Category: Perceptions

The New Frontier of Quantum Consciousness

Recent groundbreaking research has provided strong evidence for a quantum consciousness, suggesting that the mind may not operate according to classical physics but through quantum phenomena. This paradigm shift could change our understanding of the brain and the nature of reality itself.

Non-duality questions whether the world, as perceived by ordinary consciousness, is ultimately an illusion, regardless of whether it is studied from a classical or quantum perspective.
A. H. Almaas

The Quantum Nature of Consciousness

A recent study found that anesthetic gases, which induce unconsciousness, act on microtubules—tiny structures within neurons. Drugs that bind to these microtubules delayed the onset of unconsciousness in rats. This supports the theory that consciousness arises from quantum vibrations within microtubules rather than through classical neural interactions.

Consciousness cannot be accounted for in physical terms. For consciousness is absolutely fundamental. It cannot be accounted for in terms of anything else.
Erwin Schrödinger (Physicist)

This research reinforces an emerging view that consciousness is fundamentally linked to quantum processes. Mike Wiest, an associate professor at Wellesley College, highlights the profound implications of this discovery, stating that when this theory becomes widely accepted, it will revolutionize our understanding of consciousness. It could explain phenomena ranging from anesthesia to mental illness, offering new avenues for treatment and deeper insight into human cognition.

Expanding the Understanding of Quantum Physics

Quantum mechanics has long challenged our classical understanding of reality. As revealed by the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle, observation alters what is observed, implying that reality is fluid and deeply interconnected at the quantum level. Popular Mechanics explores how quantum theory, especially concepts like non-locality and entanglement, means a unified field of consciousness where everything is interconnected in ways that classical physics cannot explain.

I regard consciousness as fundamental. I regard matter as derivative from consciousness. We cannot get behind consciousness. Everything that we talk about, everything that we regard as existing, postulates consciousness.
Max Planck (Father of Quantum Theory)

Furthermore, Scientific American suggests that quantum mechanics opens doors to new understandings of free will, human connection, and even mystical experiences. These insights echo ancient spiritual teachings, where mystics described the universe as a web of interconnectedness—a notion that is now being validated through quantum physics.

Mystical Insights and the Diamond Approach

From the perspective of mysticism, particularly the Diamond Approach®, the self is not a fixed entity. As A.H. Almaas teaches, the dissolution of the ego’s boundaries reveals a non-dual reality. In this expansive, fluid state, we are not separate from the universe but intimately connected to it. This is similar to how quantum physics demonstrates that particles are not distinct objects but probabilities in a unified field.

In his teachings, A.H. Almaas often integrates principles of quantum theory to explain consciousness’s fluid and dynamic nature. He suggests that, like quantum fields, consciousness is not fixed but manifests in various forms depending on the state of observation or inquiry. Almaas describes consciousness as a self-organizing field—a fundamental aspect of reality. This view aligns with quantum physics, where particles and waves are complementary aspects of a unified field, and both science and mysticism converge on the idea of interconnectedness and non-duality.

Consciousness is the ground of all being. Without consciousness, quantum theory remains incomplete because it cannot explain the observer effect or the collapse of the wave function.
Amit Goswami (Theoretical Quantum Physicist)

In his book “The Inner Journey Home,” Almaas explores how the complementarity principle from quantum theory reflects consciousness as both a tangible and elusive reality. He suggests that, like quantum waves and particles, consciousness can be perceived as a fluid field of experience or as specific forms, depending on the level of awareness. This perspective offers profound insights into how the human mind engages with reality, seeing the self as interwoven with the very fabric of the universe.

By embracing this quantum view of consciousness, we begin to understand human perception and reality not as separate entities but as interconnected fields of possibility—a critical insight in both mysticism and the growing field of quantum consciousness research. This alignment of quantum physics and mystical exploration opens new avenues for understanding the nature of human existence, the mind, and the universe.

In the Diamond Approach, this recognition leads to profound liberation. When we cease identifying with rigid mental structures or personality types, we experience reality as dynamic and interconnected. This mirrors the fluid nature of the quantum world, where consciousness itself may be a fundamental aspect of the fabric of existence.

A Paradigm Shift in Understanding Human Nature

As research continues, this convergence of quantum mechanics, neuroscience, and spirituality suggests that consciousness may be a fundamental property of the universe embedded in the quantum fabric of reality. This perspective challenges the materialist view of the brain as the sole generator of consciousness and opens the door to a deeper, more holistic understanding of human nature.

