It is well known that the act of observation can appear to affect the results of certain scientific experiments. Even though research has shown that the mind is much more than the brain, some research techniques into the causes of this phenomenon have been branded as non-scientific due to the mind producing personal, un-metered, and seemingly inconsistent results. This research into the reasons for this variability has produced two important conclusions. First, a powerful technique for studying the mind has been established, in which confidence exists because measurements using this technique have led to universal constants. Subsequent use of this technique in further research has shown that the mind and the perception of an observer may be significantly affected by the local and non-local environment, and is dependant on the time of the day, month, or year on which those measurements are made. This research has led towards a greater understanding of the structure of the universe and its connection to consciousness and information. For example, it is demonstrated that the mind's ability to communicate information from across the solar system is much faster than the speed of light.