## Origins According to holographic theories of [[Consciousness|consciousness]], the brain functions like a hologram, where information is distributed and encoded holographically throughout its structure. In these theories, memory and consciousness emerge from the interaction of these holographic patterns. One of the early influences on holographic theories of consciousness is the work of Karl Pribram and David Bohm. Pribram discovered quantum effects in neuron microtubules, suggesting the possibility of coherent informational states similar to those found in holography, lasers, and superconductors. This led to the development of the holonomic brain theory, proposed by Pribram and Bohm. The holonomic brain theory suggests that information is stored throughout the brain in the form of waves, which give rise to holographic images. These waves interact and interfere with each other, creating the [[Complexity|complexity]] and richness of conscious experience. According to this theory, consciousness is not localized in any specific part of the brain, but emerges from the holographic interactions occurring throughout the entire neural network. Additionally, the holonomic brain theory proposes that memory is also stored in this holographic manner, with [[Memories|memories]] being encoded as interference patterns. This suggests that memories are not localized to specific brain regions but distributed throughout the entire neural network. This theory posits that consciousness arises from the interactions and superposition of these holographic patterns. Support for the holonomic brain theory comes from various sources such as neurophysiology, neuroscience, psychology, and quantum physics. Studies have shown evidence of non-local processing in the brain, as well as the presence of wave-like activity and interference patterns in neural networks. Some researchers argue that these findings align with the holographic nature of consciousness proposed by this theory. Roger Penrose and Stuart Hameroff continued with this line of theory by hypothesizing that quantum activity inside neurons may have non-local interaction with other neurons, enabling "conscious events" when combined with a quantum hologram. Building on these theories, other researchers have since attempted to develop and test a number of variations of these hypotheses in diverse contexts, including altered states of consciousness, near-death experiences, and out of body experiences, in addition to seeking a better understanding of the nature of consciousness. ## Theories ### Implicate/explicate order In his influential work _Wholeness and the Implicate Order_, theoretical physicist David Bohm presents a cosmology that distinguishes between two fundamental orders: the implicate and explicate orders. The implicate order serves as a unified substrate for reality, akin to a holographic structure, where each part contains the whole. Bohm suggests that this implicate order inherently includes human consciousness, indicating that our understanding of reality is intertwined with our conscious experience. Drawing upon the ideas of neuroscientist Karl Pribram, Bohm posits that this interconnectedness may obscure the distinction between matter and consciousness, suggesting that they are not as separate as traditionally thought. Bohm's perspective contrasts sharply with classical mechanics, which typically focuses on discrete entities such as particles and fields. Instead, he advocates for a view of reality that emphasizes the significance of structures and processes that "project" the explicate order—the tangible, observable world we experience. This holistic framework promotes an understanding of reality as an interconnected whole, which Bohm eloquently describes as "an order of undivided wholeness," reminiscent of holographic principles rather than a mere analytical dissection into isolated components. To encapsulate this dynamic perspective, Bohm introduces the term "holomovement," literally meaning "movement of the whole." This concept emphasizes that the explicate order of our phenomenal reality emerges from the fluid and interconnected nature of the implicate order. The analogy to a hologram highlights how each fragment of the holographic image contains information about the entirety, reinforcing the idea that our perception of reality is a manifestation of a deeper, unified process. Bohm's insights have profound implications not just for physics, but also for philosophy and consciousness studies, suggesting a paradigm in which the universe is seen as a complex, living whole, rather than a collection of isolated parts. This perspective encourages a more integrated approach to understanding the nature of existence, inviting further exploration into the interplay between consciousness and the cosmos. ### Quantum hologram theory of consciousness Edgar D. Mitchell and Robert Staretz developed a quantum hologram theory of consciousness which views information as being as fundamental to the universe as matter or energy. This theory hypothesizes that all material objects as well as organisms store information, and that objects emit waves containing information which can be recognized and processed by the brain. Mitchell and Staretz suggest