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1. Introduction to NDEs and Quantum Physics
To whichever end of the spectrum our beliefs gravitate – that of spirituality or that of science – the universe is an astonishing and mysterious place. But what if the ends of the spectrum are moving closer together? What if our increasing knowledge in both science and spirituality is pointing us all in the same direction?
Physician T. Lee Baumann makes a convincing case for exactly that premise – that spirituality and quantum physics are, in fact, two sides of the same coin: the presence of a guiding intelligence in the universe, the presence of God.
Looking closely at the latest information on near-death experiences (NDEs), at his own experiences in reviving patients who were thought to be dead, at the latest thinking in quantum physics, at new interpretations of information in the Bible, and at the fascinating, mysterious nature of light, Baumann has synthesized a compelling picture of what may be the true nature of our universe at all levels – physical, mental, and spiritual.
2. About T. Lee Baumann, M.D.
Dr. T. Lee Baumann, M.D. is the author of (1) God at the Speed of Light: The Melding of Science and Spirituality, (2) Window to God: A Physician’s Spiritual Pilgrimage, and (3) The Akashic Light: Religion’s Common Thread. Dr. Baumann also appears in the documentaries “The Evidence for Heaven” and “The Search for Heaven.” Dr. Baumann is a medical consultant in Birmingham, Alabama. In addition to his years in private practice, Baumann has been a medical administrator and a biology instructor. He holds medical certifications in internal medicine, geriatrics, and medical management. The following are some of Dr. Baumann’s research into quantum physics and NDEs.
3. The Supernatural and Spiritual Aspects of Light
Quantum physicists study the nature of light. The Bible speaks of light when talking about God. NDEs describe going to a light that is welcoming, intelligent, and loving. Strangest of all, however, is the similarity of all these descriptions of the nature, presence, and behavior of light to descriptions of God. Could it be that light and God are one and the same? Physician T. Lee Baumann makes a case for exactly that. From many sources, Dr. Baumann has synthesized a compelling picture of what may be the true nature of our universe at all levels – physical, mental, and spiritual.
Dr. Baumann’s book has been in the making for well over twenty years. Following his graduation from medical school, Baumann developed a keen interest in quantum physics as a result of his fascination with Albert Einstein. The more he read on quantum theory, the more intrigued he became by its supernatural and spiritual aspects.
The following describes the awesome characteristics of light:
Light was pervasive at the Big Bang and is predicted at the Universe’s demise (alpha and omega).
All matter is ultimately reducible to electromagnetic radiation (which includes light).
Time ceases to exist at light speed.
The energy of light is infinite.
Physicists reveal experiments that show that light particles communicate!
Light is the loving entity that welcomes the dying in NDEs.
The Bible and the world’s other major religious texts refer to God in terms of light.
The human race is very special – it is human observation that transforms light waves to light particles (i.e., how we experience reality).
The second law of thermodynamics (entropy) dictates that an infinite amount of organization (hence, design) existed in the singularity of the Big Bang. Dr. Baumann’s book argues that these comparisons to God are not just serendipitous.
4. Excerpts From “God at the Speed of Light”
I (Baumann) have intentionally tried to be very selective in the [near-death] cases I have reprinted here. I have not listed numerous other accounts, which are essentially repetition, and I have omitted some very impressive experiences that might be considered the direct result of certain illnesses, i.e., ailments involving the brain, or the circulation or oxygenation of blood to the brain. (Baumann, 2002, p. 15)
As shown in the previous chapter, the element of light is one, if not the, most important element of the NDE. In review of multiple NDE cases, researchers Raymond Moody and Melvin Morse made several noteworthy observations involving the light.
Moody noted that, of all the possible near-death elements, the light exerted the greatest influence on the individual. Patients interpreted the light as a being – a being that radiated love and warmth. Christians recognized the light as Christ. Atheists identified the spirit only as a guide. (Moody, 1989, p.22)
It is now universally accepted, although still incredible to comprehend, that the speed of light is constant for all observers, regardless of their relative speeds or direction. This is an extraordinary feature.
How light accomplishes this feat is unknown, but it appears that light has been positioned as the cornerstone of modern physics and natural law. Einstein explained that as an object increases in speed, especially approaching the speed of light, its length decreases, its mass increases, and time slows (but the speed of light remains constant). If an object actually reaches the speed of light, time stops completely. Many are not aware of the full significance of this last point. Imagine that you are traveling at the speed of light and time stands still. You find that you can travel anywhere in the universe, and you never age! Hence, it is striking, but photons, and all other forms of electromagnetic radiation, are timeless (Moody, 1989, p. 27-28).
There is nothing that is not ultimately a quantum system, if the quantum phase connection is “real,” then it links all systems that have once interacted at some time in the past – not just twin-state photons – into a single waveform whose remotest parts are joined in a mariner unmediated, unmitigated, and immediate… What phase entanglement really is we may never know, but Bell’s theorem tells us that it is no limp mathematical fiction but a reality to be reckoned with (Herbert, 1985, p.223).
