Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, founder of transcendental meditation, claimed his techniques gave practitioners access to the “quantum field of cosmic consciousness” (Image: CSU Archives / Everett Collection / Rex) Anyone tempted to replace religion with fuzzy notions about quantum mechanics should read this robust debunker (Image: Prometheus Books)

QUANTUM mechanics is remarkably weird: even though it is well understood mathematically and can produce accurate, ultra-precise predictions, nobody really knows what it means. This leaves lots of room for people in search of the spiritual – and who are not burdened by any knowledge of mathematics – to impose on it whatever quasi-religious beliefs or interpretations they like. …