Human intent as it affects health

I believe that intent has a great deal of effect on health..patterns of thinking and behavior determine much in our overall state of our own health. In terms of intent of a practitioner, I think it is equally important. The state of our inner life, our heart, can be transmitted and felt by those we work with and it is important to strive for a peaceful and compassionate state of being, both towards ourselves and others. Will an acupuncture point work if I am worrying how I'll pay my rent? I think it will have an effect, especially if the persons own healing intent is strong, but inserting needles while pent up and worried also may have an effect of it's own, maybe on my patient, maybe on me as well. I think, overall, the most effective and enjoyable treatments I have observed and received have been at the hands of a calm, caring and focused practitioner.

Conclusions from Kirilian photography...

i think i will have more to say after i've experienced this for myself, but as of now...i guess i imagine it be picking up some aspect of the interaction of our being and the environment..which is determined by the present happenings of both our selves (thoughts, feelings, qi, blood, desires) and the environment....i'm looking forward to seeing me and you too:)

Acupuncture as effective energy medicine

In my experience, Oriental medicine has a powerful effect on whole beings; matter, energy and all. The way we talk about this reveals some apparent limitations in our language. Asking if a medicine is energy medicine or physical medicine implies the underlying concept that mind/spirit and body are separate. Does it treat the energy, the body or both? Using that dichotomy, yes, acupuncture/Oriental medicine is energy medicine, and I believe that surgery and pharmaceuticals are as well in the sense that their use will have an effect on the whole being. Oriental medicine differs in that, even if there are no scientific tests to categorize a persons complaints, as occurs so often in "Western"/modern medicine, there is still a pattern to be identified in terms of qi movement and elemental aspects of them.
I have been deeply moved by acupuncture, released and unwound ancient ethereal conflicts that I didn't even know were there, and I've also experienced the throbbing and very physical pain of a migraine dissipate at the tip of a skillfully applied needle...

Biophysics and Oriental Medicine

I think the thinking patterns and perception that forms the foundation of Oriental Medicine could really serve those in the field of biophysics. This thinking can be and is applied to both the largest and smallest particles, concepts of energy and movement and matters of life, death and beyond. One of its strengths is that it can be applied to anything in the universe and is not dependent on what something IS, rather what it is like; specifically, how it behaves. We can not necessarily and with definitely explain what wind IS but we can describe how it behaves and interacts with other elements and beings. Because emphasis is placed more on how things behaves and less on what they are fundamentally, I think it is a more versatile school of thought, with more possibility for evolution of understanding. As "the West" embarks on more complex endeavors to control life and health, there is more danger of toying with things not fully understood and perhaps creating severe problems. Molecular biology, genetics engineering, nanotechnology, all could benefit from taking (several!) steps back and viewing the whole picture, outside the boundaries of modern scientific thinking.

the living system me

Theories of the masterful and complex behavior and diversity of human cells attests to the living system that is me. That each cell eats, releases 'wastes' and reproduces and that each cell is attracted to and repelled by certain conditions demonstrates me as a living system. The living system that is me has cells and substances that unite to create tissues and organs and thoughts, emotions, ideas, dreams and songs. The various parts of the living system of me rely on each to all do their part to keep the whole thing going. Some of these cells may never have direct interaction with others but nonetheless their vitality and existence depend on each other.
Still, the living system of me is only part of a larger living system, which is a part of a larger living system and so on and so on...so, depends on what part of the system you stop to take a keep at. For semantics sake I get that living systems can be separate but on a grander scale, I don't think there is any separation.

Synthesizing East and West

I think East and West are naturally coming to a synthesis in much the same way that 'spirit' is returning to Chinese medicine. There is a popular statement that the Communists "took the spirit" out of Chinese medicine. But I would argue that this is impossible because there is no separation between mind and body. Whether or not a practitioner discusses or refers to spirituality, when they lay their fingers on the pulse they are feeling the spirit, the insertion of any needle treats the WHOLE being including the spirit. Nowadays we are discussing treatment of spirit but the medicine has been treating it all along. I think the same is true of eastern and western philosophy and sciences. As our understanding of each deepens, so does the awareness of the connectedness of 'East' and 'West'.

