Exploring the surprising parallels between yoga, quantum physics, consciousness, and life after death.
Yogas Quantum Theory of Oneness
It seemed strange to add a section on yoga to a chapter on science when I was writing Dance with Angels. However, there are several parallels between philosophy, science, quantum mechanics, and the art of yoga that are relevant to the story about what happens after we die. Yogas focus on meditation, the connection with one’s inner self—and the theories of quantum mechanics, which delve into the fundamental nature of matter and energy cross paths in many ways as it turns out.
One of the oldest spiritual practices is not one of the well-known religions; it is the practice of yoga. Connecting on a deeper level within ourselves and to that energy in the world around us is a fundamental part of yoga. From a scientific point of view, as mentioned earlier in this chapter, one obvious possible outcome is that what happens after death is the simplest and most practical: our energy returns to the oneness that surrounds us. But there are several other intersections as well.
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Said to originate over 5,000 years ago in northern India, yoga is irreversibly intertwined with religions that originated in India. Buddhism and Hinduism (from which Buddhism was born as an alternative) as well as other minor and ancient beliefs incorporate yoga to connect with one’s inner self or consciousness. As per yogic scriptures, the practice of yoga leads to the union of individual consciousness with that of universal consciousness, indicating a perfect harmony between the mind and body, man and Nature. According to modern scientists, everything in the universe is a manifestation of the same quantum field and is also connected.
Yoga’s quantum theory of oneness:
This theory proposes that all existence is interconnected at a fundamental level, aligning ancient spiritual concepts with modern quantum physics. It suggests that the universe is a unified field of energy where every particle is connected to every other particle. This interconnectedness is mirrored in the spiritual teachings of yoga, which advocate for the realisation of oneness with the universe.
Core Concepts:
1. Interconnectedness:
Quantum physics reveals that particles can influence each other instantaneously over vast distances, a phenomenon known as quantum entanglement. This is similar to the yogic view that all beings are part of a single, interconnected consciousness (Capra, 1975).[1]
2. Non-Duality:
Yoga teaches Advaita (non-dualism), which asserts that the individual self (Atman) and the universal self (Brahman) are one. Quantum theory, through the principle of wave-particle duality, supports the idea that matter can exist in multiple states simultaneously, hinting at a deeper unity (Goswami,[2]1993).
3. Observer Effect:
In quantum mechanics, the observer effect suggests that observation affects the state of a quantum system. This resonates with yogic practices that emphasise mindfulness and awareness, suggesting that consciousness plays a crucial role in shaping reality (Zukav,[3] 1979, The Dancing Wu-Li Masters: An Enlightening Exploration of Quantum Physics, Eastern Philosophy and the interplay of Science and Spirituality).
So… how does this shape my view of what happens after I die?
I know our energy dissipates into the world around us, and that is the simple truth. But perhaps this section has made me realise that, in all likelihood, it is far more significant than that. We are all part of one interconnected world. We are, and we always will be, in one form or another.
My son is genuinely all around me, part of me, and part of an “interconnected consciousness” that will never disappear. Our perception of that interconnected consciousness is the only thing that changes.