What if the Universe is a simulation that we believe to be real? Both Buddhism and quantum physics say that reality is an illusion created by the observer. Could this illusion be the product of digital information, in a 3D rendering, with the added parameter of time? Now that we are capable of creating computer game simulations of increasing “realism”, we may have the tools to understand if what we are experiencing in physical life, is also in turn an extremely advanced virtual reality. The article Our Virtual Reality Universe looks into this possibility:
What if the Big Bang was the whole simulation booting up, beginning billions of years of space and time calculations? Can we possibly understand our consciousness as a subroutine in an advanced number crunching machine?
The article also presents the theories formulated by Brian Whitworth in The Physical World as a Virtual Reality, a must read downloadable PDF document:
This paper explores the idea that the universe is a virtual reality created by information processing, and relates this strange idea to the findings of modern physics about the physical world. [...] Yet logically the world could be an information simulation running on a multi-dimensional space-time screen. Indeed, if the essence of the universe is information, matter, charge, energy and movement could be aspects of information, and the many conservation laws could be a single law of information conservation. If the universe were a virtual reality, its creation at the big bang would no longer be paradoxical, as every virtual system must be booted up. [...] Such an approach could reconcile relativity and quantum theories, with the former being how information processing creates space-time, and the latter how it creates energy and matter.
The author suggests that in a virtual world, reality is local to itself. To the observer within the virtual world, things are as real as they get, because the observation operates within the parameters of all the information contained therein. It is only to an outside observer that the events happening in the virtual world are not real. This poses the question of the nature of the observer. Are we avatars immersed into a virtual game, where we are “real” outside the game? What if we are simply downloading our consciousness into a simulated universe? This is the scenario proposed by the excellent movie The thirteenth floor.
Morpheus: “Real” is simply electrical signals interpreted by your brain.
Another very intriguing post is Artificial Cosmogenesis – Building a Virtual Universe, showing the possibility that the current evolution of our computing power, and quantum computing, will lead to the capability of creating an entire simulated universe, where the simulation “bugs” are the oddities that cannot be explained by science.
If this can be achieved by a sufficiently advanced computer, then are we are already inside a universe operated by an advanced intelligence?
The above article looks at the theory postulated by Clement Vidal in The Future of Scientific Simulations: from Artificial Life to Artificial Cosmogenesis, also offered in a downloadable PDF format:
This philosophical paper explores the relation between modern scientific simulations and the future of the universe. We argue that a simulation of an entire universe will result from future scientific activity. This requires us to tackle the challenge of simulating open-ended evolution at all levels in a single simulation. The simulation should encompass not only biological evolution, but also physical evolution (a level below) and cultural evolution (a level above). The simulation would allow us to probe what would happen if we would “replay the tape of the universe” with the same or different laws and initial conditions.
2012 and the software upgrade
How does the concept of the Shift in consciousness tie in with the idea that we live in a virtual reality? If we live in a simulated Universe, could it be that a software upgrade has been encoded within it? Let’s set aside for now all the mind boggling questions that arise, such as who is the code developer, is the developer also living in a simulated reality, and how did the source code originate, because they are after all the same questions humanity has been asking in regards to God and objective reality. What is quite interesting, is that scientific discoveries and technological advancement have brought collective consciousness beyond the mere point of self-awareness, but to the very same questioning of our own objective existence. We don’t just merely observe, we are wondering who the observer is.
Let’s assume that the characters we create in advanced artificial intelligence video games become self-aware and believe that what they are experiencing is real. Seeing them reach the point where they themselves wonder if they are living in a simulation – having in turn created virtual worlds from within the simulation – would seem like an amazing quantum leap in their evolution from our perspective of external observers as their creators. At that point, the old parameters may not be strong enough to ensure their further evolution, and they are due for a more complicated and advanced computational environment. Like graduating from Level 1, and entering Level 2.
