Does quantum physics prove that we can change the world?

Lately, I came across a theory that suggests the world may not be broken, but out of balance. And that humans might be more involved in this than we like to admit. This perspective was explored in depth by a largely overlooked thinker: Walter Russell (1871–1963). A name that is mentioned surprisingly rarely, even though the ideas behind it feel more relevant today than ever. Russell was not a classically trained physicist. He was self-taught, an artist, a thinker, a teacher. This mix is exactly what makes him interesting, because he did not only try to explain the world, but to understand it as a connected whole.

One of his central works is The Universal One (1926). He also wrote The Secret of Light, Atomic Suicide?, and The Message of the Divine Iliad. In all of these writings, the same core idea appears again and again: the world is not made of dead matter, but of movement in fields, of rhythm, of balance. Russell described the universe like a breath: expansion and return, building up and breaking down, compression and release. For him, this was not a poetic metaphor, but a fundamental law of nature. Everything moves toward balance. When balance is disturbed, tension arises, and systems try to regulate themselves.

For a long time, such ideas were seen as purely philosophical. But this is where it becomes interesting. Many things Russell described intuitively are now reappearing in modern science.

In quantum physics, matter is no longer seen as solid substance, but as excitation of fields. Empty space is not nothing, but an active quantum field full of energy. In quantum chemistry, we see that reactions do not happen only mechanically, but are influenced by coherent states and field interactions. In quantum biology, it becomes clear that even living systems react very sensitively to subtle energetic processes. So the basic assumptions match: The world is organized in fields. Everything is connected. Order does not arise by chance, but through balance and rhythm.

Russell went one step further than physics. He applied these principles to human beings and to societies. His central idea was simple and challenging: imbalance in humans is reflected as imbalance in the world. Not morally, but systemically. If we look honestly, many global problems show the same patterns as overloaded systems: constant tension, one-sidedness, lack of regeneration. Growth without feedback. Activity without rest. Psychology also clearly shows how fear, stress, and inner unrest shape decisions, communication, and power structures.

The thought Russell brings into this is uncomfortable, but simple: if consciousness is part of a shared field, inner order is not private. People who are regulated react less impulsively, are less driven, and create less escalation. This has real effects outwardly, through behavior, decisions, and relationships.

This gives inner work a different meaning. Not as ego-centered self-optimization, but as a possible contribution to the whole. If enough people stabilize their inner balance, the collective background noise changes. And over time, so do the systems built on it. Maybe this is exactly the bridge between modern quantum science and spiritual belief systems. Science increasingly shows that separation is a simplification. Russell asked what that means for our lives.

And maybe there is a real opportunity here. Not a spectacular solution, but a quiet and effective one: if we change our own vibration, we change the field we are part of. Maybe through our inner work, we can actually help make the world a little better.

Personally, this perspective also helps me because we are all at very different points on our path, and not everyone can easily connect with purely spiritual concepts or abstract belief systems. In those moments, it can be grounding to see that many of these old ideas are now reflected in physics, quantum biology, and field theories, and therefore become more tangible for some people. And maybe also as a quiet encouragement for those who sometimes lose their footing and start wondering why they are doing all this inner work at all, when the path is not linear but full of ups and downs. Realizing that this work may not only matter “for oneself,” but possibly for the whole, can bring new stability and help one continue the path with more trust.

If anyone is interested, I will attach The Universal One here as a PDF. Maybe some of you would like to take a look.

✨🫶✨

4 comments