THE OBSERVER EFFECT

When I was studying in in Class 10^th, three laws of motion and gravity formed an important chapter in our physics subject. As students we performed many experiments to understand these laws. One of the experiments that I remember included was throwing a ball in the air.

As per the Newton’s Law, the motion of an object changes when subjected to external forces. When we throw a ball into the air, it experiences an initial force imparted by our hand. This force causes the ball to accelerate upward, overcoming the force of gravity. We had studied the Newton's second law, which states that force equals mass times acceleration (F = ma), that allows us to predict how the ball's velocity changes over time under the influence of these forces. Additionally, the law of universal gravitation explains how the gravitational force between the ball and the earth affects its trajectory as it moves upward and then falls back down.

In these experiments we learnt that the behaviour of macroscopic objects, like a ball thrown in the air, is governed by deterministic laws. This also means that if you know the initial conditions, such as the ball's speed, direction, and the forces acting upon it, you can predict its future motion with certainty. You can calculate exactly where it will land using equations like Newton's laws of motion and the laws of gravity. However, the experiments in Quantum Physics, suggested an inherent uncertainty, where the outcome of a measurement is probabilistic and the ball could simultaneously go through two different paths. The introduction of Quantum Mechanics and Quantum Physics disrupted the classical findings in physics. For this I suggest to read “In Search of Schrodingers Cat” by John Gribbin, that has very beautifully and simplistically handled Quantum Physics and Reality for any individual with basic understanding of Physics.

Gribbin in his book, has referred about the famous Double Slit Experiment that suggested departure from classical determinism to probabilistic behaviour emphasizing a fundamental shift in our understanding of the nature of reality. I tried to probe more on this and read other scientists and scholars who have also worked on similar experiments. What I found was that the double slit experiments in Quantum Mechanics have discovered the role of Observer influencing the behaviour of sub atom at microscopic level, where they noticed that an electron can behave like a wave, spreading out and interfering with itself, thereby challenging the Newtonianconcept of particles having definite positions and trajectories. In this experiment, when particles are fired towards a screen with two slits, they exhibit wave-like behaviour, creating an interference pattern on the other side. However, when the particles are observed, they behave like individual particles, creating a different pattern. This duality of behaviour led to the concept of wave-particle duality and raised questions about the role of observation in determining reality at the quantum level.

To further simplify and help the readers to understand this experiment, imagine you have a wall with two small openings in it, like two narrow slits. Now, you shine a light on this wall, and the light passes through these slits. You would expect that on the other side of the wall, you'd see two bright lines on the surface where the light passes through each slit, right?

Well, here's where things get interesting. If you use very tiny particles instead of light, like electrons (tiny particles of atoms) or even individual photons (particles of light), something unexpected happens. Instead of just two bright lines, you see a pattern of alternating dark and light bands, like lines on the other side of the wall.

This strange pattern happens because these tiny particles don't act like solid little balls. They act more like waves, spreading out and interfering with each other. This interference creates the pattern of bands on the surface. It's similar to how ripples on water can interfere with each other, making patterns.

But here's the really overwhelming part. If you try to figure out which slit each particle goes through by putting detectors near the slits to watch them, the pattern changes. You no longer see the bands or lines of light; instead, you just see two bright lines, as if the particles are acting like tiny balls again.

In the Double Slit Experiment, when particles are fired towards a screen with two slits, they exhibit wave-like behaviour, creating an interference pattern on the other side. However, when the particles are observed, they behave like individual particles, creating a different pattern. This duality of behaviour led to the concept of wave-particle duality and raised questions about the role of observation in determining reality at the quantum level.

The scientists concluded that it is the act of observing, watching or measuring the particles that somehow changes how they behave. When the electrons are observed, they behave like physical particles and when they are not observed, they behave like waves.

While a lot of research is going on to understand this fascinating and puzzling behaviour of sub atoms, I have found that the outcomes of this Double Slit Experiment have some interesting similarities with Kashmir Shaivism that also delves into the nature of reality, consciousness and interconnectedness of things. Shaivite Sages and Scholars of Kashmir, many millennials back, discovered that the universe is a manifestation of the divine consciousness, known as Maheshwara (Shiva).

These sages through their deep meditation process found that the individual self, or Atman, is not separate from this universal consciousness but is a microcosm of it. This philosophy is captured in the doctrine, known as Pratyabhijna, that suggests that the entire universe is interconnected and inseparable from the ultimate reality which is also evident from the experiment where the behaviour of particles is influenced by the overall setup of the experiment and the presence of the observer, highlighting the interconnected nature of all things.

Both the Double Slit Experiment and Kashmir Shaivism highlight the role of consciousness and observation in shaping reality. In the experiment, the act of observation collapses the wave function, determining the outcome of the experiment. Similarly, in Kashmir Shaivism, the individual's perception and awareness play a crucial role in how reality is experienced.

While many scientists in the metaphysical world including Donald Hoffman, propose that consciousness is fundamental and plays central role in shaping reality, I strongly speculate that it is the conscious awareness of the sub atomic particles that makes them to change from wave to particles on being observed during the experiment. Perhaps the idea that subatomic particles become conscious when observed is more of a metaphysical interpretation and is not supported by mainstream scientific theories for lack of evidence. Hence may require more research.

Before I dell further, let me clarify that, while these parallels are fascinating, it's important to note that they are analogies and interpretations, and the actual concepts and terminology in Indian philosophy and quantum mechanics are distinct and have their own complexities and nuances. What I am trying is just an attempt made on the basis my curiosity and current understanding of this subject that I have acquired through my personal learning, reading and hearing of various cross section scholars who have done some deeper work at spiritual level and also at scientific level. Second, it is based on my personal experience that I have earned through the meditative, introspective and reflective methods, a blessing of my guru and father. 

