Ruwan M Jayatunge M.D. PhD (in progress)
Recently Dr Mahinda Pathirana of the
Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, made an attempt to explain reincarnation
via quantum mechanics. He uses the Buddhist teachings, Milinda / Nagasena
debate and some of the ideas of the 2nd Century Buddhist Philosopher Nagarjuna.
He is bringing Quantum entanglement to explain the method of transferring
consciousness and how the birth of a consciousness in another body.
A complex and philosophical question is
why we are born into a particular body and life. Is it something random? or
predetermined? According to the current understanding of quantum mechanics
things happening in the universe are probabilistic rather than
deterministic. We
know that Brownian motion is a random motion. Is it possible for the
universe to be deterministic at certain levels? Remember Albert Einstein
stated, “God does not play dice”. Therefore, some people say nothing
is "random" in the real world.
Those who agree with reincarnation try to
highlight the connections between reincarnation and quantum mechanics and
quantum entanglement. Quantum entanglement explains how two subatomic particles
can be intimately linked to each other even if separated by billions of
light-years of space. These particles communicate faster than the speed of
light. Neuro-experts point out quantum effects in neural
processes. Quantum entanglement links everything in the Universe. Deepak Chopra says that
quantum entanglement links everything in the Universe, and therefore it must
create consciousness. But I must say that the scientific community does not
regard Deepak Chopra to be a credible scientist and his theories lack empirical
evidence and they are not supported by mainstream scientific research.
Moreover, Art Hobson Prof of Physics, University of Arkansas specifies that
quantum entanglement has nothing directly to do with consciousness.
Despite these skeptical ideas can we say
consciousness operates on a quantum level? Some claim that consciousness is a
manifestation of quantum processes in the brain. The British molecular
biologist Francis Crick and neurophysiologist Christof Koch proposed that
consciousness is generated by networks of neurons oscillating in synchrony.
Crick and Koch (2005) indicated that the “claustrum” which is a thin,
irregular, sheet-like neuronal grey matter structure that lies beside the
insular cortex, may be involved in the processing of consciousness.
Consciousness is a complex and
multifaceted phenomenon. However, so far, physicists have explained that
quantum entanglement is a physical reality.
Quantum Theory and Consciousness
Consciousness implies awareness:
subjective, phenomenal experience of the internal and external worlds.
Consciousness creates the physical world moment by moment. Consciousness emerged
as a property of complex biological computation during the course of
evolution. Some
suggest that consciousness is a quantum phenomenon. Connections between neurons
alone cannot explain consciousness. Therefore, as an alternative theory some
propose the quantum mind or quantum consciousness. Does the human brain use
quantum computation? Can quantum theory help us to understand consciousness?
Quantum theory is characterized by the
acknowledgment of a fundamental limitation in the classical physical ideas when
applied to atomic phenomena. Niels Bohr's philosophy of quantum
mechanics helps us to understand physical realities. We know that Bohr
was inspired by Immanuel Kant. Kant stated that without any consciousness we
would make no distinction. For Kant, consciousness results from
differentiation.
Bohr believed that the discovery of
quantum mechanics could and should inform philosophy about new ways of
understanding human knowledge. It would replace causal-space-time description
of classical physics in order to preserve objectivity. Einstein's theory is
also central to quantum mechanics.
Scientists use string theory to describe
the fundamental forces and particles in the universe. Can string theory
explain consciousness? String theory highlights that reality is made up of
infinitesimal vibrating strings. As string theory describes everything consists
of quantum strings. Some experts postulate that the idea of consciousness being
directly related to the position and configuration of strings. They think that
string theory and consciousness are two sides of the same coin.
Some Neurologists speculate that the
functioning of the brain is quantum. Quantum fields have holographic nature
(every component already contains all the information of the whole) This
indicates the multidimensional nature of reality.
Consciousness is the sensory awareness of
the body, the self, and the world. Human consciousness arises from
quantum fields. Still, we don’t have an accurate picture of quantum dimensions
of reality. We cannot focus on consciousness from the perception of the
physical senses. Consciousness goes far beyond the limitations of mechanistic
materialism.
Having said that, we know that neurons alone cannot
explain consciousness. Can we use quantum mechanics to explain the function
of consciousness? Quantum mechanics allows the calculation of properties
and behavior of physical systems. Quantum physics suggests that two particles
will respond simultaneously to an active agent, regardless of distance. There is a deeper
connection between consciousness and quantum mechanics. The mathematics of
quantum mechanics might show us how consciousness works. We as humans live
in a fundamental nondeterministic world. Quantum interaction remains
indeterministic. The universe operates according to deterministic laws of
physics such as consciousness. Consciousness belongs to the subatomic world
which is fundamentally inscrutable.
