A new paper in the journal Nature by CIFAR Fellow Joseph Emerson shows that a quantum property called contextuality is key when dealing with quantum mechanics. In quantum systems, a measurement will necessarily affect the thing being measured because of the contextuality of the situation. An example might be that when measuring the spin of a particle there is not a “real” spin, but the very act of measuring the spin will help determine what the spin will actually be. Quantum theory is a body of scientific principles that explain the behavior of matter and its interactions with energy on the scale of atoms and subatomic particles.
Obviously, on a scientific level this is wonderful breakthrough for those studying the quantum mechanics field and trying to build a quantum computer. What is really interesting, though, is that on a spiritual level we see another example of the scientific community proving one of natures core truths and ultimately a belief system it denies.
What is context? Context is defined as a set of circumstances or facts that surround a particular event, situation, etc. Context is important to build the reality we experience. It is a core component to making sure that you understand the conditions and circumstances that are relevant to the event that you are facing now — or you could say, your reality.
An example of context might be, that a person says something with good intentions but it is misinterpreted by others because it was taken out of context or they didn’t understand the context the person was communicating from. What people fail to really see, is why this type of historical context, you could say, is linked to the contextual theory defined in quantum mechanics.
Malcolm Gladwell talks about the Power of Context in his book The Tipping Point. The essence of this term is that our inner states are the result of the outer circumstances that we experience. He questions if this works with or against the idea that our inner states ultimately create our outer world — that perception is reality or that if we change the way we look at things, the things we look at change?
Surprisingly, everything I just brought up is linked together in a paradoxical fashion. When we start diving deeper into quantum mechanics we start to understand that nothing is really defined until we define it. Of course, it is our thoughts that are the defining factor. That means the context of how we look at things defines the reality that we experience. This happens because on a quantum level energy needs a “context” (thought definition) before it can turn into matter. This newly created matter is experienced by us and reinforces the thought that created it.
This is why on a spiritual level it has always been communicated that we should live mindfully and consciously. That through conscious action we should control our thoughts and not let the subconscious mind do it instead. Even though they don’t mean to, scientists using the field of quantum mechanics, are slowly proving spiritual beliefs and showing us how important it is in our daily life.