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.
Monday, September 29, 2008
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!
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.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
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.
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.
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.
Monday, September 15, 2008
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!!!!!!!!!
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.
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.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
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.
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.
Friday, September 12, 2008
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.
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.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
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?
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?
Thursday, September 4, 2008
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.
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)