Sunday, June 13, 2010

Biocentrism

The other day I stumbled across a very interesting article by Robert Lanza on the Huffington Post. It is entitled, "What Happens When You Die? Evidence Suggests that Time Simply Reboots." That title in itself was enough to make me interested in reading it, and I found that the whole idea of biocentrism is predicated on a theory by Lanza that "life and biology are central to being, reality, and the cosmos -- life creates the universe rather than the other way around." (quote from Wikipedia)

The whole idea is based on quantum physics (which I know nothing about), but there are seven principles that define his theory. I won't list them here; they are available in that Wikipedia link above, but the first one fascinates me: that anything we perceive as reality involves our consciousness, and therefore any external reality would by definition have to exist in space. But this is meaningless, according to Lanza, " because space and time are not absolute realities but rather tools of the human and animal mind."

Hmm. I don't know why, but I find this entire concept to be really fascinating and rather comforting. To think that if we are experiencing all that exists, each in our own way, means that the scary aspects of death cease to exist. Lanza has written a book about all this, called (what else?) Biocentrism: How Life and Consciousness Are the Keys to Understanding the True Nature of the Universe, and I think if it's not too awfully technical I'll get it and read it. R.C. Henry, a professor of Physics and Astronomy at Johns Hopkins University, has this quote:
What Lanza says in this book is not new. Then why does Robert have to say it at all? It is because we, the physicists, do NOT say it –– or if we do say it, we only whisper it, and in private –– furiously blushing as we mouth the words. True, yes; politically correct, hell no!”
 Now THAT is enough to make me want to rush out and buy the book. I'll let you know what I think of it once I've read it.
:-)

14 comments:

  1. Very interesting. I have to be very careful about my beliefs on this subject. In Texas I could get myself in trouble real quick. It's much better in Oregon.

    Do I dare state in blogland that I do not believe in a literal heaven and hell? I believe we live on through the memories of others.

    It was such a relief to me when I figured that out. Death is a part of living.

    I'll be interested in knowing what you think about the book.

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  2. Will wait for an update after you read the book.

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  3. Yes, I'll be curious to hear what you have to say about the book.

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  4. Sounds fascinating, Djan...I may have to order that one myself, as I'm sure my little library here won't carry it. lol I have read a lot of stuff re: quantum physics, and it always sounds like everything i already ever knew, on some level. Have you read The Dancing Wu Li Masters by Gary Zukav?? It's a great read on the subject of QP...in laymans terms...

    xoxox Have a brilliant day!!

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  5. Oh yeah....Love Lanza. Did a post on him a while back while delving into his studies on anesthesiology. Haven't started his book yet...still working on a pile of 4 in the reading bin. I'd be curious to know what you think of the book. The movie Good Will Hunting is loosely based on his life. And from his book...as I skimmed over...is written for the layman to understand. He's had an interesting life. Good looking too. Yeah...let me know what you think of his book....

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  6. "I think, therefore I am." Did Descartes say that?

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  7. energy and matter blend for a while in our human form, and then they part company, but as anyone in the field of physics will tell you, energy never can be destroyed. i think the energy part of us becomes something else, maybe again and again. it isn't scary to me, it's pretty fascinating.

    have you read Eckhart Tolle? you might like him.

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  8. I have embraced the idea that we are energy and that when we die, we really do not cease to exist..our human shell does, but the energy just transforms and continues...it has made my fear of "death" go away and my hope increase that those that have transistioned before me...their energies will be found again when I transition...and that I may even get the chance to transform back into another "shell" or life form upon the death of this one.
    Please let us know what you think of the book after you read it.

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  9. I always find it interesting when scientific principles are supposedly used to explain the metaphysical. I'm looking forward to hearing what you think of this book.

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  10. What an interesting post. As I see it: there is no reality just our realisation of how things are.
    Best wishes.

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  11. I am interested in all these theories too.

    Just a note that might interest you.

    My dad never swore in his life that I heard. My mom said he did though.

    Anyway, he never went to church and laughed at people who did. He had no use for people like Jehovah's Witnesses or Methodists not to even mention Catholics.

    He never said a prayer in the house so far as I know.

    He was dying of cancer. Never went to the hospital. Was in a stage where he slept alot and would wake up and draw his legs up and looked terrified. I was home on leave from Japan and I asked him what?

    He said there were dozens of snakes coming after him. Where? He said, from under the refrigerator.

    I had to go back overseas before he died. Friends who were with him asked him just before he died if he wanted Jesus to save him and he said Yes. I was stunned.

    Heaven is no place for sissies.

    I like the idea of parallel universes. I also like the idea of billions of galaxies.

    I always think death is a waste of natural resources but you know that most inventions come at around the same time or years and by different people around the world.

    It is almost like a bunch of people in heaven decide to come back to invent things to make our life easier or more miserable.

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  12. I have a very open mind about all these things and therefore I believe all things are possible. I think we have hardly begun to understand the power of our minds and when we do and can, then we will be able to bend (like Beckham) all sorts of things, time included.

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  13. The rest of you don't really exist... You're just figments of my imagination. LOL Very interesting topic. Can't wait to read your book review!

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  14. I agree with so much of these comments. At the same time, I don't really know what I think. I tend to be very open minded, though I've learned that not everyone wants to hear what I believe. Like Star, I believe that all things are possible. Hmm...Definitely keep us posted on the book.

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