The Physics of Divine Unity

God, quantum mechanics, and notions of good and evil

Part 1: The Single Observer

Definitions in context of this paper:

Light: electromagnetic fields, quantum fields, zero-point and vacuum fields

Observe: confirming the presence of matter by senses, detection, measurement

God: convenient and accessible shorthand for the unfathomable mystery of our origins and purpose, the fabric of time space, and the driver of curiosity and quest for science and spiritual answers

Introduction: Surrender and the Nature of Reality

Many of our internal struggles with God are grounded in the notion of surrender or the giving up of our free will to some greater divine plan. A lifetime of individual lived experience within the self-obsessed culture of our modern world has convinced us that free will is fundamentally more sacred than feeling beholden to rigid frameworks derived from the distant and often unrelatable events of ancient Mesopotamia. At the same time, we have unprecedented access to global news of unspeakable war and violence and suffering from disease and natural disasters, and have very understandable questions about the core ethics of a God who would include this in his plan.

What if God is merely the truth that we are all one interconnected entity and that our perception of separateness is only an illusion? It would then be the acceptance of this truth that we are surrendering to when we think of 'blind faith'. This unblocks the concept of surrender, allowing a reframing of the giving up of free will. It allows us to accept that the surrender is merely about finally accepting the truth in our deepest hearts that we are all one universal humanity, interconnected and indivisible. That if any 'plan' exists, it is a plan of our own making. That all joy and all suffering is ultimately felt by all humanity.

This Truth forces us to explore the profound paradox at the heart of our existence: the nature of consciousness and reality itself. Our perception of reality as separate, individual observers experiencing distinct events is an illusion – a complex and convincing illusion, but an illusion nonetheless. The truth is far simpler and yet more extraordinary: there is only one observer, one consciousness, experiencing itself through countless temporal experiments in an infinite dance of probability and possibility.

The Illusion of Matter

"Watch the donut, not the hole."

This simple wisdom from American folk singer Burl Ives leads us to a profound insight about the nature of reality. Consider – what exactly is a donut hole? It's not truly a "thing" at all, but rather an absence defined entirely by what surrounds it. The hole exists only because we observe the donut's form and declare "there is a hole here." Yet this mental construct feels as real to us as the donut itself.

This reveals a deeper truth about how we perceive reality. Just as we grant existence to a donut hole through our observation of the form around it, we similarly construct our entire perception of "solid matter" through observation. The donut's substance – what we think of as its physical reality – is itself mostly empty space, a dance of quantum particles held in patterns that our minds interpret as solid form.

Modern physics has revealed that at the quantum level, there is no fundamental difference between the "empty" hole and the "solid" donut. Both are expressions of probability waves that collapse into apparent solidity only when observed. Like the hole that exists purely through our recognition of the form around it, all matter emerges through observation.

The Nature of Reality

Imagine a powerful new interactive game platform which can create fully immersive worlds of three dimensional gameplay. A complex, interactive, full-surround haptic environment. The effect is achieved by placing the player inside a hollow blob of high-tech LED smart mesh material which can constantly change shape to form complex objects around them. The game engine can deliver up any shapes and colours and experiences the designers can think of. These worlds are rendered in three dimensions around the player and the player can interact with them, providing a truly immersive 1st person perspective of gameplay.

As the player moves around and explores, the virtual world they are engaging with is instantly created by the game. If the player is walking through a forest, the game world continually renders trees for them to move through. If the player turns and walks in a different direction, new and different trees digitally appear.

Of course there would be nothing behind these worlds of shapes and colours. The LED smart-mesh is just forming realistic and familiar three dimensional forms. The immersive phenomenon only works for the player inside. The illusion itself is the perception of immersion while actually only ever seeing a personally rendered single 1st person perspective of the world they believe they are immersed in. In truth, complex shapes formed around the player such as a tree, would just be a warren of hollow tree-shaped spaces to anyone on the outside. It is the Neo view of the Matrix. The shape of matter without form.