From a world view "East" and "West" appear as distinct cultures and points of view. But imagine you are viewing the Earth from a distant galaxy. From a inter-galactic point of view, the similarities might stand out more...little beings attempting to understand and explain the workings of a vast Universe and their place in it......

both aspects of the same

Monday in E prime

My son and I have a friend visiting. Our friend lives in North Carolina and sounded excited about his visit to California. Since he has been here he has been investigating local gardens and permaculture sites. He appears very happy when surrounded by plants of all kinds. Both he and Zeke look bright and cheerful when they around each other and erupt in all sorts of noise and play together. Two days ago my friend and I argued about my frying pan. He seemed to get upset and take something I said as a personal attack. He walked out of our house in what appeared to be frustration. Later, we apologized, talked and laughed about our frying pan fight. Then we went for a hike. Zeke appeared tired and bored part way up a very steep hill but when we got to the top he acted more energized by joking and laughing. It looked as though he enjoyed himself as he filmed the beautiful view and gave what sounded like a cheerful commentary. I think, in the end, everyone had a good day!

Fractals as patterns of complex systems

Some examples of fractals we have discussed in our OM classes so far:
the microsystems of the human body represented in various smaller parts of the body:
the ears
the eye
the hands and feet
the top of the head

Our ability to see the universe in the mustard seed reveals our desire to connect with the Source....

Physics Experiement

I tried a few of the computer experiments without much of any results. I was disappointed because I really wanted to make a squishy pencil....But here's one that seemed to go okay. 'Screen Dimmer'- stare at your computer screen in a dark room for a while, then turn the lights on. When the lights are out the computer screen seems to brighten..but when the lights are switched back on it seems to dim.
I've noticed this effect when watching movies in a dark room...it always hurts my eyes. I think this is because there is so much concentrated light in one small area. When the room lights are on the light is dispersed and seems to create a more muted effect.

Here's a cool experiment my son and I tried. I guess it demonstrates the physics of light. We didn't have a compass at the and used a nail or something so ours didn't come out as cool as his!
Watch this cool video....
http://www.eskimo.com/~billb/amateur/holo1.html

Consciousness and Chaos

I think consciousness is ordered chaos. In particular, the way consciousness manifests in humans. I believe human consciousness and language are inexorably entwined. In fact I believe one of the ways the spark and intelligence that consciousness IS, manifests itself is through language. ,Through language consciousness can change shape and sound, evolve, even reproduce! Language is the ordered part in the ordered chaos of consciousness. Yet the order of language would be dead without the chaos of the ineffable unconsciousness or meta-consciousness. It is the chaos of the psyche, of emotion, mystery, passion and pain that brings color, sound, life to the overall experience of human consciousness. Try to imagine language with no emotion, with predictability and calculated measure. The great menagerie of life on this world is spontaneous and surprising and we rely on that bit of chaos within ourselves to navigate and celebrate in it!

Ordered Chaos..Does this sound familiar?

Trickster.....

Many cultures if not all, are mesmerized by the appearance of order, even at the expense of true harmony. For instance, a family may pressure a child into a certain career or even marriage with the intention of maintaining a 'position' in their community. This pressure can sometimes create intense resentment and rebellion in the child if their heart calls for something different.

Interestingly, it appears the word order has its origins in the Latin word ordinem which meant 'a row of threads in a loom'. We cloak ourselves in a beautiful woven shawl, with intricate and organized design (order, society, laws). But without the messy rot and decay of nature (chaos, disorder), the soil wouldn't support the healthy life of the sheep, the giver of wool.

