Spirituality - The Quantum Way

In this article, I will explain some key concepts of Hindu's school of thoughts with regard to our Universe. Two major philosophy are listed below:

• The Dwait (????? i.e. dualism) believers describe that our Universe is composed of at least two different primary Tatva (?????? i.e. substance) or physical reality.
• The Advait (???????i.e. non-dualism) believers describe that our Universe is composed of single primary Tatva (?????? i.e. substance) or physical reality.

Everything observable in our Universe is a derivative of the primary Tatva (??????), which is purest form of continuous Energy present universally.

The Brahman

It refers to a superset of continuous, non-quantized, and purest form of Energy that is the original source of everything conceivable in our physical reality. It is known as Universal Consciousness (i.e. a union of all subsets).

This form of Energy does not demonstrate any kind of consciousness. Therefore, it carries absolutely no prior Knowledge. It is just Energy (a.k.a. the Brahman).

For analogy, you can imagine it like a water body of infinite boundary. So, this water is available universally. You can extract is anywhere, anytime, if needed.

The Consciousness

It is an inherent characteristic property of the Brahman that resembles Gravity. By default, the Brahman exhibits a tendency of accumulation such that Energy could be discrete and quantized into identifiable objects (e.g. particles).

The quantization of the Brahman is an effect, but consciousness is the cause. In the beginning, there was no quantization of Energy therefore entire Universe was fully homogenous, continuous, and composed of pure Energy only. Later on, the quantization of Energy occurred resulting into formation of fundamental particles that are stateful forever. Now, we observe a Universe composed of all quantized particles. These particles can interact with each other based on certain laws of the Nature. Consciousness encompasses such laws governed by the Brahman.

For analogy, you can imagine it like inherent ability of water to form into ice. This ability of water is called consciousness and ice is just a particle formed from the water.

The Knowledge

It refers to the stateful information of the Brahman. The quantized state is a long lasting one. It is the basis of illusion (i.e. Maya) that we experience as Universe.

A loss of quantized state literally means loss of knowledge. Therefore, you will get back pure Energy only when two or more fundamental particles annihilate (i.e. when knowledge is lost) due to some interaction.

We could experience Maya relatively easily due to discreteness of the Brahman, otherwise it is extremely difficult to experience or observe the Brahman directly. The Maya is a manifestation of the Brahman in another form. In general, a set of all inherent properties of the Brahman are unknown and hidden from us.

For analogy, you can imagine it like this: solid ice can become liquid water again after once stateful Knowledge of discreteness is lost due to thermal interaction.

Action & Reaction

An interaction between discrete particles is called Kriya (?????? i.e. action). Every action must be followed by an instant response, called reaction. Ability of Maya to act-n-react is also an inherent property of the Brahman only.

Maya is involved in all kinds of interaction. All the Laws of Nature are governed by the Maya. The entire universe is an illusion (?????i.e. Maya).

The Soul

The Soul is an actor that is derived from the Brahman. It is also a manifestation of Maya. It will continue wandering our Universe forever within its boundaries of illusion.

A loss of statefulness (i.e. knowledge) of the Soul will result into Moksha (??????i.e. liberation). It is achievable only if the Soul converts itself back into the Brahman. It means loss of identity or discreteness. Soul must merge with the Brahman. It would mean no rebirth or death.

Philosophy: Dwait vs. Advait

According to the Dwait philosophy, the Soul is composed of a different material than the Brahman. Therefore, the Soul can never merge with the Brahman. And, the Brahman is the ultimate power governing the interaction of Soul too.

According to the Advait philosophy, the Soul is composed of the same material as the Brahman. Both are same in terms of properties. There is only one physical reality.

The Fermion vs. Boson

Modern quantum physics has both the descriptions. While Fermions are discrete fundamental particles with certain properties, the Bosons do not exhibit any self identity however they do participate in interactions as force carriers.

Both these class of particles governed by independent statistics form the Maya. An annihilation of a particle and anti-particle pair results into the Brahman.

The Brahman is available universally. The fundamental particles could be formed anywhere in the Universe from the Brahman.

By default, the Brahman is homogenous and unobservable. After quantization of the Brahman, it is possible to observe the Brahman in the form of particles. Maya is observable, not the Brahman.

Summary

Perhaps, you can follow a standard book of Quantum Physics after reading this article to learn more about our Universe. But the foundations of Hindu spirituality are highlighted in this manner.