Can we conclude that consciousness is
based in the brain? Neuropsychologists believe that consciousness may arise
from the complex interactions of neural networks in the brain. Conceivably
Brain is a quantum processor. Kodukula (2009) theorized that the
conscious brain works like a projector.
Here I want to bring an illustration.
Most likely you may have seen how Jimi Hendrix played his guitar. Where does
that electronic melody come from? Did it come from his Fender Stratocaster
guitar itself or from Jimi Hendrix’s fingers? That innovative, powerful, and
expressive sound came from the combination of his fingers and Fender
Stratocaster guitar. Consciousness too comes as a series of
combinations.
Hiroomi Umezawa - Physicist and
Distinguished Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of
Wisconsin interpreted memory and other conscious phenomena as the result of the
energy exchange of energy particles in the cerebral cortical field. Is there a
quantum-level substance that can be transmitted between neurons, such as a
neurotransmitter, which conveys consciousness-related information? Hameroff and
team (2014) proposed that consciousness depends on biologically ‘orchestrated’
coherent quantum processes in collections of microtubules within brain neurons.
Javier García-Castro and Prasad Kodukula
Siva state that a fundamental property of the entire universe and that
conscious experience emerges by transformation from mind (‘‘jeeton’’) to matter
(‘graviton’). Graviton
is a postulated quantum that is thought to be the carrier of the gravitational
field and jeeton is a quantum
particle. Kodukula (2019) hypothesized that the interaction between
‘jeeton’ and ‘graviton’ gives rise to consciousness. This model emphasizes that
‘mind’ is a consequence of ‘jeeton’ and the ‘matter’ is a consequence of
‘graviton’. Their entanglement gives rise to consciousness. However, it’s important
to mention that jeeton / graviton theory is a hypothesis and still there is no
empirical evidence to prove this fact.
The Concept of Reincarnation and Quantum
Physics
The concept of reincarnation cannot be
explained through classical Newtonian physics. There is no empirical evidence
to prove reincarnation using
mathematics or cell biology. However, some experts use Quantum physics to
explain the reincarnation process.
Can we use quantum physics to explain
metaphysical theories of reincarnation? Quantum physics, as a
branch of science, primarily deals with the behavior of matter and energy at
the smallest scales. We all agree that Quantum physics opens a totally new
world view and provides a new understanding of spiritual philosophy. Quantum
physics gives a new cosmovision. Newtonian physics was deterministic and
Quantum science is probabilistic. Quantum science is holistic, acknowledging a
multi-dimensional universe. Through Newtonian physics we can understand the
objective world scientifically through the senses. But Quantum physics can
explain things beyond our sensors.
According to quantum theory energy is
not continuous but comes in discrete units and the elementary particles behave
both like particles and like waves. Quantum physics has evidenced that one
particle can be in more than one place at the same time. Subatomic particles
communicate instantaneously and travel faster than the speed of light. At the
subatomic level, matter does not exist with certainty in definite places.
Sometimes a particle acts like a particle, sometimes like a wave. Therefore,
the quantum world evolves beyond the common parameters of the space-time
characteristic of the macroscopic realm.
Can consciousness exist without or
beyond the human brain? Can consciousness open to other dimensions? Human
consciousness has multidimensional, holistic and holographic properties. Some
physicists conclude that consciousness is primary and the creative basis for
the material world. The entire humankind may be living in a universe of
consciousness. Consciousness is a great part of the cosmic ocean. consciousness cannot
be reduced to matter. Can we detect transmigration of consciousness
using quantum physics? Perhaps reincarnation resides quantum definition of
physical reality? Those who agree with reincarnation suggest that quantum
memory remains after biological death and it transmigrate to another plains as
a special type of consciousness and continues, through to another incarnation.
This is universal interconnectedness. May be reincarnation is a quantum
reality.
Can consciousness move to another
reality after death? Jerzy Zbigniew Achimowicz of the Warsaw Medical
Academy state that when a human being dies, the seat of mind, generates a
quantum solitary electromagnetic wave packet and then reincarnation
may happen if given seat of mind (consciousness) finds a brain of a newborn
with similar genotype. (consciousness attaches to a
new brain?)
