Science, Spirituality, and the Brain [Video]

Quantum Electrodynamics (QED) and Measurement Problem

"Quantum electrodynamics (QED) is the relativistic quantum field theory of electrodynamics. In essence, it describes how light and matter interact and is the first theory where full agreement between quantum mechanics and special relativity is achieved. QED mathematically describes all phenomena involving electrically charged particles interacting by means of exchange of photons and represents the quantum counterpart of classical electrodynamics giving a complete account of matter and light interaction. One of the founding fathers of QED, Richard Feynman, has called it "the jewel of physics" for its extremely accurate predictions of quantities like the anomalous magnetic moment of the electron, and the Lamb shift of the energy levels of hydrogen."

QED: The Strange Theory of Light and Matter By Richard, Feynman (1985) from Wikipedia

My thoughts on QED: It just seems interesting to me that electromagnetism is the only theory so far which has been able to bridge quantum physics and Einstein's theory of relativity. Since all personal development, spiritualities, yogic systems and religions attempt to develop one's electromagnetic field, also known as the aura, in order to evolve as a human being - it seems convenient, if not ironic, that this is so. However, rather than to imagine "one right answer" to the existence of the Universe, perhaps it is safer to assume that multiple answers and/or no answer is the best answer. Also, since I'm a novice at science and cannot claim in any way to understand this theory or its constituent parts, then my comparison between science and spirituality is purely random thought without any solid basis. In a way, my thoughts are quantum coming into existence as of and by themselves without any guide or velocity from myself and then dying as they reach their full fruition into words - and to think that this process is to do with my electromagnetic field is simply bizzare and extraordinary at the same time.

"The measurement problem in quantum mechanics is the unresolved problem of how (or if) wavefunction collapse occurs. The best known is the "paradox" of the Schrödinger's cat: a cat is apparently evolving into a linear superposition of basis vectors that can be characterized as an "alive cat" and states that can be described as a "dead cat". Each of these possibilities is associated with a specific nonzero probability amplitude; the cat seems to be in a "mixed" state. However, a single, particular observation of the cat does not measure the probabilities: it always finds either a living cat, or a dead cat. After the measurement the cat is definitively alive or dead. The question is: How are the probabilities converted into an actual, sharply well-defined outcome?"

From Wikipedia

My thoughts on the measurement problem: The measurement problem, as highlighted by the Double Slit Experiment and the paradox of Schrödinger's cat, shows something very interesting to me. It shows me that reality is itself infinite, but when we try to observe it or imagine it, it becomes finite. I would posit that this is because the observer's mind is finite, and therefore reality is adjusting itself into a form which can be understood by the observer. For example, if we had an observer with an infinite mind capable of understanding everything, then reality would not have to rearrange itself but rather would display itself in its true form.

Also, it is the observer who is transforming reality at the same time as reality is transforming itself to the observer. If the observer was looking to manipulate a result, simply by looking to see that result, the result would emerge, not because it exists but because the observer has a filter with which they are looking through, which is having an impact on reality. For example, if a person always thinks everyone is against them, then their reality exists as everyone around them attacking them or making them wrong, whereas the reality may be different. Thus, I make two summaries for the future. One: reality's true form is infinite. Two: the observer's filter or notions about reality taints reality.

From this I draw one interesting idea: Since reality and the observer can impact each other, there must be a relationship between the infinite (reality) and the finite (observer). This relationship suggests that the finite is a part of the infinite and the infinite is a part of the finite, in varying degrees to the extent of that relationship. The extent of the relationship is determined by the extent to which one's mind can conceive infinity without adding any filters or notions and since the mind is finite, only by eliminating the mind and its filters can infinity be conceived in totality. If the apparatus of the limited mind is removed, it allows for something greater to arrive that could otherwise be understood by the barriers of the limited mind. Thus, the relationship to reality is in negative correlation to the usage of the mind. In other words, only by stopping thinking can reality really be seen, even if only for a fraction of a second.

Naturally, then new notions may be added to manipulate reality to the observer's wants and needs. The problem with the old notions are that they were not chosen but rather inherited from society, parents, teachers, upbringing and environments, and would thus naturally taint reality in a way which is not in the observer's favour. Also, since a human being requires a mind to function, even if there was a technology to escape it momentarily, the limited mind would return and with it reality would dissipate back into a limited form which could be understood by it.

