Playing With Observation

String theory is mind-boggling.

No one can contemplate multiple dimensions without becoming befuddled, discombobulated, and excited.

Usually, the ‘Observer Effect’ doesn’t surprise people as much. Deep down we all know that what we pay attention to grows in our experience. Focus on what we don’t have or don’t want and we get more of that. Focus on what we do want and we get more of that. It is remarkably simple but we can rely on scientists to make it sound mystical like in the next clip:

From the very mouths of scientists:

“…The act of observation creates an entire universe.”

“… What is real depends on how we observe.”

“… Reality is unset jello.”

“… Consciousness is the ground of our being.”
‍

Yes, but what does that all mean to us as human beings trying to get through a normal day?

The physicist Pascual Jordan, who worked with quantum guru Niels Bohr in Copenhagen in the 1920s, put it like this:

“Observations not only disturb what has to be measured, they produce it… We compel [a quantum particle] to assume a definite position.” In other words, Jordan said, “we ourselves produce the results of measurements. Because all probabilities exist it is what we pay attention to that causes everything to collapse into one event… the one we pay attention to.

‍

So let’s just be careful what we pay attention to. Simple. Eureka. Focus on what we want. Period. We want a new Mercedes, we watch the advert. We don’t want a Toyota Camry, we turn our back to the advert. Simple.

We want financial independence we watch an advert for Necker Island. We avoid all the get-out-of-debt commercials.

It is so simple. However it requires discipline and determination.

Make no mistake this requires conscious work.

‍

Does that mean that what I pay attention to becomes my reality? So, if I live in fear and worry all the time then my life ends up full of reasons for more fear and worry? If I focus on the good and happy does my experience get more of that instead? Isn’t this a bit like burying my head in the sand?

Yes. It is exactly that. I feel like Walter Mitty! Good. Reality is unset jello. You choose how to set it. Fake it until it becomes it. The jello will set. What it tastes like is up to you.

And it gets even stranger. If nature changes its behavior depending on whether we “look” or not, could we trick it into showing alternatives before we look?

An experiment for doing this was proposed in the 1970s by the American physicist John Wheeler, and this “delayed choice” experiment, finally performed in the 1980s, concluded that “It is as if nature ‘knows’ not just if we are looking, but if we are planning to look.”

In other words nature seemed able to anticipate our intentions.

Is nature telepathic or is it because nature is in the cosmic glue as well and senses our feelings like the sea senses a flick of a fish fin? Feelings precede thoughts which precede actions. Does nature feel the feeling?

Maybe, but it also takes 500 milliseconds for us to form a thought. Maybe nature is just faster than our brains.

We observe in myriad ways. We watch. We listen. We also imagine and dream. All are tools of observation.

Whenever we discover the path of a quantum particle, (sic idea, dream, thought) its cloud of possible routes “collapses” into a single well-defined state. What this means is that all probabilities and indeed possibilities exist as one suchness.

Only when we observe perhaps by simply imagining an outcome, does all that probability collapse into a single thing. In different dimensions many different experiences might be had from the one observation.

In our 3D world only one experience results. What we expect to see shows up whether we want it to or not. So, if we deliberately imagine an outcome, it has no choice but to show up.

It is hard to avoid the implication that consciousness and quantum mechanics are somehow mashed up here. It is also hard to avoid the conclusion that if we take control of what we expect to show up in our lives we pretty much take control of our lives.

What if all we have to do is stop being passive and take responsibility for what we observe? What if we stop paying attention to what we don’t want (news, stocks, violent video games) and focus instead only on desires? (travel, food, hotels, jet-set lifestyle)

Do all those jiggling strings of energy simply reconfigure according to what we pay attention to?

Yes.

It is simple.

Oh. So. Simple.

A few words from My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist’s Personal journey by Jill Bolt Taylor:

“As biological creatures, we are profoundly powerful people. Because our neural networks are made up of neurons communicating with other neurons in circuits, their behavior becomes quite predictable. The more conscious attention we pay to any particular circuit, or the more time we spend thinking specific thoughts, the more impetus those circuits or thought patterns have to run again with minimal external stimulation.

In addition, our minds are highly sophisticated ‘seek and ye shall find’ instruments. We are designed to focus in on whatever we are looking for. If I seek red in the world then I find it everywhere. Perhaps just a little in the beginning, but the longer I stay focused on looking for red, then before you know it, I will see red everywhere.”

To understand the power of deliberate observation we use mindfulness.

‘Mindfulness’ means paying attention in a particular way, on purpose, deliberate, in the present moment, non-judgmentally. It is a disciplined act of determination. We observe and it shows up. We don’t bring it to us. We don’t conquer it. We don’t attract it… despite the hundreds of books, videos and websites dedicated to those energies they do not lead to successful creation. If they did then surely given the hundreds of millions of subscribers there would be more than 2,000 billionaires in the world and a lot less fear going around?

We observe it as already here. It appears.

What we observe shows up instantaneously and some science suggests shows up just before we observe it… like life anticipates our thoughts. Given that thoughts take 500 milliseconds to form, this is not that magical. We observe subconsciously. It shows up. We have a conscious thought about what just showed up.

The observer effect changes the structure and function of the self as well as changing psychological responses in our character, and results in our configuration of sparks. We are that which we have already observed. To change it, just change what you pay attention to.

It is the phenomenon that when the person performing the tests expects to get positive results, he or she does and likewise when he or she expects a negative result… shit happens.

This simple exercise asks you to place your attention on your thumb or finger while cultivating a curious, engaged, and non-judgmental relationship to what you’re noticing.

1. Touch your index finger and thumb together.

2. Explore your thumb with the tip of your index finger. What do you notice? Roughness? Smoothness? Heat? Coolness? Dryness? Are there thoughts, memories that arise as you continue to explore your thumb?

3. Now explore your index finger with your thumb. Is it the same? Rougher? Smoother? Hotter? Cooler? Drier? New thoughts or memories?

‍

Did you notice how your attention shifted with each exploration?

Did you notice how you stopped considering “thumb” and “index finger” but the pure act of observation of the moment?

This simple exercise demonstrates the skills of intending, then placing your attention on the thumb or finger (or anything else). Notice how you changed your thoughts about the Thumb and Index finger. The “Observer Effect” forces this change because you are the mindful observer.

Now think wider. Consider your life experience. If you are in debt how much do you observe the fact you are in debt? If you keep getting into lousy relationships how much have you observed how lousy they are and how much you don’t want that? We get what we observe. Debt begets debt. Hurt begets hurt. On and on.

Change what you pay attention to and a new reality appears. Knowing this should make you especially cautious about what sensory input in the form of media, complainers, guilt-throwers etc you allow into your life. Wouldn’t it be more beneficial to read inspiring books and articles than play shoot ’em up videos? Wouldn’t it be easier to replace the complainers in your world with more inspiring people?

‍