Discover David Bohm’s groundbreaking dialogue at the 1990 Amsterdam conference. Uncover his unique perspective on consciousness, reality, and the universe’s interconnected nature in our in-depth article.
David Bohm, a luminary in the world of quantum physics, remains an influential figure whose ideas transcend the boundaries of science and venture into the realms of spirituality and philosophy. Born in 1917 and passing in 1992, Bohm has been heralded as one of the most profound thinkers of the twentieth century. His groundbreaking approach to quantum mechanics challenged conventional notions, proposing that at the heart of reality lie the principles of wholeness and interconnectedness.
At the onset of his illustrious career in the 1940s, Bohm collaborated with the giants of physics like Albert Einstein, Niels Bohr, and Robert Oppenheimer at Princeton University. This period was pivotal in shaping the foundations of quantum mechanics. Bohm, hailed as a promising physicist of his generation, authored a well-regarded textbook on quantum mechanics and made significant contributions to the study of gas plasmas. Einstein, recognizing his brilliance, referred to Bohm as his ‘spiritual son’ and even considered him for the role of his assistant.
Bohm’s theories, deeply rooted in the concept of wholeness, sought to bridge quantum mechanics and relativity. He perceived that the essence of undivided wholeness forms a common thread between these two pillars of physics. His revolutionary idea was the proposition of two orders of reality: the ‘explicate order’ of our observable world and the ‘implicate order’, a deeper level where everything is fundamentally interconnected as part of a unified system.
This understanding of internal interconnectedness aligns closely with the quantum phenomenon of non-locality, where particles exhibit instantaneous communication, seemingly defying the limits of relativity that constrain information transfer to the speed of light. This notion of intrinsic unity propelled Bohm to explore beyond the confines of traditional science. He delved into the nature of consciousness and engaged with non-Western traditions like Buddhism, known for their contemplative exploration of such concepts.
Bohm’s most renowned interactions were his 25-year dialogues with Indian philosopher and mystic, Jiddu Krishnamurti. These discussions centered around the idea of life as an indivisible whole, encompassing both nature and human consciousness. In Krishnamurti, Bohm found a kindred spirit who shared his view of an interconnected universe. Their dialogues explored the nature of thought and the emergence of ideas from the hidden, implicate order, drawing parallels with the behavior of quantum particles.
As we reflect on Bohm’s legacy, we see a thinker who ventured beyond the conventional scope of physics, weaving a tapestry that connects the scientific with the spiritual, and offering profound insights into the interconnected fabric of existence.
In his seminal work, “Wholeness and the Implicate Order,” David Bohm highlighted the significance of maintaining a sense of ‘playfulness’ in both scientific inquiry and life itself. However, in his personal demeanor and through his writings, Bohm exuded a gravitas that was far from playful. For Bohm, the quest for truth was not a mere intellectual exercise; it was an intense, formidable, yet essential pursuit. He harbored a deep yearning to unravel the mysteries of the universe, fully aware of the daunting nature of this endeavor. Bohm recognized the elusive nature of absolute knowledge, understanding that such profound secrets of existence were beyond the complete grasp of any human. This acknowledgment mirrored his acknowledgment of our finite nature—the inescapable reality that no one transcends the bounds of our human limitations.
David Bohm in "Art Meets Science and Spirituality in a Changing Economy"
The 1990 “Art meets Science and Spirituality in a Changing Economy” conference in Amsterdam, was a pivotal gathering that brought together artists, scientists, spiritual leaders, and economists. This five-day event, inspired by Joseph Beuys and Robert Filliou and orchestrated by Louwrien Wijers, aimed to explore the holistic world view emerging at the end of the Cold War and its implications for the global economy.
One of the key figures at this conference was no other than David Bohm. Bohm’s presence and insights bridged the gap between science and spirituality, adding a profound depth to the discussions. The conference opened with a panel featuring Bohm, the Dalai Lama, artist Robert Rauschenberg, and Russian economist Stanislav Menshikov. Together, they set the tone with the slogan “From Competition to Compassion.”