This is how all matter (or more accurately, the illusion of matter) and everything we perceive as reality is 'created' – through a direct transaction between the observer (player) and the web of light interconnecting our Universe (LED smart-mesh blob). The web acts as a framework of possibility. The fabric of the Universe itself.

Until observed, there is no tea in your cup, no muscles in your hand holding the cup, no house around you and no trees and landscape outside and beyond. The space filling those shapes does not yet exist until you observe them. Deep down within the earth where there are no observers, no matter can exist. There can be no form, no mass, no heat, no gravity. When we dig holes or make seismic measurements, we are observing this inner form giving it mass and thus making it real. Matter pops into existence for us, the observer, at the exact moment of observation. We create the perception of matter existing at the same moment we observe it.

This understanding reveals the profound nature of matter itself. We see that:

1. Matter 'pops' into existence when observed

2. The forms we perceive as reality are created through our observation

3. Our perception of a world filled with solid, separate objects is part of the illusion

If quantum physics has forced us to question our macro Newtonian thinking about matter – going so far as proposing that a world of permanent solid matter itself may be an illusion – it certainly hasn't provided us with a clear consensus as to how this happens. This forms the foundation of the 3 Principles of Matter described in this paper:

1. Light connects all matter

2. No matter can exist before it is observed

3. Observation requires light

The Nature of Light

Look up at the night sky. We can see thousands of stars, each sending photons in all directions across space. If we could trace the path of every photon, we would see an incredible web of light – beams crossing and recrossing, connecting every star to every other star, every planet to every other planet. A cosmic mesh of light binding all celestial objects together in space.

This observable web of light gives us a glimpse into a profound truth about our Universe – everything is connected through fields of energy. We use the term light in this paper to mean both the visible light we can observe (photons) as well as the underlying quantum fields through which wave functions collapse into matter. These fields are the invisible quantum energy that pervades all of space, enabling the very existence of the Universe itself.

We also use the term light because one of the easiest ways to witness the relationship between energy and matter in action is through photons. A photon exhibits both wave-like and particle-like behaviour, but how we observe it determines which properties manifest. When unobserved, it exists as a wave of probability within the electromagnetic field. Upon measurement, its wave function collapses into a definite state, appearing as a particle (visible light for us to witness). This demonstrates how reality manifests from fields through the act of observation.

Einstein's E=MC² further supports this principle – matter and energy are interchangeable, two expressions of the same underlying reality. Just as we can see photons and can imagine them creating a web of visible light between stars, these quantum fields create an invisible mesh connecting all matter in the Universe. This mesh functions like a vast neural network, with connections in constant flux – building, dying, rebuilding, strengthening. This web permeates the Universe and the Earth and all its forms and inhabitants, connecting us to every corner of existence.

This cosmic mesh isn't static, but is dynamic and responsive. Like our brain's neural pathways firing millions of times per second, these Universal connections are in perpetual states of activity. When we observe or interact with matter, we're engaging with this living network. The web doesn't just connect objects – it is the very medium through which existence manifests.

The Illusion of Perspective

As humans our observable perspective is always inherently limited. We experience our reality from a single 1st person perspective. The player at the centre of our own game. Astronomers observe all of the light and radio signals they can see or detect through sophisticated equipment, but are always hindered by the limited viewpoint of Earth in one position in space. Anything not in line of sight is unobservable as our 'view' is always from a single perspective – the astronomer – facing outwards toward the universe.

This forced perspective creates an illusion that the Earth is, in essence, at the centre of an enormous enclosed sphere filled with all of the matter we can see. The centre of our own Universe. We can look up at the night sky at a few thousand stars and believe that we are looking at the entire Universe.

Even though we rely on observation, we have the capacity to believe in things we can't see through inference from matter that we can observe. We can infer the location of the 'true centre' of the Universe and even calculate Earth's proximity to it. We accept this and the science behind it as fact all because we can observe at least part of the narrative from our perspective.

