HOLOGRAPHIC PARADIGM

by Ken Wilber

Essays discuss the holographic model of the brain and the intersection of scientific and religious explanations of the world

Genres: Philosophy, Science, Spirituality, Psychology, Religion, Nonfiction

301 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

Kenneth Earl Wilber II is an American philosopher and writer on transpersonal psychology and his own integral theory, a systematic philosophy which suggests the synthesis of all human knowledge and experience.

Reviews

[Gregg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had read this book 1 score and two years ago. This book sought me as much as I sought it because of my desire to understand, and my understanding of what "is" was greatly enhanced by the reading of this text. There is a difference between parallel Universes and of course probable Universes. There are different Universe species like there are different species of plant or fungi. In each universe species the laws of existence are different. In some universes evil does not exist, because that concept is being explored in other Universes. In these Universe species the laws of nature are different, because that gives consciousness a new type of learning ground in which to unfold its awareness. Each Universe species has within itself a number of probabilities it has to explore to complete its evolution. Remember the Universe is a dynamic living energy gestalt, that evolves, even as the life forms evolves within it. The book in the first few chapters talk about the Metaverse, and all its versions. After a presentation of a holographic view of the very large, the book then goes on to talk about the very small, the quantum flux. The second half of the book talks about reality in terms of it being a living multidimensional hologram, that seeks to go beyond what it knows. The section on holographic time was very intriguing. The ideals expressed stated that the future is here because everything in reality happens at once, its just that it is moving too fast at a higher vibrational rate. This rate is proportional to how far in the future one looks. The near future moves a little slower, which is why we can even think of it, and the far future moves at a much higher rate. This far future "exist" now, in what we call higher dimensions. We must wait until it slows down to a 3rd dimensional rate so we can actualize it. The book goes into detail about the different frequencies of the Universe. If we could change our frequency we could experience the future as now, we would in fact catch up with it. Ken Wilber has a protracted interview with the progenitor of the holographic view of reality, David Bohm. In the interview one finds Mr Bohm very eager to express his ideals, as a child wanting to share his new toy. The interview covers areas such as where is memory stored. David Bohm espousals the ideal that human memory is stored outside of the brain in a holographic pattern, other schools of thought call this an aura. The interview also covers past lives as holographic imprints of probable personalities in alternative realities. Its refreshing to hear a competent occidental thinker, with a background in physics, seeking to explain the mysticism of the various schools.

This book is a good read because it reads good.

[Larry Chang · Rating 3 out of 5]

Am totally encouraged by this passage as i attempt to promulgate my new economic theory:

If you are somewhere on the leading edge, he has said (referring to Karl Pribram), you can't explain everything. "If you knew all about it, it wouldn't be the leading edge." The famous physicist, Niels Bohr, once said that when the great innovation appears, it will seem muddled and strange. It will be only half-understood by its discoverer and a mystery to everyone else. For any idea that does not appear bizarre at first, there is no hope.

[Charlotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun metaphysical oldie and an awesome follow up if you've read The Tao of Physics! Ken Wilber is and always will be a little like that guy in college that was smart but obnoxious because he was never satisfied with an argument he didn't make himself-- yet never had anything truly original to say either. If you can get past that, it's a fun read.

[Ricardo Acuña · Rating 5 out of 5]

From all the controversial ideas in the book, one of the most interesting is the idea of a new kind of epistemology. The limits of the empiricism-positivism in the actual science reached a limit. Our current knowledge is constrained in the sensorial level of matter-space reality. Life-biological and mental-consciousness knowledge is beyond sensorial, instrumental measurements and perceptions.

[Alex]

Someone had me read Ken Wilbur's sympathetic chapter (#7) that repeatedly breaks down the semantic sleights of hand that cause people to confuse mysticism and physics. This is totally outside of my area of knowledge and I have little filter for what are good and bad arguments... but as far as I can tell, it's worth reading if you or a loved one is caught up in quantum woo!! Maybe it's one tool you can use to sort things out. For example: For people who argue that ultimate reality is just frequencies beyond space and time, he points out that frequency necessarily exists in space & time... and that people are just getting caught up in different ideas about the word 'frequency.'

[Eva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tidig antologi texter kring kvantfysiska frågor - på en populärvetenskaplig nivå. Ändå är det inte alltid lätt att hänga med i tankegångarna. Jag gjorde ett första försök sommaren 1989, när jag hittade den svenska utgåvan. Gick bättre denna andra omläsning tio år senare.

[Niklas Braun · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great overview of the holomovement and the many people working on it. Though obviously it's dated since it was written in the early 80s I believe, there is a lot to gain from it. I've read two books on the subject and only after reading this one did I really understand the basics. That said, I don't enjoy Ken Wilbur's interview at the end of the book.

[Devon · Rating 4 out of 5]

worth it for the extensive interview with physicist david bohm. there is some other good stuff in there, but also some lamer, bobo science shit. bohm is brilliant.

[Javier Villar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many theories about reality and wise contributors in the book.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

explores cutting edge insights from today's avant-garde.