Toward a Quantum-Etheric Theory

I am beginning to feel like a Ken Wilber fan boy here. I am reading Excerpt G: Toward a Comprehensive Theory on Subtle Energies and I am nearly brought to tears by Ken’s gorgeous thoughts on subtle energies (etheric, astral, psychic etc).
What are Subtle Energies:
Theories on subtle energies go back thousands of years. There are versions of this model in Egyptian, Chinese, European, Jewish, Islamic, Indian (and many other) traditions. Ken’s version:

Table 1. Levels of Energy and Consciousness (from Excert G)
Is Quantum Potentiality a Subtle Energy?
One point that I have been confused on is Quantum Mechanics. Where does Quantum Mechanics fits in the Great Chain of subtle energies? Quantum Mechanics (and lately string theory/M-theory/k-theory or whatever the hell Ed Witten is calling it these days) is extremely popular among the New Age, metaphysics, Law of Attraction rock stars (Deepak, the Secret, What the Bleep.. no hate here, I love them). Philosophers, new agers, shaman, mystical fanboys/girls throw around the words “quantum mechanics” all the time (usually without knowing what the hell they are talking about, or at least I don’t know what the hell they are talking about).
Is Law of Attraction a Modern Mesmerism
I can’t help but be reminded of mesmerism and 1920s spiritualism of when I read some new age material. Animal magnetism (aka Mesmerism) was the metaphysical theory of Franz Mesmer in the 18th century. Mesmer’s theory was based on what he called “magnetic fluid” that he claimed was in every one and could be used to cure the sick (sound familiar… Reiki and qi gong have similar theories but different practice, east Indians have myriad practice and theories on something similar… maybe he was on to something). Like our modern day metaphysical theories on Law of Attraction and other new age theories, Mesmer’s animal magnetism had a following in France, but the scientific community didn’t accept it. Some of his clients claimed to be cured by his techniques. Although animal magnetism never took hold in modern science, a 19th century physician named James Braid took his techniques and developed a little something called “hypnosis”.
Like Mesmer’s animal magnetism, I believe some new age theories (Law of attraction, mystical connections to quantum mechanics) are on to something but as of right now the theories are to vague, simplistic and perhaps (as Ken says) naive to take hold in the community (namely science and academia) that can develop it. There is clearly a hunger for answers as people (laypersons, even some scientists and religions) all over the world flock to the latest new age, material-spiritual, quantum mechanics theories such as the material we see in things like “What the Bleep do We know?!” and the Secret.
The Philosopher with the Einstein’s Brain
Ken Wilber has blasted the new age movement, the Secret, What the Bleep and anything even remotely similar. He’s got a lot of arguments about the material, but his main problem (beside what he calls “Boomeritis“) seems to be their theory of reducing nondual spirit to (physical) Quantum phenomenon. Having read HIS version of how Quantum Reality relates to spirit, I must say that he has made me a believer.
His theory makes perfect sense. From what I understand, he is saying that spirit by itself is nondual, meaning it has no opposite so it is truly beyond infinite/finite (for even ‘infinite’ has and opposite, ‘finite’). Spirit has NO reference and no qualities that we can somehow measure and quantify, whereas quantum material do have qualities and opposites. Essentially, even though Quantum potentiality is incredible magical (spookiness at a distance, as Einstein called it) it is NOT equal to spirit as spirit.
Although spirit is manifest as soul (spirit-as-soul), as mind/causal (spirit-as-mind), as prana/etheric/astral (spirit-as-prana), as physical/gross/atoms/matter (spirit-as-matter), and each of the those have opposites, spirit-as-spirit has none so there is nothing we can say about it. It is beyond what we can symbolize with words and thought. Many mistake quantum potentiality for spirit-as-spirit but it is actually spirit-as-prana.
Ken Wilber’s Summary of Quantum Realities
Following the great philosopher-sages (such as Nagarjuna, Plotinus, and Shankara), we can summarize the reasons that any sort of quantum or subquantum events are not Spirit:

1. Any quantum reality has some sort of characteristics, qualities, or dimensions that set it apart from manifest matter; but Spirit is radically shunya of drsti (empty of any and all qualities, including that characterization itself)—e.g., quantum vacuum has vast energy, spirit is unqualifiable.
2. Any quantum reality is different in some important ways from gross matter; but Spirit is not different from any manifestation, but is rather the Suchness or Isness of whatever arises.
3. Quantum reality has an opposite (e.g., non-quantum reality), but Spirit is radically nondual.
4. Spirit is dimensionless; quantum reality is merely in a different dimension.
5. And, most important, quantum material energy comes directly out of prana, not out of spirit (i.e., matter crystallizes out of spirit-as-prana, not spirit-as-spirit).

