Buddhism & Quantum Physics - Jnanavaca 

A talk from Jnanavaca given at the Mid-Essex buddhist centre.
‘A human being is part of a whole, called by us “Universe”, a part limited
in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest - a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to the affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.’ - Albert Einstein
0:00 - Introduction and greeting
0:47 - Explaining the topic of Buddhism and quantum physics
1:33 - Classical physics and the mechanistic view of the universe
4:04 - The birth of quantum physics and relativity around 1900
5:35 - Relativity overturned notions of time and space
6:21 - Quantum physics overturned notions of matter
7:19 - Analogy to understand the smallness of atoms
10:11 - Importance of quantum physics in everyday technology
11:32 - Quantum theory's paradoxes and contradictions with relativity
13:06 - The wave-particle duality experiment
16:32 - The significance of the double-slit experiment
19:33 - Demonstrating wave interference with light
21:46 - Electrons behaving as particles and waves
24:46 - The mystery of a single electron behaving as a wave
27:05 - The observer effect and the role of consciousness
29:19 - The Copenhagen interpretation by Niels Bohr
32:25 - Quantum physics abolishing common sense notions
33:09 - Buddhism's teachings on delusion and the true nature of reality
36:20 - Example of different perceptions due to color blindness
39:34 - Consciousness as primary, and matter arising from consciousness
42:45 - Relative and ultimate truth in Buddhism
45:02 - Physics and the insubstantiality of matter
47:09 - The teaching of the Niyamas and the laws of the Dharma
49:21 - The interconnectedness of all things and the law of karma
51:48 - Einstein's quote on widening our circle of compassion
54:26 - The illusion of the world and the path to love and freedom
55:18 - Conclusion and thanks