“My working hypothesis is that consciousness is a byproduct of spirit entering dense matter and that spirit can only attach or bond to information that has been built into the various layers of the whole person. I see this as one of the major reasons for our life experience in this particular classroom. One of the goals of our whole person appears to be to develop a state of coherence at the two interfaces between the three selves.”

~ William Tiller, Ph.D.

What if consciousness could directly influence physical reality? This question drove William Tiller’s groundbreaking research at Stanford University, leading to the development of his  k*space theory of consciousness. In an era where science often dismisses the role of consciousness in shaping our physical world, Tiller’s work stands as a bridge between materialist science and the deeper mysteries of human consciousness.

The Pioneer Behind the Theory

William Tiller, Ph.D., was a brilliant physicist who retired as a physics professor at Stanford in 1991, and subsequently defied conventional science. As professor emeritus of materials science and engineering at Stanford University, his journey from conventional physics to exploring the frontiers of psychoenergetics represents a remarkable scientific evolution. Sadly, Tiller passed away in February of 2022, leaving behind a legacy of groundbreaking research and theoretical frameworks that continue to challenge our understanding of consciousness and reality.

“Human intention can influence the vast reservoir of potential energy in the vacuum state, which is not the lowest state of the universe.”

~ William Tiller, Ph.D.

Scientific Controversy and Publishing Challenges

When he attempted to publish his papers, peer-reviewed journals refused his requests simply on both the basis of his papers’ claims and the rather unconventional language he often used in them. Each journal refused to have other scientists seriously review his work, as his ideas about human consciousness and intention went against the scientific status quo. Undeterred, he conducted meticulous scientific experiments on the apparent ability of human intention to influence the material world, publishing his findings in four groundbreaking books between 1997 and 2007.

Tiller was a long-time meditator and spiritual aspirant, so although he loved material science, he understood that the scientific tendency to reduce consciousness to neural activity did not necessarily explain the anomalies he witnessed firsthand in many laboratory experiments as well as his personal meditation experiences. This unique perspective informed his theoretical framework and experimental approach.

The Core of k*Space Theory

Tiller’s extensive laboratory experiments led him to devise what other researchers have called the “kSpace theory of consciousness.” He postulated the existence of two levels of physical substance, which he referred to as “k-space” and “k*space.” The term “k-space” derives from MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) nomenclature, referring to the distribution and intensities of various EMF (electromagnetic) frequencies during the MRI process. While k-Space refers to space-time as we commonly understand it, k*Space points to information flows that appear to occur outside of space-time as we know it.

The Three Selves Model

Tiller posited consciousness as having three “selves,” each interacting with the others in apparently independent fashion. We can visualize these as three concentric circles.

1. The Source Self (Innermost Circle):
   • Operates in K*Space.
   • Fully spiritual in nature.
   • Commensurate with the frequency domain proposed in electromagnetic-holoflux field theory.
   • Represents the deepest level of consciousness.
2. The Soul Self (Middle Circle):
   • Occupies the magnetic domain.
   • The individual perceives the world through their outer layer of the body and the personality self.
   • Acts as an intermediary between spiritual and physical realms.
3. The Personality Self (Outermost Circle):
   • Functions in the electric domain.
   • Includes the “biobodysuit” (physical body).
   • Interfaces with the material world.

The two outermost layers occupy k-space and comprise the electromagnetic correlate of consciousness in the physical world, while the innermost layer originates in k*space, which Tiller called the frequency domain. This general idea of concentric layers of the self and consciousness is similar to Sri Aurobindo’s teachings on the spiritual psychology of human consciousness as well as Swiss psychologist Carl Jung’s concept of individuation.

Holoflux Field Theory

Tiller’s work builds upon holoflux field theory (as developed by Karl Pribram and David Bohm), integrating it with his understanding of consciousness layers. Holoflux field theory, in its simplest form, suggests that the universe distributes information holographically, with each part encompassing the whole. Tiller views the frequency domain (source self) and the space-time domain (soul self and personality self) as reciprocals of one another. The reciprocal nature of these two domains gives rise to and supports wave-particle duality as observed in quantum physics.

Nonlocal Interconnectivity

A crucial aspect of Tiller’s theory is that because these two domains traverse every point in reality, everything is nonlocally interconnected. The frequency domain of k*Space, consciousness itself, ultimately affords this nonlocal interconnectivity. This understanding provides a theoretical framework for explaining phenomena such as distant healing, telepathy, and other non-local effects.

Experimental Evidence

Throughout his career, Tiller conducted numerous laboratory experiments demonstrating measurable changes in physical systems through focused intention. His Intention Imprinted Electrical Device (IIED) showed how consciousness could influence material properties at a distance, challenging conventional scientific paradigms and opening new avenues for research in psychoenergetics.

Tiller and his team used IIEDs in a series of experiments to alter the pH of water by up to one pH unit, a significant change that conventional chemical processes could not explain. They also demonstrated that IIEDs could affect the growth of bacteria and the activity of enzymes, suggesting a direct influence of consciousness on biological systems.

In another noteworthy experiment, Tiller used IIEDs to enhance the thermodynamic activity of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), a compound crucial to cellular energy transfer. By showing that intention could boost ATP activity, Tiller provided evidence for a link between consciousness and the fundamental processes of life.

These experiments, along with many others detailed in Tiller’s books, offer compelling empirical support for his k*space theory. Although mainstream scientists often met his results with skepticism, they have inspired a growing community of researchers to explore the frontiers of consciousness-matter interactions.

Implications of Tiller’s Hypothesis and Work

Tiller’s k*space theory has far-reaching implications for both science and spirituality. By proposing a unified framework that accommodates physical and non-physical dimensions of reality, it challenges the reductionist view that consciousness is merely an epiphenomenon of brain activity. Instead, it suggests that consciousness plays a fundamental role in shaping the fabric of the universe.

On a practical level, k*space theory provides a scientific basis for understanding the effects of practices like meditation, prayer, and energy healing. It suggests that by cultivating expanded states of awareness, we can tap into the deeper layers of consciousness that connect us with the wholeness of reality. This not only has profound implications for personal growth and well-being but also for our collective ability to address global challenges and create a more harmonious world.

William Tiller’s k*space hypothesis stands as a daring attempt to balance the great mystery of consciousness with scientific materialism. He pushes us to grow in knowledge of who we are and what is possible by suggesting a multi-layered picture of reality including both physical and spiritual aspects.