HOW
MAGIC AND ESP WORK - A QUANTUM MECHANICAL PERSPECTIVE
by Larry Cornett
In
quantum mechanics, reality is described by waves defining the probabilities of
different outcomes from the same interactions. These waves manifest as what we
have been taught to call matter, energy, particles, and/or waves, along with
the experience of space and time, when observed. These probability waves overlap and continue
forever. The interactions between
different entities constitute a single structure of linked wave patterns, so
that the entire universe can be thought of as an unbroken whole. The waves form a matrix, with all parts of
the system affecting all other parts.
Non‑local relationships exist between parts of the system that are
distant from each other in both time and space.
So
far I have seen Physicists publish four alternative explanations for the
underlying, interlinking wave patterns implied by quantum mechanics:
* The
wave pattern is the most fundamental level of reality, and there is nothing
more fundamental (this is the most popular view in the Quantum Mechanics text
books, other than providing no explanation)
* Consciousness
is the underlying link (E.H. Walker)
* Information
(the negative reciprocal of entropy) is the underlying link
* Space
and time, as described by quantum mechanics, are epiphenomena manifested by
other phenomena. What underlies
conventional space-time are variables and dimensions not limited by usual
concepts of space and time. At least
some of the variables in these realms (hidden variables) act everywhere at once
linking the time-space phenomena described by quantum mechanics. Superstring theory, supergravity, and other
theories cover the nature of these hidden variables.
Whatever
the subtle level of reality underlying matter, energy, space, and time, we are
that (including our consciousness).
Consciousness is an inseparable aspect of this underlying reality. If hidden variables exist, we are the hidden
variables.
The
non-local underlying wave patterns beneath manifestations of matter, energy,
time and space that we hold in common with our surroundings allow us to
influence reality and to obtain information about it. This underlying interconnecting pattern is
the very stuff of consciousness and manifests, not only as matter & energy,
but also as psychokenesis, precognition, and other phenomenon that are only now
beginning to be recognized and embraced by some theories of modern physics.
Normal
waking consciousness occurs when the nerve cell firing rate (synaptic switching
rate) is high enough to cause the probability waves associated with individual electrons
to spread out throughout the brain, filling the gaps between millions of nerve
cells (synaptic clefts). This is
described mathematically by the quantum mechanical mechanism of tunneling. In this theory, the synapses fire separately
at low synaptic firing rates. As the
rate of firing increases, more and more synapses fire simultaneously,
ultimately leading to collective physical behavior.
The
linkage between synapses is provided by hopping conduction (a succession of
quantum mechanical tunneling events) between RNA molecules, etc. linking
millions of synapses and controlling the release of chemical transmitters
between nerve cells. The coupling
unifies the wave field describing the likely position of electrons throughout
regions of the brain. The waves are interconnected with each other and with
information storage, sensory input, and movement related mechanisms within
these interconnected regions. The sense
of individual identity resides in the continuity of the process (1).
The
theory accurately predicts the threshold nerve firing rate between waking and
sleeping consciousness in people and animals (1). It also explains the nature of dreams and
quantitatively predicts observed characteristics of neurological communication
and related physiology (10).
When
this theory was extended to cover the influence of the conscious wave patterns
in brains on outside phenomena, it accurately
and quantitatively predicted the differing amounts of displacement caused by
consciousness that were observed in experiments on bouncing cubes of different
weights and densities (2). It
also successfully predicted the improvements from chance repeatedly observed in
"guess the card" experiments (2); and its predictions fit other
experimental results.
Deflections
caused by consciousness are not caused by force or energy in the conventional
sense; but by something more subtle -- namely coupling effects within the
underlying wave structure out of which matter and energy are
manifestations. The magnitude of these
effects can be accurately predicted by modeling the coupling between the brain
and the target. The amount of effect is
determined by (2):
* The
information handling rate at which consciousness in the brain couples with the
target
* The
amount of time that the coupling occurs, and
* The
probability of the desired outcome in the absence of conscious intervention
It
is the non-local structure that we share with nature that makes it possible to
"attune to nature," to psychically participate in nature, and to
perform magic. When our awareness connects
with the deepest layer of reality interconnecting everything, we may experience
the level of consciousness beyond time, space, and form reported by many
mystics.
This
theory has been developed in considerable detail by Evan Harris Walker, formerly
of the US Army Ballistics Research Center at Aberdeen Proving Ground in
Maryland (1, 2, 3) and who currently directs the Walker Cancer
Institute(10). I have
published several articles based largely on this theory (4, 5, 6, 7)
and refined my previous explanation of his theory based on the information in
his recent book The Physics of Consciousness (10).
