OPERATIONS OF INCREASING ORDER
"All things begin in order, and so shall they end, and so shall they
begin again; according to the ordainer of order and mystical mathematics
in the city of heaven."
- Sir Thomas Browne
ABSTRACT: Considering the continuum of order-entropy, at either end of which 'since there is not enough of the lesser to go around,' a discontinuous two-fluid state model manifests, with emergent and integrative properties. Various examples of this model in physical and in biological systems are then considered.
Now let us imagine that there is a second power, P', of which the same is true. Let us further imagine that P and P' interact, so that the interaction is also a significant, discontinuous, and discrete variable. We name the discrete values of P as Po, P1, P2, etc., and similarly for P'. For every P, there will be a "Distance" from perfection, Dp at which the phenomena cease.
We now have a model that tells us that near absolute order or perfection there may be found a series of discontinuous states in which there is escalation of a particular power in that there is sudden and discontinuous appearance of interaction factors which produce emergence (the debut of new powers). Of course, so
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far this is merely a theoretical model, which we shall call "Operations of Increasing Order."
While the model has been derived from imagination only, it is the argument of this essay that is a powerful analog of a number of "real" situations, and that it furnishes us with both understanding and enhanced ability to deal with them. Let us turn, therefore to some possible isomorphic examples.
The simplest and most obvious example of such a discontinuity is the behavior of helium-3 and helium-4 near and below 2.2 Kelvin, (near absolute zero). (We paraphrase the next paragraph from Cohen 1977).
Whereas most substances when cooled become solids at O degrees K, helium-4 shows a phase transition of the lambda type to another liquid state, He I, which has superfluid properties. The He-3 isotope affects this critical point, so that below .87K the homogeneous mixture becomes unstable and splits into two and with a meniscus in the interface. He II emits second sound and He-4 at the transition of He I and He II obeys Bose statistics, whereas He-3 obeys Fermi statistics (because of the odd number of elementary particles and the nuclear spin of 1/2). All this peculiar behavior (for those of us in high entropy) indicates that at critical points near but not at total order (zero degrees K) there is an abrupt change to a different set of laws (quantum macroscopic).
What happens, apparently, is that the quantum laws, which under ordinary conditions of entropy are seen only microscopically, under a condition of near total order, are seen macroscopically. The apparent continuity of the macroscopic law of averages disappears when entropy is not present to smooth the dichotomies, and consequently we see a discontinuous quantum state in the entire system. The fact that near zero, entropy produces an effect of sudden shift of law, - frorn statistical to quantum, - is a most important point. Conditions where laws of probability do not operate are conditions favoring "miracles."
By reversing the words "order" and "entropy" let us now attempt to restate the previous construct negatively. When symmetry breaking occurs in a system of perfect disorder so that some order is introduced into the system, since there is not enough order to go around, the system divides into two domains,
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one of which contains all the order (and some entropy), and the other of which is still in a state of complete disorder. In such a transformation, disorder in general is replaced by disorder in particular.
And now the converse going in the other direction: When in a system the order drops to a very low state so that there is not enough order to go around, the system divides into two domains, one of which contains all the order (and some entropy), and the other of which is degraded to a state of perfect disorder. In such a system, order in general is replaced by order in particular.
What has been described here in theory fits perfectly the experience of multiple personalities in schizophrenia, and the experience of disorder in the body and the environment heightening when there is an overload of disorder in the mind. But others have described these experiences better and earlier from work elsewhere (1978:4:2:145).
In particular, the theories of Van Rhijn (1960) (which will be found in the essay, "Altered States of Consciousness: A Taxonomy" in this book, Chapter VI) are most relevant; and readers are urged to consult the section on "A Taxonomy of States of Consciousness" for further amplification.
Let us again try to state this very important construct in the simplest way possible: When symmetry breaking occurs in a system of perfect order so that some entropy is introduced into the system, since there is not enough entropy to go around, the system divides into two domains, one of which contains all the entropy and the other of which is, hence, still in a state of perfection. In symmetry breaking, order in general is replaced by order in particular.
Now let us state the converse of the previous principle, going from more to less entropy: When in a system the entropy drops to a very low state, so that there is not enough entropy to go around, the system divides into two domains, one of which contains all the entropy (with some order), and the other of which is elevated to a state of perfect order. In such asymmetry breaking, disorder in general is replaced by disorder in particular.
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In stating the general principle in both directions, readers will recognize that in the first instance we have formulated a theory to account for the two fluid state of He-3, while in the latter instance we have formulated a theory to account for the manifestation of the siddhis (see p. 93).