All the above is not proven, and so it remains to be seen whether modern science comes to the same conclusion in a hundred years time - but it felt good to share these thoughts and its in the love of sharing something that I do this.

Kind regards,

JHBSK xxx

Quantum Electrodynamics (QED) and Measurement Problem

"Quantum electrodynamics (QED) is the relativistic quantum field theory of electrodynamics. In essence, it describes how light and matter interact and is the first theory where full agreement between quantum mechanics and special relativity is achieved. QED mathematically describes all phenomena involving electrically charged particles interacting by means of exchange of photons and represents the quantum counterpart of classical electrodynamics giving a complete account of matter and light interaction. One of the founding fathers of QED, Richard Feynman, has called it "the jewel of physics" for its extremely accurate predictions of quantities like the anomalous magnetic moment of the electron, and the Lamb shift of the energy levels of hydrogen."

QED: The Strange Theory of Light and Matter By Richard, Feynman (1985) from Wikipedia

My thoughts on QED: It just seems interesting to me that electromagnetism is the only theory so far which has been able to bridge quantum physics and Einstein's theory of relativity. Since all personal development, spiritualities, yogic systems and religions attempt to develop one's electromagnetic field, also known as the aura, in order to evolve as a human being - it seems convenient, if not ironic, that this is so. However, rather than to imagine "one right answer" to the existence of the Universe, perhaps it is safer to assume that multiple answers and/or no answer is the best answer. Also, since I'm a novice at science and cannot claim in any way to understand this theory or its constituent parts, then my comparison between science and spirituality is purely random thought without any solid basis. In a way, my thoughts are quantum coming into existence as of and by themselves without any guide or velocity from myself and then dying as they reach their full fruition into words - and to think that this process is to do with my electromagnetic field is simply bizzare and extraordinary at the same time.

"The measurement problem in quantum mechanics is the unresolved problem of how (or if) wavefunction collapse occurs. The best known is the "paradox" of the Schrödinger's cat: a cat is apparently evolving into a linear superposition of basis vectors that can be characterized as an "alive cat" and states that can be described as a "dead cat". Each of these possibilities is associated with a specific nonzero probability amplitude; the cat seems to be in a "mixed" state. However, a single, particular observation of the cat does not measure the probabilities: it always finds either a living cat, or a dead cat. After the measurement the cat is definitively alive or dead. The question is: How are the probabilities converted into an actual, sharply well-defined outcome?"

From Wikipedia

My thoughts on the measurement problem: The measurement problem, as highlighted by the Double Slit Experiment and the paradox of Schrödinger's cat, shows something very interesting to me. It shows me that reality is itself infinite, but when we try to observe it or imagine it, it becomes finite. I would posit that this is because the observer's mind is finite, and therefore reality is adjusting itself into a form which can be understood by the observer. For example, if we had an observer with an infinite mind capable of understanding everything, then reality would not have to rearrange itself but rather would display itself in its true form.

Also, it is the observer who is transforming reality at the same time as reality is transforming itself to the observer. If the observer was looking to manipulate a result, simply by looking to see that result, the result would emerge, not because it exists but because the observer has a filter with which they are looking through, which is having an impact on reality. For example, if a person always thinks everyone is against them, then their reality exists as everyone around them attacking them or making them wrong, whereas the reality may be different. Thus, I make two summaries for the future. One: reality's true form is infinite. Two: the observer's filter or notions about reality taints reality.

From this I draw one interesting idea: Since reality and the observer can impact each other, there must be a relationship between the infinite (reality) and the finite (observer). This relationship suggests that the finite is a part of the infinite and the infinite is a part of the finite, in varying degrees to the extent of that relationship. The extent of the relationship is determined by the extent to which one's mind can conceive infinity without adding any filters or notions and since the mind is finite, only by eliminating the mind and its filters can infinity be conceived in totality. If the apparatus of the limited mind is removed, it allows for something greater to arrive that could otherwise be understood by the barriers of the limited mind. Thus, the relationship to reality is in negative correlation to the usage of the mind. In other words, only by stopping thinking can reality really be seen, even if only for a fraction of a second.