Other
theories of how and why magic works exist, including Cabalistic theories,
Buddhist and Hindu metaphysical theories, theories of the nature of the Gods,
theories based on unified fields, etc.
Many parallels exist among these theories. The most important one is the connection
between individual consciousness and the universe (with or without the
intervention of Gods, Goddesses, etc.).
To
read about theories of magic is like reading about sports. You may pick up a
few ideas; but to become proficient, you must participate and play the
game. What follows is an outline of how
to perform a magical ritual.
WICCAN MAGICAL RITUAL
Consider
a typical structure of a Wiccan magical ritual and its explanation:
* Purify
one's mind and one's surroundings, freeing them of interfering resonances,
quieting the static so that one can get a clear and strong coupling to the
desired target.
* Achieve
a non-localized state of consciousness, often by coupling one's mind with one's
inner being, with the Earth, the sky, and one's surroundings.
* Meditate
on the elements (Earth, Air, Fire, Water) representing non-local essences. This helps your mind to connect powerfully
non-locally. In Wiccan rituals, this is
usually done by invoking each element in a different direction.
* After
reaching out with one's mind and coupling it with the non-local web of wave
patterns connecting everything, invoke deities whose natural function is related
to the purpose of your ritual. If
successful, this connects your mind to powerful, established, non-localized,
intelligent consciousness matrices that (hopefully) join in the magic.
* Focus
on the target of the work, connecting with the target (usually by visualization
and/or by an object link).
* While
connected with the target, visualize the end result desired, thus creating a
template for the phenomenon one wants to achieve.
* Energize
the connection and thoughtform through dance, drumming, chants, pure channeling
of will power, and/or other means.
* Release
the energy into the target while strongly visualizing the target achieved
(energizing the template connected to the target).
* Ground
(sending excess energy back to the Earth),
removing one's mind from the direct link with the target, so that the
patterns you have set in motion in the target can continue with minimum
interference (to throw a ball, one has to let go); then share food and drink,
* Thank
and say good-bye to the intelligences and essences you worked with, thus
disconnecting one's mind further from related non-local matrices.
There are other forms of
magic, many of which involve a similar flow of consciousness.
Each
of the above steps in ritual is a form of meditation which should be practiced
individually until one is proficient at it.
The best book I have found covering all of these techniques, meditations
to improve one's ritual effectiveness, and how to weave these together into
Neo-Pagan ritual is The Spiral Dance, by Starhawk(8). Those serious about learning magical ritual
are advised to read this book and work with the individual meditations
therein. Other good books also exist.
To
create one's own rituals, one can put individual meditations, invocations, etc.
that are good for the aforementioned purposes on to 3x5 cards, and collate them
together into rituals of your own design.
You can also do this with files on a personal computer. If you know what you are doing and follow
appropriate magical and ethical practice, you can expect good results.
ETHICS AND DANGERS
The
ethics of magic is tied in to the mechanics of magic. To transmit a psychic signal, you must
resonate it in your own mind. One's mind
creates the original edition of the effect one wishes to produce in the target. If the target is receptive to your signal and
linked to your mind, a copy of the signal in your mind may connect with the
target, and be transmitted. You are left
with the original edition.
Generally,
only a fraction of the signal in one's own mind is transmitted. The rest remains with the person generating
it and with the associated media involved in transmission. To magically hex another person is to hex
oneself. To do manipulative magic on
another person is to perform similar manipulation on oneself. To perform
unrequested magic on another may result in unwanted magical effects on
oneself. It is prudent not to create,
energize or transmit a thoughtform that you would not like to receive at least
threefold yourself.
Much
magic is directed at the universe and one's own circumstances, without
specifically targeting or visualizing specific other individuals. Nevertheless, one may sometimes get magical
backlash because of effects such magic may have on others. A good technique to avoid backlash is to
filter the spell with a sincere affirmation that it be for the good of all and
according to the free will of all. The
best book I've seen covering such considerations (as well as providing
practical spells and methods of becoming proficient at divination) is Positive
Magic, by Miriam Weinstein(9).