that the movement of this information is not unidirectional, but that human consciousness can emit similar waves which can also play a [[Role|role]] in shaping reality. ### Holographic theory of transpersonal consciousness Robert M. Anderson likens Bohm's distinction between implicate and explicate orders to the dichotomy between personal and transpersonal consciousness. Anderson situates personal and transpersonal consciousness in the context of Eastern mystical traditions and Western rational traditions, with Eastern traditions viewing individualistic, personal consciousness as an illusion, while Western traditions tend to view mystical or transcendent experiences of transpersonal consciousness as hallucinations resulting from aberrations in the brain. Anderson suggests that while consciousness may be a constant property of reality on the level of the implicate order, higher levels of holographic [[Complexity|complexity]] may result in higher levels of consciousness, which make a lizard more conscious than a rock, or a human more conscious than a lizard. This hypothesis is proposed as an explanation for why humans in deep meditative states are able to experience ineffable "higher" states of consciousness; the mind ceases to be a vehicle for personal consciousness, but instead shifts to a highly synchronized harmonic brain state which is part of an underlying universal consciousness of much greater complexity. ### Quantum holography and the zero point field In connection with his work on magnetic resonance imaging, Walter Schemp developed a mathematical model called "quantum holography." The model demonstrated how information can be recovered and reconstituted from quantum fluctuations in the zero point field, also known as the quantum vacuum. This was extended to theorize the zero point field as a medium for information storage, giving rise to an emitter/absorber model of holography. Some theorists proposed this model as a potential explanation for the large amounts of information experienced during near-death experience life reviews. ### Syntergic theory Syntergic theory, proposed by Jacobo Grinberg-Zylberbaum, postulates that the brain gives rise to a neuronal field which is the source of consciousness. The neuronal field is conceived as interacting directly with an interconnected, information-dense fabric of reality termed "pre-space," which Grinberg-Zylberbaum describes as "a holographic, non-local lattice that has as a basic characteristic the attribute of consciousness." Grinberg-Zylberbaum proposed this theory as an explanation for the intense empathic connection that psychotherapists sometimes experience with patients. ### Holographic principle Mark Germine, in association with the California Institute of Integral Studies, outlined a holographic principle which he applies to the evolution of consciousness. Germine's theory is similar to other theories of holographic consciousness, but he elaborates on it by drawing on Jason Brown's theory of microgenesis. Microgenetic theory applies an evolutionary paradigm to the development of ideas, concepts, and mental constructs, which Germine applies to theorizing the evolutionary origins of consciousness. ### Quantum holographic quantum gravitational The quantum holographic/quantum gravitation model was developed by Dejan Rakovic and resembles other holographic theories of consciousness, but Rakovic theorizes that transitional and altered states of consciousness depend on Einstein-Rosen space-time bridges or wormholes. This approach is not entirely novel, as Penrose had previously proposed gravitationally induced wave function reduction as a possible explanation for non-local conscious experience. Rakovic's approach is unique, however, insofar as it combines concepts from quantum physics, holography, and information theory to describe consciousness as a fundamental property of the universe whereby free will arises from interactions between universal consciousness and the quantum vacuum or zero-point field. ### Holographic transdisciplinary framework for consciousness Tamar Levin's holographic transdisciplinary framework for consciousness attempts to use [[complex systems]] theory to extend the model of holographic consciousness to the study of a wider range of subject matter, including society, culture, and spirituality. This view considers consciousness as an integral property of the universe, and attempts to provide a framework for transcending dualities such as the mind-body and spiritual-material dichotomies. The framework conceptualizes consciousness as both a structure and a system, incorporating both metaphysical and physical layers. This supports the idea that human consciousness is not three dimensional but multi-dimensional, which allows incorporating non-local consciousness. ### Holofield and connectivity hypothesis Developed by Ervin Laszlo, the connectivity hypothesis describes the universe as consisting of A-dimension (corresponding to Bohm's implicate order) and M-dimension (material). The "A" in "A-dimension" is derived from the Vedic concept of Akasha. The A-dimension is conceived as a holographic informational field (holofield) fundamental to reality. This theory views information as more fundamental to