But all observable matter including all of the stars and planets and the Universe as we perceive it is still only an illusion. Looking out into space is probably the strongest way we reinforce our perception of separateness of matter within the Universe itself. I'm here and all of those stars are out there. We're not the same. I can see them with my eyes. I am the observer and they are merely the matter to be observed.

The Framework of Possibility

The continual energy flow created by the Universal network of light forms a Framework of Possibility. This framework acts as the conduit for all matter to exist. The state of matter at any given time collapses into existence within the Framework of Possibility as the observer's perception of reality unfolds. This framework isn't just a passive medium – it is the active fabric of the Universe itself, through which all matter and experience come into being.

Think of this framework as a living, dynamic mesh that constantly shapes and reshapes reality based on observation. It's not just connecting existing objects – it's actively participating in the creation and maintenance of what we perceive as reality. This mesh is never static, always responding to and facilitating the dance between observer and observed.

States of Probability

Consider a simple example:

1. The cup was on the table.

2. The cup fell off the table.

3. The cup smashed to the floor.

At the start, the probability that the cup is on the table is nearly 100%. Once it has fallen, there is no way of knowing with absolute certainty what will happen next. We do have some predictions. We know that there is a nearly 100% chance that once knocked off and in motion, the cup will be acted upon by gravitational forces. A moment later, once we've observed the crash, the probability goes back to nearly 100% that it is indeed on the floor and smashed.

The truth is that on the way down, in the micro second before the crash was observed, there were unfathomable states of probabilities. There is always an infinitesimal probability that the cup will suddenly float upward, or turn into a bowl of petunias before it hits the floor. These outcomes are far less likely because they are not conducive to a predictably stable continuous and unbroken experience of reality.

This inherent tendency toward stable outcomes reflects a fundamental principle of physics – the Principle of Least Action. Just as a thrown ball naturally takes the path requiring least energy, or water flows downhill rather than up, reality tends toward states that require minimal energy to maintain. Within our Framework, states of unity and connection represent these natural low-energy configurations. They align with reality's fundamental nature, requiring no additional energy to sustain.

Individual states of probability can accumulate and interact to create larger patterns of influence. These accumulations of probability, which we call probability densities, manifest in two fundamental ways:

1. Constructive Interference (Ground State Patterns): When probability states align with systems' natural tendency toward their lowest energy configuration, they create more stable conditions within the Framework. Like quantum systems in their ground state, these patterns require minimal energy to maintain. This natural alignment tends to reinforce similar low-energy states in surrounding systems, creating regions of enhanced stability through the Framework creating a snowballing stabilising effect.

2. Destructive Interference (Excited State Patterns): When probability states maintain systems in higher energy configurations, they create patterns that require constant energy input to sustain. Like quantum systems in excited states, these patterns are inherently unstable and will naturally decay back to lower energy states unless continuously reinforced. This constant energy requirement can propagate through connected systems, creating expanding regions of instability within the Framework snowballing into unstable realities.

Framework Stability

The Framework maintains stability through:

1. Reinforcement of Connection

   • States that strengthen the interconnected nature of matter

   • Outcomes that maintain coherence with previous states

   • Probability patterns that support continued existence

2. Balance of Change and Continuity

   • Allowing for evolution of states while maintaining coherence

   • Supporting dynamic interaction while preserving stability

   • Enabling new possibilities within established patterns

3. Natural Correction

   • Tendency toward states that maintain overall stability

   • Higher probability for outcomes that preserve coherence

   • Resistance to states that would disrupt the framework

This stability isn't rigid – it's dynamic and responsive. Like a tightrope walker maintaining balance through constant small adjustments, the Framework continuously rebalances to maintain coherence while allowing for change and evolution. This balance is crucial for maintaining an unbroken chain of experience while enabling the endless possibilities that consciousness can explore.

