Quantum Jesus
Whether we realize it or not, our lives are on the verge of a dramatic paradigm shift based on the emerging discoveries of quantum physicists. This is a shift none of us will escape, so we must ask the question: will the belief systems we’ve created be able to endure the change? When it was discovered that the earth orbited the sun, humanity was forced not only to change its understanding of the physical universe, but also many of the belief systems that had resulted from earlier misconceptions. The church lost its position as sole arbiter of truth, and was forced to accept the ascendancy of scientific thought. Religion again faces the challenge of dramatic scientific upheaval. While Eastern philosophies neatly co-exist with expanding quantum discoveries, Western theology often appears to be directly at odds with it.
Western culture has evolved from the concept that God and spirit stand outside a universe that is made up of a collection of separate, static, unconscious parts. But at the quantum level, subatomic particles participate in an energy exchange that is so dynamic, it can only be described in terms of interconnectedness or oneness, which precludes anything from existing in isolation. The term “non-local” has been coined to describe the fact that it is impossible for a subatomic particle, much like a drop of ocean water, to exist in any one particular place. Even at the level of form, the universe can no longer be thought of in terms of separation. Scientists explain that the brain allows us to translate the oneness of the unrelenting quantum energy exchange into a virtual reality, where material form appears as real. Since quantum oneness is real and the separation that exists in the material realm a mere illusion, what will happen to the dualistic belief systems that dominate Western religious thought?
Doubtless a large percentage of Bible based teachings will be rendered invalid by quantum discoveries, but this does not necessarily mean that all of Jesus’ teachings will be discredited as well. Since Western religion evolved from a perspective that favored duality, it follows that Jesus’ disciples interpreted his words from that perspective. But how would they have understood Jesus’ words and actions if they had grasped the oneness of all things? When we began to reevaluate Jesus’ teachings from a quantum perspective, we were gratified to find that a pattern started to emerge, one that demonstrated Jesus’ understanding of the unified nature of the universe and shed new light on the significance of his life and teachings.
Physicist David Bohm’s holographic model likens the material universe to a three-dimensional holographic image; the image appears to be real, but it’s actually no more than a projection, a virtual reality. Unlike photographic film, holographic film carries no recognizable image, but spreads the image over a series of intersecting patterns that appear on its surface. The “real” part of a hologram is the film, not the projected image. Bohm likens the quantum level of the universe to the holographic film and sees it as the source of all potential and the seat of consciousness. From that standpoint, the material universe is no more than an illusion that’s projected from reality existing at the quantum level. Research in other fields such as neurophysiology, is confirming that the brain acts as a receiving unit for the conscious mind. This makes humans the projected illusions of intention originating from a mind that exists as quantum consciousness!
This is a far cry from the Bible’s teaching that God created the earth as a home for man, His ultimate creative achievement. We cannot help but ask why this virtual reality show is taking place? There are two things that can never be experienced in oneness: separation and specialness. To experience separation and specialness, a world of matter and form became necessary. God gave his children free will, and allows them to exercise that will fully. Unfortunately, as we witness each day, separation and specialness cannot be experienced without a great deal of misery. If there is a “me,” there must be a “you,” and if we are each striving to be special, only one of us can win. The illusion of good also produces the illusion of evil, the illusion of wealth produces poverty, and the illusion of health produces sickness. Virtual reality is the only way the game of separation and specialness can be played without any real harm coming to the participants. Since we have not stepped outside of God’s will by playing this game, we cannot be sinners. But did we make a mistake when we chose to play the game of separation? If Jesus did not die for nonexistent sin, was his death meant to make a far different point?
The Bible writers were not Jesus’ only biographers. The authors of the Gnostic gospels were also among Jesus’ earliest followers, yet they chronicled his life from a distinctively different perspective. Gnostic Christians did not see sin as the violation of a moral code, rather as a mistake in judgment that was made when the children of God chose to project the illusion of separation. It is ignorance of our true identity that keeps us trapped in illusion. The Gospel of Truth encourages us to, “cast ignorance aside as sleep, leaving it behind like a dream in the night.” Jesus regularly urged his followers to recognize their true identity because, “Whoever finds himself is superior to the world.” He encouraged them to seek a kingdom that was not part of this world, but is out true home.
These realizations lead to a new interpretation of Jesus’ miracles. The miracles can be seen from two perspectives; either that Jesus was the “only begotten” son of God that was given special powers, or, that Jesus understood that miracles are no more than a choice that is made from a variety of quantum possibilities. Research has revealed that subatomic particles can best be described as “potentialities,” that exist in a fluid state until a conscious choice solidifies them. From a quantum perspective, a miracle amounts to choosing a potential from the limitless array of particle/wave possibilities that the majority of humans do not choose. The miracle appears extraordinary only because that potential is rarely chosen. Rather than claiming any special position or powers, the Gospel of Thomas quotes Jesus as saying, “I am not your master. . . He who will drink from my mouth will become as I am; I myself will become he. . . When you come to know yourselves . . . you will realize that it is you who are the sons of the living Father.”
What then of Jesus’ death and resurrection? When we understand that everything is God, we see the impossibility of offering anything to God, including worship or sacrifice. If God had required Jesus’ sacrifice, God would have been offering God to God to atone for God, a concept that sounds insane because it is insane. Gnostic writers report that Jesus appeared as many different bodies before his death, a demonstration that was clearly designed to encourage his followers to question the reality of the body and their relationship to the body. The Apocalypse of Peter states that during the crucifixion of a body that Jesus had projected, his true Self remained untouched, laughing above the cross. Jesus projected several different bodies after the crucifixion to demonstrate that even the most appalling treatment of the body cannot affect the true Self that exists at the quantum level. Although Jesus had not been sent to suffer and die on our behalf, when circumstances brought that experience, he used the opportunity to show, in an undeniable manner, that death is no more real than any other experience we choose to project.
Gnostic writers agree that Jesus’ function was not that of savior, but rather a guide and teacher. The Gospel of Truth states, “He appeared, informing them of the Father” and “gave them a path” by “inspiring them with that which is in the mind.” He was a child of God who had chosen to play the game of separation, but had seen its futility and ultimately recognized his true identity. He understood from personal experience that his followers had become lost in the game and needed to be reminded that they were far more than the human body they projected. He asked his followers to carefully consider why they would want to continue to store their treasures in a virtual reality where everything eventually comes to nothing when they could return to the limitless reality of their quantum existence. Jesus chose to return to oneness, what will you choose? ©copyright 2007 Lee & Steven Hager
About the Author
Lee & Steven Hager are the authors of Quantum Prodigal Son, an examination of Jesus’ life and teaching from the perspective of quantum mechanics and the Gnostic gospels. For more information please go to: www.oroborusbooks.com.
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