Could this be the meaning of the anticipated Shift in 2012, where entering 4th density will take us to a higher level of the Game – a multidimensional one – though we will still operate from within the game? Or will we awake from the 3D immersion and realize that we were just playing? Is the purpose of this simulation to learn through our avatars and consciousness downloads to overcome the illusion of separation? We are currently downloading the upgrade, and encoding our DNA evolution, then the system will be restarted and after that we will be in 4D. From our perspective, there won’t be discontinuity, we are simply in a suspended state during reboot. If I could give a name to this Cosmic Game, I’d call it “Return to Source”, where – interestingly – Source signifies not only the starting point of Creation (Prime Creator), but also the programming “source code”.
function create_universe() {
global $world_id, $user_ID;
$this->enter_world($this->atom_content);
$evolve = new AwarenessParser();
if(!$aware->self()) {
$this->upgrade(2012);
}
reginaldc
Elizabeth Barrette
Marty
Kim Woodbridge
Another great article, Palma. The virtual reality model of the universe made quite an impression upon me when I first learned about it. However, when I realized that it is based on a pure materialist standpoint (or technological, if you will) and considering that there is a noticeable rate of increase in the shifting of my own paradigms, I’m finding myself slightly moving away from this theory. It could be that the universe, as we perceive it, is a big computer simulation with varying degrees of complexity and subdomains, but speculating that it is all just about information, matter, and energy, is somewhat inadequate in my opinion. Nonetheless, I hope you don’t mind if I add to your reference list this article by Nick Bostrom, a Swedish philosopher at Oxford University, called ARE YOU LIVING IN A COMPUTER SIMULATION? for it answers three fundamental questions regarding the simulation argument. It’s a good read.
“Could this be the meaning of the anticipated Shift in 2012, where entering 4th density will take us to a higher level of the Game – a multidimensional one – though we will still operate from within the game? Or will we awake from the 3D immersion and realize that we were just playing?”
I notice that there is a great deal of similarity in the questions that we ask and I wonder why. Hehe. Anyway, I personally feel that there is a huge possibility that our race is waking up from this game. I’m excited to observe how the transition will manifest although I also feel the anxiety of facing the unknown. Taking hint, however, from eastern philosophical traditions (like Hinduism and Buddhism) and western thought & mythology has somehow alleviated my worries. In fact, the clues are all around us. Even the word “Maya” is already suggestive…
Maya – “illusion” (central concept in Hinduism and Buddhism)
Maya – “magic creative power” of the gods (central concept in Hinduism and Buddhism)
Maya – mother of Buddha
Mayet – “universal world order” (from Egyptian philosophy)
Maia – brightest star of the constellation Pleiades (Greek Mythology)
Maia – mother of Hermes (Greek)
Mayan Calendar – pretty obvious
Mayan prophecy – pretty obvious
Mayan Civilization – are we carrying their metabeliefs within our own psyche?
It could be that we are waking up from this virtual reality, but I doubt, however, that we will find ourselves downloading our consciousness into machines of some sort like what most scientists, futurists, and tech junkies strongly believe. On the other hand, Rig Veda tells us, “without effort, one world pases into another one.” What could it mean? Why couldn’t those guys just be plain and specific and tell us that a global catastrophe will bring about the meltdown of our antiquated spatial world? Ugh… I need to take an aspirin.
Peace and respect,
Ryhen
Hi Ryhen – How odd, I just rescued your comment from the spam queue and this is why it didn’t get published immediately… I will pull Akismet’s ears (the plugin)…
I am very much in agreement with you, and in turn (hehe) I have been asking myself the same questions about the pure materialist or technological standpoint. I did not want to make the post too long, and thought of elaborating on it at another time. In short – for now, but to be expanded upon later on – the higher consciousness element, or spiritual evolution, is still an important part of the equation for me. I do like these theories as the building platform to explain the experiential level, while the spiritual aspect looks at the bigger questions (why, the purpose, the final goal, Love and Wisdom as key elements, etc.). I believe that the two mixed together can give a profound picture of what’s going on. After all Buddhism, eastern philosophies, and the concept of Maya are delivering the same message about the “illusion”, which is in modern terms the “virtual” aspect.
I’m with you there, it’s not just all about information. The information model can only be used to explain the “construct”. Evolution of consciousness and our path in awakening and understanding who we are, is based on the way we perceive other Beings and the compassion we develop in this interaction. There is something that goes beyond the “information grid”.
While the premise of “The Matrix” (the movie) is great, the final assumption left me cold. I don’t think we are trapped by machines. Rather, that the future “us”, or our Higher Selves are downloading themselves in our biological Avatars. The Soul plays the game with great fun. It’s a spiritual game, using advanced quantum technology.
