Schrödinger's Cat Got Me Praying

There’s something about Schrödinger’s Cat that keeps pulling me back when I struggle to explain certain phenomena. It’s the same way I return to the idea of light behaving as both a wave and a particle—two seemingly contradictory states existing at once. This paradox reminds me of something deeply spiritual: the nature of prayer, intention, and the unity of the conscious and subconscious mind.

Recently, I found myself reflecting on an insight my mom shared. In Islam, there’s a belief that when you pray positively for someone who is absent, your prayer is heard by God. This concept isn’t unique to Islam—it resonates across various spiritual traditions. It made me think about the power of collective goodwill. Imagine a world where countless people silently send their gratitude and positive thoughts toward you. Whether you create art, music, or offer valuable services, their appreciation becomes a form of prayer, a projection of good energy toward you.

But then, I asked myself: why does an absent person’s prayer hold such weight? And, in a way, can we say that praying in a certain way could influence Schrödinger’s Cat to remain alive?

I don’t have the answers, but I do have the questions. And sometimes, the questions linger in my mind longer than the answers ever could. Over time, as I keep asking, understanding unfolds.

This leads me to the idea of projection. In mathematics, a projection maps a higher-dimensional point onto a lower-dimensional space, often depending on the angle—whether it is perpendicular, parallel, or somewhere in between. What if prayer functions in the same way? When we pray for someone, we mentally project an image of their well-being, their success, their happiness, but the way we project it—its angle, its conditionality—might affect its realization. If prayer is a projection, then the way we position our intentions could shape reality, much like how observation affects quantum states.

So, how should we behave if we want Schrödinger’s Cat to be alive? What does it take for our prayers—our projections—to manifest? Across different philosophies and spiritual traditions, I’ve found a recurring theme: the unity of the conscious and subconscious mind. When the heart and mind align in absolute conviction, reality has no choice but to respond. Maybe that’s the essence of true prayer—where belief and intention merge so completely that the universe listens.

But then comes the ethical question: should we impose our projections on others? Should we assume that the cat should be alive? Should we dictate outcomes through our prayers and expectations?

I don’t claim to know. I just ponder. And in pondering, I keep searching. Perhaps the true power lies not in finding answers but in asking better, deeper questions.

Until next time, keep questioning, keep reflecting, and maybe—keep praying.