Intention and the Nature of Change

The Principle of Least Action states that nature always follows the path requiring minimum action between states, like a ball naturally rolling to rest at the bottom of a valley. This principle reveals how intention shapes reality through the Framework of Possibility.

Within our perceived reality, intention is our only pure contribution. Before any action occurs, before matter shifts or probability states collapse, the mere formation of intention alters the Framework's patterns. However, this influence through intention does not mean we can manifest desired outcomes through observation alone. We cannot wish for a million dollars and expect it to appear in our wallet. Such scenarios would be infinitely unlikely, incompatible with our continuous unbroken perception of reality. Instead, our intentions join a vast interconnected system where outcomes are affected by all other influences within our shared reality.

Consider a tree. We believe we are separate from it – we can see it, feel it. We think: "I am the observer and the tree is merely matter to be observed." We can cut it down, hug it, or nap beneath it – demonstrating our agency to engage with what we perceive as separate matter. When we decide to cut it down, we demonstrate awareness of our influence on potential states of matter. We consider consequences, make choices, and take action. Yet despite our intentions – choosing where to stand, picking a calm day, preparing carefully – unfathomable influences are also at work engaging with this matter. The wind may shift, the tree may fall unexpectedly, and despite our preparations, we may still end up with a tree trunk smashing onto our foot.

This illustrates a crucial truth: how we influence and engage with surrounding matter, regardless of intention, changes reality's state. While our experience makes outcomes seem predictable, it's impossible to achieve 100% probability of our intended result. We are not separate actors moulding separate matter to our will – we are part of an interconnected web of influence and probability.

The Nature of Harmony and Discord

When examining how probability states respond to different types of influence within the Framework of Possibility, we observe patterns that align remarkably with what humans have long categorised as "good" and "evil." This alignment isn't arbitrary – it emerges naturally from the same principles that govern quantum systems seeking their ground state.

Consider how probability states manifest in two fundamental patterns:

States of Reinforcement: 

Probability states that strengthen interconnection create self-amplifying patterns within the Framework. These states increase the density of stable connections, leading to higher probabilities of further reinforcing outcomes. Like quantum systems naturally settling into their ground state, these patterns require minimal energy to maintain. This generates a cascade effect where each reinforcing state makes subsequent stable states more probable, creating regions of enhanced Framework coherence.

States of Instability: 

Conversely, some probability states initiate patterns of degrading connection within the Framework. Like quantum systems forced into excited states, these patterns require constant energy input to maintain. These states reduce the density and stability of existing connections, leading to expanding regions of probability breakdown. As these regions grow, they can reach critical threshold points where Framework coherence becomes unsustainable, threatening the stability of surrounding regions.

This understanding illuminates fascinating parallels with traditional notions of good and evil:

What we perceive as "good" often aligns with actions and intentions that follow the Principle of Least Action – taking paths that naturally strengthen Framework stability. Just as water flows downhill following nature's most efficient path, constructive patterns represent states that require minimal energy to maintain their existence. These patterns of unity are inherently stable because they align with nature's fundamental tendency.

Conversely, what we perceive as "evil" often manifests as patterns that work against this principle – like trying to maintain a ball halfway up a slope or forcing water to flow uphill. These destructive patterns can only exist through continuous expenditure of energy against nature's preferred state. The effort required to maintain such separation and discord creates unstable regions within the Framework.

This suggests that our intuitive moral compass may reflect a deeper recognition of universal principles. Actions we label as "good" tend to strengthen the fabric of reality itself, while those we consider "evil" create instabilities that the Framework naturally resists. This isn't about imposed morality but rather about alignment with or opposition to fundamental physical principles.

The Single Observer

Light connects all matter. No matter can exist before it is observed. Observation requires light. Matter can engage with other matter, influencing States of Probability. Yet this raises a profound paradox: How can billions of observers, each with a seemingly unique consciousness and perceived reality, all experience the same shared phenomena simultaneously? A reality where all matter is at once created by and influenced by all other observers, smashed together into a Universal perception of a unified, unbroken experience?

