The Holographic Universe by Michael Talbot (PDF)

Description

Today nearly everyone is familiar with holograms, three-dimensional images projected into space with the aid of a laser. Now, two of the world’s most eminent thinkers — University of London physicists David Bohm, a former protege of Einstein’s and one of the world’s most respected quantum physicists, and Stanford neurophysiologist Karl Pribram, one of the architects of our modern understanding of the brain — believe that the universe itself may be a giant hologram, quite literally a kind of image or construct created, at least in part, by the human mind. This remarkable new way of looking at the universe explains now only many of the unsolved puzzles of physics, but also such mysterious occurrences as telepathy, out-of-body and near death experiences, “lucid” dreams, and even religious and mystical experiences such as feelings of cosmic unity and miraculous healings.

User’s Reviews

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐This is an interesting book by an author who passionately believes that existence and physical reality perceived through consciousness is generated by a holographic phenomenon. In other words the holographic universe creates reality. This book is described in three parts; the first part describes the central concepts of physicist David Bohm and neurophysiologist Karl Pribram. The second and third part of the book does an exhaustive review of the work of many psychologists, psychiatrists, neurosurgeons, and neurobiologists who have expressed strong support for Bohm-Pribram holographic concept to explain phenomena such as; near death experience, out of body experience, telepathy, ESP, etc.The summary of this book is as follows: The holographic concept is a form of quantum mysticism extrapolated from two theories. One due to David Bohm who proposed that the universe and physical reality is a holographic structure; and the second due to Karl Pribram who proposed that consciousness perceives reality through the holographic structure. The holographic paradigm is rooted in the concept that all organisms and forms of matter are holograms embedded within one universal hologram. A hologram is two-dimensional photographic pattern of interference between coherent light reflected from the object of interest, and light that comes directly from the same source or reflected by a mirror. When this two-dimensional image is illuminated from behind by coherent light, a three-dimensional image of the object appears in space, but without illumination the image appears as blur. The characteristic of a perfect hologram is that all its content is contained in any finite part of itself: If a hologram of a rose is cut in half and then illuminated by a laser, each half will still be found to contain the entire image of the rose. Indeed, even if the halves are divided again, each snippet of film will always be found to contain a smaller but intact version of the original image. The reductive or deterministic approach doesn’t work, which means that components or parts doesn’t make the whole. Bohm used this analogy to explain quantum entanglement where the separated quantum particles “communicate” with each other regardless of the distance separating them, which is a direct contradiction of special theory of relativity. Bohm suggested that particles remain in contact with one another because at deeper level these particles are not individual entities, but extensions of the same fundamental reality; the separation is a mere illusion. This phenomenon is illustrated by “Bohm’s aquarium.” Imagine an aquarium containing a fish, which you can not see directly, but this can be seen indirectly from two television cameras, one directed at the aquarium’s front and the other directed to its side. As you stare at the two television monitors, you might assume that the fish on each of the screens are separate fishes, because the cameras are set at right angles, and the two images are different. But as you continue to watch you will notice that when one turns, the other also turn; when one faces the front, the other always faces toward the side at right angle. From this you will conclude that the two fishes are instantaneously communicating with one another, but we know that it is not so. Bohm suggested that this is precisely what is going on between the particles in quantum entanglement.In a holographic universe time and space are no longer viewed as fundamentals, because concepts such as location and time breaks down in a universe in which nothing is truly separate (as in quantum entanglement described above). At its deeper level reality is a sort of super-hologram in which the past, present, and future all exist simultaneously. Support for Bohm’s quantum physical ideas came from unexpected sources when neurophysiologist Karl Pribram invoked holographic model to explain memories, which are dispersed throughout the brain. Pribram suggested memories are encoded not in neurons, or small groupings of neurons, but in patterns of nerve impulses that crisscross the entire brain in the same way that patterns of laser light interference crisscross the entire area of a piece of film containing a holographic image. In other words brain itself is a hologram. Pribram’s theory also explains how the human brain can store so many memories in so little space. A human brain memorizes of the order of 10 billion bits of information during the average human lifetime. How does brain translates the avalanche of frequencies it receives via the senses (light frequencies, sound frequencies, electro-chemical potentials, and so on) into the concrete world of our perceptions? Pribram argues that encoding and decoding frequencies is best performed by a hologram. Just as a hologram functions as a sort of lens, a translating device able to convert an apparently meaningless blur of frequencies into a coherent image, Pribram believes the brain also comprises a lens and uses holographic principles to mathematically convert the frequencies it receives through the senses into the inner world of our perceptions. It is only in the holographic domain of consciousness that such frequencies are sorted out and divided up into conventional perceptions. This essentially means that consciousness creates the appearance of the brain, the human body and everything we regard as reality.When holographic models of David Bohm and Karl Pribram are put together the world becomes a secondary reality. Primarily the world is a holographic blur of frequencies, and if the brain is also a hologram which selects some of the frequencies out of this blur and mathematically transforms them into sensory perceptions, then the objective reality cease to exist. This is in agreement with Vedanta philosophy (Hindu philosophy) where Maya, an illusory power creates the illusion which we believe is physical reality, but the universe is one whole entity called Brahman. We are essentially “receivers” floating through a kaleidoscopic sea of frequencies of a super-hologram.1.

