From Tyagi@HouseOfKaos.Abyss.com Wed Feb 9 16:18:37 1994
Subject: Quantum Magic, by Larry Cornett
Date: Wed, 9 Feb 94 07:19:07 PST
HOW MAGIC AND ESP WORK - A QUANTUM MECHANICAL PERSPECTIVE
by Larry Cornett
9527 Blake Lane, Apt. 102, Fairfax, VA 22031
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 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.
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 and other unified field theories cover the nature of these
hidden variables.
Whatever the subtle level of reality underlying matter and energy, we
are that (including our consciousness). Consciousness, at a fundamental
level, is associated with the continuity of the underlying structures
out of which matter and energy manifest.
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 and energy
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 psychokinesis,
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 spread out the waves
associated with electrons to fill the gaps between nerve cells (synaptic
clefts) with waves of probability of similar amplitude. This is
described mathematically by the quantum mechanical mechanism of
tunneling. These waves are interconnected throughout regions of the
brain through resonances, linked by fast, sequential quantum mechanical
tunneling ("hopping conduction"). The result is a large, complex,
unified, quantum mechanically defined wave pattern filling regions in
the brain. The waves are interconnected with each other and with
information storage and sensory input mechanisms within these
interconnected regions. The sense of individual identity resides in the
continuity of the process (1).
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 based
on the linkage provided by hopping conduction and waking consciousness.
The theory accurately predicts the threshold between waking and sleeping
consciousness in people and animals(1).
Deflections caused by consciousness are not caused by force or energy in
the conventional sense; but by something more subtle, namely resonant
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 resonances between the brain and the
target. The amount of effect is determined by:
. The information handling rate with which consciousness in the
brain resonates with the target,
. The amount of time that the resonance occurs, and
. The probability of the desired outcome in the absence of conscious
intervention (2).
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 and form reported by many mystics.
This theory has been developed in considerable detail by Evan Harris
Walker, of the U.S. Army Ballistics Research Center at Aberdeen Proving
Ground in Maryland (1, 2, 3). I have published several articles on this
theory(4, 5, 6, 7).
Other theories of how and why magic works exist, including Cabalistic
theories, Buddhist and Hindu metaphysical theories, theories of the
nature of the Gods, 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 quantum
mechanical 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 resonance on the target desired.
. Achieve a non-localized state of consciousness, often by
resonating 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 resonate 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 connecting its resonance
pattern intimately 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 resonance 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 resonant template for the phenomenon one wants to
achieve.
. Energize the resonance 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 resonance in the target).
. Ground (sending excess energy back to the Earth), removing one's
mind from the direct, resonant 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 goodbye to the intelligences and essences you worked
with, thus disconnecting one's mind further from connected non- local
resonance 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.
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 resonating in your mind may resonate at the
target, and be transmitted. You are left with the original edition.
Generally, only a fraction of the signal resonating 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 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.
REFERENCES
1. Walker, Evan H. "The Nature of Consciousness," Mathematical
Biosciences 7, 1970.
2. Walker, Evan H. The Complete Quantum Mechanical Anthropologist.
U.S. Army Ballistic Research Laboratories, Aberdeen Proving
Ground, Maryland, presented at the 73rd Annual American
Anthropological Association Meeting, Mexico City, November 19-
24, 1974.
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,
June 5, 1989.
6. Cornett, Larry. "A Quantum Mechanical Theory of How Magic
Works," Amaranth #6 in Pagan APA, May 12, 1983. (also published
in Druid's Progress in 1985)
7. Cornett, Larry. "Bell's Theorem, Consciousness, and Magic,"
Amaranth #9 in Pagan APA, November 21, 1983.
8. Starhawk. The Spiral Dance: A Rebirth of the Ancient Religion
of the Great Goddess, Harper and Row Publishers, San Francisco,
1989.
9. Weinstein, Miriam, Positive Magic: Occult Self-Help, Phoenix
Publishing Co., Custer, WA, 1981.