By- Deepak Ranade

Communication with outer world is one of the most important attributes of human nervous system. Neural networks in our brain communicate via a complex mechanism, initiating a wave of depolarisation effected by sodium and potassium ions. This impulse or wave then propagates across synapses at lightning speed to effect signal transmission to the effector end.

For instance, if one has to press a laptop key, the thought initiates a sequential firing of requisite neural pathways that eventually pass a neuroelectric impulse to the motor nerve to lift the hand and press the requisite key. In case of an illness that renders motor areas of the brain ineffective, the signal will not reach its destination and consequently, action will not be possible. Electrical impulse to initiate action will be normal. This could be referred to as Initiator Wave. This initiator wave gets aborted when it encounters nonfunctional neural pathways.

However, if this wave can be detected by implanted sensors and transmitted to an out of body device that interprets this signal, the latter can thereafter use an interface to effect the requisite action.

This sensor and effector assembly has been developed by Elon Musk as Neuralink technology. The device is designed to intercept a person’s neural activity, so they can operate a computer or smartphone by simply intending to move – no wires or physical movement are required. The implanted chip is equipped with sensors that transduce electrical initiator impulses. The tip is only 10 to 12 microns in width – only slightly larger than the diameter of a red blood cell. The small size allows threads to be inserted with minimal damage to cortex.

Thoughts, which have always been considered as constructs of intangible mind ever since the times of Descartes, are now being treated as electrochemical bioprocesses that can be cognised by sensors.

Thinking has been the greatest distinctive feature of human race. Quest to decode and transduce our basic, functional thoughts is earnestly underway. Intercepting more complex thought processes might not seem too distant considering the breakneck speed at which technology is developing. Neural link technology will in the not-too-distant future objectify, measure, process and transduce thoughts and link them to external devices as well.

There, however, remains the one most crucial link that is extremely subtle and sublime – the link between observer and Self. The Sanskrit word for that is sakshi, a word derived from the meanings of its two parts: ‘sa’ means ‘with’, and ‘aksha’, ‘senses, eyes’. Sakshi is pure awareness that observes thoughts without identifying with them. The objective of all spiritual endeavours is quite paradoxically, to disconnect or delink observer from observed. Yog is defined by Sage Patanjali in his ‘Yog Sutras’ as ‘Chitta vritti nirodhah’.

He recognised that true Self-realisation could only be attained when chitta, pure consciousness, is disconnected from vrittis, ripples, disturbances, as in thoughts. Salvation for mankind lies rather in delinking thought processes from the true Self. Any neural link would then be redundant in that exalted state of non-dual awareness – Aham Brahmasmi.

The writer is a neurosurgeon

    
DISCLAIMER

Views expressed above are the author's own.

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