Quantum Uncertainty not so Uncertain After all...

[Jim Eubanks (Shi Yong Xiang)]

Einstein famously said that "God doesn't play dice." This was a
direct jab at the newly developed quantum theories, which purported
true "randomness" in the Universe. Einstein insisted that what we
thought was random was our inability to fully understand the "new
physics."

Today's latest research is challenging the conventional view of
quantum mechanics. Not only the science, but all the many books
written over the last four or five decades that present novel theories
based on quantum science might have to be rewritten. Everything from
health and science to engineering and spirituality have capitalized on
the quantum model of an "uncertain" reality. But the "Bohmian" view
(which contrasts with the conventional "Copenhagen Interpretation")
states that what we think is randomness is really causative factors
that we either do not yet understand or cannot yet detect. As a
recent article in "New Scientist" states: "Bohmian mechanics asserts
that the outcome of an experiment isn't truly random, but is
determined by the values of certain 'hidden variables.' "

The interesting thing is that, like the recent research into physics,
Buddhism has asserted a non-random Universe since its inception.
Siddhartha Gautama taught 2400 years ago that our Universe is causal,
not some of the time, but all of the time. This means that the
Universe is interconnected in a way that all things are affected by
the existence of all other things, to varying degrees. All events
that happen in our lives have factors that lead up to them, even when
we cannot understand or detect all of those factors. This is why
antibiotics kill bacteria and sunlight allows for photosynthesis: the
Universe maintains relationships that are not random, but carry with
them specific kinds of properties. Another example is meditation
practice. The reason meditation practice leads to a calmer existence
is because of the specific kinds of effects the practice has on the
human bodymind. If the Universe were random, meditation practice,
antibiotics and sunlight would have no consistent and predictable
patterns, and we would have no ability to combat infection, grow
plants or introduce deep calm in our lives.

Keep an eye on the developments of the Bohmian view of Quantum
mechanics. Einstein's warning that we should be careful not to throw
out the predictability of causation might finally get its due...

[Dan Jackson]

Thanks for posting this.

 

My view is that what we call God, by whatever appellation, is THE cause in causal--the life-force that runs through all the universe and binds it as one.  The Buddhist meditative approach is what has allowed me to get at glimpse of this.  Nice to see the sophomoric "randomness" theory get a little kick in the pants every now and then.

 

Peace,

 

Dan Jackson 

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[Kahvah Moriel]

Peace,

 

It is a comforting thought to know how we effect the Universe and how the Universe effects us is not randomness.  Does each person control the intensity at which they are effected or can effect the Universe?   Is that intensity relative to negative or positive energy you may put forth. 

"Jim Eubanks (Shi Yong Xiang)" <jim.e...@gmail.com> wrote:

[Jim Eubanks]

My teacher, Ryugen, used to say, "50% of the events that happen to us are attributable to our personal karma, and 50% to everyone else's karma who is involved."  In other words, we are responsible, but so is everyone else.  We are (personally) responsible enough to greatly affect our lives in meaningful ways, as in the kinds of decisions we tend to make, the kinds of people we associate with, and the job we have.  But it is also a collective responsiblity, as "self and other are interconnected"--this means that we should act in ways that seek to preserve the wellbeing and integrity of not only ourselves, but all people; we're all in the same boat.

 

-Jim, Shi Yong Xiang

--
Jim Eubanks
(Shi Yong Xiang*)

Monastic Director
Center for Pragmatic Buddhism
St. Louis, MO

Head Instructor
American Shaolin Center
St. Charles Natural Healing Center

*Monk in the Order of Pragmatic Buddhists