Studies in the physics of quantum mechanics have evolved into concepts known as a “conscious universe”. Dr. Amit Goswami is a renoun author and quantum physicist. He contends that all reality is grounded by a “universal consciousness”.
In quantum physics, all objects exist only as waves of possibilities until a conscious entity observes these waves to “collapse” into actual events. This is called the “observer effect”, which is an accepted phenomenon in modern physics.
According to Goswami, our brains and our being are a form of “collapsed” waves that are our experienced reality. This creates a paradox, because if we are the subject of “collapse” from the observer effect, then how can we possibly be the observers ourselves? In other words, a possibility (us) cannot act on another possibility (an object). The resolution of this paradox for consciousness is to be the base of all things, or a Universal Consciousness.
Were it to be that we are the base observers of reality, then it would stand that each one of us would form our own individual realities. In other words, all the other realities not our own would simply be illusions of our own making. Everyone else is the figment of our own imagination.
It therefore stands to reason that a unity of consciousness saves us from the possibility of untold essentially unrelated realities. We may be unique individuals, but we are in union with one consciousness that chooses actuality from quantum possibilities. This sounds a lot like “becoming One with God, or God’s children”.
The visible world gives us experience of sensation and time; but we also have the experience of feelings, thinking, intuition, love, compassion, and imagination. This is a universally grounded consciousness that is known as “soul”.
We have learned by teachings of religions to seek awareness of what we deem our Creator’s Presence (unity of consciousness) through prayer and meditation. Our life in the material world has conditioned us in the development of our individual egos to see ourselves as separate and unique individuals. This first lesson after birth confirms our separateness as unique creatures. Survival dictates appropriate conditioning. However, this conditioning causes the individual to consider oneself as a completely independent entity.
Only when one seeks the awareness of a unity of connection with all others and the material reality does one realize separation to be the real illusion. So if our perceived separation is mere illusion, then evidence of our natural connectedness should be present.
The evidence of connectedness is present. Consider a simple group gathered under the banner of a common mission. Those involved sense a natural coming together.
The act of creation seems to occur beyond material reality. Most artists and others involved in the creative process typically experience their greatest inspiration from simply “out of the blue”. Writers often experience the feelings that some power beyond their control guides their writing hand.
Dr. Goswami stipulates this creative epiphany is essentially a macro “quantum jump” that is beyond time or locality, and is an aspect of the unity of consciousness.
My living body has informed me since my birth that I am one separate and unique individual creature. But I believe I have experienced the so called “quantum jump” on various occasions when I feel particularly inspired by an experience.
So now my question is , “Shall I no longer experience the illusion of separateness once the issue of my personal material survival is no longer a factor? Will the aspect of my being that is not material, those qualities we call thought, love, and consciousness, that are not replaceable in the material world continue beyond?”
If I’m truly not separate, then I would speculate that I shall become One with the Whole. Perhaps that is where I have been all along, except my limited material classic awareness was not able to absorb that reality except on special occasions of epiphany and awareness.
We’ve all heard those near death stories people tell about seeing a light or something like that; as death seems to beckon them to walk toward. I have experienced my own near death the day I very nearly died after being electrocuted. I’m told my heart stopped on the way to the emergency room. I recall nothing. I simply momentarily revived consciousness, wondering why I found myself in an emergency room. It was like waking from an afternoon nap wondering where one is and what is the time.
However, I have experienced the epiphany of approaching death in the act of fabricating the imminent death of one of my fictional characters of an ill fated novel I tried to write several years ago.
In that story, I included a grandfather character who had cancer. He approached his death. I wrote intimately as he passed through the stages of finality from his own perspective. I essentially experienced his dying moments along with him. I got down to the few seconds before he passed.
I can’t explain it, but some how I shared his visions of those very brief moments. Right now, I can only vaguely recall the overwhelming consuming essence of eternity. These words I offer today can only paint an unfocused black and white photograph of an untouchable reality. It remains impossible to wholly resurrect that phenomenon. I could sense a total understanding of the all including essence of all space and time, of all hearts and souls of past, present, and future. Essentially, I believe I was provided with a whisp of the eternal.
The memory of the encounter can only acknowledge it happened, but not the essence of the experience.
Some have declared, “My whole life passed before my eyes in those moments of near death.” I think perhaps these individuals are attempting to relate their concept of the eternal with those words.
Accounts are widespread regarding the impressions on family members as they watch the moments of passing of a loved one. The dying person offers an expression that can only be taken as the eternal peace with eyes that reflect beyond reality.
I think those who passed are consumed by that experience some of us only are able to have a glancing touch in that moment of epiphany.
We can live our lives seeking the removal of the separation illusion. That can be a triumph of life. It can be the coming home; then someday, to stay