In the words of David Bohm, a renowned quantum physicist, the universe operates within an “implicate order”—a hidden, interconnected reality where everything is in relationship with everything else. This is remarkably aligned with quantum theory and the mystical insights of traditions like the Diamond Approach, which views reality as a unified, conscious whole.

The quantum world cannot exist without the observer. It is consciousness that creates reality through the act of observation, collapsing the wave of possibilities into actual events.
John von Neumann (Mathematician and Physicist)

This profound paradigm shift impacts science and spirituality and holds practical implications for understanding mental health, healing, and the nature of the self. By embracing the intersection of quantum physics and mysticism, we may find that our individual consciousness experiences are expressions of a much larger, interconnected cosmic reality.

The Lovers: Being & Becoming

The dance between being and becoming is much like the relationship between lovers—intimate, mysterious, and always in flux. Being is the quiet presence that holds us, the essence of who we are, unchanged by the world’s noise. Becoming is the movement, the reaching, the transformation that arises from engaging with life. These two lovers, though seemingly opposites are inseparable. Without being, becoming is frantic, directionless, and a wild chase for something that is always just out of reach. And without becoming, being is static, a comfortable but stagnant pool. The beauty of existence unfolds in the interplay of these forces—the stillness of our essence giving shape to the ever-unfolding flow of our lives.

Being is the nature, Essence, and substance of all physical objects, or mental objects, and all experienceable manifestations. It is the body, the feelings, the thoughts, the actions, the sounds, the sights, and the meanings. Being is everything.
A. H. Almaas, Diamond Heart Book Five: Inexhaustible Mystery

There’s a moment in everyone’s life—probably several—when we’re forced to pause and ask: What am I becoming? It’s not a casual “How are you doing?” question. It’s deeper, like standing at the edge of a cliff, looking down at the life you’ve constructed, and realizing that maybe, just maybe, all that scaffolding isn’t holding you up the way you thought.

What is this process of becoming? It feels like trying to catch water in your hands—every time you think you’ve got it, it slips through your fingers. Becoming is more like shedding skin than putting on new armor. It’s less about gaining and more about releasing. Yet, in a world obsessed with more success, productivity, and visibility, how do we even begin to understand the subtle art of less?

I’ve often pondered the ancient Sufi teaching about polishing the heart—an image that evokes something both harsh and tender. The heart, they say, is like a mirror, and over time, it gets tarnished by the dust of life. We don’t become more by adding layers but by clearing away the debris. Becoming isn’t about acquiring anything; it’s about reclaiming what was always there—the mirror, pristine and whole, waiting to reflect the truth.

How does the potentiality inherent to the soul become actuality? How does potential for experience become experience? How does potential for forms of knowledge become actual knowledge, manifest and perceptible forms? What is responsible for the inner infinite riches of the soul becoming manifest? The soul must possess a property or properties that allow her to translate her hidden treasures from the obscurity of potential to the light of actuality.
A. H. Almaas, The Inner Journey Home

A Question to Sit With

Here’s a question: When was the last time you thought about what you’re genuinely becoming rather than what you’re achieving?

In modern life, we’re bombarded with messages telling us we’re incomplete and need to be more intelligent, thinner, wealthier, and successful. There’s always a product or a program that promises to fix what’s broken. But what if nothing is broken? What if, like that mirror, the essence of who you are has never been damaged—just covered over by the grit and grime of everyday existence?

If this is the case, then becoming is less like building a skyscraper and more like peeling an onion. You’re not adding floors to your life; you’re stripping away layers. What are you becoming when you stop trying to become something?

A question expresses both the fertile openness of true nature and the love that characterizes the dynamic creative force of that nature. The question invites revelation because it’s love for knowledge engages Being’s love of revealing itself.
A. H. Almaas, The Void: Inner Spaciousness and Ego Structure

The Mind’s Trick: Form Over Essence

We live in a world of forms, and forms are alluring. The career, the relationship, the house, and the status. We cling to these forms because they give us a sense of identity and security. But here’s the kicker—forms are temporary. They change, they crumble, they fade. And if we’ve built our entire identity on them, it’s a bit like building a sandcastle and expecting it to last through the tide.

No form can be outside the oneness of Being. To perceive or conceive of a form we have to see that it is an inseparable part of the oneness, for no form can be outside the oneness of being.
A. H. Almaas, The Inner Journey Home

Ancient spiritual teachings from Buddhism, Sufism, or the Diamond Approach® remind us that essence is what endures. Essence is the part of us that isn’t bound by the temporary conditions of life. But in a culture that worships productivity, it’s easy to mistake the form for the substance. We’ve been taught to measure ourselves by what we do rather than who we are.