The perfect evidence of the understanding of the value of chaos is in the Trickster archetype. Trickster myths and stories appear in almost every culture. Trickster never obeys the laws of society and sometimes even breaks the laws of the Gods. The Trickster at times benefits us as in some South West Native American tales in which Coyote steals fire from the Fire Beings and brings it to humans. Yet at other times Trickster's actions seem to benefit no one, including himself. Trickster breaks rules and laws, steals and embarrasses.

In some European monarchies, ordered chaos appeared in the form of the court jester. The tradition of the court jester wasn't simply to entertain the king but also to keep him informed of the common peoples struggles; even to criticize his weaknesses...to bring him down a peg. As a safe liaison between the folk and the royalty, the jester was able to broach subjects others would have been severely punished for. This kind of chaos was valued as an important aspect of making a worthy leader (we could us a court jester in the White House..I nominate Jon Stewart....). In all the kingdom no one had the freedom to both amuse and abuse the king the like court jester who often used satire to convey controversial political ideas.


To have everything in its place and a place for everything is not really possible, at least in the ordered way folks attempt it. Mess, untimeliness, straying from patterns and sequence is part of the universal order.....we are part of a larger sea, whose waves at times are rhythmic and soothing and at times, unpredictable and violent. Through his escapades the Trickster reminds us of what is truly important and of our natural place in the Universe. Trickster is the priest of ordered chaos and his presence in our myths demonstrates the innate understanding of it.

Connections I can make between Qi and Energy

East/West language and thought.......

Qi moves, (moves blood, fluids) energy moves (electricity)

Qi condense into matter (blood, bones etc.), energy can appear as particles (photons and everything else!)

Qi creates life but also exists in non-living things, energy permeates living and non-living

Qi can be harnessed and directed by intention (qi gong, acupuncture), energy is harnessed and directed by intention (combustible engine, nuclear power)

Resonance in my world

I try to create resonance in my own life (not the kind that demolishes bridges!) But resonance with myself and those around me, especially those I am treating in my practice. The more I observe interaction between people and things the more I think that creating resonance is less of an externally active process (for example a lot of head nodding and verbally agreeing with people) as it is an internal and quiet process. The less I DO and the more I just breathe and listen, the easier it is experience resonance and a sense of harmony.
The softer more yin way is often the more powerful....
if you take dynamite to a boulder you end up with more rocks (albeit smaller ones), yet a gentle stream will wear away the boulder smoothly and without conflict....

Are all vibrations good?

No. I don't answer this way because I think some vibrations are bad either. Vibrations are just vibrations. When we call something 'good' we are saying it benefits us (or whatever subject involved). It is good because we reap something from it. It is bad when we can't or won't identify any benefit.

One thing we often (I often...) forget is that when I encounter vibrations that feel 'bad' I am presented with an opportunity....and a choice. I may choose to shift my own vibration of the moment in order to harmonise with the 'bad' vibration. Or I may choose to adhere stringently to my present vibration even if it is not in harmony with the 'bad' vibration. Shifting vibration can happening in different ways. I can alter my breathing, shifting my body posture or movements, alter my thinking, choose different words, walk away, close my eyes, and do absolutely nothing and just see how the moment shifts itself.
This may be a way to bring a little more peace into our world......

Just what does CP violation really mean?

CP symmetry refers to the theory that for whatever process underwent to transform any particle into its anti-particle, there must be a mirror image of that process (identical but in reverse).

This is what we seem to know about the universe, matter and anti-matter:

1) The existence of the universe as it is depends on the specific interactions of matter with matter and matter with antimatter, along with the forces of nature: 1) electromagnetic, 2) strong nuclear, 3) weak nuclear and 4) gravity.

2) When any part of matter and it's specific paired anti-matter interact, they annihilate. 

According to our understanding of the theories listed above and our theories about the big bang, there should have been equal amounts of matter and anti-matter in the very nan0-seconds after the big bang and that they should have annihilated after coming into contact. If this HAD happened however, there would be no matter and therefore no us and everything else (like our lovely little planet!).