To understand this paradox, we must first examine consciousness itself:

consciousness
noun

1. the state of being aware of and responsive to one's surroundings

2. the fact of awareness by the mind of itself and the world

We understand consciousness as the phenomenon of creating, experiencing, and influencing matter with a feedback loop of self awareness. This awareness exists on a spectrum – humans with complex self-reflection, apes with social awareness and tool use, dogs with emotional and environmental responsiveness. Each level represents a different depth of engagement with reality, but all participate in the continuous process of observation and creation.

There is nothing in this concept prohibiting a more distributed version of what we perceive as consciousness. Instead of many observers experiencing separate realities as the centerpoint of their own Universe, there is but one single consciousness creating, experiencing, and influencing reality. This unified, collective consciousness encompasses all matter in all states of probability across the Framework of Possibility.

Modern physics has yet to provide a satisfactory explanation for how billions of separate conscious entities could simultaneously create and experience the same coherent reality. While quantum entanglement demonstrates that particles can maintain instantaneous correlation regardless of distance, this phenomenon merely describes the interconnected nature of matter – it offers no insight into consciousness itself or how multiple conscious entities could maintain perfectly synchronised observations.

Consider the implications of billions of separate observers: Each would need to maintain perfect temporal and spatial synchronisation with every other observer to create a coherent shared reality. The complexity of coordinating billions of separate conscious entities, each independently collapsing wave functions through observation, would be staggering. If each consciousness were truly separate, the information required to maintain consistency between billions of observers would be astronomical – creating an insurmountable paradox that would exceed the known limits of physics.

When we observe an event, we don't experience multiple competing versions of reality that need to be reconciled between observers. Instead, we experience a single, coherent reality that all observers agree upon (within the limits of their perspective). This unity of experience is more elegantly explained by a single consciousness than by billions of separate ones. The Singularity.

Temporal Experiments

We are the Universe and the Universe is us. What we perceive as individual consciousness is actually a single reality with a collection of temporal experiments each playing out their individual illusion within a larger collective consciousness. Like a neural pathway in the web of light, each apparent individual is a thread of possibility being explored by the whole.

Consider a chess master playing multiple games simultaneously. As she moves from board to board, each game represents a unique reality unfolding within her single consciousness. Each game has its own narrative, its own possibilities, yet all exist within the unified awareness of the single player. The outcomes of each game, while seemingly independent, contribute to her overall understanding and experience.

This paper is also a narrated podcast on Spotify

These temporal experiments are not under the control of the singularity, but are the singularity itself. DNA provides an apt metaphor, demonstrating how each individual cell contains the entire genetic information while serving a unique purpose. When a cell at the tip of our thumb is injured, the entire body responds with remarkable unity. Immune cells mobilise, signaling cascades activate, and healing mechanisms engage in a coordinated response.

Each cell functions like a temporal experiment – a unique expression of the whole, yet completely interconnected. A liver cell doesn't exist in isolation. Its purpose emerges only through its relationship with other cells, drawing from the same source code, working in perfect harmony. A skin cell without the rest of a body is just dust to be swept up off the floor.

The Three Aspects of Experience

Within our own reality we are simultaneously:

• The Creator (of the current state of matter, by observing it)

• The Observer (experiencing the current state of matter)

• The Influencer (changing the current state of matter as we experience it)

As Creator, we participate in bringing reality into existence through observation. As Observer, we experience the current state of matter as it manifests, providing the feedback loop of awareness that makes consciousness possible. As Influencer, we affect the state of probability through our choices and actions.

These three aspects are not separate functions but different facets of the same process: Creation enables observation; observation enables influence; influence shapes future creation. This understanding helps explain how we, as temporal experiments, both serve and are the singularity.