Isn’t it curious how we often run from the very thing that could set us free? Why are we so afraid of what’s underneath all the layers of doing and achieving?

The Body Remembers

Here’s the thing about becoming—it’s not just a mental or emotional process; it’s physical. Becoming happens in the body as much as it happens in the mind. Your body remembers things your mind has long forgotten, and listening closely enough will guide you toward what’s true. Becoming asks you to embody your truth, not just intellectualize it.

Take the vagus nerve, that long, wandering highway that connects your brain to your gut. It’s not just the highway; it’s the signaler, the translator. The nerve lets you feel calm, grounded, and alive in your skin. The vagus is always quietly orchestrating this dialogue between mind and body, like a subtle symphony of being. If we listened more closely to our bodies, perhaps we’d recognize that becoming isn’t about racing forward but sinking deeper into the present.

Neuroscience research shows that the only way we can change the way we feel is by becoming aware of our inner experience and learning to befriend what is going on inside ourselves.
Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, The Body Keeps the Score

Quantum Becoming?

And then, there’s the question of time. Becoming feels linear, right? First, we’re one thing, and then we’re something else. But quantum physics—bless its mind-bending perspective—reminds us that time and space are far more fluid than we like to think. What if becoming is less like walking a path and more like unfolding from the inside out?

Like quantum particles that exist in a state of potential until observed, maybe we, too, hold within us infinite potential until we focus our attention, collapse the wave, and step into a particular version of ourselves. Every choice, every moment of awareness, collapses the field of infinite possibilities into the life we’re living. But that doesn’t mean we’re bound to that particular outcome forever. Every moment is another chance to become something else—maybe even to “unbecome” everything we thought we should be.

The difference between past, present, and future is only a stubbornly persistent illusion.
Carlo Rovelli, The Order of Time

The Gateway to Becoming

And here’s where curiosity comes in. If you’ve ever had that moment of “I wonder what would happen if I…”—you’ve tapped into the engine of becoming. Curiosity isn’t about finding answers; it’s about staying open to the unfolding. It’s that childlike wonder that says, “What if?” What if I stopped striving? What if I let go of that need to control everything? What if I allowed myself to become whatever life is pulling me toward?

Curiosity is always there, a certain attitude or movement that we’re capable of at any time. And curiosity opens the joy. Joy is curious. Joy is curiosity. As you love the truth, or as truth loves the activity you are engaged in, truth shines.
A. H. Almaas, Diamond Heart Book Five

Curiosity feels like rebellion in a world so focused on certainty and control. And maybe that’s precisely what we need. Less certainty, more wonder. Less control, more openness.

Are You Brave Enough to Stop?

Becoming isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s about slowing down, stepping back, and stopping and stopping the endless cycle of self-improvement and productivity long enough to notice what’s happening underneath all that doing and stopping long enough to feel the pulse of life, the quiet hum of essence that’s been there all along.

And in that stillness, perhaps the most radical realization emerges: Becoming isn’t something we do; it’s something we allow. Life is the force of becoming, and we are its vessels. We’re not sculpting ourselves out of clay; we’re more like trees growing into our full shape, our branches stretching toward the light without forcing the process.

Allowing is not an active doing but is simply desisting from reifying concepts. We cease looking at the world through concepts and stop indulging this discriminating mentality.
A. H. Almaas, Diamond Heart Book One: Elements of the Real in Man

So, the next time you’re tempted to ask, “What am I supposed to do?” consider shifting the question: “What am I becoming?” The answer may surprise you. Or, more likely, it will remain a mystery. And isn’t that the point?

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What is real action? How does real action impact love and work?

In today’s world, where everyone is rushing to get things done, it’s easy to mistake busyness for real action. But have you ever paused to ask yourself, “Am I truly moving forward, or am I just stuck in the same spot?” This is where the idea of real action comes into focus—a concept that can change how we approach love and work.

A man must learn to act consciously, with intention. Most people live in a state of automatic action, without awareness. True action requires being present and aware of the reality of the moment.
Gurdjieff

What Is Real Action?

Real action isn’t just about getting things done. It’s about moving through life with a sense of purpose and authenticity. Real action comes from the core of who you are, where your actions align with what truly matters to you. It’s like when you’re deeply engaged in a moment, fully present, and what you’re doing feels right.

Think about the difference between a leaf caught in the wind and a river flowing toward the sea. The leaf is in constant motion but is directionless, carried wherever the wind blows. The river, on the other hand, flows with intention, each ripple contributing to its journey. Real action is like the river—purposeful, grounded, and in harmony with your true self.