Okay...so....what does cp violation mean? 

It means that, the same forces that govern particles may not necessarily govern anti-particles; that in certain cases, a particle can turn into its anti-particle and vice versa but not with the same probability in both directions.

This might mean that there are other forces that govern anti-matter...forces we have not yet identified. They might be anti-forces....like anti-weak nuclear force.....

Maybe, under the right conditions some particles consume their anti-particle, absorbing (digesting)  it into its being/existence rather  than annihilating it (and being annihilated by it!!).

Maybe it reflects the theory of yin and yang:

1) that yin and yang are opposites- this one is apparent in our current thoughts regarding matter and anti-matter

2) that yin and yang mutually consume each other- may be loosely interpreted as matter and anti-matter annihilating each other or may account for the causes behind the theory of CP violation 

3 & 4) yin and yang and intertransformation/interdepence- that yin and yang both require the other to exist and that each contains a tiny seed of the other within, and by this seed they are able to transform into their opposite- this too, may represent the cause behind the theory of CP violation. 

What if, on some immeasurable level, matter contains within it a tiny seed for anti-matter, which in the right circumstances allows for it (matter) to consume anti-matter rather than succumbing to mutual annihilation? And when the circumstances (forces?) are exactly right, the seed (anti-particle?) of the anti-matter may be released once again, 'consuming' the matter....?

What is the function of gravity?

I have been reading that the strength of gravity is just enough, just right. That if it were any stronger or weaker the Universe would be completely different. Some sources will make a statement like, stars would be too dim to support life....but then again, maybe LIFE simply would have evolved differently.
Because of this and because it is a subtler force than the other forces, I am thinking of its effects as a kind of soup....a medium that gives all things support enough to interact, but 'space' enough to move apart. In this way, existence is free to move, come together and move apart, giving room for limitless possibilties.

How would you compare the four forces?

Gravity: the force that keeps things together (including our feet on the ground!)

Strong nuclear force: the force that holds protons close in the nucleus of an atom

Weak nuclear force: the force that controls the radioactive decay rate

Electromagnetism: the force that causes electric and magnetic effects between bits of matter (that carry an electric charge)

These are the four forces of nature (as far as science knows).

Both the strong and weak are intense forces, but have fairly short ranges. Their domain is governing the organization and de-construction of atoms. These forces govern little bity bits of the Universe.

Both electromagnetism and gravity are considered to be weaker than the strong force and have very long ranges. Some even state the range of gravity is infinite. They differ in that while electromagnetism has both attractive and repelling qualities, gravity only attracts.

Rather than perceiving gravity as a 'weak' force, I am choosing to think of it as a subtle force. The long range and importance of its effects seem to qualify it for a better term!

How has e=mc2 affected you?

By the time I learned about this concept, I had already developed ideas regarding life, death, body and soul. I felt pleased to hear a scientifically respected idea that harmonised with the concept that the life of a human being is more than body alone...that we are more than our physical nature and that something energetic likely moves onward after the form we've become accustom to has dissolved.

Connectivity: We are ALL connected

"Based on what you know, explain connectivity"



Based on what I know........hmmm. I tend to think I know very little, other than, perhaps, how I feel in any given moment! Having said that...this I was I think about connectivity.



On all levels, in all ways, we are not only all connected but ARE one.



From a gross physical standpoint, we share an environment, a world, where we all contribute and consume. We are like the trillions of cells in our 'own' bodies, each with its own path and purpose, but working together to create a world.

From a micro-physical (molecular) standpoint, we take in nutrients from our environment and release them as 'waste' which rejoins the nutrient cycle becoming the nutrients of others. I breathe in the very same molecules that were in the blood of both my friend and my enemy. In this way, we are connected in a very western physical way, by the particles metabolize and release. From a gardeners perspective: we are all part of the same compost heap!

