A Norwegian physicist just published a peer-reviewed paper that mathematically describes consciousness as a fundamental field that existed before space and time.

She proposes testable predictions—including the possibility that if consciousness differentiated itself into structured reality through something like universal thought, it might have left detectable patterns in the cosmic microwave background.

This is ancient scripture overlapping with cutting-edge physics. “Thou Art That” from the Upanishads. “I AM that I AM” from Exodus. The earth was formless and void, then God said “Let there be light.” Consciousness precedes manifestation, thought is a collapse mechanism.

Everything happens in cycles. We went out to do science in a universe of strict materialism, and now we’re coming back, changed, to the wisdom of mystery and consciousness.

Finally, we talk to Robin Lassiter about her new Mystery School for the Brokenhearted.

Here’s to the end of a fraught and beautiful 2025, and a 2026 which promises to be no less complicated.

Highlights:

* Norwegian physicist published a peer-reviewed paper treating consciousness as a fundamental field rather than an emergent brain phenomenon

* Mathematical integration with quantum field theory

* Testable predictions involving quantum field interactions, neural coherence patterns, and cosmological signatures in the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB)

* Tom connects this to the Chandogya Upanishad: “Thou Art That”

* The Abrahamic analog: “The earth was formless and void” (undifferentiated potential), “I AM that I AM” (consciousness preceding manifestation), “Let there be light” (universal thought as collapse mechanism)

* From 2nd century BCE scripture to modern testable mathematical physics of universal consciousness

* Everything goes in circles. Going out into the “billiard ball universe” of strict materialism, now we’re coming back around

* Robin on discovery through experience itself

* What is the relationship between us (personality, body, experience) and the unifying field?

* Evolution of grief in community

* The healing that can only happen in the presence of others

* The Mystery School for the Brokenhearted: the mutual capacity to hold grief without trying to fix or rescue

* What makes this era of human history unique

* Robin’s “big yes” to the ampersand universe

Another week without an epilogue, but that’s mostly because we decided to leave it all in the main episode today. Happy New Year!

Your thoughts, please-and-thank-you

* We talk a lot about “universal consciousness” and consciousness itself as (somehow) the foundational substrate of the universe. But what does that even mean? Does it matter to you? Should it?

* Do you think it’s worth finding the alignment between ancient scripture and modern physics? Which one do you think has to bend further? Or do they have to bend at all?

* What’s the best evidence you’ve seen that there’s a cultural shift away from what we’ve termed “strict materialism”?

* What will the next cycle look like?

* What’s your experience of holding grief alone vs. with others?

Decoding the CMB,Jordan, Tom, & Robin (& Mal, in spirit)

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