In Conversation with Chidambaram Ramesh

Allow me to introduce Chidambaram Ramesh, a fascinating individual with a diverse range of interests and a passion for exploring the boundaries between fiction and reality. Hailing from Madurai Kamaraj University in India, he holds an engineering degree and has since become a dedicated freelance researcher and writer. His unique and captivating book, “Embodied Imaginations: Fictional Characters Making Experiential Crossings into Real Life: An Unusual Phenomenon,” delves into the intriguing science behind writers’ experiences of their characters developing their own will and taking objective forms. With a keen interest in consciousness studies and a portfolio of thought-provoking works, including “Thought-Forms and Hallucinations: Some Curious Effects of the Holographic Mind Process” and “Lightning as a ‘Photographer’–Revisiting a Forgotten Phenomenon of Nature,” Chidambaram Ramesh is undoubtedly a remarkable explorer of lost and scientifically significant concepts, merging them seamlessly with modern science through his insightful writings. Apart from his literary pursuits, he finds joy in both writing and reading, reflecting his enduring curiosity and intellectual spirit. Let us here more from him in this interview.

1. Your book, “Embodied Imaginations: Fictional Characters Making Experiential Crossings into Real Life: An Unusual Phenomenon,” explores a fascinating and unique phenomenon experienced by writers. What inspired you to delve into this subject, and can you share any personal experiences that motivated you to research and write about it?

The desire to bridge the gap between creative writing and cognitive psychology, and to explore how imagination shapes our understanding of reality, became the driving force behind my research and writing.

As I delved into research for the book, I found a rich tapestry of stories from other writers, all sharing similar encounters with their characters. These collective anecdotes reinforced my belief that there was something profound and worthy of investigation in this subject.

2. The concept of literary characters developing their own personalities and influencing the course of the story is intriguing. What kind of research and analysis did you undertake to understand this phenomenon better, and were there any surprising findings during your research process?

Many writers reported that the autonomous behaviour of their characters served as a driving force in their writing process. I extensively studied works of renowned authors and their accounts of their writing experiences. I looked for patterns and themes in their narratives where characters seemingly took on a life of their own. Analysing these accounts helped me gain insight into the subjective experiences of writers and the creative process.

3. In your book, you mention that some literary characters can even assume objective appearances visible to others in the real world. Can you provide examples or case studies of such occurrences that you came across during your research?

Certainly! While researching for “Embodied Imaginations,” I came across several intriguing examples and case studies of literary characters seemingly assuming objective appearances visible to others in the real world. Here is a notable instance:

One day, Doug Moench, well-known for his Batman stories and Planet of the Apes series, had just finished a scenario featuring Brutus, a gorilla with a black hood. In the scenario, Brutus broke into the hero’s house, seized the hero’s wife by the neck, and put a pistol to her head to manipulate the hero. However, what happened was not usual. When Moench finished writing the scenario, he heard his wife crying for him across the house. Her voice was strange. When he entered the living room, he saw a black-hooded guy with his arm over his wife’s neck and his other arm holding a pistol to her head. After the incident, Moench found it challenging to write. He was afraid that whatever he wrote on paper might happen in reality. This was revealed to Dr Jeffrey Kripal, who recorded it in one of his books.

4. As a graduate of Madurai Kamaraj University with a degree in engineering, how did you transition from your academic background to becoming a freelance researcher and writer? What motivated you to focus on rediscovering and incorporating lost, scientifically significant concepts into modern science?

My transition from an academic background to freelance research and writing was driven by a passion for exploring diverse subjects beyond formal education. The motivation to rediscover and incorporate lost, scientifically significant concepts into modern science may arise from a desire to contribute to knowledge, question established paradigms, and explore interdisciplinary connections, among other reasons.

5. Your other works, such as “Thought-Forms and Hallucinations: Some Curious Effects of the Holographic Mind Process” and “Lightning as a ‘Photographer’–Revisiting a Forgotten Phenomenon of Nature,” also delve into intriguing scientific topics. How do these works connect with the themes explored in your latest book, and what overarching message do you hope readers take away from your body of work?