Even if one does not acknowledge the physical connectedness of things, it is difficult for anyone to deny the inter-dependence of all things (the slow shift to more micro-organism friendly agriculture practices attests to that!). And inter-dependence is not too far from connectivity...

From a spiritual stand-point: every stone, dew drop, blossom, and creature sprang forth from the same source...what ever one chooses to call that source, be it spiritual, religious or even scientific...one source, one wuji, one big bang, one breathe of life.....

There are creation stories from many different and varied cultures that tell, a similar idea. One of my favorites is from an African tribe that tells of the Great Mother. There was only one thing in the universe and it was her. She did not have self awareness but just existed. Then she breathed and that breath caused a wind and she felt the wind and became aware of herself and also of her alone-ness. In her loneliness she began to dance, to vibrate her body until she began to separate. She separated into two and was no longer alone. She continued to separate into two and two again, on and on until all the creatures and flowers and things were made. And now all things, from the clouds and sea to human begins, interact, coming together and moving apart, as a way for the Great Mother to know herself, to know life.

Evidence of synchronicty

The nature of synchronicity implies a dynamic, interactive experience, rather than something we can dissect and measure. Therefore, I think all 'evidence' of synchronicity is empirical. It comes as stories shared by friends and strangers alike and hopefully, stories of our own. I think it matters very little whether synchronous events can be proven by others....if they mean something to us is all that matters. Conceiving of the synchroniousness of events in our lives provides us with meaning; emotional and spiritual validity and perhaps even guidance.
I do think that, while we can make meaning and connections at any time, all around us, there are definitely times when the synchronicity of an event is so compelling that even if we were hesitant to do so before, we can not deny it inwardly (even if we continue to deny it outwardly).
I think that we can experience synchronicity in the short term, but also in the long term. A short term example of synchronicity would be thinking of a long lost friend who looks you up that very day. An example of a long term synchronicity would be moving far from home and meeting someone you later believe to be your 'soul mate'. I think these are similar because they are both based in the meaning we give to the events and how we experience them internally rather than what they may look like to an outsider.

A wonderful story about synchronicity and making meaning of things is THE ALCHEMIST.

Synchronicity

I believe the Universe is as it is. "Synchronicity", the word and concept, is what we call it when we make meaning of our experiences. We may view the meaning as originating from an external source (a message we are supposed to read), from within ourselves (an experience of creating our reality) or both (being one with god, universe, the source).Either way, it is our consciousness that chooses to focus on or accept the meaning of the (synchronistic) event and move forward based on the belief that it matters.

Humans are information processing beings. We receive, respond to and supply, vast amounts on sensory data all the time. We can choose (or not) to give 'meaning' to events and experiences. If we do, the meaning is often known or apparent to ourselves alone. But we can share our stories and usually the amazingness of the connections are apparent to those listening.

My experiences in synchronicity have lead me to think of my life and existence itself as a vast and miraculous sea. There are currents that flow in a million different directions. I may be part of several currents at once, move in and out of currents, I may even share presence in a current with others. Experiencing a synchronistic event for me is like being in one stream (or current) and becoming aware of the draw or simple presence of another. I get to choose to move into that stream if it feels right. Sometimes, the synchronisitic even comes after a change of course. It feels like changing currents and receiving a great gusty wind, moving me even further on my new course.

ONE OF MY BEST STORIES IN SYNCHRONICITY:
Several years ago, I was in a desperate situation in which I suffered extreme stress. One day I inquired at an ATM about my balance, which I expected to be around $400. To my surprise, my balance read $10,400. For a brief moment, I believed some long lost relative had come forth to support me, some wonderful knight in shining armor or fairy god mother really believed in me....I experienced a visceral sense of immense possibility. Though the physical sensation was immense, and I believed completely in the miraculous, the feeling only lasted about 5 seconds until my "rational" mind said "No way, go in the bank and see what's wrong" Sure enough, something wacky was going on with the ATM and according to IT, EVERYONE had 10,000 extra dollars in their account. Well, that was no surprise to me; nothing good like that EVER happened to me.