Reincarnation Explained in the Buddhist
Doctrine
As described by Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu who
is an American Buddhist monk and author, rebirth has always been a central
teaching in the Buddhist tradition. The Buddha did not believe in a
transmigration of soul and replaced the soul by the theory of mind-continuum
(Thupten Tenzlng - Karma and Rebirth in Buddhism). There is a causal link
between a subtle form of consciousness present at the time of death and the
first moment of consciousness in the next life (Finnigan, 2023).
According to Buddhist doctrine a thought
moment occurs when a person dies. It is the mind set during death in the
current existence and then grasping the next life. A dying person has exit
consciousness. This consciousness is a form of transitory energy. Exit
consciousness transforms into another level of consciousness and it can enter
another womb when a matching one becomes available. Hence rebirth occurs. Three
conditions are essential for conception: “the union of mother and father, the
mother in season, and the presence of a transformed level of exit consciousness.
The Buddhist concept denies the
existence of an eternal soul. Instead of an eternal soul, they believe in
transforming consciousness which is not static. These processes are governed by
the Karmic force or karmic retribution. Here the analogy is the flame of a
dying candle can serve to light the flame of another. A flame is transferred
from one candle to another. Hence consciousness is a continuous birth and death
of mind-states. It is linking an individual to past and future existences. The
person who dies here and is reborn elsewhere is neither the same person, nor
another.
Milinda was the King of the Indo-Greek
Kingdom who probably reigned from about 155 to 130 BCE. King Milinda had a
debate with Bhikkhu Nagasena about rebirth.
In the Milinda / Nagasena debate the
king asked:
"When someone is reborn, Venerable Nagasena, is he the same as
the one who just died or is he another?"
Ven Nagasena replied: "He is
neither the same nor another."
"Give me an
illustration!"
"Milk, once the milking is
done, turns after sometimes into curds; from curds it turns into fresh butter;
and from fresh butter into ghee. Would it now be correct to say that the milk
is the same thing as the curds, or the fresh butter, or the ghee?
"No, it would not. But they have
been produced because of it."
All Buddhist schools agree that there is
no enduring, substantial, or independently existing entity that continues from
life to life. Instead, there is simply an apparent continuity of momentary
consciousness from one lifetime to the next that is imbued with the impressions
or traces of the actions one has done in the past. One moment gives rise to the
next, in a continuity of causally connected conscious events, but nothing solid
or substantial continues from one existence to the next. (Lekshe Tsomo - University
of San Diego).
Ven Buddhaghosa - a 5th-century Indian
Theravada Buddhist monk states that conception occurs immediately after death,
that is, the continuity of consciousness enters a new state of existence
without any interval in-between.
If we think consciousness is simply
energy and it cannot be destroyed and it transforms. Can we say in Buddhist
teaching rebirth occurs due to the transmigration of consciousness? A
living being starts a new life in a different physical body form
after each biological death.
The Buddhist notion of the mental
continuum of an individual is difficult to explain via neuropsychology. I
communicated with several world-renowned Psychologists and Psychiatrists.
I spoke with Professor Judith Herman of Harvard University, Professor Mary
Seeman of University of Toronto, and Professor Philip Zimbardo of Stanford
University. Many of these intellectuals expressed their doubt about the said
process. Professor Zimbardo was explicit and stated, “This process is Not
possible in reality It can only be a religious belief with no scientific
evidence”. However, Professor Daya Somasundaram- a
senior professor of psychiatry at the Faculty of Medicine,
University of Jaffna expressed his thoughts thus.
“I feel that these beliefs and
descriptions are metaphysical or subtle phenomena which are beyond current
neuropsychological knowledge or theories. Most scientific and
neuropsychological knowledge or speculations tend to confine themselves to very
basic and objective, materialistic phenomena as the hard facts of life. They
even have problems with admitting subjective phenomena such as consciousness.
They would consider the Buddhist descriptions as mere speculations with no
objective evidence. But some psychologists and others do go beyond the hard or
materialistic views and frontiers to entertain such beliefs and descriptions”.
How Did Consciousness Evolve?
According to Salama, (2008) life began as
lipid molecules originating in deep space and fell into the surface of the
primordial ocean and then went into numerous changes and transformed into a
cell then through the evaluation multicellular beings emerged. Cells have
memory and it’s called cellular “memory. Based on Darwinian evolution, the
scientists surmise that consciousness would have occurred initially some 200
million years ago. They think that consciousness was built upon the mammalian
neocortex. The core of human consciousness appears to be associated primarily
with phylogenetically ancient structures mediating arousal and activated by
primitive emotions (Denton et al., 2009).
