The Holographic Universe
by Michael Talbot
Author Talbot writes that ". . . there is evidence to suggest that our world and everything in it. . . are also only ghostly images, projections
from a level of reality so beyond our own it is literally beyond both space and time." Hence, the title of his book. Beginning with the work of
physicist David Bohm and neurophysiologist Karl Pribram, both of whom independently arrived at holographic theories or models of the universe, Talbot
explains in clear terms the theory and physics of holography and its application, both in science and in explanation of the paranormal and psychic.
His theory of reality accommodates this latest thinking in physics as well as many unresolved mind-body questions. This well-written and fascinating
study is recommended for science collections.
The theory of the Holographic Universe has floated on conspiracy circles for decades before coalescing into a theory by the minds of Dr. David Bohm
and Dr. Karl Pribram. Michael Talbot takes the Holographic principle one step further and illustrates how this discovery could better explain the
Mind, Body, Space and Time. From religious miracles, ghastly apparitions to medicinal placebo effects, Talbot connects all of these seemingly
paranormal occurrences into the realm of the ‘Holographic’.
When I first read Talbots explanation of the Hologram (which conveniently comes in the beginning of the book) I was thrown back a little by his
mundane and at some points confusing explanation of ‘single laser beam split’. However, in short he states that an incredible amount of
information can be stored on the surface of a Holographic film. When this holographic film is viewed at certain angles, then the information that is
displayed on one angle of the film can transform into something completely different. The way this information is stored enables the film to retain
the
exact information even when it’s separated in two. For example, if there is an image of an apple on the holographic film and one were to
take scissors to the film and split the film in half. The apple would not be split down the middle but the two separate films would have a
complete image of an apple on the surface. Take scissors to those two pieces of holographic film again and each segment will have the same
complete image on the apple. While this image seems very tangible, one can reach their hand and discovery that there is really nothing there. The
hologram is merely a record of image.
But if reality is just a holographic record, just exactly what is it a record of? Bohm suggest that we exist in an explicate or ‘unfolded’ order
while the deeper level of reality is the implicate or ‘enfolded’. Even more mind-boggling, Bohm claims that even the explicate and implicate
orders are just one grand illusion and that everything in reality is part of a continuum. In essence, take a look at the inside of you hand, see those
swirling patterns in your fingerprint? Within it, you can find the crab nebula embedded in your thumb. This interconnectedness also expands to
encapsulate our consciousness which explains why it is has such an impact on the subatomic world.
Talbot begins to stretch the scientific theory of the Holographic universe to explain the disillusionment of schizophrenics, the cosmic ‘oneness’
of ancient central American shamans and the occurrence of lucid dreaming. Researchers have also used the holographic model to better explain multiple
personalities or ‘three-dimensional representations of experiences expressed in patients as a personality hologram’.
The holographic model of the mind actually suggest that our brain operates in a ‘hologram within a hologram’ or in other words, the holographic
mind having complete control over the physical (including our own bodies as well as our
reality). The relationship with imagery and physical
performance has been studied even before the inception of the Holographic model. With the inclusion of this new theory, researchers can better
understand why bodies are less susceptible to respond to reality and more incline to respond to the
mental projection of reality. We’ve all
heard about the boxer who ‘shadowboxes’ with an imaginary opponent in an empty ring, the runner who imagines himself crossing the finish line or
even the basketball player who practices on an empty court
without a basketball. These mental training techniques, have been proven to be
effective and show more credence that a holographic principle indeed does exist. This phenomenon also extends to the power of healing. The placebo
effect has been well documented throughout medicinal journals across the world and can help us understand the holographic approach to the mind/body
relationship.
Of course the only evidence needed to prove the theory of the holographic mind would be some sort of psychophysical structure manifested in the mind
and
ejected out into the physical domain. Talbot believes he has found evidence of these manifestations. He turns to religious stigmatas as a
clear demonstration of this mental projection of matter in the realm of ‘reality’.
The Holographic Universe also discusses the ramifications on the Time/Space paradigm. The ability for psychics to detaily view remote events
that occurred in the past suggests that the past is not lost, but exists in an accessible form of human perception. Bohm suggest that the human mind
and the holographic record of the past already exist in the same domain, a simple ‘shift’ in the focus of one’s attention is all that is needed
to access the past. The shift can also be applied to viewing the future. The spatial aspect of the holographic theory can be seen in ‘Out of Body
Experiences’, since holographically speaking space is an illusion just like the image of the apples as no specific location on the piece of
Holographic film. The book coins this term as ‘nonlocal consciousnesses’. This can also well explain reported ‘Near Death Experiences’.
Rating: (5 out of 5 glasses)
Despite the fact that Talbot, at some points in the book, expand the Holographic with sufficient and credible evidence, I commend him for his
adventurous efforts in order to further explain a concept that has been seen in science as extremely esoteric.
[color=blue]'Currently one of the best tools we have for exploring the unknown aspects of reality is science. And yet when it comes to
explaining the psychic and spiritual dimensions of human existence, science in the main has repeatedly fallen short of the marl. Clearly, if science
is to advance further in these areas, it needs to undergo a basic restructuring'. - Michael Talbot[/color]
- Review by Simulacra