A few days later, in desperation, I called an acquaintance I had just met, hoping to receive some good advice about my situation. After spending the day with me and sharing stories and experiences with each other she told me she would like to support me through my difficult time. She offered to help in several ways, one of which was monetarily. And guess how much she wrote the check out for? $10,000!!!!!!!!!

Is the Universe weird?

Yes. Yes, the Universe is weird. Very weird. However, it is also perfect. It is perfectly weird and weirdly perfect!! I know that it is perfect because it is how it is. It can not be something other than what it is, even if what is, is forever changing .

I heard that for every one smell receptor cell that a human has, a dog has 10,000!! Just imagine this whole other way of experiencing our world which, from a dogs point of view, may be seen as incomplete! Even if we can not detect all its patterns and meaning and rhythm and truths, it does not mean they do not exist.

Week 2 Reflections on Causality

The first thing that comes to mind on this topic is Chinese Medicine. In Classical Chinese Medicine, for instance, prolonged grief, and Lung weakness are related. But it is not always clear if one preceded the other. Nor is it important because they are thought to have a relationship of inter-dependency rather than cause and effect. In other words, prolonged grief may weaken the strength of the Lungs OR a prolonged Lung weakness may create a vulnerability to prolonged grief (when it arises). Whereas in Western medicine, there is always a specific cause for a specific disease.

I’m getting that, up until now causality was thought of as the basis for all events. It also is thought of as the basis for human thought and reasoning. Beginning as early as infancy, humans learn to associate their own behavior with an effect on someone else’s. We learn that when we cry, someone comes to feed us. And who’s been around babies who hasn’t played the “I drop it and the grown up exclaims oops!! and picks it up” game?! Causality may be the fundamental building block of human consciousness or at least the ‘rational’ mind. “If THIS; then THIS.” Even other animals seem to have some understanding of the relationship of their own actions to the world around them. There is so much we can predict based on the fundamental attributes of causality; the weather, animals and plants behavior, the course of an illness. It is hard to even conceive of anything else.

But I think that what we’re learning is that in the quantum world (which we, of course are part of), that level of predictability does not exist. At least, it doesn’t exist all the time. Some quantum behavior must be at least somewhat predictable since we employ knowledge of electrons to create transistors and lasers. I guess it’s like taking a shower; we can count on the water falling on our heads but not the landing point of every single drop. In the basic human experience causality feels so relevant and true. But apparently, at the subatomic level it is not so relevant and true, or maybe we just haven’t identified the pattern of causality at that level yet.

I am intrigued by the idea that the act of observing affects the outcome; that our experience of the event is intrinsically bound together with the event itself; and that the event would play out differently if we were not ‘observing’ it. The roots of the word observe mean, “to watch over and keep safe” and “to protect, to attend to in practice, to keep, follow”. When I think of protecting; watching over and keeping something safe, I do not think at all of a passive and objective person but a more active participant who has a stake in the outcome.

I think that shifting our understanding, even paradigm, of the nature of events in the world around and in us, to perhaps even let go of the vocabulary of cause, may help our species to evolve. The intellectual and cognitive dependency on causality represents a deep desire to control the world around us. I think even an effort to understand is a version of intellectual control. Maybe, if we can begin to open our minds to the possibility outside of causality we can experience a great leap in awareness of the truth of our Universe.

Week 2 Reflections on Uncertainty

Reflections on Uncertainty

The electron has to be somewhere, when we can’t identify its location. It can’t be nowhere, can it? It must have a form when we aren’t looking, it can’t be nothing, can it? I don’t think concepts like these are easily filed in our minds…yet. Even if we want to believe some of these ideas, I don’t think they can truly be embraced by the deepest recesses of our minds…yet.

