The countless worlds in the universe are no worse and no less inhabited than our Earth. For it is utterly unreasonable to suppose that those teeming worlds which are as magnificent as our own, perhaps more so, and which enjoy the fructifying rays of a sun just as we do, should be uninhabited and should not bear similar or even more perfect inhabitants than our Earth.
Giordano Bruno, 1584
Giordano Bruno's vision of an infinite universe filled with inhabited worlds resonates with our theory of Quantum Coalescence (QC), which posits that consciousness is a fundamental aspect of reality, potentially influencing the coalescence of quantum states into classical outcomes.
Just as Bruno saw the universe as teeming with life, Quantum Coalescence posits that consciousness is not confined to our planet but is an intrinsic quality of the universe, influencing reality across vast distances. By exploring how consciousness interacts with quantum systems, we reveal a deeper, interconnected nature of reality that echoes Bruno's vision of a universe filled with life and consciousness.
In this exploration, we aim to develop an interdisciplinary and novel theoretical framework where bits of quantum information (qubits) coalesce to form new ‘classical’ entities, positing consciousness, human or otherwise, as a pivotal factor in the mysterious transition from quantum uncertainty to classical reality.
Building on the concept of coalescence, we propose a novel theory of Quantum Coalescence that suggests conscious intentionality acts as a non-physical operator initiating the coalescence of quantum states into desirable classical outcomes.
Our concept echoes physicist John Wheeler’s familiar dictum, “It from Bit,” and reimagines his Zen-koan idea as “It from Qubit.” This observation implies that physics does not describe a set of objective objects but rather the relationships between discrete informational states.1
…every it — every particle, every field of force, even the spacetime continuum itself — derives its function, its meaning, its very existence entirely — even if in some contexts indirectly — from the apparatus-elicited answers to yes or no questions, binary choices, bits.
John Wheeler
Wheeler's insight that reality emerges from discrete binary choices provides a foundation for understanding how consciousness might interface with quantum systems, as both operate at the fundamental level where information and physical reality intersect.
Our approach seeks to integrate aspects of quantum mechanics, consciousness studies, and philosophical interpretations of reality, offering a different perspective on the long-standing question of how probabilistic quantum systems become manifest in our classical world.
More importantly, we propose a scientific hypothesis explaining how practices like prayer, meditation, and intentional focus of human consciousness can influence reality.
While skeptics may argue that there is no plausible mechanism for consciousness to affect the world, or for God to ‘hear our silent prayers,’ our theory posits that human thoughts are interwoven into a universal quantum field.
This relationship provides not only a framework for understanding how consciousness interacts with and shapes reality, but also offers a novel perspective on how prayers and intentions might be "heard" or influence outcomes in our holistic universe.
By exploring the potential role of consciousness in shaping reality, we wend our way into the confluence of three distinct rivers of thought: physics, philosophy, and human experience.
While theoretical, our notion may represent little more than an intriguing thought experiment; an approach to understanding how our world emerges from ‘quantum foam.’
Quantum Foam and Superposition
In the bottom layers of quantum reality, the fabric of space-time is not smooth but rather a "crackling, bubbly" structure known as ‘quantum foam.’ This fluctuating landscape underlies all quantum phenomena, including the mysterious state of quantum superposition. Superposition allows particles to exist in multiple states simultaneously, a property that challenges classical notions of determinism and reality.
Imagine quantum foam as the foundation upon which a conscious quantum field operates, as we theorized [here]. The quantum field, speculative in nature, suggests that consciousness is not an emergent property of the brain, but a fundamental aspect of the universe that interacts with quantum systems in far-reaching ways.
The conscious quantum field acts as a participant in the coalescence process, guiding and even nurturing the transition from quantum uncertainty to classical reality.
