a shift in what was important to study had a great deal to do with the change to knowing more about both, the mind and consciousness. I like to think of it that the mind can “think” about the brain, but the brain doesn’t cause the “thinking.” A nip “corny”, but I like it. The shift in what to study added to the better understanding (and appreciation) of the complexity of the mind and consciousness. In the past, and for too long a time, the main thrust was the study of waking consciousness and its numerous pathologies.  The problem with this thrust of study is that waking consciousness is an extremely subjective, complex form of awareness, fraught with variations and uncontrollable factors. The tremendous number of causes of states of excitement (motivations, emotions, thought patterns, shifts in results caused by “new and unknown” experiential pressures) caused not only errors in the study constructs, but errors in the interpretations of the findings. From my perspective, it is a prime example of chaotic symptomatic misunderstanding—fifty different observers of the gathered material giving fifty different interpretations!

When it was found that the mind and consciousness can deal with (and unify) very simple and very fundamental structures of awareness—besides the complex waking consciousness material—did a shift from the complex, difficult attempt to gain knowledge from studying the mind and consciousness during the waking consciousness state take place. What was discovered was that during deep meditative states the mind and consciousness became unified. During the meditative state or experience, the mind can experience (and have revealed to it) a much larger dominion or world of levels, subtle and influential, than during the cluttered and static-filled waking state of consciousness. The distractions of the waking state, the clutter of the excitement from pressures presented from the underlying unconscious with all its repressed, saturnine, sometimes malevolent and disrupting thought patterns of thought (as described by Freud and his followers) are in abeyance. The mind and consciousness becomes less and less constrained or limited to a small area, and can expand to include the complete picture, as it were. The person in deep meditation, with all constrictions denied, can become unified with the whole, the absolute. His “world” becomes unified, no less than the universe is unified—and the two are one. They are a blend of all of what God’s Energy presents and is.  The idea would be for both to be part of the great I am!

From all this, and from my perspective, I see no difference between the nature’s (Creator’s) intelligence/consciousness—as He would want us to share—and human intelligence/consciousness. The symbiotic relationship between nature’s intelligence/consciousness and human intelligence/consciousness is obvious and perfectly acceptable—and meaningful. Our Creator is awesome; and, somehow I feel He wants us to be awesome too—if we would only stop beating each other over the head, trying our best to eliminate each other. Who will be left if we succeed to the absolute?  Question: Is there any thing worth thinking about in all this? Click on how to reach me and tell me if you think so—which I’d much rather read than your not thinking so.  And, if you will wait until I have more to say about this interesting subject (bringing my now-appreciated “friend”—C. G. Jung--into the mix), I’ll have it ready once my mind un-clutters from having done all the thinking about what I just said.  Deal?