It is interesting to note that Physics is a science, and etymologists think the root of the word science probably means “to separate one thing from another”, “to divide by cutting”. This very much reflects our methods of attaining knowledge; dividing, dividing and dividing everything into its pieces and parts until (we think) we can say we “know” (understand) it. (I even did it here by breaking the word down!) Yet the uncertainty principle is simply saying WE can’t predict the behavior of the electron. And I think the modern western mind says, if WE can’t identify it, it can’t be identified.

Perhaps the impulse to divide in order to understand is a reflection of our very existence; the zygote, once formed, must continue to divide and divide in order for life to be. And the cells of our bodies must continue to divide through out our entire life. How? What instigates this division? Bio-chemically, we can describe it, but we don’t really understand the impetus behind it. It is a mysterious Will. Maybe, the electron has a Will of some kind; the power of intention beyond anything we’ve imagined, that causes its apparently unpredictable and seemingly ‘absurd’ behavior.

And maybe there is an entire world of possibilities and happenings that we have not yet evolved to be aware of. For instance, in some frogs, their brains have evolved to respond (visually) only to small moving objects. A frog can literally starve to death surrounded by perfectly good, but motionless, flies. It simply can not ‘see’ or rather, seems to be ‘programmed’ solely to respond to moving flies. Of course, this is a genius of evolution. Better to eat fresh living flies then pebbles you (oops!) thought was a fly. Maybe, as we quest for the answers to these Quantum questions, our minds are evolving as well, and realities that have been before us all along will become apparent.

Impressions of Quantum Web Sites

Truthfully, I am pretty lost reading these web sites. I don’t what know Cartesian tensors are or what Euclidian space is and I don’t understand the formulas and symbols. However this is what I think I understand….

At one time folks thought that things could be divided only so far… and that was what atoms were, the smallest bit of matter.

By the early 1900s physicists had a more complete picture of the atom, acknowledging the sub-atomic particles; electrons, neutrons and protons. But physicists were (and still are I think!) trying to understand how the atom functioned. They wanted to know why certain atoms absorbed and radiated specific amounts of energy.

There were other ‘problems’ or rather characteristics/behaviors of substances that could not be explained by the contemporary scientific thinking. So they started thinking different…..

In 1905 Einstein suggested the idea of the wave-particle duality. He observed that light can be both a wave and a particle (I’m not sure precisely what it means to ‘be a wave’ however). Another scientist, Broglie, said if energy can be both wave and particle, why not matter as well? Eventually physicists began to think of atoms as changing all the time. When electrons; the bit that spins around the nucleus, absorb ‘packets’ of energy (quanta), they ‘disappear’, reappearing in a different energy state.

Nowadays, there are even more ideas about sub-atomic particles and how they behave. Electrons belong to a class of particles called leptons; protons and neutrons are baryons and are made of quarks. And then there’s bosons and gluons!

It seems that the quest is still on for the absolute smallest bit of matter…folks still want to know ‘what we’re made of’. I suppose it is difficult for many to really and truly embrace the notion that there is a spectrum of existence…that energy and matter are joined aspects of this spectrum, not fundamentally different states of being.

It seems to me that this relationship was represented beautifully over two thousand years ago with the names of Yin and Yang. If you look at the four principles of Yin and Yang you can see the echoes of these quantum discussions: Yin and Yang are apparent opposites, as are matter and energy. Yin and Yang are interdependent—one can not exist without the other, again as in matter and energy (though it looks like we’re still debating that!). Yin and Yang can turn into each other (inter-transformation) as do matter and energy. Yin and Yang consume each other…do matter and energy?

Week 1: Reflections on class: The Meaning of Time

My understanding of time has been that it is a way to measure movement through space. In our case, it is the movement of our lovely little planet on its own axis and around our Sun. I enjoy celebrating the number of journeys around the sun I've made at birthdays rather than "how old I am". I think this is an interesting choice of words, how old I am. In other languages, one says how many years they 'have' not 'are'. One isn't better than the other. They simply may indicate slightly different awareness of time.