Living cells constitute a new class of
matter. Cells literally construct themselves. Through consciousness we
create the physical world. We cannot explain consciousness through mainstream
science. Living things are Kantian wholes where the parts exist for and
by means of the whole. The link between the lifeworld and the quantum
world should already be broadly evident. Quantum mechanics points to the
end result of what consciousness does. Is there a quantum mind, resides in the
space between quantum events?
Can Consciousness Continue After Death?
Consciousness is the most important
function of the organism. According
to William James, consciousness is not a static thing but a process.
Neuroscientists believe that consciousness is generated by
the brain. They highlight that consciousness must be the product of neural
activity. Substantial interconnections among the brainstem, subcortical
structures, and the neocortex are essential integrating components of human
consciousness.
Different levels of consciousness are
distinguished: 1. hyperalertness, 2. alertness (normal state of wakefulness),
3. somnolence or lethargy, 4. obtundation with tendency to fall asleep, 5.
stupor, 6. coma and its subtypes, like akinetic mutism, apallic syndrome or
persistent vegative state, locked-in syndrome, delirium, and catatonia.
Following a coma, some patients may
"awaken" without voluntary interaction or communication with the
environment. The patients who are in "persistent vegetative state” show
some degree of consciousness--a condition called "minimally conscious
state". Using neuroimaging techniques Neurologists are able to
measure the fading consciousness in the human brain.
Is there an irreversible loss of
consciousness? There may be consciousness in the dying brain. The brain is
assumed to be hypoactive during cardiac arrest. Gang Xu and team analyzed electroencephalogram
and electrocardiogram signals in four comatose dying patients before and after
the withdrawal of ventilatory support. Two of the four patients exhibited a
rapid and marked surge of gamma power, surge of cross-frequency coupling of
gamma waves with slower oscillations and increased interhemispheric functional
and directed connectivity in gamma bands.
These data demonstrate that the dying
brain can still be active. Some researchers have found a surge in brain
activity at the time of death. The question remains; is there a survival of
consciousness after death? Dr. Sam Parnia a British associate Professor of Medicine at the NYU Langone Medical Center is of the view that human consciousness does not become annihilated after death. What happens to this consciousness? Does it enter a living fetus?
Dr. Robert Lanza is a scientist and
author, and a professor at Wake Forest University coined the phrase
‘biocentrism’ which is a theory that the consciousness is released into the
universe through sub-atomic particles According to this notion
consciousness would not necessarily be dependent on a physical brain in order
to survive. Therefore, consciousness is more than an abstract concept.
Consciousness in a Human Fetus
The emergence of consciousness or the
mind can be regarded as defining human viability. Development of the
embryo begins at Stage one when sperm fertilizes an oocyte and together, they
form a zygote. The zygote is a large diploid cell that is the beginning, or
primordium, of a human being. The fetus may be having a consciousness,
and it reacts to pain and other stimulations.
The fetus reacts to nociceptive
stimulations through different motor, autonomic, vegetative, hormonal, and
metabolic changes relatively early in the gestation period. The fetus may be
aware of the body. But the
fetus is almost continuously asleep and unconscious partially due to endogenous
sedation.
The newborn infant can be awake, exhibit
sensory awareness, and process memorized mental representations. However,
Falsaperla and team (2022) state that neuroanatomical point of view, it is
rather unlikely that the infant can be seen as a conscious human before
24 weeks of gestational age. (This hypothesis assumes that
consciousness is mainly localized in the cortex, consciousness cannot emerge
before 24 gestational weeks when the thalamocortical connections from the sense
organs are established).
Concluding Thoughts
Is there a mechanism within quantum
physics that can be used to validate or explain the notion of
reincarnation? Quantum physics indicates the
possibility of higher-dimensional spacetimes. The quantum effects are
evident in photosynthesis and during the process remarkable efficiency of
energy is transferred.
Dr. Maher Abdelsamie proposed 5
dimension aka Meta-Dimension which is believed to mediate the entanglement
between quantum particles regardless of their physical separation in the
conventional three-dimensional space. Using Meta-Dimension, we can explain the
nature of consciousness. The mind set during death or in other words exit
consciousness can be redefined as a complex network of entangled quantum
states. Can the exit consciousness remain after death and go to another realm?
However, reincarnation is a
metaphysical concept. It falls outside the scope of quantum physics and
mainstream science. There
is currently no scientific evidence to support the idea that quantum mechanics
can explain reincarnation.
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