Integral Spirituality by Ken Wilber (book review)

Just finished appendix III of Ken’s book Integral Spirituality.

Ken Wilber is a genius.  The book is revolutionary and I will be surprised if it doesn’t influence a lot of developing religions over the 21st Century.  Its just that damn good. 

I don’t agree with everything Ken has to say.  He is really, really harsh with What the Bleep Do We know?! and the book is a little repetitious of his book Integral Psychology(which has the most ridiculously comprehensive diagrams and references outside of medical school text books).  Some of his criticism of other books in Appendix III come off as a bit arrogant, but I suspect Ken is just trying to be brutally, helpfully honest (except with Lazlo and What the Bleep).  I guess when your a genius there is room to be arrogant.

The Integral Post-Metaphysics is the hardest ideas for me to accept.  Not only in comprehending what the hell he is trying to say, but accepting that metaphysics needs to be overhauled. Ken is saying that metaphysics is meaningless. 

What he is saying is that with metaphysical theories you can say anything with no need for evidence or foundation.  For example, I can say that the path to god is to do out of the body experience.  I could create 14 volume series on this all based on Oliver Fox’s theories.  The concepts might all come together and might even get a following, But the bottom line is what does it mean to you if I can’t prove it to you.

Integral Post-metaphysics holds all knowledge to a higher standard.  Ken mention three criteria for “good knowledge”:

1)  Injunction - Experiment: “if you want to know this, do this”. 

2)  Experience - tuition, awareness: you experience the phenomena

3)  A communal confirmation/rejection: Check with others who have completed the first two steps.

Metaphysics:  I tell you anything with Zero proof.  — I had an Out of body experience.  Out of Body experience is the path to God –

Integral Post-metaphysics: I tell you information how I got it and how you can go get it. –  I(L/5) had an Out of body experience (S/s).  Out of Body experience is the path to God (p-3).  By entering the hypnogagic state (S/g), you can have an out of body experience.  Your results may vary.  For example, some people feel that out of body experience feels more like they are Remote Viewing (S/s) or Lucid dreaming (S/s) so the term OBE maybe an inappropriate term, however many people describe it at feeling like it is indeed “out of the body”. 

Metaphysics makes sweeping generalizations and statements about a lot of “pre-given” phenomenon.  Integral Post-metaphysics (from what I understand) explains what level of development the subject is at (L/5 - level 5, green on the worldview scale which is pluralistic, worldcentric).  It goes even further and explains the level of each concept and how they can be accessed.  The above example is probably completely out of place since Ken doesn’t seem the LEAST bit interested in anything like OBE or psi phenomenon.  A more integral view would need to include the latest neurological science on the subject as well.

While it is not the most entertaining, I feel like this is definitely one of the most important books I’ve ever read.  And Ken Wilber is one of the most important philosophical/spiritual/psychological integral theorist of all times.

If you are interested in how religion and spirituality can survive the modern world than you must read this book.

theSecret: the philosophy jihad among the spiritual

To all theSecret.tv haters:

If you hate the Secret, what the Bleep, new age and other things that you don’t perceive as rational/critically thought out and within the realm of accepted scientific phenomenon, you will love this article:
http://julianwalkeryoga.zaadz.com/blog/2006/12/the_secret_spiritual_cinema

(didn’t realize that there was some sort of “philosophy Jihad” going on among those that deem themselves “spiritual”. whatever.)

Ken Wilber and Julian Walker are in alignment with Alexander’s view.

IMHO, even though Julian’s raises amazingly cutting arguments, I walked away with a positive vibe from theSecret (this puts me in the ‘not too bright category according to ken & julian… I’ve been called MUCH worse). I don’t think there is anything wrong with thinking positively. Although Ken and Julian are calling it narcissistic, infantile and dangerously naive.