The subsequent panels included luminaries such as artists John Cage and Marina Abramovic, scientists like Ilya Prigogine and Fritjof Capra, and spiritual leaders including Lama Sogyal Rinpoche. Each contributed to a rich tapestry of ideas, blending their unique perspectives on creativity, coherence, and the interconnectedness of all aspects of life.
Excerpts From the Interview
Do you feel that the scientist, like the artist, needs some kind of stirring of the muse?
Is it true that the scientific spirit comes close to a kind of religious awareness?
Can I take you back to your own theory which you describe as implicate order? Where does it fit in?
You went far beyond the current theory.
Does a creator God also exist in your implicate order?
Now as regards the question whether you want to call that ‘God’, this depends on what you mean by the word, because taking it as a personal God might restrict it in some way. There is something like life and mind enfolded in everything. If you carry that to the ultimate then that might be what some religious people mean by the word ‘God’. But the word ‘God’ means many different things to different people, and it becomes hard to know exactly what is implied. The implicate order does not rule out God, nor does it say there is a God. But it would suggest that there is a creative intelligence underlying the whole, which might have as one of the essentials that which was meant by the word ‘God’.
In 2020, the documentary “Infinite Potential: The Life & Ideas of David Bohm,” directed by Paul Howard, offered an extensive exploration of Bohm’s life and theories. While this film provides a broader understanding of Bohm’s impact, the current article you’re reading focuses specifically on his remarkable contributions to the 1990 Amsterdam conference. His discussions during this event are a testament to his enduring legacy in shaping our understanding of the universe’s interconnected nature.
The conference’s lasting impact was further cemented in 1996 with the publication of the book “Art Meets Science and Spirituality in a Changing Economy: From Competition to Compassion,” edited by Louwrien Wijers. This book is a comprehensive chronicle of the 1990 event, providing detailed reports, interviews, essays, and artworks from the twenty panelists. It serves as a tangible record of the groundbreaking dialogues that took place, offering insights into the intersection of art, science, spirituality, and economics. This compilation not only immortalizes the discussions of that time but also continues to inspire and inform new generations on the evolving interplay between these diverse yet interconnected realms.



Watch "Art Meets Science and Spirituality in a Changing Economy" in full
The documentary “Art Meets Science and Spirituality in a Changing Economy,” drawn from the conference held in Amsterdam in September 1990, delves into various thought-provoking themes.
Watch the full documentary below (split into 5 parts on YouTube)
Part 1/5: "FROM FRAGMENTATION TO WHOLENESS" (Dalai Lama, David Bohm, Robert Rauschenberg)
Part 2/5: "THE CHAOTIC UNIVERSE" (Ilya Prigogine, John Cage, Huston Smith)
Part 3/5: "CRISIS OF PERCEPTION" (Francisco Varela, Mother Tessa Bielecki)
Part 4/5: "THE TRANSORMING WORLD" (Rupert Sheldrake, Sogyal Rinpoche, Lawrence Weiner)
Part 5/5: "THE SHIFTING PARADIGM" (Marina Abramovic, Fritjof Capra, Raimon Panikkar)
The Holographic Universe
“The Holographic Universe” by Michael Talbot is a book that explores the theory that our reality might be akin to a giant hologram. Central to this idea is physicist David Bohm’s theory of the implicate and explicate orders. Bohm proposed that the tangible reality we see (the explicate order) is just a surface level, deriving from a deeper, interconnected reality (the implicate order). Talbot uses Bohm’s theories as a foundation to delve into various phenomena that conventional science struggles to explain, such as telepathy, out-of-body experiences, and other paranormal phenomena. He suggests that these experiences can be understood in a universe where all things are deeply interconnected at a fundamental level, as per Bohm’s framework. A must-read for followers of our website!