In his celebrated theorem, Bell did not merely suggest or hint that reality is nonlocal, he actually proved it, invoking the clarity and power of mathematical reasoning (Herbert, 1985, p.230).
Instantaneous communication is considered a genuine, quantum fact and an element of day-to-day reality. Could these phenomena of phase entanglement and superluminal (faster than the speed of light) communication have any connections to the previously discussed visions of knowledge of NDEs? Let us assume, for the time being, that NDEs are real phenomena. During these occurrences, the victim departs the physical body (with instantaneous, unlimited travel), and interacts (including communication) with the Light (experiencing warmth, peace, love, and enlightenment). Released from the restrictions of time, this spirit (soul) can be everywhere at once, in touch with all past, present, and future events (and, hence, all knowledge), immersed in the grandeur of immediate interaction with the entire universe. Remember that the universe includes all energy forms such as light and radiation, as well as matter (E=mc²). This universal connectivity could well explain the omniscience described in these out-of-body adventures. Similarly, this knowledge would vanish upon return of the soul back to the body, as it relinquishes its bond to the Light, just as these examples illustrate:
Raymond Moody: “Several people have told me that during their encounters with ‘death,’ they got brief glimpses of an entire separate realm of existence in which all knowledge – whether of past, present, or future – seemed to co-exist in a sort of timeless state. Alternately, this has been described as a moment of enlightenment in which the subject seemed to have complete knowledge. In trying to talk about this aspect of their experience, all have commented that this experience was ultimately inexpressible. Also, all agree that this feeling of complete knowledge did not persist after their return” (Moody, 1983, p. 9-10).
Raymond Moody: “It seemed that all of a sudden, all knowledge – of all that had started from the very beginning, that would go on without end – that for a second I knew all the secrets of all the ages, all the meaning of the universe, the stars, the moon – of everything. But after I chose to return, this knowledge escaped, and I can’t remember any of it” (Moody, 1983, p. 10-11).
Raymond Moody: “Knowledge and information are readily available – all knowledge… You absorb knowledge… You all of a sudden know the answers” (Moody, 1983, p. 14).
Kimberly Clark Sharp: “Then, for an instant, it seemed as if I knew everything, that everything made sense. Suddenly, I intuitively understood math and science, and I don’t know beans about math and science” (Sharp, 1995, p. 239).
Similarly, there is no reason that superluminal communication could not be used to explain a number of other previously unexplained phenomena, including telepathy and the collective unconscious, as well as certain aspects of the near-death and death-related experiences.
Consider Gary Zukav‘s observation: “Superluminal quantum connectedness seems to be, on the surface at least, a possible explanation for some types of psychic phenomena. Telepathy, for example, often appears to happen instantaneously, if not faster. Psychic phenomena have been held in disdain by physicists since the days of Newton. In fact, most physicists do not even believe that they exist.
“In this sense, Bell’s theorem could be the Trojan horse in the physicists’ camp; first, because it proves that quantum theory requires connections that appear to resemble telepathic communication, and second, because it provides the mathematical framework through which serious physicists (all physicists are serious) could find themselves discussing types of phenomena which, ironically, they do not believe exist” (Zukav, 1980, p. 298).
To understand the intimate link of all matter in the universe, it would be worthwhile to review several aspects of the event that sparked our universe, the Big Bang. Most cosmologists believe the universe is the result of a “quantum fluctuation” or vacillation in the pre-Big Bang environment. That is to say, the universe formed from nothing. We know that the vacuum of space is not a pure vacuum, that it is actually seething with activity. Stephen Hawking noted, “The trouble is… that even ’empty’ space is filled with pairs of virtual particles and their antiparticles. These pairs would have an infinite amount of energy and, therefore, by Einstein’s famous equation E = mc2, they would have an infinite amount of mass” (Hawking, 1990, p. 157).
As these electron-positron pairs materialize from the vacuum, they “quickly annihilate one other and give their borrowed energy back to the vacuum” (Gribbin, 1995, p. 123). Likewise, as other forms of energy and matter emerge from the vacuum, the length of their existence is constrained by their mass. Hence, a photon of light (having zero rest mass) would linger longer than a more massive electron-positron pair (Herbert, 1985, p. 69).
In summary, particles of infinite energies may arise from quantum fluctuations, despite the limitation of their survival by their mass. However, gravity is known to exhibit negative energy and could exactly counterbalance the positive energy of mass. It is from such evidence that physicists postulate that the Big Bang occurred. Keep in mind the inconsistency that an active vacuum was unlikely to have existed prior to the Big Bang! Despite this drawback, the Big Bang theory is still highly regarded, and represents the best scientific hypothesis for the creation of the universe:
“There is almost unanimous opinion among scientists that the entire cosmos originated between ten and twenty billion years ago in a big bang, and that this event set the universe on the road to its ultimate destiny” (Davies, 1994, p. 19).