In our schema, quantum superposition is not just a passive property of particles but an active state influenced by the universal conscious quantum field. As qubits exist in superposition, they are suspended within the quantum foam, awaiting the moment of coalescence. Coalescence is not merely a random collapse but a guided process, potentially influenced by the intentions and focus of human consciousness.2
The interaction between the conscious quantum field and quantum foam could be the key to understanding how consciousness shapes reality. By influencing the coalescence of qubits, consciousness might effectively select which outcomes become manifest in the classical world. Our perspective brings insight into the nature of reality, suggesting that our thoughts and intentions are not just internal experiences but active forces that shape the classical world around us.
Collapse of the Wave Function
In quantum mechanics, particles like electrons or photons exist in a state of superposition, meaning they can be in multiple places or states at the same time. This is described by a mathematical construct called the wave function, which encodes all possible states of the particle.
The wave function is like a map of all the different paths a particle could take, with each path having a certain probability of being the actual one.
By analogy, imagine a coin. It's not just heads or tails when spinning in the air. It is heads and tails at the same time until it lands. The spinning coin is like the wave function — it represents all possibilities (heads and tails) simultaneously.
Now imagine that when you look at the coin (make a measurement), it must land on either heads or tails. By rule in quantum theory, the act of looking forces it to choose a specific state. So the "landing" is like the wave function collapsing. All the other possibilities vanish and only one outcome remains.
Collapse of the wave function is what allows us to see the world in a classical way, where objects are in one place at a time. But it raises questions about the role of observation and consciousness in shaping reality. Does the act of observation itself cause the collapse, or is it something more fundamental?
Our theory of Quantum Coalescence explores these questions by suggesting that consciousness plays a key role in this process, potentially influencing how the wave function collapses and reality becomes manifest.
We propose that human consciousness acts as a “non-physical operator” that influences the coalescence of quantum states into classical outcomes. We see the ‘operator’ as source of the ‘observation’ that collapses the wave function with consciousness playing a more active role.
Practical Applications of Quantum Coalescence
While Quantum Coalescence operates primarily at the microscopic level, its effects manifest in the macro world through an accumulation of subtle influences.
Consider a ship crossing an ocean: its final destination depends on countless minor adjustments to its course. Each adjustment alone may seem insignificant, yet collectively they determine whether the ship reaches its intended harbor or veers off course entirely.
Similarly, our consciousness, through its interaction with quantum systems, influences reality not through dramatic interventions but through an aggregation of quantum-level influences on classical outcomes.
This mechanism becomes particularly relevant in complex systems where multiple possible outcomes exist simultaneously, much like quantum superposition at the microscopic level. In these scenarios, conscious intention may help guide the system toward preferred outcomes through a process of continuous subtle adjustments at the quantum level.
These adjustments, while individually minute, can accumulate to produce meaningful changes in the classical world — much as how the butterfly effect in chaos theory describes how small changes can lead to significant outcomes.
For instance, in decision-making processes, particularly those involving multiple agents or complex variables, quantum effects may influence neural activity in ways that subtly bias outcomes toward those aligned with conscious intention. We don’t intend to imply conscious control over quantum processes, but rather a kind of quantum-facilitated nudging of probability distributions toward desired outcomes.
The nudging evinces the necessity of free will, as well as consciousness, to be foundational to reality. Our approach demonstrates that free will is not merely an illusion but a real, albeit subtle, influence on the unfolding of events. By positing that consciousness plays a role in guiding quantum processes, we imply that our choices and intentions have a tangible impact on the world around us.
This aligns with the cosmology of physicist Federico Faggin, who posits that free will is a fundamental aspect of reality, intertwined with consciousness. According to Faggin, consciousness and free will are non-algorithmic and foundational, with quantum information emerging from them.3
In this modeling, consciousness operates both as subject and object — we are simultaneously the observers influencing quantum processes and the observed being shaped by other conscious entities within the quantum field. Reciprocal relationships create an aura of quantum karma, where our conscious choices reverberate through the field and influence future possibilities, while we ourselves, in turn, are influenced by the collective field of consciousness.