I think that our awareness of time is made of several components:
- our perception of the immediate world around us (sensory input and processing)
- our emotional experience of that data
- our view of ourselves experiencing it all (i.e. self-awareness or self-consciousness)
- previous experiences and emotional memories

We can attempt to view time from outside of our personal experience. The tree has this many rings and therefore is this old. Events have occurred before us, wars fought, tyrants overthrown, crops harvested, pilgrimages taken. And presumably, events will occur after we are gone. But in terms of the actual human consciousness, there are only 2 states of time, rather than a one way continuum. There is Now and Not-Now. What I mean is: Now is now, this moment. This moment is always changing yet remains the same because we are always in it! Even when we are dreaming of the future or past, where ever our awareness may be, there it is! Even if we were to travel on the continuum we imagine time to be we are still in our own personal Now. Everything else, everything we are not experiencing in this very moment is Not-Now.

What about the idea that our consciousness can be somewhere that our body is not? Then what is Now? Is Now where our consciousness is or where our body is?

One day, when I was remembering a time of very low self-esteem, I decided to send a message to my past self telling her she was doing just fine. I thought, “Why not try to heal the past? I closed my eyes and revived the awareness I’d had all those years ago. From my heart I sent her (my past self) a message of forgiveness, hope and love. This became an occasional ritual for me.
Then one day, when I was having trouble making a decision and feeling a little lost it occurred to me that if I could access my past self, why not my future self. I’d always had a very clear image of who I will be as an old woman so why not look to her wisdom, the wisdom I would someday have? So, closing my eyes, drawing into my heart and belly, I sought a connection with that wise old woman, and asked for guidance and clarity. These practices usually bring really positive results for me. Now, I may not be traveling through, or altering time, but then again…..I may be.

Week One Quiz answers

1) What attracts me to Chinese Medicine?
I am attracted to the language used to describe phenomena. It is lyrical….poetic, yet conveys an intimate understanding of the true nature of the phenomena. It indicates an understanding of the mutability of all things, the dynamic and delicate interdependency of all things.
I am attracted to the objectivity of Classical Chinese Medicine. It is based, not on a fundamental principle of right and wrong, but of likely and appropriate responses or interactions between elements of nature; responses observed over millennia and through the lens of devoted personal cultivation (and persistent practice!!).
I am attracted to the graceful accuracy with which the ancients understood the workings of the world around and within us. Without probes and microscopes, without all the laboratory tests of today, the ancients were able to identify structures and functions seemingly invisible to the naked eye and put to good use techniques to bring about genuine healing.
I am attracted to the boundless potential that CCM contains. We may apply its fundamental principles to any phenomena in the universe (so far) and reap an understanding of the phenomena and its relationship to its surroundings and to ourselves.
I am attracted to the enduring success of CCM in truly helping individuals move through their lives with a little more ease, with less suffering, with more vitality, peace and harmony, without harmful side effects and with intentional accordance to the rhythm of nature.

2) What do I honestly think of physics, really?
My experience of physics is limited to my own backyard explorations, ‘thought experiments’ and dreams. I know virtually nothing of the science of physics and what current thought espouses.

3) Now that I think about it, have I ever experienced time "slowing down" or "speeding up"?

During a shiatsu session when I am highly focused or in a meditative state a brief moment can feel endless and when the session comes to an end can feel like it passed quickly (especially to the receiver!)
The first time I remember intentionally changing my experience of time I was running a house cleaning business. The house I was in was much larger (and filthier!) than I had expected. I had to pick my son up by certain time and besides, had given the owner an estimate they expected me to stick to. As the clock ticked onward I knew I would never get all the work done in time. In tears I called my mother who calmly said, “Just close your eyes, breathe, slow down and tell yourself you have all the time in the world, you will do a fantastic and complete job! So instead of speeding up, I slowed my body, breathe and thoughts down. And I did in fact do a fantastic and complete job.