As far as the Law of Attraction, Ken (over at Integral Naked) brings up the “Auschwitz” argument. The Auschwitz argument goes a little something like this: If positive thinking and LOA is all a person needs, then what about the people in Auschwitz. Nothing like positive thinking or LOA saved them. Did the victims of Auschwitz create THAT reality? Furthermore, the secret implies that all those currently suffering in the world (i.e. children with AIDS) “thought” the dilemma upon themselves. How can the Law of Attraction exist in a universe of Holocausts and AIDS babies?

He drives what seems like a “death blow” to the Law of Attraction. But I think there is still room for the LOA.

Here is a lame attempt at thought:
LOA is saying that the world is completely subjective. Perhaps that is a liiiittle to simplistic. More science minded folks are saying this is an objective universe and NO ONE can go around blinking objects in and out of existence (see law of conservation of energy). But I feel that the universe is neither completely objective or completely subjective. Its both. The nature of our objective situations (what ever they maybe) are colored by our interpretation of that situation. So positive thought does matter. Subject thought alone won’t be enough to undo the Holocaust the history, but its the first step to recovery.

The audacity of optimism is what keeps us clinging to hope even in the darkest times and having faith when all hope is lost. I guess that is why Hope can be our greatest strength and our greatest tragedy.

As for Human suffering it self (why does it exist if there is an LOA) that is something I will not downplay by attempting to rationalize or frame in some sort of dogma.

As far as the LOA goes, I guess I can only speak for my self when I say, some strange shit has happened to me that science can not yet explain. It maybe as Ken Wilber says, people are just bending “spirituality” into their own narcissistic self centered whims, but I doubt this is the driving force of all of us dumb asses who believe in theSecret.

I suspect the Secret and similar material are so popular because both mainstream science and mainstream religion have shut the door on attempting to explain or even acknowledge the existence of strange phenomenon that happens to everyday people like me short of calling us insane, stupid or full of sin.

The Secret is Fake: talking to Mr. Kjerulf

 

 My response to Alexander Kjerulf on the Secret:

Hi Alexander,

Good stuff.  I love theSecret and I’ve referred to many people.  But you makes some good points.

1. No proof that famous historical people knew the secret:  I guess this depends on context.  Many of the famous people eluded to on the site [thesecret.tv] are world class go-getters (especially in their prime).  But did they know the “law of attraction” by that name… I doubt it.

2. No proof that the Law of Attraction was kept secret (conspiracy):  I kind of saw that bit as a dramatization put in the Secret. 

Although one might argue that the Holy Roman Church [et al] annihilated many sects that actively practiced the Law of Attraction (i.e. Rosicrucians.. if you look closely you will see this name flashed in the title sequence of the secret BTW..  The Rosicrucians -occult,societies, gnostics, heretics and others- that practiced the Law of Attraction a.k.a “magic, thought forms, visualization” or anything that did not conform was destroyed… this purification was done by Nazi Germany, the Holy Roman Empire, and other nationalistic empires that wanted complete control.  Many churches go out of their way to discredit to this day.) 

3-5. The Secret is Pseudo Science:  As I’ve said in a previous post, I won’t even pretend to understand what quantum physics has to do with mysticism, but I do have pretty strong oppinion about the dogmatic even religious steps that science seems to have taken.

Apparently, the belief in pseudo science is on the rise in the U.S. http://www.livescience.com/humanbiology/070218_ap_us_science.html
This includes UFOs, psi, astrology, mind over matter and many others.
The scientific incrowd throw them ALL out wholesale.  There is such a stigma in the “accepted” scientific community that even an honest open minded question into the POSSIBILITY of the above areas deemed pseudo science can be career ending.  Personal experience and phenomenology are also thrown out so that one is supposed to question their own sanity prior to believing their own eyes. 

I often ask myself, who has a monopoly on reality?  Science or Religion?  Neither, of course.  Both are simply measurements and guides on life and reality but somehow people have completely reversed this.  Somehow, we have become the mere measurements of science and the puppets of religion with human perspective and life as a passing anomaly or a sin to be cleansed.

So do I believe that the human mind can influence the physical reality?  I believe that an awakend mind is the most power force in the world.  Able to split atoms, influence others, attain deeper understanding of the environment and more importantly, able to make up its own damn mind.

spiritual mystical quantum physics