Our line of inquiry posits that the universe's evolution is deeply connected to the evolution of consciousness, with free will playing a crucial role in shaping reality. By integrating free will into our understanding of quantum processes, we align with Faggin's view that consciousness is not merely a passive observer but an active participant in the trajectory of human history and, more broadly, the unfolding of the cosmos.
The key insight here is that consciousness need not violate classical physics to influence reality; it need only influence the quantum processes that underlie classical events. This underscores the reasons our intentionality is urgently needed in these troubled times.
As America transitions from a unipolar world to a more fair and balanced multipolar model, the power of conscious intentionality becomes increasingly vital. By embracing the notion that our thoughts and intentions shape reality at a fundamental level, we are asked to consider the responsibility and potential we hold as individuals to steer the course of human history toward a more harmonious outcome.
These are indeed pivotal times. Contrary to the post Cold War propaganda continuously thrust upon us by the Deep State and corporate media, Russia can become our friend while Europe becomes increasingly adversarial and self-destructive.4
Quantum Coalescence
Quantum Coalescence proposes that qubits, which are fundamental units of quantum information, can "come together" or coalesce in a manner that transforms their quantum properties into a more classical, manifest reality. The process can be seen as analogous to the ‘unfolding’ of classical reality from the Implicate Order to the Explicate Order in physicist David Bohm's theory.
Quantum Coalescence, by positing that consciousness plays a pivotal role in shaping reality, implicates several philosophical theories, including nonlocality, panpsychism, and integrated information theory (IIT). These connections highlight the implications of our theory for understanding the nature of consciousness and reality.
Nonlocality, a fundamental aspect of quantum mechanics, indicates that information can be instantaneously correlated across vast distances, challenging classical notions of space and time.
Nonlocality resonates with panpsychism, which posits that consciousness is a ubiquitous and fundamental aspect of the universe, present in all matter to some degree. Quantum Coalescence aligns with panpsychism by suggesting that consciousness is not simply an emergent product of complex neural systems but a fundamental force that interacts with quantum systems.
Quantum Coalescence presents a novel perspective on the relationship between consciousness and the physical world. These insights from quantum mechanics, nonlocality, and panpsychism offer the means to develop a more comprehensive understanding of how consciousness shapes reality and how reality, in turn, influences consciousness.
Quantum Coalescence and the I-Ching
The I-Ching, or Book of Changes, has long been a source of fascination for its ability to provide insights into the nature of reality. Recent research suggests that the I-Ching might be more than a simple divination tool; it could operate as a structured probability space, exhibiting patterns reminiscent of quantum mechanics.
Our theory of Quantum Coalescence posits that consciousness plays a pivotal role in shaping reality by influencing the coalescence of quantum states.
When you draw a hexagram, you might feel like it “speaks” directly to your circumstances, but it also speaks to the shared human condition. That broader resonance can help you realize you're never truly alone in your struggles.5
In the context of Quantum Coalescence, the I-Ching can be seen as a symbolic representation of the complex transformations that occur in quantum systems. The idea parallels tarot, which is a tool for communication with archetypes in the Collective Unconscious, a substrate of the Universal Quantum Consciousness Field.
The hexagrams, which form the core of the I-Ching, also are analogous to quantum states, with their transformations mirroring the transitions between different quantum states. Just as quantum systems exhibit cycles, attractors, and eigenstate-like structures, the I-Ching reveals similar patterns in its hexagram transitions, suggesting an underlying structure that guides the evolution of meaning.
Moreover, the stabilization of entropy in I-Ching transformations parallels the emergence of ordered states in quantum systems, such as Bose-Einstein condensates. This resonance between the I-Ching and quantum mechanics points to a deeper connection between the structured nature of change in the I-Ching and the probabilistic nature of quantum reality.
By integrating the I-Ching with Quantum Coalescence, we propose that consciousness not only influences quantum outcomes but also interacts with the structured probability spaces represented by the I-Ching. This interaction may well provide a framework for understanding how meaning emerges from the transformations of hexagrams, reflecting a deeper, interconnected nature of reality akin to synchronicity.