the universe than energy. The process of reality perception in humans, according to this theory, can be seen as a constant interaction between the A-dimension and the M-dimension. Information from the A-field (the implicate, non-local, and holographic domain) becomes manifest in the M-dimension (the explicate, local, and material domain) that we perceive as our reality. This theory suggests that our consciousness is not confined to our brains or our bodies, but is part of this cosmic holographic field which connects humans to the cosmos. This interconnectedness and the holographic structure of the universe could potentially explain phenomena such as intuition, spontaneous healing, and other transpersonal experiences. ## Applications ### Psychotherapy Due to their holistic perspective, holographic theories of consciousness can accommodate novel approaches to psychology and therapy which consider mind, body, emotion, and spirituality as an interconnected continuum; Bohm's explicate/implicit cosmology, for example, was cited by Stanislav Grof as a major influence on the development of transpersonal psychology, including his method of holonomic breathwork. Radovic's quantum holographic quantum gravitational framework may have implications for advancing understanding of psychosomatic processes in the context of integrative medicine and transpersonal psychology. Radovic's model suggests that consciousness and free will can be understood in terms of quantum information processes and holographic principles, which could help to systematize psychosomatic treatment of traumas, phobias, disorders, and allergies in conjunction with acupuncture. ### Evolutionary theory Mark Germine argues that the evolution of consciousness is linked to the holographic principle of mind through a recursive process of successive applications of the same holographic process. According to Germine, the most fundamental levels of experiences— from the conformations of proteins and fields of electrons— exist as quantum potentials. Through recursions of the holographic process, these potentials manifest as higher levels of experience, including consciousness. Germine suggests that this process of successive orders of manifestation on the microscopic and submicroscopic levels is what drives the evolution of consciousness. Laszlo also believes that an informational field which may possess holographic properties is a potential explanation for why evolution appears to be informed rather than random. Andre Lohrey and Bruce Boreham view Bohm's concept of holoflux as potentially supporting Lynn Margulis's theory of endosymbiotic evolution. This view, drawing on the essential unity of Bohm's cosmology, emphasizes cooperative aspects of evolution as opposed to competitive mechanisms emphasized by classical Darwinian evolutionary theory. ### Altered states of consciousness research Some consciousness researchers have suggested using holographic theories of consciousness for investigating altered states of consciousness, including near-death experiences and out of body experiences. Ethnobotanist Terence McKenna also suggested holographic frameworks for consciousness as a potential method for investigating the effects of psychedelic substances. Gas discharge visualization ("Kirlian photography") has been used as a method for studying the behavior of the brain and nervous system during altered states of consciousness, with substantial differences in the signatures emitted by the nervous system in normal versus altered states of consciousness. Holographic theories of consciousness have been proposed as a framework for interpreting and drawing conclusions from data derived from these tests. ### Acupuncture Researchers at Zhejiang University in China and Siegen University in Germany detected an electromagnetic field composed of interference patterns of standing waves in the resonance cavity of [[The Body|the body]]. This field was inferred to be holographic, insofar as changes in the conductivity of the measurement current appear simultaneously on all acu-points as well as every point of the skin. Changes in resistance appear as soon as the organism undergoes a pathological, physiological, or psychological change. Beyond its implications for understanding the coherence of the nervous system, other researchers have attempted to use this discovery to develop new acupuncture techniques. --- Associate professor of physics Matthew Headrick researches one of the most cutting-edge ideas in theoretical physics. It proposes that the universe is a three-dimensional image projected off a two-dimensional surface, much like a hologram emerges from a sheet of photographic film. Known as the holographic principle, the idea is “one of the most exciting developments in theoretical physics in this century so far,” he says. It’s long been thought that the universe at its most fundamental level is made up of subatomic particles like electrons or quarks. But now physicists believe these particles are made up of something even smaller — information. The mind is holographic in nature, and exists outside of the body, distributed across the infinite sub-quantum infrastructure of the universe. --- see also : [[Holographic Sub-Quantum Mind Theory]] ...