It is an accepted fact that thought is produced when neurons fire. Thought is therefore a product of a large number of bio-photons which are produced in the synaptic cleft during firing of neurons. Anytime when neurons fire and release neurotransmitters across the synaptic cleft, they produce weak bio-photons.  This is the nature of chemical reaction. 

Synaptic cleft is a tiny space of about 20 nanometers between two neurons where they communicate by exchanging neurotransmitters.   

Large numbers of these weak bio-photons (mostly in the infrared range) synchronize to produce a hologram which we can call thought. Thought is therefore a process which validates reality by constantly comparing the sense signals received from the outside world with the churnings in the human brain. However, with tremendous concentration it can also be transmitted outside the brain. This is a process which results in people having a mind-bending feeling in the presence of a powerful mind.

How do weak photons combine to produce a coherent powerful thought? The science in Patanjali Yoga Sutras might explain it.

Concept of Dharan

Patanjali in his Yoga Sutras has defined Sanyam as a combination of Dhyan (concentration), Dharan (holding the thought) and Samadhi (immersion).  Sanyam done on any object or subject yields its complete secret. This is how all great discoveries of mankind have resulted. It is remarkable that Patanjali wrote about this process more than 3000 years ago. Science is now validating it.    

How to produce Sanyam is the essence of his Yoga sutras.  All the other sutras are a part of scientific methods leading to this central theme of developing Sanyam. I feel Dharan is the most important aspect of Sanyam and can produce a very powerful laser like thought. The duration of Dharan probably dictates whether Samadhi will be achieved or not.

Sage Patanjali has also shown that Sanyam done on various parts of the body yields supernatural powers and when done on celestial objects like Sun, moon etc. it leads to the knowledge of Universe.  Yoga sutras are a remarkable document about the detailed nature of human body – a masterpiece of engineering.  All this leads to realization and conclusion that Patanjali was probably a great scientist. I have written a book about the deep science in Patanjali Yoga Sutras, and this essay further extends this thesis regarding the nature of human thought.     

Brain as an Optical Cavity 

One can conjecture that the brain under certain circumstances acts like an optical cavity and is capable of producing laser-like powerful thought helped by ego-mediated concentration. How this lasing action takes place in the brain is not understood though tantalizing evidence suggests that bio-photons have a high degree of coherence probably mediated by DNA. Another theory states that microtubules help in lasing action mediated by nerve potential of the cell.

Microtubules are very small structures about 15-20 nanometers in diameter. They facilitate cell movement, cell division, and transportation of materials within the cells and provide structure and shape to a cell.

A laser is produced when an ordinary beam of light passing through an appropriate medium is amplified by an external source and by multiple reflections via the mirrors (which produces the optical cavity). Similar things might be happening in the brain where the weak bio-photons (in the infrared range) not only synchronize with other photons via a positive feedback loop but also gain strength and become coherent through the lasing action.

One can also speculate that this lasing action is helped by the weak electric current (nerve impulse) flowing in the neurons. Nature uses all the forces surrounding a certain event. This is the hallmark of nature’s efficiency. In the present case both the photons and the electric current in the neurons may work together to produce coherence and lasing action. 

The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain could somehow be acting as an enhancing medium and providing reflection properties akin to mirrors. This may allow infrared bio-photons enough time to amplify and could be the basis of Dharan talked by Patanjali.

Clairvoyance and Telepathy

This laser-like thought can also interact with gravity and matter via the resonance phenomenon to produce poltergeist and other effects. It is this powerful thought which gives an aura and presence of a powerful human being. This laser-like thought can also become a soliton and travel to great distances and could be the basis of clairvoyance and telepathy!  It is also possible that such powerful thoughts could be a basis of shamanic healing practised all over the world.

There have been many instances in the annals of human history where great souls like Swami Vivekananda, among others, have left their body by will. One can speculate that a laser-like thought which is a sum and substance of the basic lifetime memory when willfully ejected results in bodily death.

(The writer, an IIT and US-educated Indian spiritual engineer and rural development pioneer,  a 2022 Padma Shri award winner, is the Director, Nimbkar Agricultural Research Institute (NARI), Phaltan, Maharashtra.  He can be reached at anilrajvanshi50@gmail.com/@anilraj24.bsky.social/ My podcasts: https://anilrajvanshi50.podbean.com/  )