Synchronicity, as described by Carl Jung, refers to the occurrence of two or more events that seem to be meaningfully connected, yet lack a causal relationship. The concept aligns well with the idea of integrating the I-Ching with Quantum Coalescence, as both involve the notion of interconnectedness and meaningful patterns emerging from seemingly unrelated elements.
Jung's own experience with synchronicity provides a compelling illustration of how consciousness might influence quantum outcomes. During a therapy session, one of his patients was describing a dream about an Egyptian scarab beetle. At that precise moment, Jung heard a tapping on his window. When he opened it, a scarabaeid beetle flew in — the European equivalent to the Egyptian scarab. This moment broke through his patient's excessive rationalism.
This incident exemplifies how intention and meaning (in this case, the therapeutic focus on the patient's psychic state) might interface with quantum probability fields to produce seemingly meaningful coincidences. Similar experiences are regularly reported in therapeutic settings, scientific discoveries, and daily life — moments when focused intention appears to influence the probability of specific outcomes.
Rather than dismissing these experiences as mere coincidence or confirmation bias, Quantum Coalescence reveals the mechanism by which consciousness might actually influence the coalescence of quantum possibilities into classical reality and thereby produce synchronous events.
In spiritual traditions the idea is often expressed as “Heaven tapping you on your shoulder.” Sadly, most such instances are obscured by 'excessive rationalism,' preventing us from recognizing the subtle ways consciousness might influence quantum reality or confirm recent thoughts or actions. Synchronicity is the Universe’s way of letting us know we’re on the right path.
Just as synchronicity describes the meaningful coincidence of events, the I-Ching's hexagram transformations can be seen as synchronistic moments where the querent's situation and the hexagram's message converge to reveal helpful insights.
This convergence indicates that consciousness plays a role in guiding these transformations, much like it influences quantum outcomes in Quantum Coalescence.
Conclusion
To conclude our exploration of Quantum Coalescence, we return to Giordano Bruno's vision of an infinite universe teeming with consciousness and possibility. Our modeling argues that the fabric of reality itself may be more dynamic and responsive to consciousness than classical physics would have us believe.
The quantum foam that underlies our reality, far from being a chaotic soup of possibilities, may be a medium through which consciousness exercises its influence on the manifest world.
The convergence of quantum mechanics, ancient wisdom traditions like the I-Ching, and theories of consciousness point to a universe that is not only stranger than we imagine but stranger than we can imagine, to paraphrase J.B.S. Haldane.
Yet within this strangeness lies a mystifying coherence. The same principles that govern the collapse of quantum wavefunctions likely underlie the meaningful coincidences we experience as synchronicity, the insights we gain from consulting the I-Ching, the conversations with archetypes we experience with tarot, and even the efficacy of focused intention and prayer.
Our novel theory of Quantum Coalescence introduces a framework for understanding these phenomena not as supernatural occurrences that violate physical law, but as natural manifestations of consciousness's fundamental role in shaping reality. Consequently, our Substack is called “Rational Spirituality.”
Just as Wheeler's "It from Bit" suggested that information is fundamental to physical reality, our "It from Qubit" proposition states that consciousness may well be the bridge between quantum possibility and classical actuality.
This perspective nudges us to reconsider our place in the cosmos. We are not merely passive observers of an objective reality, but active participants in the ongoing creation of the manifest world. Our consciousness, through its interaction with the quantum field, may be continuously participating in the opera of creation, as ancient wisdom traditions have long suggested.
Our theory of Quantum Coalescence is admittedly inelegant in its current form, though it combines speculative elements from quantum mechanics, consciousness studies, and philosophy of mind. However, it provides a perspective on how consciousness might influence reality, and we believe it merits further exploration and refinement.
For example, while Faggin’s QIP subordinates information to consciousness, various emergentist models suggest they are symbiotic layers of complex systems. This aligns with modern physics’ shift toward informational ontology, where neither is strictly prior — both arise from the universe’s capacity for self-organization.
