Quantum Creativity

Amit Goswami is well-known for his work on quantum theory and its broader implications. Here he provides an interesting discussion of the relationship between quantum physics and creativity, more particularly between the potential and the actual, the unconscious and the conscious. He situates this within his overall view that consciousness is the foundation of all being, so that manifest matter is preceded by quantum possibilities or potentialities. We also exist within the four worlds of material, vital, mental and supra-mental or spiritual. Conscious choice precipitates the collapse of possibilities into manifest actualities, so creativity discontinuously manifests truly new possibilities from transcendent potentiality. In this context, the mind is defined as giving meaning to the interaction of consciousness and matter. In answering the question of who creates, it is an interface between what he calls the ego self and the quantum self (there is an interesting parallel here with the role of the left and right hemispheres as identified by Iain McGilchrist, but the author does not seem to be aware of this).

Amit distinguishes between outer creativity as we normally understand it, and inner creativity as a transformation of the ego and an expansion of boundaries towards the quantum self. He explains the four stages of creative acts in terms of preparation, incubation, insight and manifestation. There is always an element of discontinuity at the moment of insight, of which he gives a number of examples. Unconscious processing plays a crucial role, as does an alternation between doing and being, will and surrender, work and relaxation. He sees synchronicity as more than chance, and does not rule out creativity from one incarnation to the next. On a metaphysical level, he interprets suffering as a separation from wholeness that is typical of our materialistic and consumerist culture which misleads us about the nature of self-realisation and correspondingly limits our identity and spiritual creativity. The final chapter gives clear guidelines of practices to induce creativity, which include intention setting, slowing down and creative imagination. This is a very satisfying book both on a theoretical and practical level.