Although there are similarities between morphic resonance and Hinduism's akashic records, Sheldrake attributes the origin of his morphic resonance idea to two influences: his studies of the holistic tradition in biology, and French philosopher Henri Bergson's book "Matter and Memory".
Although there are similarities between morphic resonance and Hinduism's akashic records, Sheldrake says he first conceived of the idea while at Cambridge, before his travel to India where he would later develop it. He attributes the origin of his morphic resonance idea to two influences: his studies of the holistic tradition in biology, and French philosopher Henri Bergson's book "Matter and Memory".