Coming back to the wave and particle behaviour and Kashmir Shaivism, one should remember not to get confused with the terms and terminologies used by scholars of Kashmir Shaivism and the contemporary scientists in the Quantum field. Rather, one should look at the higher degree of resonance observed in the concepts and perspectives offered by both schools that I am trying to bring out. While, Kashmir Shaivism does not explicitly discuss wave -particle duality as understood in modern metaphysics, some of its concepts can be interpreted in a way that resonates the quantum principles e.g. Non-Dual Consciousness, Unity of Opposites and Manifestation and Dissolution.

Further to my understanding, I also found it somehow resonating with concept of Prakasha and Vimarsha as well, that is the core of Pratibighnya. Prakasha represents the ultimate reality, the pure consciousness, which is unchanging and self-luminous. Vimarsha, on the other hand, represents the dynamic aspect of reality, the power of consciousness to reflect upon itself, creating the appearance of the world. Let me share a simple analogy to understand. When you bite into the fruit, there is a moment of pure awareness, similar to Prakasha. You become aware of the sensations on your tongue, the sweetness, the juiciness, and perhaps even the touch. It's as if there is a clear, inner light shining on the experience, allowing you to perceive the flavours and sensations distinctly. Prakasha may be referred as the taste of tastes.

As you continue to taste the fruit, your mind becomes engaged in a dynamic interplay of thoughts and associations. You might find yourself recollecting about past experiences with similar fruits or recalling memories associated with the flavour. Your taste buds may evoke emotions or prompt you to anticipate the next bite. You might even start to imagine recipes or ways to incorporate the fruit into a meal. All of these mental activities represent the Vimarsha aspect of consciousness, the dynamic play of thoughts and perceptions.So, Prakasha is awareness of experiencing the taste of fruit and Vimarsha is interpreting, reflecting and acting on that experience. As per Dr R K Kaw in his exhaustive studies of Pratibighnya Karika, he writes that Prakasha and Vimarsha are two aspects that symbolize Universal Consciousness and Physical or Material Activity.

The wave-particle duality of Quantum Mechanics can be seen as resonating with the Prakasha and Vimarsha philosophy of Pratibighnya in Kashmir Shaivism. Prakasha represents the pure, unchanging consciousness, while Vimarsha represents the dynamic, manifesting aspect of consciousness. In quantum mechanics, the wave-like behaviour of particles can be compared to Prakasha, representing the unmanifest potential or possibility and when the wave function collapses and the particle is observed, it manifests as a particle, similar to Vimarsha, representing the manifest aspect of consciousness. Prakasha and Vimarsha describe a dynamic interplay between the unchanging and changing aspects of consciousness. Similarly, in quantum mechanics, particles exhibit both wave-like and particle-like behaviour, illustrating a dynamic interaction between potential and actualization.

Let me take you back to the double-slit experiment, where particles exhibit interference patterns characteristic of waves when not observed. This behaviour is like the unmanifest potential similar to Prakasha of consciousness. When the particles are observed, they behave like particles similar to Vimarsha, showing up at specific locations on the screen.

While the concepts may not be directly equivalent and also, they have been experienced in two different cultural and historical settings, I strongly feel that there is a need to take up a comparative study as the Prakasha and Vimarsha philosophy can be seen as resonating with the wave-particle duality in quantum mechanics. Both describe a fundamental aspect of reality where the unmanifest potential gives rise to the manifest world through a dynamic process. Such studies will be an opportunity to reestablish our lost glory of Indian Knowledge System and assert on how our sages and scholars thought ahead of time and how their research methodology, based on meditative, introspective and reflective practices, if pursued can bring amazing benefits for the entire humanity. To many it may appear foolish but we must remember that scientific establishments for almost a century after the death of Newton, regarded opposition to any of his ideas as almost sacrilegious and unpatriotic until the Young’s discoveries were announced, that dethroned Newton.

I don’t know what is prompting me to write these articles but I feel that in my journey of meditative exploration, I've encountered moments of profound grace that have left an enduring imprint on my consciousness and provokes me to enquire more. Through introspective and reflective practices, I have delved deep into the realms of my own awareness, experiencing sensations and perceptions that defy conventional explanation. One such experience occurred during a session of deep breathing and meditation when I found myself enveloped in a different kind of sensation, distinct from ordinary states of awareness. As I focused on my breath, I felt a subtle shift in my perception, as if my consciousness was expanding beyond the confines of my physical body. It was during this session that I experienced what felt like a temporary departure from my physical form. I clearly recall observing myself floating outside my body, while my physical body remained frozen and immobile. Despite my attempts to move, I felt anmysterious sense of detachment, as if something within me had shifted or transcended the limitations of my physical existence.

In discussing this experience with my mentor, I was reminded of the impermanent nature of such transcendent states and the importance of remaining grounded in my practice. While these moments of transcendence offer glimpses into the boundless nature of consciousness, they are fleeting in nature and require diligent practice and introspection to sustain. My father, my guru and my mentor's guidance, to keep moving forward, inspires me to keep reading, exploring, investigating, researching and reflecting and meditating on this subject and am sure that more detailed work is required in this field to un layer many mysteries that are hidden from us consequently facilitating discovering new depths of awareness and understanding, aligning with the timeless wisdom of Indian Knowledge System including Kashmir Shaivism and seeing all that from perspective of contemporary science as well.

(Author is Vice Chancellor, Shri Vishwakarma Skill University)