All three works seem to delve into the intricate workings of the human mind and its interactions with the external world. “Thought-Forms and Hallucinations” and “Embodied Imaginations” both investigate the relationship between mental constructs and their potential impact on reality, albeit from different angles. The former might focus on the holographic mind process and how it shapes perception, while the latter might explore the creation of quasi-conscious entities through the power of imagination. The overarching message readers might take away from these books is the power of the human mind to shape perception and potentially influence reality. It could challenge conventional beliefs, encourage open-mindedness, and foster curiosity about the unknown and unexplored aspects of the mind and the universe.

6. The study of consciousness is one of your current interests. How does this area of study intersect with the phenomenon of characters taking on objective forms in the real world? Are there any parallels or insights that you’ve discovered during your research?

Writing may be compared to a heightened state of consciousness, an altered mental state. Many characteristics, such as increased concentration, continuous and repeated nature of attention, visualisation, and so on, seem to increase the possibility of fictional characters emerging in reality. Writers’ mental focus is comparable to that of mystics and religious people. While the Tibetan Tantric tradition yogin can see the form of the god (ishtadeva) he meditates on after persistent persuasion, writers can likewise see their fictional characters with constant mental focus. These figures of the unconscious come from the deeper layers of the unconscious. In the deepest regions of the unconscious – in dreams, visions, and trances, the psyche and material reality are interviewed, and what C.G.Jung referred to this physic-psyche combination as “the psychoid.”

7. As an author and researcher, how do you approach the writing process when dealing with complex and abstract scientific concepts? How do you ensure that your work remains accessible and engaging for a broader audience?

The goal is to make scientific information accessible and enjoyable to a broad audience without compromising on the rigour and precision of the content. As an author and researcher dealing with complex and abstract scientific concepts, my approach to the writing process involves several key steps to ensure clarity, accuracy, and accessibility for my readers. These include thorough research, explanation with analogies and examples, etc. Whenever appropriate, I incorporate engaging storytelling techniques to captivate readers’ interest and connect them emotionally to the subject matter.

8. Being someone who enjoys both writing and reading, what are some of your favourite literary works or authors that have influenced your own writing style and interests?

Each writer brings a unique voice and style to their works, and exploring diverse authors can offer a wide range of perspectives and insights into the art of writing. As an individual who enjoys both writing and reading, the writings of Michael Talbot have greatly influenced my own writing style and interests. His work, particularly “The Holographic Universe,” has sparked my curiosity about the nature of reality, consciousness, and the interconnectedness of all things. Talbot’s ability to communicate complex scientific concepts in a compelling and accessible manner has inspired me to strive for clarity and precision in my own writing.

9. The phenomenon you explore in your book challenges conventional notions of reality and raises questions about the boundary between fiction and reality. How do you think your research can contribute to broader discussions on the nature of consciousness and our understanding of the world around us?

The phenomenon described in the book challenges conventional dualistic views that separate the mind from the external world. It opens up discussions on how the mind and external reality might interact and influence each other, blurring the lines between the subjective and objective aspects of experience. By investigating the creation of quasi-conscious entities through writers’ minds, the research encourages deeper contemplation on the nature of consciousness itself. It prompts discussions on whether consciousness is an emergent property of complex systems and how it might be interconnected with the fabric of reality. The book’s findings can spark discussions on the malleability of reality and the potential role of imagination in shaping our perception of the world. It raises intriguing questions about the relationship between mental constructs and external manifestations, challenging traditional assumptions about objective reality.

10. What do you see as the future direction of your research and writing? Are there any other unexplored topics or areas of curiosity that you plan to delve into in the future?

In the future, the direction of my research and writing is driven by a desire to continue exploring the fascinating interplay between imagination, consciousness, and various aspects of human experience. Building on the insights gained from “Embodied Imaginations,” I plan to delve into the concept of how imagination plays a significant role in religious practices across different major religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Sufism, and others. The upcoming book will aim to investigate the profound connections between imagination and spirituality, highlighting how the creative mind shapes and influences religious beliefs, rituals, and experiences.