Real action arises naturally and spontaneously from the true nature of being. It is not something we force or contrive, but something that flows effortlessly when we are aligned with our essence.
A. H. Almaas

The Impact of Real Action on Love and Work

When it comes to love and work, real action is the key to deeper connections and more meaningful engagement. Relationships are not just about doing things for the sake of it; they are about showing up as your authentic self, with all your vulnerabilities and strengths. It’s about letting your heart guide your actions rather than just going through the motions out of habit or fear.

When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy. This action is not about exerting effort, but about aligning with the divine flow within you.
Rumi

At work, real action transforms tasks into meaningful contributions. It’s about engaging with your work in a way that reflects your true purpose. When you act from a place of alignment, your work becomes more than just a series of tasks—it becomes a way of expressing who you are, bringing more satisfaction and fulfillment into your life.

In Traction: The Illusion of Progress

Now, let’s talk about being “in traction.” This is the state where you’re busy but not truly productive, like a car stuck in the mud with its wheels spinning. You’re in motion, but you’re not getting anywhere. “In traction” happens when we let “dynamic inertia” take over—a state where movement occurs, but it’s more about maintaining momentum than making real progress.

Dynamic inertia is a subtle force. It occurs when you’re constantly moving, doing, and reacting, but underneath it all, there’s no real change or growth. You’re caught in the momentum of your habits, driven by external pressures or internal fears rather than your true desires. This state of dynamic inertia can keep us stuck in patterns that feel like action but are just a way to avoid deeper engagement with life.

When you are able to transcend yourself, you will achieve true action. You will be like the wind that moves wherever it is called, fulfilling its purpose without resistance.”
Meister Eckhart

The Anatomy of Real Action

To break free from dynamic inertia and “in traction,” we need to connect with what the Diamond Approach calls the “organ of action.” This isn’t a physical part of the body but rather an inner capacity that guides us toward actions aligned with our true nature. When you’re in touch with this inner guide, your actions flow naturally from a place of truth and purpose.

Imagine stepping out of a spinning wheel and onto solid ground. Suddenly, you’re no longer caught in the endless motion cycle without progress. Instead, you’re moving with intention, each step aligned with your true self. This is what real action feels like—clear, purposeful, and deeply connected to who you are.

Do you have the patience to wait until your mud settles and the water is clear? Can you remain unmoving until the right action arises by itself?
Lao Tzu

Breaking Free from Dynamic Inertia

Escaping dynamic inertia isn’t easy, but it’s entirely possible. It starts with recognizing when you’re stuck in this state and asking yourself some tough questions: Am I moving because I’m driven by fear or habit? Or am I acting from a genuine connection to my true self?

Once you start seeing the patterns that keep you stuck, you can make different choices. This might involve stepping out of your comfort zone, facing fears, or letting go of habits that no longer serve you. But the reward is worth it—a life where your actions are not just motions but meaningful expressions of your deepest self.

In the silence of the heart, all action becomes possible. True action is born from this inner stillness and is untainted by the ego.
Ramana Mahaarshi

The Dance of Real Action

Real action is not just about doing—it’s a way of being. It’s about fully showing up in your work, relationships, and life. When you live in this place, life becomes less about keeping up the momentum and more about moving in harmony with your true self.

When action arises from our true nature, it is inherently purposeful and aligned with the reality of the moment. It is action that is not only effective but also deeply meaningful, fulfilling the needs of both the situation and our inner being.”
A. H. Almaas

Ultimately, the choice is yours: Stay in the comfort of dynamic inertia or step into the river of real action, where each move brings you closer to a life filled with connection, fulfillment, and purpose. The journey might be challenging, but the rewards—a life that feels genuinely lived—are worth every step.

The inner journey home is the manifest destiny of the soul, and the enlightenment drive is its dynamic force.

“Manifest destiny” is a term that refers to the belief held by many 19th-century Americans that it was their God-given right to expand the boundaries of the United States from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Manifest destiny is based on two key concepts: “manifest” and “destiny.”

“Manifest” means to make something clear or obvious, to reveal or to display. In the context of manifest destiny, it refers to the belief that it was clear and obvious that the United States was destined to expand its borders from coast to coast.

“Destiny” refers to the idea that a higher power predetermines events and that certain things are fated to happen. In the context of manifest destiny, it refers to the belief that it was the destiny of the United States to expand its territory and influence across North America.

