ON A RESONANCE THEORY OF THOUGHT AND SPIRITUALITY

Karl Jaspers Forum ^ | August 21, 2001 | Varadaraja V. Raman

[betty boop]

ON A RESONANCE THEORY OF THOUGHT AND SPIRITUALITY

by Varadaraja V. Raman

The following theory is proposed to explain the observed phenomena of thought and spiritual/mystical experience/creativity:

PROBLEM:
(a) Thought is the subtlest emergent entity from the human brain. As of now, though it is taken to arise from complex biochemical (neuronal) processes in the brain, we have no means of detecting any physical aspect of thought.

(b) All sensory experiences (light, sound, smell, taste, sound) result from an interaction between an external agent (photon, phonon, etc.) and some aspect of the brain.

HYPOTHESIS:
(a) It is proposed that, like the electromagnetic field, there is an extremely subtle substratum pervading the universe which may be called the universal thought field (UTF). This may even be trans-physical, i.e., something that cannot be detected by ordinary physical instruments. Or it may be physical and has not yet been detected as such.

(b) Every thought generated in the brain creates its own particular thought field (PTF).

Theory based on the above hypotheses:
(a) Just as EM waves require the complex structure of the brain to be transduced into the experience of light and color, the UTF requires the complex system of the human brain to create local thoughts. In other words, when the UTF interacts with certain regions of the brain, thoughts arise as by-products.

(b) Interactions between PTFs and brains generate other PTFs. Indeed every thought is a different reaction-result to either the UTF or to a PTF.

(c) There is an important difference between UTF and PTF. UTF does not require a material medium for acting upon a brain. But a PTF cannot be transmitted from one brain to another without a material medium, such as sound, writing, signs, etc.

(d) In some instances, as with molecular resonance, certain brains are able to resonate with the UTF in various universal modes. Such resonances constitute revelations, magnificent epic poetry, great musical compositions, discovery of a mathematical theorem in a dream, and the like, as also mystic experiences.

(e) This perspective suggests that there can be no thought without a complex brain (well known fact); and more importantly, that there exists a pure thought field (UTF) in the universe at large which may be responsible for the physical universe to be functioning in accordance with mathematically precise laws.

ANALOGIES:
The following parallels with other physical facts come to mind:

(a) Phosphorescence & luminescence: When radiation of shorter wavelengths falls on certain substances, the substances emit visible light immediately or after some time. Likewise when the UTF falls on a complex cerebral system, it emits thoughts of one kind or another.

(b) One of the subtlest entities in the physical universe is the neutrino, which does not interact with ordinary matter through gravitation, strong, or electromagnetic interaction. Being involved only in the weak interaction, it is extremely difficult to detect it. The UTF is subtler by far than the neutrino, and may therefore (if it be purely physical) it may be far more difficult to detect.

---

Prof. Varadaraja V. Raman
Physics Department, Rochester Institute of Technology
e-mail VVRSPS@ritvax.isc.rit.edu

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KARL JASPERS FORUM
Target Artcle 39
ON A RESONANCE THEORY OF THOUGHT AND SPIRITUALITY
by Varadaraja V. Raman
18 June 2001, posted 21 August 2001
 

[Alamo-Girl]

LOLOL! It looks like you discovered it was the same just before I posted.

A-G, looking at the authors of "Constraints of Extra Time Dimensions, I notice three more Eastern European surnames.... It's amazing to see what has been going on behind the Iron Curtain all those many years, now that the captive countries' scientists are free to tell us about it.

So true. So true. I'm very glad the language of science is English so that some of these ideas are being translated so that we can appreciate them!

[betty boop]

You are correct, this is not science, this is new age stuff trying to make itself look somehow scientific.

Aric2000, the "New Agers" that I know -- and I have met many -- would be, in all likelihood, completely incapable of handling the science that Grandpierre lays down, in elaborate detail, in support of his postulate of the universal vacuum field. Plus all fields are universal -- the size of the Universe itself. We are comprised of such fields. Add to that quantum superpositioning and entanglement, and you realize that "local" quantum events may "spread" to any place in the universe, instantaneously.... There must be some field or matrix that facilitates this. Its properties are mainly unknown to us right now; but that's why you develop a theory -- to come up with a logical "macrolevel" framework whose identified elements/relations are capable of being tested. I think it would be a "good guess" to say that, in the universal vacuum field, superluminal velocities are achievable.

All of which is to suggest that what you call "new age stuff" may, in fact, be a very serious speculation on solid scientific grounds. Stay tuned!

[Phaedrus]

Well, it looks as if you've stirred things up.

I suppose the "polite" thing to do would be to allow the Materialists to get by with silence or, worse, non-answers. As you are acutely aware, quantum mechanics embodies not only counter-intuitive but intangible aspects, the implications of which remain almost wholly unexplored. If Materialism continues to dominate mainstream science, these crucial aspects will never be explored from that perspective. 75 or so years is long enough to wait for minds to open.

[Aric2000]

I'll be the first to jump up and down for joy if such things are proven scientifically.

Right now though, it is outside the range of science.

I never said that it is not worth further study, I am just saying that right now it is not scientific, because if you can't measure it, Induce conclusions from it, or repeat it and verify it, then by that very nature it is unscientific.

When science can come up with the technology and verbage to deal with these phenomenon, I will be one of the first to be joining the grand parade, it's a great thought, it's a wonderful hypothesis, but it is not yet science.

