83 - Is Consciousness the Unified Field? Evidence for a New Paradigm of Reality

Hello, and welcome to Entangled! The podcast where we explore the science of consciousness, the true nature of reality, and what it means to be a spiritual being having a human experience.

I’m your host, Jordan Youkilis, and in this episode, I share my capstone paper. I wrote this essay to complete my Master of Arts in Consciousness & Human Potential at Maharishi International University last month. This paper is titled “Is Consciousness the Unified Field? Evidence for a New Paradigm of Reality”.

The capstone prompt was “The Application of Maharishi Vedic Science to Solve a Problem in Society.” The final research paper explores practical outcomes of Maharishi Vedic Science — how the principles brought out by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi can practically address current problems, such as education, government, school violence, PTSD, striving from full human development, need for creativity, etc.

In “Is Consciousness the Unified Field?”, I propose that the Vedic concept of the field of pure consciousness and the self-interacting field of modern string theory are one and the same. I first describe the history of our current paradigm of reality, one defined by materialism, reductionism, and determinism. I then highlight anomalous phenomena which do not fit the materialist paradigm, including the hard problem of consciousness, the paradoxes of quantum mechanics, quantum entanglement, the mystical experience, and higher states of consciousness.

I then argue that consciousness is fundamental, and that matter is the illusion. Next, I explain how these anomalous phenomenon can be explained by a consciousness-based paradigm of reality as proposed by Maharishi Vedic Science. I conclude with thoughts on what this paradigm shift in our understanding of ultimate reality could mean for the future of humanity.

If you enjoy this essay and are interested in learning more about Maharishi Vedic Science, check out the rest of the miniseries in Entangled episodes 47-53 and 82.

Music from the show is available on the Spotify playlist “Entangled – The Vibes”. If you like the show, please drop a 5-star review and subscribe on Substack, Spotify, X, Apple or wherever you listen to podcasts.

To the faculty and staff of MIU, thank you for the education of a lifetime. To the 2025 MIU graduates, congratulations! You watered the root, time to enjoy the fruit.

Please enjoy the episode!

Music: Intro: Ben Fox - "The Vibe". End Credits: Kick Lee – “New Heights”.

Published: 2/25/25.

Check out the resources referenced:

* Relativity: The Special and General Theory by Albert Einstein: https://www.ibiblio.org/ebooks/Einstein/Einstein_Relativity.pdf

* Galileo’s Error by Philip Goff: https://www.amazon.com/Galileos-Error-Foundations-Science-Consciousness/dp/1524747963

* “Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences having substantial and sustained personal meaning and spiritual significance”: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-006-0457-5

* “Is Consciousness the Unified Field? A Field Theorist’s Perspective” by Dr. John Hagelin: https://www.miu.edu/pdf_msvs/v01/hagelin.pdf

* Spontaneous Evolution by Bruce Lipton and Steve Bhaerman: https://www.amazon.com/Spontaneous-Evolution-Positive-Future-There/dp/1401926312

* Maharishi Vedic University by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi: https://miupress.org/product/introduction-to-maharishi-vedic-university/

* Science of Being and Art of Living by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi: https://miupress.org/product/science-of-being-and-art-of-living/

* Consciousness Is All There Is by Dr. Tony Nader: https://miupress.org/product/consciousness-is-all-there-is/

* Consciousness and the Quantum by Robert Oates, Jr.: https://miupress.org/product/consciousness-and-the-quantum-1/

* The Supreme Awakening by Craig Pearson: https://miupress.org/product/consciousness-and-the-quantum-1/

* The Holographic Universe by Michael Talbott: https://www.amazon.com/Holographic-Universe-Revolutionary-Theory-Reality/dp/0062014102

* Cosmos and Psyche by Richard Tarnas: https://www.amazon.com/Cosmos-Psyche-Intimations-World-View/dp/0452288592

* Your Brain is a River, Not a Rock by Dr. Fred Travis: https://www.amazon.com/Your-Brain-River-Not-Rock/dp/B0BQNQWRP9

* “Transcendental experiences during meditation practice” by Dr. Fred Travis: https://doi.org/10.1111/nyas.1231

* “Relation between Psychedelic and Transcendental Experiences” by Dr. Fred Travis: https://doi.org/10.5539/ijps.v14n4p31