In this article I'm going to
do the
one thing that modern physicists apparently hate most - to try and
equate quantum mechanics with self help.
I
say 'modern' because before Newton, scientists included lots of
free thinking alchemists and philosophers who saw no conflict
in mixing metaphysics with scientific practice and experimentation.
Ironically, Newton himself wrote more about astrology, numerology and
alchemy than he ever did about gravity. You'd think that scientists
everywhere would learn from his example.
Anyway, recently I've been reading a lot about the latest theories on
quantum mechanics - you know, all that stuff that says that at the
smallest point of existence, there seems to be nothing rational going
on - nothing we can record 'properly' anyway.
It seems nowadays quantum physicists
are a sullen lot. They want to keep all this mind-blowing good stuff to
themselves.
They've not
only discovered that reality is really just
a collection of possible worlds - and that perhaps the Universe is just
a huge hologram -
but then they've gone ahead and proved it, with maths at least.
And then they wonder why the
rest
of us think this is a too important to leave them alone to sort out the
answers why!
Don't they realize that the universe is waving a big flag at them and
saying, "There is no rational,
empirical explanation unless you include the metaphysical stuff!"
Scientists already know that the observer is part of
reality - and that the act of creation somehow requires consciousness - but still
they don't want us to know about it, let alone think about it!
Crazy. Because every self help
guru, modern philosopher, mystic, psychic and new ager out there has
been saying all this for years
- and still the quantum physicists are surprised when we jump all over
the proof we've been looking for!
Whatever, now, it's my turn.
In the great tradition of irritating rational scientists with new age
quantum flapdoodle (Michael Sherman, 2005), I have my own
theory to present.
Namely, that the human brain is
no less than a quantum computer - the mechanics of
which I will
explain to you later in this article. Plus, how this revelation
can help your writing, inspiration and creativity in many and
surprising ways.
To help reassure you, I'm
not alone in this idea. The esteemed Dean Radin from the Institute
of Noetic Sciences, California, is
in full agreement with me on this one - although his ideas extend
uncomfortably (for some) into the paranormal. But really, as he points
out, paranormal is a relative term. When science proves telepathy and clairvoyance,
for instance, these phenomena will then become 'normal'.
The Quantum Brain
Here's where it gets tricky to get your head around (no pun intended.)
Okay.
We know that thinking, reacting to the outside world and taking action
triggers neurons to fire around the brain. Literally billions of
electrical impulses flash simultaneously at super fast speeds to help
us weigh up a myriad of possibilities in our conscious and subconscious
minds.
It does this to help us make decisions, think thoughts and experience
emotions.
We also know that there are synaptic gaps
in our brains - that is there is literally a 'space' between
neurotransmitter molecules. This space allows for 'new' neural pathways
and connections to be made - otherwise, whenever we considered
something, we'd never be able to escape from a loop of our 'old'
thoughts.
We need these potential new pathways to come up with original
thoughts, new reactions or new solutions to old stimuli.
Anyway, the synaptic gaps are tiny - quantum tiny. And the theory is
that at this minute point of neurotransmitter exchange, potential
thought patterns (actually calcium ions) lose the stability of normal
matter - in other words they acquire
the characteristics of quantum elements.
In these moments of quantum uncertainty, thought, intention and
consciousness are in a state of limbo - where no time, distance and
space actually exist. Only potential
exists. Infinite potential.
And at these moments of 'potentiality' our quantum brains are literally
in touch with all things, all people, all existence - because at
the quantum level, all matter is 'entangled' - that is, it's one big
'computer' or 'cosmic machine' that can communicate with any part of
itself, from the smallest atom to the rest of entire universe.
Then, as consciousness and intention coalesce into certainty, the state
of potentiality solidifies back into matter and releases the calcium
ions into the appropriate - and often new - neural pathways.
Now quite apart from this being pretty amazing in itself, it explains
how humans are remarkably adaptive creatures. It also comes close to
finally understanding inspiration and creativity - and even that
feeling of elation when we experience a thought seemingly out of
'nowhere'.
How
Does This Help My Creativity?
Well, first of all, just knowing how the brain's thinking
process happens should help you.
Plus, now you'll never believe you can't be 'original' again -
especially knowing an entire universe of possibilities and potential
futures are already inside your head!
My belief is that regular
meditation strengthens our
brain's ability to sustain these quantum states of potential - thereby
helping us to become more creative.
You know the idea
that people get stuck in their
ways?
I think this is a subconscious allusion to how our minds work. That
unless we exercise the quantum aspects of our thinking, we
literally do get stuck on our old
neural pathways. And that allowing our minds the freedom to
behave as they're supposed to, without the old limiting beliefs
and closed rationality of our predecessors, we can finally free
ourselves to fulfill our true potential.
Because, in this new paradigm
of accepting the idea of the quantum brain, creativity, even
ability, has nothing to do with age, experience or proficiency. There
are now no limits to the skills we can master and the potential futures
we can literally create from thought alone.
Simply by understanding the theory, meditating on it and believing it works.
After all, the rest of us
already know, at least on some level, that faith has always been part of the answer to
everything - success, spirituality, creativity, whatever - it's only
modern 'scientists' that are resisting the obvious answer.