More importantly, it establishes that the ancient human intuition about the power of focused intention and the interconnectedness of all things has an explicable basis in the deepest structures of physical reality.
As Rational Spirituality continues to explore these ideas, we may find that the universe is not only stranger than we imagine, but also more meaningful, more responsive, and more alive with consciousness than we have dared to dream. In this light, Bruno's vision of a universe filled with consciousness and possibility may prove to be not just poetic metaphor, but profound scientific insight.
Frankly, our world needs more thinkers like Giordano Bruno.
N.B. Giordano Bruno's life ended in tragic circumstances on February 17, 1600, when he was burned alive at the stake in Rome's Campo de' Fiori. His execution followed a lengthy trial by the Roman Inquisition, which lasted nearly eight years. Bruno was accused of heresy for his theological views, including his rejection of the Trinity, the divinity of Christ, and the virginity of Mary, as well as his belief in the transmigration of souls and the existence of multiple worlds.
Despite being given opportunities to recant, Bruno refused to abandon his beliefs, leading to his condemnation as a heretic. His execution was a dramatic event, symbolizing the severe consequences faced by those who challenged the religious doctrines of the time. Bruno's defiance and refusal to recant his views made him a symbol of free thought and intellectual courage, enduring long after his death.
In our model, quantum foam serves as the interface (mediated by Planck-scale commutators that encode conscious intent) between universal consciousness and localized classical outcomes. In Quantum Coalescence, consciousness acts as a ‘non-physical operator’ guiding the wave function’s collapse via teleological eigenstate selection, contrasting with physical decoherence mechanisms driven by environmental entanglement. An eigenstate represents a definite measurable property (e.g., position, spin) post-collapse.
Federico Faggin interview with Prof. Giacomo D'Ariano
Vice President JD Vance Delivers Remarks at the Munich Security Conference
A Practical Guide to I Ching Hexagrams (article)
If consciousness is undifferentiated, a priori and ubiquitous it must include superpositionality. This could be conflated with quantum foam. Such an a priori field in-forms differentiated states, swallows them up, and transcends them. This can be witnessed by observing an actual ocean wave striking an outcropping. Human consciousness is subject but also object. That means we are not just the seer, engendering (or engineering) coalescence, but we are also the product of some other consciousness acting upon us. It is therefore impossible for free will to act unilaterally without consequence or karma. I agree with you that, metaphorically speaking, a quantum leap is "brewing" in the collective field of human consciousness. Out of this a higher level of ordering will likely coalesce. I think this must occur from within consciousness itself if it is to succeed. This would necessitate a splitting into parallel universes. Unipolar and multipolar structures are mere disguises for the old world order of might makes right, predation and exploitation, and carry no validity without a fundamental reorientation within consciousness itself. The governmental pantomime that represents itself as a liberator is actually blocking any likelihood of consciousness shift by more deception, bullying and denigration of true values. This is leading to the flagrant destruction of Western civilization by a chest thumping, intellectually regressive US at an accelerated rate. As Ortega Y Gasset once clairvoyantly remarked, the barbarians have seized the wheel. Haldane felt similarly when he upped sticks and went off to India. Bruno (one of my favorite thinkers of all) grew up surrounded by elementals and conversing with nature spirits in Campania before setting out on his journeys to academies in other countries. He was treated with especial contempt in Protestant England, and mocked for his foreign accent before being tricked, tried and burned alive by the Spanish dominated Catholic Church that was by then preying on Latin America. Putin said a long time ago that whoever can own AI controls the world. Thus, multipolar, in real terms, must be evaluated in that context. AI can of course control those who would control it, and we are back then in the worst kind of unipolarity. Bruno's multiverse got him incinerated just as Reich's discovery or orgone would, the reason being the fundamental suppression of Hermetic doctrine to allow for the "perpetrators" to maintain control whilst they play with the theater lighting (optogenics).