This episode goes beyond the sci-fi, to look into scientific ideas about parallel universes and the multiverse — from the quantum many-worlds to cosmic inflation and string theory, and more. We explore how those concepts intersect with entanglement, non-locality, and the practice of collective intention. Intriguingly, we ponder the implications for sending intentions, not just within the universe we know, but into realms that we don't. Along the way, we reflect on how physics theories and sending intention may connect, not to mention the implications for each of us on our spiritual journeys. Sounding all too much like fantasy and mystery? Listen in–you may discover some fascinating ideas to ponder!
Suggested Intention Focus for this week
This week, as we’ve focused on a theoretical topic, we’re not offering a number of suggested topics for our intentions and prayers. Instead, we suggest holding as our main intention:
We will that both ourselves and physicists will continue to be open minded to theories that are strange and currently unprovable, inspiring curiosity and exploration not just for what can be proved, but for the possible and the mysterious.
Please join us in holding this.
Mentioned in this episode:
‘The Allure of the Multiverse: Extra Dimensions, Other Worlds, and Parallel Universes,’ Paul Halpern, Basic books 2024. Amazon.com link: https://www.amazon.com/Allure-Multiverse-Dimensions-Parallel-Universes/dp/154160217X/ref=sr_1_1
Chapter markers:
00:00:00 Introduction
00:01:08 Exploring Parallel Universes
00:02:22 Quantum Physics and Multiverses
00:03:44 Sci-Fi Meets Science
00:05:53 Theories of Existence
00:09:53 Cosmic Inflation Explained
00:11:15 The Nature of Multiverses
00:15:23 Classifying Multiverse Levels
00:17:34 Evidence and Speculation
00:19:35 The Philosophical Perspective
00:22:44 Non-Locality and Intention
00:26:58 Holding Intention
Sources referenced in this episode:
‘We Might Live in a Multiverse,’ Sarah Scoles in Scientific American Special Edition, Spring/Summer 2025: Into the Quantum Realm, pp 86-87.
http://backreaction.blogspot.com/2019/06/the-multiverse-hypothesis-are-there.html
http://backreaction.blogspot.com/2019/09/the-trouble-with-many-worlds.html
https://80000hours.org/podcast/episodes/david-wallace-many-worlds-theory-of-quantum-mechanics/
https://academic.oup.com/mnras/article/347/3/921/1021585
https://arxiv.org/abs/1111.4128
https://arxiv.org/html/2405.06924v1
https://arxiv.org/pdf/1207.5396.pdf
https://blog.apaonline.org/2025/03/13/the-multiverse-may-not-remove-the-need-for-a-personal-creator/
https://blog.sciencemuseum.org.uk/the-science-of-the-multiverse/
https://editverse.com/multiverse-meta-analysis-2025-parallel-reality-research-synthesis-methods/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Many-worlds_interpretation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiverse
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parallel_universes_in_fiction
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parallel_universes_in_fiction
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