Naturally, then new notions may be added to manipulate reality to the observer's wants and needs. The problem with the old notions are that they were not chosen but rather inherited from society, parents, teachers, upbringing and environments, and would thus naturally taint reality in a way which is not in the observer's favour. Also, since a human being requires a mind to function, even if there was a technology to escape it momentarily, the limited mind would return and with it reality would dissipate back into a limited form which could be understood by it.

All the above is not proven, and so it remains to be seen whether modern science comes to the same conclusion in a hundred years time - but it felt good to share these thoughts and its in the love of sharing something that I do this.

Kind regards,

JHBSK xxx

Quote of the Day: True Yoga

True Yoga is such an integration of the higher aspects of religion, philosophy and scientific methodology. Without devotion, yoga becomes mechanical and mentally dry. Without philosophy, the mind will wander and doubt such that the practice cannot be sustained over long periods. Without methodical and proven techniques, one merely engages in wishful thinking or emotional hallucinations.

By Rudra Shivananda - Page 2 of Sanatana Mitra: April 2010

Quote of the Day: True Yoga

True Yoga is such an integration of the higher aspects of religion, philosophy and scientific methodology. Without devotion, yoga becomes mechanical and mentally dry. Without philosophy, the mind will wander and doubt such that the practice cannot be sustained over long periods. Without methodical and proven techniques, one merely engages in wishful thinking or emotional hallucinations.

By Rudra Shivananda - Page 2 of Sanatana Mitra: April 2010

Know yourself?

I always see people walking around with a certainty in where they are going and what they are doing. But do people really stop to think what they are doing? Personally I find it quite bizarre that we as a species assume we know what we are, but if we were ever to really stop and reflect in silence, it would reveal dimensions to ourselves we never knew even existed.

Ultimately, it is our basic goal to feel fulfilled, happy and joyous. And thus, is what we are doing everyday bringing us closer to that goal, or further away? Usually we tend to mistake those things which bring some degree of happiness as being a way to fulfilment. For example, recreational drugs, alcohol, relationships, job promotions, going on holiday, lots of money, friends and personal possessions. However, in the end these things cannot provide sustained happiness without negative side effects. For example, working hard to get a job promotion may bring lots of wealth and recognition, but the cost may be your aliveness, family time and health. Trying out recreational drugs may bring a buzz for 2 hours, but the cost is your health, time and money. All these things do bring happiness, but in order to sustain that happiness, the cost continues to multiply in its severity. Therefore, to reach the goal of happiness and to sustain it, none of these solutions are practical.

So what should we do? We should practice a tried and tested science for happiness - indeed this is what all spiritual teachers have taught, but overtime people have diluted the teachings, making it difficult to ascertain what is authentic. And so the quest for happiness lies in getting back to an original authentic science and then practising that science - such teachings are known as the eternal teachings for humankind. The eternal teachings are concerned with the heart and the head (mind).

The Heart
The heart-centre, located in the centre of the chest two and a half inches below the neck, is where God resides. God is everywhere but we can find Him in the heart. The heart-centre is an infinite source of love, joy and compassion. When people fall in love it is this centre which is activated and a person experiences bliss. Similarly, this experience gives a glimpse of the state of happiness which can be achieved through devotion to God. Devotion. There's no right or wrong way to love or worship God, so long as a person doesn't hurt others in the process. Love is love is love. Love is in sacrifice, communication and service. Sacrificing your own time to serve your higher self, communicating with God constantly through the heart-centre and serving others without intending for reward.

The Head/Mind
The mind is more precious than a diamond but treated worse than dust. The secret of the mind is that when it is clear it is as expansive as the universe and allows us to know the unknown, see the unseen and hear the unheard, but when it is dirty it makes us limited and becomes our worst enemy. All authentic spiritual practices should result in the purification of the mind's thought waves to bring it to stillness. There are many practices which do this, but one of the most effective of all in the current age is the chanting of the Name of God at the Third Eye (in between the two eyebrows) along with an awareness of the breath incoming and outgoing through the nose. Two eternal Names of God are Sat Naam (rhymes with But-Mom) meaning 'Truth is My Identity" or Wa-Hey-Guru which is an expression of complete intoxication in God.

