The Flicker Filter Model of Consciousness with Imants Barušs

SUMMARY

Psychologist Imants Barušs delves into the Flicker Filter model of consciousness, which challenges materialist views by proposing that reality consists of discrete 'now' moments interconnected by meaning fields within a larger consciousness. This model offers explanations for various parapsychological phenomena and suggests that consciousness exists beyond the constraints of time and space.

MAIN POINTS

• Introduction to Imants Barušs and his contributions to the study of consciousness, including co-authoring 'Transcendent Mind.' [1:10]
• Overview of the Flicker Filter model, which centers on the concepts of 'flicker' (discrete moments of time) and 'filter' (the brain as a channel rather than the source of consciousness). [2:36]
• Explanation of time as quantized into discrete 'now' moments, influenced by Julian Barbour's theory of time. [5:48]
• Discussion of the brain as a filter for a larger, universal consciousness, challenging the materialist interpretation of reality. [9:56]
• Examination of time through various lenses, including physics, neuroscience, phenomenology, and anomalous experiences like precognition and near-death life reviews. [18:59]
• Critique of materialism and physicalism, emphasizing their limitations in explaining consciousness. [22:03]
• Potential implications of the Flicker Filter model for phenomena like psychokinesis and survival after death. [27:34]
• Emerging consensus among scientists for a postmaterialist worldview and rejection of outdated computational and materialist models. [33:05]
• Importance of introspection and self-development in understanding consciousness and encountering anomalous phenomena. [46:33]
• Consideration of discarnate entities and their potential integration into scientific models of consciousness. [55:10]

DETAILED ANALYSIS

Imants Barušs, a psychologist specializing in consciousness studies, presents the Flicker Filter model in collaboration with Jeffrey Mishlove. This framework challenges traditional materialist paradigms by positing that time is composed of discrete 'now' moments, termed 'flickers,' which are held together by meaning fields. These fields exist within a universal consciousness that transcends time and space.

The model also introduces the 'filter' concept, where the brain is a conduit for consciousness rather than its origin.

The Flicker Filter model builds on Julian Barbour's theory of time, which rejects linear progression and views time as a sequence of independent 'nows.' Barušs proposes that these moments are governed by probability and meaning, rather than being embedded in a physical timeline. This perspective aligns with certain interpretations of quantum mechanics, where continuous observation affects system behavior. Barušs extends this idea to everyday reality, suggesting that the universe continuously recreates itself, moment by moment.

A significant component of the model is its rejection of materialist and physicalist ontologies. Barušs critiques these perspectives for conflating science with materialism and for failing to accommodate the breadth of phenomena related to consciousness. He underscores the limitations of viewing the universe as a deterministic system akin to a collection of billiard balls, an analogy deeply rooted in outdated scientific paradigms.

Modern physics, he argues, reveals that fundamental particles defy such simplistic interpretations.

The discussion delves into the implications of the Flicker Filter model for understanding time. By examining time through various disciplines—physics, neuroscience, phenomenology, and accounts of anomalous experiences—the model seeks to offer a more holistic perspective. For example, near-death experiences and precognitive dreams challenge the conventional linear understanding of time.

Barušs and his co-author Julia Mossbridge explore these phenomena in detail, proposing that time may only exist as a series of present moments organized at a deeper, non-physical level.

The model further provides a framework for exploring parapsychological phenomena such as psychokinesis, precognition, and survival after death. Barušs suggests that these events could be explained by shifts in meaning fields and transitions between different 'nows.' For instance, psychokinesis might involve altering the underlying meaning field to manifest a new reality. Similarly, survival after death could be understood as the persistence of consciousness beyond the physical filter of the brain.

Barušs also critiques the computational view of consciousness, which posits that certain types of calculations can generate conscious experience. He argues that this perspective has failed to address the 'hard problem' of consciousness—how subjective experience arises from physical processes. Instead, he advocates for a postmaterialist approach that recognizes consciousness as a fundamental aspect of reality.

The conversation highlights the importance of introspection and self-development in the study of consciousness. Barušs emphasizes that researchers must refine their own cognitive and perceptual abilities to engage with anomalous phenomena effectively. This perspective harks back to earlier practices in psychology, which incorporated introspection as a core methodology before the rise of behaviorism and materialism.

He also suggests that successful introspection might involve a form of telepathic or clairvoyant self-observation, a provocative idea that warrants further exploration.

Finally, the model accommodates the possibility of discarnate entities, which could reside in a layer of consciousness distinct from the physical world. Barušs and Mishlove discuss cases of mediumship and psychokinesis, where such entities might play a role. They advocate for a scientific approach to studying these phenomena, integrating them into broader models of consciousness.

In conclusion, the Flicker Filter model offers a compelling alternative to materialist views of consciousness. By incorporating insights from quantum mechanics, neuroscience, and parapsychology, it provides a flexible framework for understanding the complexities of human experience. While the model is not without its challenges, it represents a significant step toward a more inclusive and comprehensive science of consciousness.

LINKS

• Purchase 'Transcendent Mind' by Imants Barušs and Julia Mossbridge.
• Updated list of New Thinking Allowed videos.
• Jeffrey Mishlove's essay 'Beyond the Brain: The Survival of Human Consciousness After Permanent Bodily Death.'
• New Thinking Allowed Foundation website and resources.

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