It is worth a little reflection to consider some possible consequences of human analogs to quantum levels in atomic nuclei structure. An atom can only absorb certain discrete quanta of energy. When it does, it undergoes a change of state in which energy is absorbed, but new properties are established. The change is sudden and discontinuous. The atom may emit the quanta of light and revert to its previous state; this action is also sudden and discontinuous.
Now let us compare some human testimony:
"And as he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly there shined about him a light from heaven and he fell to the ground....."
(Acts 9:3)."There are moments ... when a startling but marvelous experience leaps into mind ... A curtain hitherto unnoticed is suddenly twitched aside . . ." (Blofeld 1970:23).
"I climbed up on a tree stump and suddenly felt immersed in Itness. . ." (Berenson 1949:18)
"And when the day of Pentecost was come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly . . ." (Acts 11)
"Suddenly, without warning he had a sense of being immersed in a flame or cloud . . ." (Bucke 1901)
"I was walking lone in the forest ... Suddenly, I felt the walls between the visible and the invisible grow thin . . ." (Jones 1932:196)
"But what a thing it was, this awareness: it was so intangible, yet it struck me like a thunderclap ... It was as if I had suddenly been illuminated . . ." (Merton 1962:278)
We have here testimony spanning two thousand years and several cultures
of a common experience which is very sudden and
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discontinuous, which results in enhanced abilities, powers, and perceptions, and which is ephemeral and transitory ... For other similar experiences, see Happold (1970:129ff); Johnson (1953: 302ff), Gowan 0 975:351-379).
As Domash (Orme-Johnson and Farrow 1977:657-8) puts it:
In the present context, the laser is an especially interesting instance of a non-equilibrium highly ordered state because of the sharp phase transition it displays (Graham and Haken (24)) and also because it gives rise to macroscopic quantum wave coherence at high temperatures (as opposed to the superfluids). Prigogine has noted the general thermodynamic comparison between a laser and a living system (22).(page 37)
Also we may note here that the concept of the TM technique and the pure consciousness state as evolutionary are consistent with the general physical basis of life as viewed from an earlier perspective, that of E. Schrodinger (54). Schrodinger's analysis of the process of being alive comes to the conclusion that living organisms maintain their integrity in the midst of a high entropy environment primarily by finding sources of orderliness, 'eating negative entropy,' 'drinking orderliness from the environment.' While all organisms do this by taking in low entropy food, by reference to their DNA as a source of low entropy information, and by maintaining cycles of rest and activity, it seems that the human organism, as the most highly evolved, has in addition the capacity to put itself directly into a condition, the pure consciousness state, which is experienced as a zero-entropy state psychologically and is clearly a low entropy state as measured physiologically. Indeed we will suggest later that the pure consciousness state is now only perceived subjectively as a condition of perfect order, but may actually be connected with a true zero-entropy quantum fluid in the brain.
We have just stated a principle of enormous importance, which is new and, hence, difficult to understand. To help the reader in this matter, we will now restate the theory in somewhat different words, looking at the process of symmetry-breaking.
This process involves a series of breakings or severances of perfect primordial symmetry. As Patanjali says: "Manifestation occurs when the three gunas are in the same phase." And Brown (1972:v) says: "A universe comes into being when a space is severed or taken apart". Ghykka, (1946), restates Curies's principle: "In order that a phenomenon should be produced in a system, it is necessary that certain elements of symmetry should be missing." Speaking of the production of the siddhis Orme-Johnson and others (1977:712) say:
The parallel between the quantum field theory of effortless creation and Maharishi's theory of sanyama continues in that both involve spontaneous symmetry breaking. The creation of a Goldstone boson takes place in a quantum field whenever the influences are such as to produce a spontaneous change from a more homogeneous to a less homogeneous state. In the regime of consciousness the influence of the Patanjali sutra on the wholeness of pure consciousness is such as to cause a spontaneous localization of the pure consciousness in the direction of a particular result specified by Patanjali, that is a symmetry breaking of the consciousness takes place whereby the wholeness of consciousness flows into a particular location.
We thus have something analogous to the two fluid model wherein
all of the induced entropy caused by the asymmetry is contained in one
fluid or location, leaving the other in a perfect state of order and hence
with unusual properties. Since the operation can be run "backwards" (in
the direction of order) as well as "forwards" (in the direction of entropy),
we have a theoretical construct for unusual states (and in humans, unusual
powers such as levitation).