That's all I was saying.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thank you so much for that great post!

Indeed, the concepts are so far-reaching that I have no doubt it will be troubling to many and may seem like 'new-ageness' to some.

The bottom line to me is that as this speculation moves to theory status, it will be formalized, tested and falsified. Thus, Grandpierre is "doing" science.

[betty boop]

...it's a great thought, it's a wonderful hypothesis, but it is not yet science.

Well Aric2000, science has to start somewhere. Before you can move to the design of an experiment, long before you get to actual experimental tests, you need to know what your experiment is designed to do. So you need a "speculation," a theory first.

[Aric2000]

Yes, indeed, but let's keep our verbage straight please.

This is a hypothesis, not a theory yet, once it is verified, falsified, repeatable etc, then it will be moved to theory status.

Again, I never said that it was not an interesting study, or worth pursuing, and if he wishes to use his scientific skills to pursue it, more power to him, but it is still outside the realms of science at this point, just as quantum mechanics once was, just as the theory of gravity once was, etc.

I never said that it wouldn't happen, I just don't think the chances are good, but I wish him luck all the same.

[unspun]

Aric2000, the "New Agers" that I know -- and I have met many -- would be, in all likelihood, completely incapable of handling the science that Grandpierre lays down, in elaborate detail, in support of his postulate of the universal vacuum field. Plus all fields are universal -- the size of the Universe itself. We are comprised of such fields. Add to that quantum superpositioning and entanglement, and you realize that "local" quantum events may "spread" to any place in the universe, instantaneously.... There must be some field or matrix that facilitates this. Its properties are mainly unknown to us right now; but that's why you develop a theory -- to come up with a logical "macrolevel" framework whose identified elements/relations are capable of being tested. I think it would be a "good guess" to say that, in the universal vacuum field, superluminal velocities are achievable.

LOL

This is one time when I can be sure in relating that, "I couldn't have said it any better!!!" -- LOL2

There are reasons why "New Age" is dangerous, beyond simple distraction. Also ways in which the Ancient of Days has his messengers engaged in His Univers.

[betty boop]

I say that because dark energy does not appear in laboratory conditions (under gravity) but does in the vacuum of space, as if negative energy. If the gravity propagation is dimensional (wrt time) then it makes sense to me.

These are such fascinating ideas, A-G! I've even been dreaming about them lately....

[unspun]

This is a hypothesis, not a theory yet, once it is verified, falsified, repeatable etc, then it will be moved to theory status.

Hear! Hear!

The same is true for any attempt of the process of validation/invalidation by the Scientific Method, in addressing things that are beyond our physical perception (including of course, "origins.").

Stands to reason that this subject matter would be (a-hem) difficult, since we are not allowed (or capable) to "put the Lord your God to the test."

[whattajoke]

We have "science" and we have "pseudo-science." Until proven otherwise, this is pseudo-science. When the "materialists" are forced to "open their minds" to pseudo-science, all manner of nonsense will come flying through the open window and the logic filter will be useless. ESP, dowsing, touch therapy, etc. It's not that science isn't "open minded," it's just that it's (usually) immune to balderdash and flim-flam.

[Aric2000]

Well, now we can say that we actually agree on something...;) LOL

[Alamo-Girl]

Er, if I may interrupt.

The conversation about speculation is quite interesting and perhaps ought to be a discussion topic of its own.

For instance, how do we distinguish scientific speculation (such as Hawking, Penrose, Tegmark and Ovrut do on a regular basis) - from non-scientific speculation (such as sci-fi writers do every day?)

[betty boop]

There are reasons why "New Age" is dangerous, beyond simple distraction. Also ways in which the Ancient of Days has his messengers engaged in His Univers.

Believe me, unspun, I am aware of both these things. WRT "New Age," I've seen that up-front, close, and personal, so I well know whereof you speak....

[unspun]

Yes. And I believe you realize I was saying that in support of your... insights.

[js1138]

(including of course, "origins.")

I would like to jump in her feet first and say that even if, as Hawkings asserts, we could account for all of time, we still wouldn't have solved the problem of origins.

[betty boop]

...how do we distinguish scientific speculation (such as Hawking, Penrose, Tegmark and Ovrut do on a regular basis) - from non-scientific speculation (such as sci-fi writers do every day?)

Great question, A-G. Maybe we'll have to put up a post on that some time!

[Aric2000]

You may interupt at any time, your input is always welcome.

And scifi speculation is normally based on some type of scientific speculation that seems plausible at the time it was written.

Heinlein is one of best as far as I am concerned for speculative Science Fiction, but then again, I have every book he has written, fills up 2 shelves 2 books deep on my bookshelf, the man was prolific. So I am a little prejudiced!! ;)

Speculation based on scientific evidence, and speculation based on imagination or the question of life is a bit different, and could be a very fascinating discussion.

Megahugs!!

[unspun]

Suggest you may wish to do a little Web search on "Rupert Sheldrake," in your interest in testable results.

[RightWhale]

Of course you are aware of the Akashic level of Edgar Cayce. How this would work is exactly the same as the field you are studying. Edgar Cayce, of course, was not a scientist, so wouldn't have developed the theory. Quantum entanglement and the hypothetical existence of extra dimensions, some of them curled back on themselves in a distance commensurate with the size of brain neurons, makes for some interesting possibilities.