The concept of manifest destiny embodied the spirit of the American people in the 19th century, who saw themselves as chosen people with a divine mission to spread American civilization and values to the rest of the continent. It was seen as a way to bring democracy, Christianity, and prosperity to the land and to extend the reach of the United States across the continent.

However, manifest destiny was also used to justify the annexation of new territories and the displacement and exploitation of indigenous peoples, leading to significant conflict and tension throughout the 19th century.

The manifest destiny of self-realization

In this post, we explore the connection between manifest destiny and the path of self-realization or enlightenment. The Diamond Approach is a spiritual path emphasizing self-discovery and integrating different aspects of the self. It provides a useful framework for exploring this connection.

At the core of the Diamond Approach is the idea that each person has a unique and essential nature obscured by conditioning, beliefs, and other psychological and social factors. Self-realization involves uncovering and integrating these different aspects of the self, leading to a deeper understanding of one’s true nature and a greater sense of wholeness and fulfillment.

One way of understanding this process is as a journey home, in which the individual returns to their essential nature or divine origin. In this sense, the path of self-realization can manifest the soul’s (individual consciousness) destiny to awaken to reality and return home (its unconditioned state).

This concept of manifest destiny is particularly relevant in nondual spirituality, which emphasizes all things’ underlying unity and interconnectedness. Nonduality suggests that the separation between self and other, subject and object, is illusory and that the true nature of reality is undivided and indivisible.

In this context, the path of self-realization can be seen as a journey of integration and unification, in which the individual overcomes the illusions of separation and moves towards a deeper understanding of their true nature as part of the whole.

Manifest destiny can also be seen as a call to action, inviting individuals to take an active role in their self-discovery and in the larger unfolding of reality. This involves a sense of purpose and direction and a willingness to explore and engage with the challenges and opportunities that arise along the way.

It is important to approach the concept of manifest destiny with humility and caution, recognizing that the path of self-realization is not a one-size-fits-all solution and that each individual’s journey will be unique and multifaceted.

The concept of manifest destiny can be a useful framework for understanding the path of self-realization and enlightenment, particularly in nondual spirituality and the Diamond Approach. The journey of self-discovery and realization is a deeply personal and complex process that requires patience, persistence, and compassion.

The Enlightenment Drive

A. H. Almaas, the founder of the Diamond Approach to Self-realization, suggests a fourth drive in human beings that he calls the “enlightenment drive.” This drive is the dynamic force behind the soul’s journey home, aligning with its manifest destiny.

According to Almaas, the enlightenment drive is the innate human desire to know the truth, to understand the nature of reality, and to experience the highest levels of consciousness. This drive is distinct from Freud’s three drives of survival, sexual, and social, and is considered a more profound and universal drive that underlies all human action and motivation.

In manifest destiny, the enlightenment drive can be seen as the force that propels the soul on its journey home. It is the impulse that draws the individual towards realizing their true nature and integrating all aspects of the self.

The path of self-realization involves a deep exploration of the different dimensions of the self, including the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects. This process is fueled by the enlightenment drive, which motivates the individual to move beyond the ego’s illusions and towards a more expansive and profound understanding of reality.

In this sense, manifest destiny is the recognition that the soul’s destiny is to awaken to its true nature, return home, and realize the inherent unity of all things.

Take note that the journey of self-realization is not a linear or straightforward process. It involves facing and integrating many aspects of the self and navigating the challenges of the journey and everyday life.

It is important to approach the concept of the soul’s manifest destiny with a critical eye and to recognize that the journey of self-realization is a complex and multifaceted process that requires deep inner work and a willingness to face profound periods of not-knowing.

Authenticity Requires Openness

Sigmund Freud, the father of psychology, said, “Love and work are the cornerstones of our humanness.”

There are endless parables, quotations and teaching stories to guide us in love and work – optimizing our humanness – a great one being this by Joseph Campbell:

“Follow your bliss. If you do follow your bliss, you put yourself on a kind of track that has been there all the while waiting for you, and the life you ought to be living is the one you are living. When you can see that, you begin to meet people who are in the field of your bliss, and they open the doors to you. I say, follow your bliss and don’t be afraid, and doors will open where you didn’t know they were going to be. If you follow your bliss, doors will open for you that wouldn’t have opened for anyone else.”

Central to our exploration will be the concept of
“being open for business.”

How open for business are you on the job, in the daily normalness of your career, craft, or calling? Four recognizable experiential qualities of being open for business.

Enjoyment
Connection
Hereness
Openness

So, let’s have some fun and see what develops. To begin, let’s let the bad air out.