Issue 32: Focus On Amit Goswami

Someone who has truly tried to bridge science and spirituality

Dr. Amit Goswami: Advocate For The Primacy of Consciousness

Dr Amit Goswami

Those of us who have been around the 'spiritual' world often see people (mis)using half-understood concepts from quantum physics in order to justify their particular flavor of 'manifestation', or whatever it may be. However, we believe that the subject of this issue's essay is the real deal, someone who is comfortable in both the world of mainstream science and a more spiritual milieu.

Amit Goswami, born 1936, is a former professor of physics at the University of Oregon. His work challenges the long-held materialistic paradigm of science by proposing a "monistic idealism," the view that consciousness, not matter, is the foundation of everything that is, and of course, as such is a big influence on the ideas of The Elevator.

Goswami’s journey from a conventional quantum physicist to an advocate for the primacy of consciousness is a fascinating story, combining personal transformation with groundbreaking theoretical explorations.

Amit Goswami's intellectual interest in the realm of consciousness was not a purely academic pursuit but was deeply rooted in a period of personal crisis and dissatisfaction. At the age of 37, during what he described as an "early midlife transition," Goswami experienced profound unhappiness despite apparent academic success. This discontent culminated at a conference, leading to a pivotal moment of self-reflection: "Why do I live this way?".

This question sparked a determination to find "happy physics"; a physics which would resonate with his inner life and address fundamental questions about existence and consciousness. He felt that mainstream physics, focused on the structure of nuclei and distant astrophysical phenomena, had become detached from the concerns of human experience, akin to the medieval monks pondering the number of angels dancing on the head of a pin.

This quest for a more meaningful physics led Goswami to explore various avenues, including his Indian spiritual heritage, yoga, meditation, and meetings with spiritual teachers. He also began an exploration of psychology, seeking a "physics of psychology" or a "physics of Consciousness". Quantum measurement theory, with its inherent link to observation and consciousness, became an obvious focal point for his inquiry. The prevailing dualistic interpretation, suggesting that a non-material consciousness collapses quantum possibilities into actual events, presented a significant problem for science: how can a non-material consciousness interact with a material body? The search for an answer to this dilemma fueled Goswami’s conviction that a new paradigm was necessary.

A transformative moment arrived during a conversation with a mystically-inclined friend, Joel Morwood. Lamenting the seemingly intractable problem of quantum measurement – how quantum possibilities become actual experiences of consciousness – Goswami had a profound realization: Consciousness is the ground of being.

This insight provided a radical alternative to the upward causation model of conventional science, where consciousness is seen as an emergent property of the brain. Instead, Goswami proposed downward causation, where consciousness has causal power and can influence the material world. He recognized that if consciousness is primary, then material possibilities, as described by quantum physics, exist within consciousness itself. Therefore, when consciousness chooses, it is choosing from within itself, negating the need for signals or interactions between separate material and non-material realms.

This concept led Goswami to the idea of non-local consciousness, capable of signal-less communication. He posited that consciousness communicates non-locally with the material waves of possibility, allowing for the selection of specific outcomes. This notion of non-locality, supported by experiments suggesting non-local communication between human brains, provides a framework for understanding phenomena traditionally relegated to the paranormal and offers a new perspective on consciousness in healing and other areas. Goswami’s seminal work, The Self-Aware Universe: How Consciousness Creates the Material World, published in 1993, laid out this framework, integrating quantum physics with cognitive psychology, biology, parapsychology, and ancient mystical traditions.

The implication of consciousness being the ground of all being has profound consequences for our understanding of reality. In this view, the universe, in order to exist, requires a conscious sentient being to be aware of it. Without an observer, it only exists as a possibility. The history of the universe, from the Big Bang to the evolution of life, can be seen as an unfolding of potentiality actualized through conscious observation. The observer and the observed are not fundamentally separate but arise together in the act of conscious choice. Goswami cites J. Krishnamurti's paradoxical statement "the observer is the observed," to illustrate this unity. The apparent separation arises from Consciousness identifying with the "tangled hierarchical" structure of the brain, where perception requires memory and memory requires perception, creating a loop of self-reference.

Goswami believes that the universe has a purpose, which is to manifest the highest ideals, such as Plato's archetypes or Sri Aurobindo's "Supramental" values. Drawing inspiration from Aurobindo and Vedanta, he suggests that consciousness uses the universe it has created to learn more about itself and regain its original freedom and bliss, a cyclical process symbolized by the oroborus. This evolutionary journey, however, is not solely the slow, gradual process described by Darwinism. Goswami contends that gaps in the fossil record and the emergence of novelty suggest a role for "Quantum Leaps of Consciousness," creative unfoldings driven by the primary consciousness. He sees the evolution of phenomena like reproduction and love as evidence of consciousness progressively manifesting higher values.

The practical implications of Goswami's ideas are explored in his concept of "Quantum Activism," a movement he initiated in 1999. Recognizing that the materialistic worldview has undermined values and created a "science of only objects" that fails to address living and conscious experience, quantum activism seeks to bring about a paradigm shift by emphasizing the power of consciousness. Goswami believes that by cultivating positive emotional brain circuits, particularly those related to love, individuals can contribute to the creation of "loving morphogenetic fields". These fields, stored non-locally, can then be accessed by others, facilitating a broader transformation of consciousness.

Despite the potential for transformation offered by quantum activism, Goswami acknowledges the entrenched nature of scientific materialism. He draws a parallel to the initial resistance faced by early scientists challenging the dominance of the Church, suggesting that paradigm shifts often appear remote before they occur. He finds hope in Rupert Sheldrake's idea of morphogenetic fields and the possibility that a critical mass of individuals embracing conscious change can trigger a wider societal shift.

Goswami also addresses the role of the ego in the spiritual journey. While the ego loves the familiar and provides a sense of identity and stability, it ultimately needs to be transcended for true self-realization. He emphasizes that surrendering the ego is a final step, often misinterpreted as needing to give up the ego to access spirituality. Instead, the ego is necessary for creativity and the initial stages of spiritual development. The true surrender comes when one is no longer attached to being someone special and is ready to fully embody the self.

While Goswami's ideas have garnered significant interest and resonate with many seeking a more holistic understanding of reality, they have also faced criticism. Some suggest that the very attempt to scientifically validate the spiritual might, ironically, inadvertently reduce it to an object of scientific inquiry. Additionally, his views on the afterlife have been contested, which is hardly surprising, given the materialist bent of most physicists.

Despite such reservations, Goswami is regarded by many as a pioneer in his field, courageously venturing into previously taboo (for science) domains to interpret scientific findings and validate intuitive understandings of a spiritual dimension. His dedication to explaining his theory and fostering a much-needed paradigm shift reflects a deep commitment to a more integrated and meaningful worldview.

Through his numerous books, lectures, and the establishment of the Quantum Activism Vishwalayam in Jaipur, India, Amit Goswami continues to be a driving force in the movement to reclaim consciousness as the fundamental ground of all being, offering a vision of a universe that is not merely a random collection of insentient matter but a dynamic and purposeful expression of conscious creativity.

You can read a more in-depth discussion of Goswami's ideas in the Position Paper for The Elevator project.