I too, feel the possibility that mankind will awake from this game and I am very excited to see how the transition will unfold. My feeling is that all will be well and it will be a fantastic ride. We enter 4D every time we fall asleep and dream, after all. During that time, 3D consciousness is suspended and we hardly notice it.
Well, it wasn’t really “in short”… LOL
Thank you for the added reference material, I will surely read it!
Seems like “the machines” didn’t like my comment. haha. Thanks for the response, Palma. It’s always nice exchanging thoughts with ya!
Hey Palma!
Another thought provoking post.
I like to think that we are all the Game creators in a higher dimension of our beings, but that we could not resist the allure of putting on the ‘reality helmet’ and coming down to check it ou- so many lessons to be learned from the illusion of separateness
I have altered states of remembering this. lol. Its almost the funniest joke in world if u think about it lol
Zach
Hi Zach! I share that line of thinking too. Ultimately, we are the Game creators, either at the source level (because we are extensions of Prime Creator), or at the evolutionary level (our evolved higher selves, having gained knowledge about the workings of the Universe). It would be fun to find out if there is a higher “me”, sitting with a super-quantum x-box type console, sending consciousness inputs to my avatar through the game, and learning from the experience…
Maybe thats why, as we collectively approach 2012, those games where you make or control little characters are so intriguing to our cultural (sub)conscious… like the theory that the internet is a precursor to global telepathy.
We manifest things physically in our technology before realizing our true cosmic potential…
That’s beautifully stated, and it does ring many bells! It’s almost like a fractal… the virtual world within the virtual world, the illusion within the illusion. Our manifested technology is a reflection of the cosmic potential. That’s great, thank you for your ray of light on this concept!
Hello Palma,
Thanks for this post, I often visit bouddhatrance. Well, me too, a few weeks ago, I was asking myself what if we’re all wrong, that when we fall asleep we enter the real world (dimension) and that when we (think we) wake up, in fact we enter an ‘unconscious’ stage (because we think it’s real, but some of the key elements are missing). Plus, I truly believe that this world is virtual, (I now manage to keep fit and slim even if I eat what ever I want, i just visualize myself the way I want to), but the hard thing is to keep that vision in mind all the time. In fact, our limits is our imagination. What we believe possible or not. I will try and make an audio in my mp3 to keep me thinking that everything I see is virtual and that I can modify whatever I want)….
But one question I’m asking, how do I get out of this virtual world, if I want to stop being in this game? What do I do? And why the hell did I choose this virtual world and not something nicer??? Than, I tell myself I have a mission to do here, things to learn… I don’t know what, but all this is a true mystery, and we’re so close to the truth, but blind to it.
As for quantum physics, I always knew we are nothing. When I was studying chemistry, and medecine, we came to the human cells, the composition of the cells, the nuclear, the DNA, the DNA molecules, made of atoms, and then inside the atom… we went all the way down, and so i asked the teacher: “ok, atoms are made of electrons, protons, bosos, particles, but what are these made of?” he told me “just pure energy”, “but how come water is water, air is air, and solid is solid, and light is energy?” he told me “all things are made of atoms, and everything is just energy, the matter is a virual illusion we have”. But however, he seemed blocked, or he kept in the purely scientific borders. But I kept meditating about that, we are made of the same thing as everything, light, water, air, the remote control, metal, the glass, a shoe, everything is made of atoms, thus enerygy…
So now, I’m asking myself how will all things switch from carbon-based molecule to sillicon-based molecules (the upgrade of human DNA)….. Everything is linked, thus, maybe all this we’re trying to figure out is just another illusion or trick…. ???
Keep thinking hard hard hard!!!!
Love, Cassandra.
Hi Cassandra – It’s a great idea to create your mp3 with the reminder that this virtual reality can be modified! The key is to get your subconscious mind (which taps into the universal mind) to “believe” what you envision at the conscious level.
We are indeed pure energy, with reality taking on different shapes and forms by following a blueprint. Energy condenses around this “grid” by following a pattern. The grid can be changed.
Regarding the upgrade of human DNA from carbon to silicon-based molecules, I believe that it happens due to cosmic and solar radiation. Solar activity is the source of life and potentially the sender of information (interestingly, we are due for a massive solar flare). Russian scientists have demonstrated that information sent through a laser ray (light) can change the embryo into a different species. They experimented with salamander and frog embryos. Look for Wave Genetics and Peter Gariaev.