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⭐”I am sure you have gone astray if you are moved to homesickness for anything in this dimension. We transform these things; they are not real, they are only the reflection upon the polished surface of our being.” ~~ Ranier M. Rilke, from “Requiem for a Friend”You’ve heard the parable of the five blind men who examined an elephant, to find it “like a rope, a tree, a wall, a spear, or a snake”, depending on whether they encountered tail, leg, torso, tusk, or trunk? The polarities of the other 68 reviews remind me of that parable. I must comment to three: to 5-star “Mindboggling!!!!”, who said, “…should be the new “Bible”!!!”; I liked it, too. But please, let’s not. We’ve religions enough; to 1-star “The only book I ever trashed … “, who threw it away, because, “To sell it would have made me feel guilty that someone might read it and believe it.”; On behalf of the libraries to which you deprived a donation, thanks. Check out Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451” at the library nearest you. You may find yourself. And to those who raked Talbot over the coals for his “unscientific” approach, I recommend your re-read his introduction, and understand his intention. For works of a sufficiently scientific approach, explore his 25 page bibliography.Part one begins, “Sit down before fact like a little child, and be prepared to give up every preconceived notion, to follow humbly wherever and to whatever abyss Nature leads, or you shall learn nothing.” T. H. Huxley, quoted on the overleaf. Part One so thoroughly drew me in that I could not put the book down.Chapter 1: The Brain as Hologram (Pribram). Memory; local or non-local, that is the question. Do specific memories reside in specific locations (cells)? That they do is stipulated as the commonly accepted view. That they do not is put forward with evidence from Pribram’s work, along with that of Penfield, Lashley, and others. Hologram fundamentals are reviewed (keep in mind “reference beam”, “object beam”, and “interference pattern”). Eyesight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste are spoken of as operating in frequency spectrums. How does associative memory work? And photographic memory? The statement that “there is evidence that neurons respond individually to narrow bands of frequencies” (everything has a resonant frequency) leapt off the page at me. The inference I take from it is that, in a holographic model for memory ~ and consciousness itself ~ our five senses provide the “reference beams”. Talbot touches upon transference of motor skills, phantom limb phenomena, and the idea that the brain employs Fourier Transform to process and comprehend sensory input. He concludes by alluding to Pribram pondering the implications of his theory with respect to the nature of reality and how we experience it.Chapter 2: The Cosmos as Hologram (Bohm). Quanta only behave as particles when we look at them; they are interconnected (both at a distance, instantaneously, and with near-conscious, self sustaining behavior, in a plasma). Physicist Nick Herbert is quoted, “…Likewise humans can never experience the true texture of quantum reality because everything we touch turns to matter.” It’s a very small leap from there to infer that our brain’s cognitive processes influence the physical world as much as the physical world influences us.The remaining seven chapters are an exploration of these ideas and relate to a variety of phenomena: placebo effect, dreams, hypnosis, psychedelic drugs and psychedelic experiences WITHOUT drugs, shamanism, precognition, near death experiences ~~~ everything but the kitchen sink. I cannot express my thoughts here succinctly enough to fit the word count limit. Be prepared for an excursion into things for which there is no explanation, and to which “pure science” replies “insufficient evidence”. There was so much material concerning psychic phenomena that at times it seemed as though Talbot was shouting “Look, look! You cannot ignore this.” But then, for the most part my own spiritual beliefs already accommodate things that he seemed intent of providing overwhelming evidence to support. I just have evidence enough of my own (experiential, not “empirical”) that it wasn’t necessary. Most of it I did find fascinating. The only exception was Talbot’s personal experiences with “poltergeist” phenomena, which, while I understand their influence on his curiosity, seemed to detract a bit from the body of evidence he presents.Personally, I’m not overly impressed with phenomena, and do not hunger for it. Truth impresses me. Alot. That’s where my particular appetite peaks. And I think Talbot is on to something true. “Holographic Universe” was an epiphany for me.I’ll concede “Holographic Universe” is not “purely scientific” enough for stalwart academics. it may well be a map to the “Rosetta Stone” for how human consciousness functions within the quantum universe: a “sneak preview” to a “theory of everything” that has the capacity to account for human “mystical” experience, including a plausible explanation of the form and function of the human soul. Name any “pure scientist” who did not, at least in private life, ponder “purely unscientific” philosophical implications of their work in the context of a higher meaning. I cannot. Talbot portrays Pribram and Bohm as deserving, for their departure from the “orthodox” view, their own unwritten chapters in “Profiles in Courage”.”Everywhere I go, I find the poet has been there before me.” ~~ Jung”We transform these things; they are not real, they are only the reflection upon the polished surface of our being …” ~~ Rilke