Thus, the universe came into being, an unfathomable blast of a singularity (Davies, 1995, p. 131) from the void. As such, the present universe has evolved, not unlike the surface of a growing sphere, ever expanding through spacetime, the result of this grand miracle. It is this past inherent association of all current matter, light, and energy to the Big Bang that permits the wonders of phase entanglement and superluminal communication.
5. Dr. T. Lee Baumann on Television
The producers of PAX TV’s “Encounters with the Unexplained” series has released a press release dealing with the airing of two “Heaven” television specials which feature Dr. T. Lee Baumann and his book, “God at the Speed of Light.” The first television special, “The Evidence for Heaven“, aired on June 2004 and the second special, “The Search for Heaven“, aired on September 2004.
a. About “The Search for Heaven”
Buy “The Search for Heaven” (DVD) online.
This video special discusses some of the most fundamental questions: What happens when we die? Is there actually a life after death? Does the human spirit continue to survive? Is there really a heaven?
Of course, the major religions of the world answer “yes” and ask that we accept it as a matter of faith. But in a world full of skepticism, unquestionable faith does not seem sufficient. But what if faith alone didn’t have to carry this burden? What if there was other proof that heaven exists?
“In Search Of Heaven” explores this provocative question: Do new scientific discoveries and cutting edge research actually prove the existence of heaven? Some believe that, yes indeed, there is now proof that heaven actually exists. This is no religious quest; it is a serious investigation of some rather startling new findings. The special will include dramatic reenactments, interviews, and comments from numerous theological experts and scientists.
One medical expert featured in the special is Dr. T. Baumann, author of “God at the Speed of Light.” Dr. Baumann states: “I feel there is a common element to balance the arguments for near-death and the existence of Heaven. That common element is light … light is omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent and has a consciousness.”
The tone of the special is investigative in nature and is balanced and informative. Its objective is to promote debate and discussion concerning this very important subject.
b. About “The Evidence for Heaven”
Buy “The Evidence for Heaven” (DVD) online.
Is there a spiritual realm where the soul resides after death? To Christian believers, the answers to these questions are a foregone conclusion. But, for believers and non-believers alike, the topic of life after death in a place called heaven raises even more questions. Where is heaven? What will heaven be like? Will we continue to learn in heaven or will we instantly know everything? Will life beyond the one we are experiencing here and now be a life free from pain and suffering? Will our bodies be different in heaven? Will we be married in heaven? Is there now scientific evidence that heaven really does exist? All of these are just a few of the questions answered after examining the scientific studies, personal testimony, and experiences of those who say they have already traveled to heaven and back. Discover the astounding level to which modern science has answers to these questions.
Recent advances in medical technology have allowed doctors to bring people back from death and giving rise to the NDE phenomenon. People are coming back to life and bringing with them remarkably vivid visions of heaven. They tell about visions of a bright Light or being surrounded by overwhelming love – even conversing with Jesus. The special looks closely at several of the most astounding NDEs – including contemporary experiences as well as the experiences of Biblical characters, such as the Apostle Paul, Stephen the Martyr, Elijah, and others.
Listen to the testimony of many highly respected medical doctors, physicists, Biblical scholars and scientists from the late 17th Century until today, who have been working to prove that immortality is indeed a reality. Discover the results of several scientific studies including one 25-year project that concluded, “For the first time in 8,000 years of recorded history, it can now be said with certainty that our mind, memory, and personality and soul will survive physical death.”
6. Conclusion
In the end, science and spirituality may not be as separate as we once thought. When we look closely at NDEs, how light behaves, and what we’re learning from quantum physics, a clear pattern starts to appear. It points to a universe that is deeply connected and full of meaning.
Light shows up as a key idea in all of these areas. In physics, light is basic to how reality works. In NDEs, people describe it as a presence filled with love, intelligence, and understanding. In many religions, light is used as a symbol of God – or even seen as what God is. These similarities are hard to ignore.
Quantum theory adds more support to this idea. Concepts like nonlocality, entanglement, and the idea that light does not experience time suggest that reality is more connected than it looks. These ideas sound a lot like what people report during NDEs. They talk about instant knowing, unlimited awareness, and being free from time and space. Science has not fully explained these things yet, but it is starting to show how they might be possible.
Instead of choosing between science and spirituality, this view suggests we can see them as working together. Both are trying to understand the same mystery. Both are finding pieces of a much bigger picture.
If these connections keep holding up, they may lead to an important idea. The universe may not be random or separate. It may be guided by a deeper intelligence – one that shows itself through light, consciousness, and the structure of reality itself.
