What is Quantum Reality? Consciousness, Beyond Spacetime & Into Possibility | Ruth Kastner

In this episode of Mind-Body Solution, Dr Tevin Naidu speaks with Dr Ruth Kastner, physicist and philosopher, about her groundbreaking Possibilist Transactional Formulation (PTF) of quantum theory. Kastner argues that quantum mechanics reveals a deeper realm of ontic possibilities, beyond spacetime, where transactions between emitters and absorbers give rise to the physical world we observe.

This conversation bridges physics, philosophy, and metaphysics, offering a radical yet rigorous vision of reality as fundamentally processual, relational, and deeply mysterious. Dr Ruth Kastner earned her M.S. in Physics and Ph.D. in History and Philosophy of Science from the University of Maryland.TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) - Introduction & Ruth Kastner's journey into quantum foundations(00:24) - Why quantum paradoxes grabbed her: entanglement, EPR & the measurement problem(03:04) - History, philosophy & foundations: why historical context matters for physics(04:11 )- Discovering the Transactional Formulation: Kramer, Wheeler-Feynman & absorber theory roots(09:36) - The Transactional Formulation explained: emitters, absorbers, offers & confirmations(11:06) - Time-symmetric direct-action theory & the role of virtual photons(13:16) - Absorber response and the ‘handshake’: how transactions actualize energy transfer(17:47) - The Born Rule: why PTF gives a physical explanation for quantum probabilities(20:27) - Possibilist metaphysics: wavefunctions as ontic possibilities in Hilbert space(24:10) - Iceberg metaphor: spacetime as the measurable "tip" of quantum reality(26:24) - Objective reduction & von Neumann's "process 1" in the transactional picture(27:03) - Maudlin's critique & replies: causal loops, relativistic formulation & objections answered(31:19) - Retrocausality clarified: what retrocausation does and doesn’t mean in PTF(34:51) - Emergent spacetime from transactions: emission/absorption events & Einstein equations(43:54) - Consciousness & quantum theory: why mind is not a measurement "band-aid"(46:52) - The mind-body problem reframed: monism, receptivity & quantum possibilities(49:35) - Time symmetry, indeterminacy & free will: where physics leaves room for choice(52:15) - Yoga, receptivity & embodiment: contemplative practice informing Kastner’s thinking(58:14) - Cosmology & empirical prospects: dark matter, dark energy & testable predictions(1:03:51) - Further reading & resources: books, papers & the Possibilist Transactional Formulation EPISODE LINKS:- Ruth's Website: https://www.ruthekastner.org/- Ruth's Academic Blog: https://transactionalinterpretation.org/- Ruth's Publications: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=eCEoqOcAAAAJ&hl=en- Ruth's Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Ruth-E.-Kastner/author/B008HTAV4G?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=trueCONNECT:- Website: https://tevinnaidu.com - Podcast: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/mindbodysolution- YouTube: https://youtube.com/mindbodysolution- Twitter: https://twitter.com/drtevinnaidu- Facebook: https://facebook.com/drtevinnaidu - Instagram: https://instagram.com/drtevinnaidu- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/drtevinnaidu=============================Disclaimer: The information provided on this channel is for educational purposes only. The content is shared in the spirit of open discourse and does not constitute, nor does it substitute, professional or medical advice. We do not accept any liability for any loss or damage incurred from you acting or not acting as a result of listening/watching any of our contents. You acknowledge that you use the information provided at your own risk. Listeners/viewers are advised to conduct their own research and consult with their own experts in the respective fields.