Ultimately, it shall be God who gives us liberation through His Grace, and thus chanting the Name of God connects us back to the source of happiness and liberation. The single-pointed concentration at the Third Eye gives us direct access to our soul, so we may discover who we really are. Chanting Sat Naam gives us the power to discover the truth in all areas of our life and to control all the 5 elements of earth, fire, water, air and ether within the being to give command of our domain. Chanting Wa-Hey-Guru brings us to our origin so that we may see God in all and be intoxicated with love of God day and night, night and day, forever. These Names of God are universal and may be chanted by anyone, not just those practicing Sikh Dharma.

Conclusion
Until we purify the mind and connect to God in our heart, the eternal teachings explain that fulfilment is not possible. The heart and the mind are the two keys in unlocking a life of sustained happiness without negative side effects. By using these two keys it is possible to live a life free from all worry, anxiety, stress and pressure, irrespective of time, space or circumstance. If we are fortunate enough to come across an authentic science of happiness which deals with the heart and the mind, may we practice it and be fulfilled and then go on to help others find fulfillment.

Sat Naam.

Know yourself?

I always see people walking around with a certainty in where they are going and what they are doing. But do people really stop to think what they are doing? Personally I find it quite bizarre that we as a species assume we know what we are, but if we were ever to really stop and reflect in silence, it would reveal dimensions to ourselves we never knew even existed.

Ultimately, it is our basic goal to feel fulfilled, happy and joyous. And thus, is what we are doing everyday bringing us closer to that goal, or further away? Usually we tend to mistake those things which bring some degree of happiness as being a way to fulfilment. For example, recreational drugs, alcohol, relationships, job promotions, going on holiday, lots of money, friends and personal possessions. However, in the end these things cannot provide sustained happiness without negative side effects. For example, working hard to get a job promotion may bring lots of wealth and recognition, but the cost may be your aliveness, family time and health. Trying out recreational drugs may bring a buzz for 2 hours, but the cost is your health, time and money. All these things do bring happiness, but in order to sustain that happiness, the cost continues to multiply in its severity. Therefore, to reach the goal of happiness and to sustain it, none of these solutions are practical.

So what should we do? We should practice a tried and tested science for happiness - indeed this is what all spiritual teachers have taught, but overtime people have diluted the teachings, making it difficult to ascertain what is authentic. And so the quest for happiness lies in getting back to an original authentic science and then practising that science - such teachings are known as the eternal teachings for humankind. The eternal teachings are concerned with the heart and the head (mind).

The Heart
The heart-centre, located in the centre of the chest two and a half inches below the neck, is where God resides. God is everywhere but we can find Him in the heart. The heart-centre is an infinite source of love, joy and compassion. When people fall in love it is this centre which is activated and a person experiences bliss. Similarly, this experience gives a glimpse of the state of happiness which can be achieved through devotion to God. Devotion. There's no right or wrong way to love or worship God, so long as a person doesn't hurt others in the process. Love is love is love. Love is in sacrifice, communication and service. Sacrificing your own time to serve your higher self, communicating with God constantly through the heart-centre and serving others without intending for reward.

The Head/Mind
The mind is more precious than a diamond but treated worse than dust. The secret of the mind is that when it is clear it is as expansive as the universe and allows us to know the unknown, see the unseen and hear the unheard, but when it is dirty it makes us limited and becomes our worst enemy. All authentic spiritual practices should result in the purification of the mind's thought waves to bring it to stillness. There are many practices which do this, but one of the most effective of all in the current age is the chanting of the Name of God at the Third Eye (in between the two eyebrows) along with an awareness of the breath incoming and outgoing through the nose. Two eternal Names of God are Sat Naam (rhymes with But-Mom) meaning 'Truth is My Identity" or Wa-Hey-Guru which is an expression of complete intoxication in God.

Ultimately, it shall be God who gives us liberation through His Grace, and thus chanting the Name of God connects us back to the source of happiness and liberation. The single-pointed concentration at the Third Eye gives us direct access to our soul, so we may discover who we really are. Chanting Sat Naam gives us the power to discover the truth in all areas of our life and to control all the 5 elements of earth, fire, water, air and ether within the being to give command of our domain. Chanting Wa-Hey-Guru brings us to our origin so that we may see God in all and be intoxicated with love of God day and night, night and day, forever. These Names of God are universal and may be chanted by anyone, not just those practicing Sikh Dharma.