Domash (Orme-Johnson and Farrow 1977:661) compares cosmic consciousness
to the two-fluid model of physics:
In the light of our own macroscopic quantum phase coherent model of the pure consciousness state in the nervous system, the fifth state of consciousness (stabilized pure awareness along with thought) becomes exceedingly reminiscent of the two-fluid model used to describe a superfluid or superconductor. In the fifth state, one experiences a well defined duality of consciousness: a silent, distinctly separate, spatially unbounded, temporally stabilized self-awareness along with
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the usual localized excitations of consciousness (i.e., thoughts and perceptions), much as the long-range orderly aspect of the superfluid coexists with an active component at finite temperatures. Indeed, one might read F. London's description of the two-fluid model: . . . two interpenetrating fluids, of which one is in a macroscopic quantum state while the other is the carrier of the whole entropy of the liquid . . . an equilibrium between two fluids which mutually interpenetrate in ordinary space but are in general separated in momentum space . . . The superfluid shows long-range order of the momentum vector and does not contribute appreciably to the entropy. The other, normal fluid is very much like the ordinary fluid,' and find in this description a rather exact parallel to the subjective cognition which is claimed to be the long range result of the TM technique . . .We propose that the subjective experience of the fifth state of consciousness may in fact actually reflect the establishment of a permanent macroscopic quantum coherent wave function over long distances in the brain, accounting for the uniqueness and universality of this striking mental phenomenon. This may be thought of without regard to any specific model for the quantum basis of the neurophysiology of the TM technique (i.e., whether it is electron superconductivity, laser-type cellular electromagnetic oscillation, or some third class of coherent behavior which is involved). As Charles Enz has recently pointed out, the two-fluid model may easily be generalized to describe any of the highly ordered states seen in nature, including superfluids, superconductors, dielectric crystals, and ferromagnets.
In order that the reader may truly grasp the full impact of the
previous argument, we are going to repeat its essence, yet again, this
time in simpler and less formal language. Only this time, instead of starting
with an almost impossible-to-comprehend ideal state of order, we start
with the process of development in nature and in mankind of increasing
order from a state of high entropy or disorder.
The effects of increasing order are discontinuous, emergent, and
integrative. This is the total message; the rest of this presentation
will merely elaborate and explain the details. First, some definitions.
Entropy is a term in physics which refers to randomness,
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and is therefore the opposite of order. The second law of thermodynamics indicates that in a closed system the entropy constantly increases and hence the universe appears to be "running down." But it also appears that life processes are anti-entropic, that is they generate order out of chaos. The results of this increasing order are discontinuous, emergent and integrative, both in nature and in man.
Let me repeat the theme of this section which is: The effects of increasing order are discontinuous, emergent, and integrative. Discontinuous means that there is a sudden, sharp escalation into a higher state. (it is really a carrying over of the quantum laws of physics into behavioral science.) Emergence means the onset of some higher power or ability not previously seen. Integrative means that the new operations have some holistic, boundary-breaking, synergic quality, which binds together in a single Gestalt aspects which before were not seen to be capable of unification.
Before starting in on psychology, we might mention a good example from physics. This is the behavior of helium 3 and 4 near and below 2.2 degrees absolute. Whereas most substances when cooled to this temperature become solid, helium shows a sudden phase transition into a remarkable state (Helium-2) which appears to be liquid but has properties of superconductivity and superfluidity. Superconductivity means that there is no resistance, and hence an electric current set in motion will continue without hindrance forever; superfluidity means that there is no surface (it is unbounded), and hence it will flow up the side of the beaker and out. It also emits second sound. All this peculiar behavior indicates that at a critical point near but not at absolute zero there is an abrupt change to a different set of laws. What happens, apparently, is that the quantum laws which under ordinary conditions of entropy (such as those which obtain here) are seen only microscopically, under a condition at or near total order are seen macroscopically. (Parenthetically this is why crystals are so interesting, because their atomic regularity, which is microscopic, is preserved by their lining up in macroscopic form.) For example, there are increased resonance effects of macroscopic elastic vibrations in crystals, in regular polyhedra, and possibly (due to electron spin resonance) in the right cerebral hemisphere. The apparent continuity of the macroscopic law of averages disappears when entropy is not present to smooth the dichotomies,
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and consequently we see the discontinuous quantum state in the entire system. The fact that near zero low entropy produces an effect of sudden shift of law, from statistical to quantum is a most important point. Conditions where laws of probability (the law of averages) do not operate are conditions favoring miracles."
Let us imagine an anti-entropic force, F, which has the property of decreasing the entropy in whatever system it affects to some critical value near zero, at which time, quantum mechanics laws which heretofore operate only microscopically within the system, suddenly pervade the system macroscopically as a whole. Let us further suppose that an observer, 0, is not conscious of any direct effects on the system S. The observer will see a sudden, and discontinuous change of state or behavior, and not understanding the underlying laws, will attribute the effect to some miracle or other unexplainable activity. This model is highly useful in explication of a number of anomalous events, from healing to telepathy and other siddhis, generally spoken of as "miracles." It may be recalled that pranic energy, odic force, orgone energy, spoken of by diverse writers in both East and West, fit this model of F very well.