Wow! Great to interact with you Palma!!! Thanks for the link, I will check it out when I have more time (I’m in Germany for holidays with friends). Yep, I’ve started to write the text I will record for the MP3. It’s a must, and things must change et progress a lot this year 2010!!! Only 2 years left before 2012 right? Or less if we count 2011? As for me, I found my soul mate, the other half of me in the most strange way imaginable, and now we’re thinking of how and when we will get married to be together when the 2012 ‘thing’ will happen. He’s much more deep into these mystical things than me, and we must be prepared, the human race must wake up, something big will make everybody become aware of their true nature, and stop living a non-sense life…. We will see anyways!!! Peace! And Love!
How beautiful that you and your soul mate are getting married to celebrate 2012 together! Things will definitely progress and even get crazier as time goes by. We have just a little less than 3 years (it’s at the very end of 2012). I have the feeling that in 2011 there will also be strong energies. I am very much anticipating the Big Awakening, it’s going to be an exciting ride. A new humanity, with people realizing their full potential and true multi-dimensional nature.
Some tips for your mp3:
1 – Repeat key sentences or paragraphs in cycles of 3 times. The subconscious mind loves repetition, so it sinks in.
2 – State your vision in the present tense. “I am now…”, “I release…”, “I enjoy…”
3 – If you can, add background soothing music.
4 – Use it especially before going to sleep.
Happy New Year!
Hello Palma!!
Thanks for your advice! To repeat 3 times… That’s a good idea, and it will be more effective… And it will be personalized too. Yes, and I will listen to it at night time, but I was thinking of listening to it during day time, or during all those moments I tend to get stressed out, or forget my target…. It’s when I’m awake that I need to focus on the things I must do, and how to do it and feel about it… But I think that if I program myself just before sleeping, if will be more effective? Auto-hypnotizm…? Anyways, it’s worth the try! I wish you a great beggining of this new year 2010! And, yeah, in 2O11 and 2012 it will be an amazing “ride” as you say… I’m just so curious to see what will happen, people around us just seem to understand life a crazy way (work, sleep, eat, party, get this, get that, etc) and forget that Love, feelings and true relationships are the key to existence… Well, we will see then if all we’re talking about (upgrade, 4th dimension, DNA change, time acceleration, awakening) will happen (I believe it will)… Just a last thing, for me, just october 2008 i had like a buzz, the day I met my soul mate, and since then, I’ve started awakening… And now I learn in 2012 there will be a big something. How come in 2000 I didn’t hear nothing about that??? The medias again…? Anyways, I’m glad to be aware of all this, and it’s nice to read all your posts on your blog, really cool, I love them, they make me think a lot (I love thinking).
Okay Palma, Take care, see you soon, and Happy New Year to you, and also to all the readers…
Ciao!
Hi Cassandra – You can surely use the tape during the day time, as your intuition tells you. If you try it at night time as well, you may add a powerful layer, because the subconscious will work on it while you are sleeping.
It is true that a lot of people are finding out about 2012 because of the media (and that doom and gloom movie that just came out), but for other spiritual seekers it just happened when the energies were attuned and not earlier. Many people around this Planet that are here to help with the Shift are just awakening now to it, having forgotten why they incarnated here. It’s all fine, there is still time! You found out at the right moment for you. Had it been 2000, as you say, you would have probably approached it differently. Everything happens at the right moment, and 2008 was “it” for you!
Thank you for your lovely feedback on the blog, and happy 2010!
what about family and friends who dont believe in this sorta thing what happens to them
Hi justaguy – To me, this “Game” is spiritual in nature, so what matters is the inner essence of the individual. There is no need to know any “scriptures” or believe in a theory. When one’s heart is mostly pure and compassionate, it will work by natural resonance. Awareness just speeds up the process.
In other words, it is not the “belief” that qualifies you, but the very nature of your Being. I see it this way.
thank you for your wisdom. you can truly put a mind to ease. i have gained alot from your site as of recent and am appreciative of your voice. i hope to know you better in the coming times as i have a slew of questions.
I am glad to help, and thank you for your feedback! If you have questions, feel free to post them in the forums, and start your thread. No need to register, if you don’t want to, it can work like regular blog commenting. This way, other users have the chance to jump in, as they find their way to the thread, with thoughts/advice/further asking. We are all seekers along the path and many times a question is a trigger for real deep thinking!