Conclusion
Until we purify the mind and connect to God in our heart, the eternal teachings explain that fulfilment is not possible. The heart and the mind are the two keys in unlocking a life of sustained happiness without negative side effects. By using these two keys it is possible to live a life free from all worry, anxiety, stress and pressure, irrespective of time, space or circumstance. If we are fortunate enough to come across an authentic science of happiness which deals with the heart and the mind, may we practice it and be fulfilled and then go on to help others find fulfillment.

Sat Naam.

Religion and Science - Why and How!

I recently attended a talk about Faith and Post-Darwinism and with the anniversary of Charles Darwin I thought it would make an interesting article.

A lot of people suggest that religion is completely based on faith, which makes it completely incompatible with science because science is based on empirical, provable facts. Although it could be argued that even science needs an element of 'faith' this doesn't hold up very well because a scientific 'faith' is a reasoned point of view that is continually empirically tested. Religious faith is different in that it is unconditional devotion.

Yes, science explains the world around us and yes, religion gives us an element of virtues and morality and yes, both are ways of explaining Truth. That's all well and good but can religion and science truly fit together?

From a non-theistic perspective, the argument that religion is a source of morality/ethics can be more or less equated to 'religion is useless' because one can for example draw on virtue, utilitarian or Kantian ethics for morality. So what's left? Nothing?

From a more theistic perspective, true religion is a way of life. It governs ultimately our behaviour, in an open and non controlling way. The aim of which is to ultimately unite with the Divine (that's probably more of a Sikh take on religion, but I see it as the essence of all religions). OK, so that all sounds very nice and cosy, but what's the divine and what does it mean to unite? Isn't it all just 'faith'?

Science helps answer the why questions. Religion (or more accurately Dharma, way of life) helps answer the how questions. The essence of true religion is spirituality. It is only in the recent few centuries that the why questions have played a more important role in our western societies than the how. The reasons for this are huge but one influence certainly seems to be gradual loss in experiential Dharma. Over the last few hundred years the role of Dharma in our everyday lives has reduced. It has become an idealist theory that people think about. We don't live it, but simply think it. We now and again pop into the religious places of worship and if we're open enough, feel inspired and uplifted. But our habitual day-to-day activities take over soon after. They take over because we have no daily spiritual practice.

With the loss of this we have lost the knowledge of what it means to live Dharma. Obsession with power, control and the ego take the reigns and has now lead organised religion to be thought of as narrow minded, political and external. The paradox is that religion is about returning to the origin, to our origin, our higher conscious, the divine. We are God but we have forgotten that.

The thing is we don't like to simply go back to the experience because now, it has to make 'sense'. It has to fulfil our 'why' questions to stand a chance of changing our behaviour. Its a funny paradox because in an age where we ask why to everything which might challenge our habitual behaviour, we are happy to drink away the problems, get absolutely drunk and act in completely irrational and emotional ways in name of 'fun'. Fortunately, science explains our world, and spirituality is part of that world. So beginning with the questions of why, will eventually end up in the 'how'. Although not fully there yet, the boundaries of science, philosophy and spirituality are gradually merging. I genuinely strive to understand scientifically how these spiritual things work and this knowledge simply adds to my fascination with the 'how'. When you experience you know it works. The why just makes it easier to explain to others and yourself.

Its easy to think science provides us with progress and is more important than how to live a religious/spiritual/dharmic life. Don't get me wrong, its amazing! Its allowed us to as humans shape the world we live in and have all these cool things like the Wii!! But we have to remember to make progress in internally understanding ourselves, within our selves.

We are living in a very fortunate time. We are able to ask why and get empirically proven answers. But until we integrate our spiritual practice into our lives we'll simply not progress spiritually and spiritual progression is part of being a human. Of course that's until we hit our next evolutionary jump as humans and become far more aware of our spiritual selves!

Lets not be afraid of change. We should embrace it. Expand the thirst to understand our environment to our own souls and use religion and science together to progress in a balanced way.

"It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change." - Charles Darwin