The Role of Quantum Physics in the Mystical State of the Near-Death Experience

HJ: Quantum physics is beginning to offer explanations of some very interesting areas of the experience of consciousness.  What we are witnessing is the bridging of science and spirituality, which is long overdue.  While the ardent spiritualist needs no scientific proof to validate their personal experience, it is always serendipitous to find out that the study of quantum physics has validated yet another aspect of existence that the sages and masters of consciousness throughout the ages have long heralded as the truth of our existence.  Not only does this further validate the esoteric/mystical concepts themselves, especially in the eyes of skeptics, but it also helps us to better understand how they may work on a tangible level and perhaps innovate on and expand the way in which we work with them.  The essence of what I am saying is this: Quantum Physics is offering us a new pathway though which we can relate to ourselves and understand our higher nature/human experience.  In this way, it is offering yet another opportunity for us to connect and grow spiritually — both individually and as a society — and that is truly a miracle.

– Truth

Near-Death Experiences Explained by Quantum Physicists

by Anna Hunt

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Are souls constructed from the fabric of our universe? Dr. Stuart Hameroff, Professor Emeritus at the University of Arizona, and his colleague Sir Roger Penrose, a British theoretical physicist, seem to think so, and have been promoting this theory over the last 15 years. Hameroff and Penrose believe that consciousness has been a part of the Universe from its very beginning, an idea similar to the Buddhist and Hindu beliefs that consciousness is an integral component of the Universe.

Hameroff and Penrose’s orchestrated objective reduction (Orch-OR) theory states that quantum consciousnessresides in the microtubials of our brain; it acts like a program inside a quantum computer. The scientists believe that this quantum characteristic of the brain forms the soul. The Orch-OR theory supports the idea that we are all one: upon death, quantum consciousness leaves the nervous system and dissipates back to where it came from – the cosmos – where it can exist, perhaps indefinitely. More about this topic is explained in my previous article, Quantum Consciousness.

According to their theory, human quantum consciousness – our soul – continues to exist after the physical functions of the body cease. Hameroff believes that during near-death experiences quantum consciousness begins to dissipate into the cosmos as the quantum processes in the microtubules terminate, but it returns to the brain once the physical body is revived. The individual may recall an out-of-body experience, seeing their dead relatives, or walking towards a light or tunnel, as a result of quantum consciousness reentering the microtubules with new information. In the video below, Hameroff explains what may be happening in near-death situations.

Hameroff’s view is harmonious with the Hindu and Buddhist concept of Karma, where thought impressions are bound to our mind or soul as a reflection of our deeds, and hence situations that we perceive as fate are actually results of our past actions, from this or another life. As the soul leaves the body upon death, it carries all of its quantum information with it as it integrates back into the Universe. All of the information and thought impressions may be once again “downloaded” into another human body during reincarnation.

As all theories, Orch-OR has its opposition, with the main objection stating that microtubule quantum states could be sustained in the environment of the brain for only femtoseconds, versus the 25 milliseconds required by Orch-OR, and thus, they are not relevant to neural processing. Nevertheless, Hameroff and the supporters of Orch-OR theory have proposed many alternatives that support the idea that quantum processing in the microtubules does in fact influence neural processing. Other research has also validated Orch-OR theory by showing that quantum processing supports biological processes such as photosynthesis, bird navigation and smell.

More about the orchestrated objective reduction theory and quantum consciousness can be found here:Consciousness, the Brain, and Spacetime Geometry.

Anna Hunt is an entrepreneur, writer and yoga instructor. Her company Pura Vida Yoga Vacations organizes Yoga retreats in Costa Rica.