Let us now turn to behavioral science, particularly the psychology of human development where much of my work has been centered.2 Three of the most fruitful researchers in this field have been Piaget (who enunciated cognitive stages of development), Erikson (who enunciated affective stages), and Kohlberg (who enunciated moral developmental stages). The interesting thing is that they all three agree that the stages are discontinuous, emergent, and integrative. If you look at the stages you will find that Erikson extended his 8 stages through the human life span, while Piaget stopped at adolescence. Others have speculated on a higher stage of cognitive development which was not mentioned by Piaget. There is a very simple reason for this omission on Piaget's part. He experimented longitudinally on only three subjects, his own three children, testing them over and over again as they grew up. As any parent will at once understand, when they became adolescent, they would not have any more of this annoyance, and so poor Piaget never did get to the adult cognitive stages.
It is, however, not hard to figure out what the next is. Since Piaget's formal operations is the same as Guilfordian conver-
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gent production, the next stage is divergent production, which in popular parlance is "creative thinking." Hence creativity is the first adult cognitive stage.
Recent theories about creativity hold that creativity is produced by imagery, which in turn is produced by resonance effects in the right hemisphere so that it operates like a radio receiver in picking up transpersonal vibrations. This may sound like a wild idea to you, but let me give you some sobering examples from the testimony of creative people. (Because of duplication, those citations which are omitted here will be found in section 5.1 under the depositions of musicians).
Let us see if we can induct laws of the general system applying:
1) Man is the measure of all things; alias the laws of physics mirror the laws applying to man; development in man corresponds to ordering in physics.
2) In the usual state of entropy (balanced between order/disorder) in both man and physics, macroscopic statistical laws (e.g. gas laws) hold; but as entropy (randomness) is removed from either system, there arise discontinuous phase changes in which different laws obtain, (e.g. quantum mechanics, siddhis). These singularities are most commonly seen in the most ordered operators (e.g. helium with 4 nucleons, highly evolved meditators, Dodd's order to an ordered power). For it is the removal of entropy which allows the simplicity of the laws (formulas) covering nearly perfect order to be seen in manifestation; such laws are of a different order than macroscopic statistical laws (e.g. the comparison between a pushing, shoving mob, and the same number of soldiers marching in the perfect order).
3) In every general system analogous to the ones we have discussed we will hence do well to look for singularities which are placed in the most ordered operators but which fall near but short of the limits of order for the system. In such cases of Dodd's "fulfillment" we will perhaps discover transcendent states and laws applying to them alone3. These laws are not miraculous, but they are extensions and simplifications to the general (high
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entropy law) caused by random effects, which in this near perfect state can be discovered.
Domash views TM as the conscious exploration of very low or ordered mental temperatures. The genesis of the pure consciousness state is seen as a phase transition of the nervous system to a state of long-range order and correlation among neurons. Similarities exist between this state of pure awareness and macroscopic quantum mechanisms such as superconductivity and superfluidity. This "fifth yogic state" (Gowan 1975: Table 8) can be modeled in terms of the two fluid model characteristic of superfluids, in which special laws of nature, not ordinarily seen during ordinary high entropy states become evident. The juncture between the fourth and fifth yogic state may be analogous to such a "Lambda critical point." The fact that as increasing order supervenes in consciousness, critical phase changes occur short of the absolute, making the whole process strikingly similar to the behavior of He-4 near zero degrees K It may be that such siddhis as levitation, (recently announced by the TM group), as well as more ordinary powers such as precognition, telepathy, etc. are effects of this change in laws which appear to occur discontinuously in atomic structure near, but not at absolute zero. For example, superconductivity in He-3 might be analogous to resonant superconductive cell firing under high frequency electric vibrations in biomolecules of the type proposed by Froelich, and also with one another according to an AC Josephson effect. The analogue of second sound has not yet been found.
The discontinuities of the accretive, replicative, and mutualistic phases of growth have already been enunciated by Land (1974). As one moves from disorder to order it is also possible that as one nears order there occur phase transitions analogous to the ones seen in the two previous situations. Such discontinuities might have important implications for biological and developmental theory.
Let us push the quantum analogy just a bit further. In atomic energy levels, there is not just one, but there are several. These levels are related one to another in a series of harmonic overtones.
