Quantum Consciousness

Quantum physics, the realm of subatomic particles, the very, very, very small.

Quantum physicists seek, in one fashion or another, the fundamental building blocks of matter; quarks, neutrinos, electrons, protons, atoms, molecules, inanimate / animate matter, biological / cosmic matter.

According to some scientists, all the millions of galaxies, each with its millions of stars, combined account for only 30 percent of visible matter in the universe. The remaining 70 percent that looks like empty space consists of invisible dark energy, dark matter, the realm of quantum physics, the realm of the very, very, very small. Thus, the macro and the micro coexist simultaneously.

And if a neutrino were to be self aware, it could float merrily along and pass right through me as if I were emptiness itself and never have a clue of my existence as human being. My apparent form, substance and reality turn out to be nothing but emptiness to the neutrino. Mmmmm.

What to make of all of this? Well initially, as a practical matter (no pun intended) looking for an “objective” basis for consciousness in the very, very, very small such that a quanta of consciousness may be deemed essentially formless to you and me seems to be on a par with those who consider consciousness to be a by-product of neuronal chemical-electro activity in the body’s nervous system and brain. All potentially very interesting stuff to spend years pondering but how does knowing any of that effect the life I seem to live?

At some level it’s all a mystery, is going to remain a mystery and there’s a limit to what I know and can know. After all, what control do I think I gain by having knowledge? That I can reduce my suffering, increase my well being, live a more . . . you fill in the blanks . . . life. On the personal level that might make sense but on the impersonal level of the cosmos I’m not in control of anything because “I” don’t exist.

The nature of enlightenment or awakening can be discussed in terms of the personal and the impersonal, the embodied and the transcendent. Sometimes I speak from the personal level and sometimes it’s the impersonal that speaks. Though, at this stage of whatever, I tend to communicate more often from the personal and not get too hung up on the illusory / not illusory debate. It’s enough for me to know that the good fight is going on somewhere in somebody’s head.

But as everything in the universe, including you and me, whoever and whatever we are, is ultimately made up of the same stuff, and apparent opposites co-exist simultaneously (i.e., per the laws of quantum mechanics, subatomic particles can be in multiple places simultaneously, connected over distance, and with time not existing), “I” need to be open to the possibility that anything can happen at any time.

Loving kindness can beget loving kindness, violence can beget violence, loving kindness can beget violence and violence can beget loving kindness.

Once the quantum consciousness genie is out of the lamp . . . a shift in perception may very well occur. Or not.