⭐This was my first book ever that I’ve read on the matter. It is surely a fantastic read, although it is not recent and is from the 1996. However, it was not an easy read sometimes and not due to the terminology used but more so due to the fact that quite often the author overstretches his statements and full them up with unnecessary fluff. This bothered me as there were quite a lot of repetitions that I had to skip through. Sometimes the author is being controversial: for example, he states that he hasn’t seen any materialisations of objects himself but rather their effects afterwards. However, the next paragraph starts with him stating and giving an example of exactly the opposite. This in turn is making the reader confused. Another thing: some examples that he uses in the book are quite… well, they are not giving you a scientific vibe but rather a “make it a top seller Hollywood style” type of a vibe. I don’t like this approach much. I would have rather the author kept it simpler without trying to “decorate” his examples with pretty words and over exaggerations (and repetitions!).The chapters structure in the book is also really chaotic and the author seems to be jumping from one point to the next without a smooth flow.Another thing, we are in 2018 now so it is quite outdated and should perhaps not be the first choice of readers but something more timely relevant that is out there.Don’t get me wrong, it is a great read but drawbacks that I mentioned above are a lot and doesn’t deserve 5 stars.

⭐Wow where to start?This was the first book I had read in years & it certainly didn’t disappoint.The wide range of phenomenons Talbot discusses to great depth in simply 300 pages astounds me! Every point he makes is clear cut, decisive & always follows a reference to hold validity.Talbot introduces ideas of the Quantum by closing following Einstein’s theory of relativity & details the broad range of arguments for & against this consensus.Talbot narrates the history that was entailed in Einstein’s formulations by also listing Bohm & Bohr who had objective roles in the theory of quanta as well.In addition, he logs all of Bohm’s disagreements with Einstein’s views & labels all acquisitions towards Bohm’s viewpoint of a need for revision.Talbot is very neutral in his own personal views & everything discussed is simply a narrative to open your mind to the vast complexity that is the universe. Informing us all all the distinct possibilities there could be beyond just this physical 3D realm.At first, I was quite worried I may not be able to comprehend the quantum physics due to my lack of knowledge in the matter. However, Talbot reviews the analysis of the quanta in such a way that it is very easy to follow & by the end you even have your own questions to ask…what really is reality?Talbot begins his writings by discussing photons & electrons, simply explaining the possibility that they could in-fact be in no dimension. Studies conducted such as the double slit experiment hold such inextricable value to really questioning what is reality? Is it all just endless waves of electromagnetic energy? Frequencies that carry & have the potential to occur?Pribram is another physicist who is closely referenced throughout in regards to his views on consciousness & the possibility of what reality could behold.The amount of reading that must have been conducted by Talbot prior to the publication of this book is simply astonishing. As stated above, Talbot is very wise in withholding his own personal views. This book is in no way subjective. Instead; Talbot merely puts together such a wide range of arguments for the dynamics of the quantum that you really do start to see the bigger picture that this conscious reality is so much more than we can comprehend.One criticism I would have in relation to this book is that the chapter where Miracles & placebos are discussed seems to be prolonged…Talbot puts a big emphasis on these aspects & although again it was all sourced