Indeed, Domash (Orme-Johnson and Farrow 1978:658) declares:
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Indeed, the idea that the functioning of the brain which gives rise to the everyday experience of thinking is in itself inherently quantum mechanical, is not a new one among physicists. Niels Bohr suggested that thought involved such small energies in the brain as to be necessarily governed by quantum effects; David Bohm speculated further that thinking and shifts of attention seem to behave subjectively according to an uncertainty principle - perhaps the very same uncertainty principle as that characteristic of quantum physics.Let us summarize what we have learned about The Operations of Increasing Order:A related view is due to Sudarshan, who has developed the idea that the self-referent quality of consciousness, and with it the multiple co-existing levels of poetic, non-logical, nonlinear, mutually contradictory thoughts and feelings characteristic of the human mind, are much better modeled by the non-commutative (self-referent) operator dynamics of quantum theory than they are by classical dynamics.
In addition, it may be argued that the quantum theory of measurement, which, in the view of Wigner, points indisputably to an intimate and unavoidable relationship between the quantum mechanical wave function and human consciousness, is in itself a reason to seek for quantum mechanisms in the mind. In Wigner's words, 'The very study of the physical world (has) led to the conclusion that the content of the consciousness is an ultimate reality' and 'all the possible knowledge concerning any object can be given as its wave function.' Such a view is also implicit in Heisenberg's statement that 'the laws of nature which we formulate mathematically deal no longer with the particles themselves but with our knowledge of the elementary particles,' that is, that quantum dynamics is a dynamics of states of knowledge, excitations of consciousness, as much as it is a dynamics of physical objects.
1 ) As order increased (or entropy decreases) in a system, a series of discontinuous states ensue, each with characteristic emergent functions of higher power, authority or scope.
Viz:a) Dodd's increasing order in n + n and nn . (Gowan 1975:407-8)3
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b) Superfluidity and superconductivity of gases near zero degrees absolute (Kelvin).c) Powers of individuals in developmental stage theory.
d) Increasing resonance effects of lattice vibration in crystals, regular polyhedra, and the right hemisphere.
e) Jhanas (see Table VI-4)
2) Order is occasioned by:
a) Regularity, and decrease of randomness.3) Order results in escalation: discontinuity, succession, emergence, differentiation, integration.b) Coincidence of variables at same value (as nn instead of nr; n x n instead of n x r)3
c) Removal of need for statistical law which allows microscopic order to be macroscopic order.
d) Life
We have enunciated two concepts in this essay, both with indifferent
success. The first is that near conditions of total order in a system,
there may emerge a "two fluid" phenomenon wherein all of the entropy is
confined to a particular domain, leaving the rest in a state of perfect
order, and hence unusual unbounded properties. The second that the effects
of increasing order, near a state of complete order in a system are discontinuous,
emergent, and integrative. The rest of these essays will attempt some examples
of these effects in discrete areas, but the reader may well be able to
adduce others unknown or unsuspected by the author. As we end this chapter
the author is conscious of only partial success at explicating some very
new and controversial ideas. Much of the material herein is so theoretical
and general that it needs fleshing out in the chapters to follow before
any semblance of understanding can be reached. It is therefore, suggested
that these be read next, and that at the end, the reader return to this
chapter which contains the general statement.
These subsequent essays each reflect different aspects of the generality. Exotic Human Powers and Abilities treats of the expansion of human abilities in three domains, phylogenic, ontogenic, and particularly cosmogenic. There is then a shorter essay on Genius, Precocity and Reincarnation, and another on
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Altered States of Consciousness: A Taxonomy. This is followed by Form as Devolution of Cosmic Substance, and then by The Three-Fold Body of the Buddha. The book ends with a final summary chapter.
The motto on the Great Seal describes the United States of America as
"A New Order of Society," (as illustrated on the reverse of the dollar
bill). What has been attempted here is a similar description of a new order
of humanity, with new and enlarged powers and abilities, which lie within
mankind's purview, though often not realized or understood . . . But Popol
Vul, the Mayan Bible says it best:
Let there be Light!
Let the dawn arise over heavens and earth!
There can be no glory, no splendor
Until the humanistic being exists
The fully developed man.
1 The naive reader may wish to start at the bottom of page 39 for a more informal presentation from a popular speech.
2 At this point the author-speaker referred to Table 0-2 (p.22).
3 For more on Dodd see Gowan 1975:392-408.
4 Found herein as table 6-4.
ADDENDUM: If we ask why the 2-fluid model near total order, (see p.
33, paragraph 1), the answer may be entropy is not eternally divisible
but at some state there is minimum packet, Em.
Then Dp (here tm),
has relationship: NEM =Heat. where N= number
of units in system.
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