If
one performs magical ritual, it is important to clearly separate one's magical
state of mind from one's state of mind in everyday reality, and to be
consciously in control of and aware of which state one is in. Most forms of magic work by affirming and
visualizing the end result desired and channeling "energy" into the
vision to build a thoughtform that will mold events into the desired pattern. Visualizations are most effective when they
are a total experience, with the senses of sight, smell, hearing, touch, taste,
and emotions in accordance with the desired end -- while all thought processes
function as if the desired end is a reality.
Psychic "power" is channeled into this mold, and things
happen.
Unfortunately,
some magical people fail to keep their magical and rational states of mind
separate. The result can be involuntary
magical visualization. Madness comes
with mistaking thoughtforms of what should have happened or what one wants to
happen with what has occurred and what is occurring. This slippage can manifest as rewriting of
history, being off in one's own world and perceived as a space case by others,
"1984" style "doublethink," and pathological lying.
Rituals
such as casting a magic circle and calling quarters, invoking elements and
deities to initiate a magical state of mind, and grounding after work is done
and thanking and dismissing the powers invoked to end this state of mind help keep
magical and rational states of mind separate.
When not actively performing magic, the magician's consciousness should
link with what is occurring and with that which has occurred in ordinary
reality, and the magician should be able to function in harmony with nature and
with one's surroundings.
DISCORDIAN ANALYSIS
Everything
is true in some sense, false in some sense, meaningless in some sense, true and
false in some sense, true and meaningless in some sense, false and meaningless
in some sense, and true and false and meaningless in some sense.
REFERENCES
1. Walker, Evan H. "The Nature of Consciousness," Mathematical
Biosciences 7, 1970. http://users.erols.com/wcri/QMcons1970.html
2. Walker, Evan H. The Complete Quantum Mechanical
Anthropologist.
3. Walker, Evan H. and Nick Herbert. "Hidden Variables: Where Physics and the
Paranormal Meet," Future Science, edited by John White and Stanley
Krippner, Anchor books, Garden City, New York, 1977.
4. Cornett, Larry. "Quantum Magic," Amaranth
Anthology, published by Larry Cornett, Fairfax, VA, (also published in Amaranth
#36 in Pagan APA #40), 1988.
5. Cornett, Larry. "Laws of Magic, "Amaranth #39
in Pagan APA #43,
6. Cornett, Larry. "A Quantum Mechanical Theory of How
Magic Works," Amaranth #6 in
Pagan APA,
7. Cornett, Larry. "
8. Starhawk. The Spiral Dance: A Rebirth of
the Ancient Religion of the Great Goddess, Harper and Row Publishers,
9.
Weinstein, Miriam, Positive Magic: Occult Self-Help,
Phoenix Publishing Co.,
10. Walker,
Evan Harris. The Physics of
Consciousness: The Quantum Mind and the Meaning of Life, Perseus
Publishing, Cambridge Massachusetts, 2000.
11. Bonewits,
PEI Real Magic, Creative Arts Book Company,
Other References On Quantum Mechanics,
With Implications Concerning Consciousness And Psychic Phenomena Include:
Bohm,
David. "Consciousness and Self-Consciousness-A Working Paper," Psychological
Perspectives 38, Jung
Bohm,
David. "Beyond Relativity and Quantum Mechanics," Psychological
Perspectives 38, Jung Institute of
Bohm,
David and Peat, David. Science Order and Creativity, Bantam, 1987.
Bohm,
David. Wholeness and the Implicate
Order,
Herbert,
Nick. "Notes Toward A User's Guide to the Quantum Connection," Psychological
Perspectives 38, Jung Institute of
Walker, Evan Harris
(Homepage) http://users.rcn.com/wcri/wcri/
Walker,
Evan H. "Dualism, Causal Loops in Time, and the Quantum Observer Theory of
Paraphysical Phenomena," http://users.rcn.com/wcri/Dualism
Walker,
Evan H. "The Natural Philosophy, Physics, and Neurophysiology of
Consciousness©," http://users.rcn.com/wcri/wcri/Consciousness%20text%2001.htm
Other Pertinent Papers Include:
Davidson,
Aharon. "Tachyonic
Compactification,” Physical Review D,
In
Volume 18, No. 2 of Foundations of Physics (1989), an article titled
"Evidence for Consciousness-Related Anomalies in Random Physical
Systems" was published. This
article contained an analysis of the results of 832 experiments by 68
independent researchers on the ability of people to influence the results of
microelectronic random number generators.
The experiments included 597 experimental studies and 235 control
studies. The results show effects
conforming to chance in control conditions (no attempt to change) and
unambiguous and consistent non-chance effects in the various experimental
results.
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