Mysticism and the New Physics (Arkana) [Paperback]

Talbot opens the book with an introduction that gives the reader some idea of where he's going. The first several chapters lay down a quick ground work, introducing the reader to the old physics' universal precepts. He then goes into what new areas of quantum research are uncovering and postulating, and ties it in with mostly eastern mystical thought: Tantra, Buddhism, and the in-betweens. He makes references to specific cases, specific theories, and specific thinkers, past and present. The work is overall well written and well cited, very coherent and unesoteric. I recommend the book to anyone looking for an explaination for what they can't explain and who is not satisfied with occidental mythoi.

My first plunge into the world of quantum physics and its religious ramifications started with the book, "God and the New Physics" by Paul Davies. Although I was thoroughly ensnared by the theoretical implications of the "new physics", I was underwhelmed with his treatment of the "God" factor. On the other hand, Micheal Talbot's book, "Mysticism and the New Physics" (which sounds eerily similar to Davies') puts the spiritual factor on overdrive while relegating science to the backseat. This prequel to "The Holographic Universe" pales in comparison to it: In the latter, it is obvious the author has had a chance to fine-tune his theories, flesh out the explanations, add newer material, and in the process, render this book as mere "reading fodder" for Talbot fans.

The book starts off with a cursory explanation of quantum physics (The Uncertainty Principle, Wave-Particle duality, etc.). It then proceeds to elaborate upon the popular paradox known as "Schrodinger's Cat", an analogy that was drawn to highlight the inexplicable behavior of quantum systems that go into superposition before "collapsing" into one of the many possibilities in the very presence of an observer. Whether it is Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle or Schrodinger's Cat, both theories seem to imply that there is no such thing as a truly "objective" non-interfering observer: Moreover, there can only be a "participator" who influences the environment he/she "observes" through the act of consciousness. The author goes on to define human consciousness as a quantum system, albeit holographic, that is capable, like all other such systems (for example, subatomic particles), of emitting electromagnetic "fields" that may interact with other such fields. Of course, all these fields find their expression in "Superspace", a sea of quantum foam (space as "measured" on sub-Planck scales) that is constantly frothing with mini blackholes and whiteholes, enabling photons to travel outside the "light cone" into other regions of space-time and back. This is the basis by which David Bohm's vision of the Holographic Universe is carried out, whereby information about the whole universe is inherent at every "point" in it(non-locality). The grand conclusion here, is the fact that subatomic particles ultimately lack "substance" and are mere essences or "ripples" in superspace, thereby making reality as we know it a hollow illusion, a giant hologram as it were. As a corollary, the paradox that is Schrodinger's Cat places human consciousness at center-stage as "directors" of the cosmic super-hologram. Importance is also placed on the existence of parallel universes (the Many-Worlds Theory or "garden of forking paths") that permeate superspace but is obscured by the illusion we call Reality, or "Maya" by the mystics.

The second part of the book is where the author dives straight into mysticism. Talbot draws comparisons between Quantum Physics and Tantric studies, especially the concept of the Akasa, that he likens to superspace, and the Nada/Bindu duality (you guessed it, the wave/particle duality of light). Taking the Many Worlds theory one step further and calling it "Interpenetrating Universes", the author paints reality as a "mass" hallucination shared by the collective consciousness and brought into being from a palette of infinite possibilities. In the words of don Juan (from Carlos Castaneda's "Journey to Ixtlan"), we see with our "tonal" eyes (that "fixes" things in space-time)when the "nagual" is the infinity that exists beyond it. As shown by the miraculous feats of Himalayan Yogis and Tamil priests (such as walking on hot coals), and mass hallucinations of the Virgin of Fatima (experienced by 70,000 people in Spain), reality is "omnijective": a middle ground between objective and subjective where the reality of an event is determined by the strength of people's belief in it. Herein lies the rub: How does one break this veil of illusion called Reality? According to Talbot, as "Reality-Structurers", we must dismantle the "metaprograms" (the sum total of all our conditionings) that permeate our nervous systems by engaging in religious disciplines. The practice of religion, despite its negative connotations in the modern world, can possibly furnish us with new sets of metaprograms that may help us un-block our energy centers (also "Chakras" or "Kundalini"). This way, our nervous systems may learn to see with "nagual" eyes (a dreamlike state of malleable possibilities)and not the "tonal". As an afterthought, the author also stresses the inadequacy of words to describe the "nagual" because language is inherently fragmentary (emphasis on duality and separation) and therefore cannot comprehend the undivided wholeness that lies beyond Maya.

The author has added appendices to the book in order to incorporate newer information that has become available since the original publication. As I said, this book is a far cry compared to his later masterpiece. Although including many interesting factoids that he omitted in "The Holographic Universe", this publication nonetheless is riddled with too many citations and quotes. It is excessively done to the point where reading one page may require the reader to switch "reading modes" several times to accommodate the rhetorical styles of the sources Talbot cites. Such chaotic juxtapositions can create a great deal of confusion and leaps of logic especially for those who have not read his follow-up masterpiece. I know people have given this book five stars, but in my opinion, it is more a reflection of the author's reputation than the actual book itself, which, while engaging and engrossing, I still found to be quite patchy and disorganized. There's just too much quantum foam in this cup of coffee!

very challenging, stimulating and ultimately satisfying dialogue that nicely coalesces with the seminal works of such great writers as Alan Watts, Fritjof Capra and Robert Anton Wilson.

The science versus spirituality "conflict" dissipates into thin air with each elegantly written page of this wonderful book.