Posted on 08/02/2003 4:43:59 PM PDT by betty boop
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.
This article from Prof. Raman is an extraordinarily elegant outline of where I think I want to go with this. Your feedback is invited and much appreciated!
An excellent treatise.
I have to disagree with the quote above.
I have had more than one experience of knowing what someone else was thinking...relatives, friends and strangers.
We all have. But you knew I would state that.
Hold that thought, RightWhale. May God bless you for noticing that what we think can have actual physical impact on the world around us, natural/physical and social/special.
IMHO FWIW this is precisely the question that thinking people need to be thinking about, these days.
Your confidence in new-agey suppositions is awe-inspiring.
If you like that one there are at least a hundred more like it in any New Age "library", including variations pinning their imaginations on crystals, photons, quantum fields, ghosts, karma, Universal spirit, chakras, chi, psi, Akashic record, magick, archetypes, the stars, auras, etc.
So far, they've all been remarkably unsuccessful at "changing the face of science forever".
Truly I hope you will tet68. You are an important presence at this table, and I welcome your thoughts and the benefit of your experience at all times.
You wrote you didn't like this, Jim; though you were inclined to be sympathetic with the statement of the argument "up 'til then".
When I read this piece for the first time, instantly (just as you did), I flashed on the problem of brain-to-brain trasnmission, as presently described by state-of-the-art science. Yet suffice it to say that presently the public record reports a vast variety of "brain experiences" that cannot be explained at all by present scientific methods.
Thinking the problem through further, the man did say "sign" is as valid a mode of communication as language, writing, et al. He hasn't shut the door on your concern at all.
I hope we can explore such questions on this thread, and that you would be willing to contribute your insights.
Because not to see the difference between them is to deny a fundamental truth of reality -- which is, the two terms never were equivalent in the first place. They describe two distinct, fundamental orders of being, whose mutual relation makes possible the universe in which we live and move and have our being.
Since the ancient Greeks, the two orders have been described as the "physical" and the "noetic" (from nous, mind, reason). To certain Greeks, mind was omnipresent in all aspects of universal nature.
I regard that as a classical cultural clue that it might be profitable for us humans to revisit and consider these days. Especially given the presently-prevailing objective condition of general cultural disorder and mayhem.
Can't say more now. Thanks so much for sharing your view, js1138.
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