with reliability; throughout this chapter you did feel like it could have been condensed rather than a sequence of repetition through various publications & studies.In contrast, Talbot very much adopts a push-pull methodology in his writings. With the above being said, just when you think the book is hitting a flat line & is starting to null; Talbot will dramatically incorporate a new idea such as the concept of UFOs & you’ll suddenly find yourself being drawn back in for another 30 pages, struggling to put the book down.Talbot is very clever in his format, a wide range of religious teachings, spiritual measures & informative information from transcripts of Monks & diverse cultures is all registered in this book & the way he tells it, you just can’t help put think perhaps they all hold some truth to one degree or another?Talbot too, indeed talks about components such as the Paranormal, entities, near death experiences, out of body experiences, meditation, hypnosis, what dreams could be & studies conducted with the assertion of what LSD can influence…all these findings are very breath taking but I would be naive to reveal anymore than this.This is a must read book!I was very sad to discover upon finishing this book, Talbot actually passed away many years ago. However, his writings will certainly live on, enlightening us all into what this deep plane of consciousness could be? How much of reality we really don’t know & how much more is out there!I will be sure to read another one of his books in the future.Rest in peace Micheal. A true inspiration.

⭐I have had so many copies of this book over the years since it was first published and have been soft enough to pass them on to interested friends and colleagues. I cannot describe this book adequately – it really is the key to the door of understanding life, the Universe and everything. Michael Talbot writes in a constructive yet simple to understand method and even though I have to backtrack over a page on occasion (yes, even now when I have read it several times), there is just so much to take in – it really is mind blowing. Talbot explains the origins of Bohm (a student of Einstein) and Pribram research into Cosmic Consciousness via Quantum Science. They show and prove, beyond doubt, how everything is so interconnected that we are living in a virtual hologram. I have grown up with this book and I can measure the change of the scientific attitudes from poo-poo to acceptance over the years and the Cerne Hydron Collider has had a lot to do with it too. For those who seek enlightenment; not for mushrooms!

⭐I have so much to be grateful for thanks to Michael Talbot really opening my eyesI have since recommended this book to everyone I knowAlso watch the videos on YouTube under Thinking Allowed series with Jeffrey MishloveSuch a brilliant writer and thinkerIt’s such a shame his life was cut short I can only imagine what other great revelations he would have next come up withBuy it you won’t regret it and you’re life will never be the same again

⭐The most notable effort of the late Michael Talbot, the Holographic Universe is an interesting read based around a premise which is still debated amongst the scientific community today. This is definitely food for thought and a book which, if you have no familiarity with the subject, will force you to stop and look at life under a different light. Talbot draws from concepts of individuals such as Bohm and Grof to present his own vision of what the nature of the universe might actually be, and he tries to take you by the hand the whole way. Keep in mind however, this might be a difficult reading exercise for the hardcore skeptic, as Talbot also draws heavily from his own subjective experience in doing so, which sometimes can feel, at best, a scientific stretch.All in all though, this is an intriguing mixture between science and a spiritual philosophy of sorts which easily stands the test of time.

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