15.
How energy becomes matter
NOTE: This
is an excerpt from the book The
Least You Should Know About Life.
Another baffling discovery made by quantum physicists is that subatomic
particles seem to have a schizophrenic personality. Sometimes they behave
as matter particles – very small billiard balls zooming around
inside the atom – and sometimes they behave as energy waves flowing
through an ocean. It even seems that when scientists look for a particle,
the subatomic entity obediently behaves like one and when they look
for a wave, it behaves like a wave. This is one more indication that
the human mind can influence the “stuff” out of which the
matter world is made.
What can account for this dual behavior? Einstein proved that matter
is made from energy, meaning that atoms are created through a process
whereby energy takes on the appearance of solid matter. Scientists know
a lot about how energy waves behave, but they cannot really define what
energy is. The closest they can come is to say that energy is a form
of vibration.
It now follows that matter is created from a form of pure energy. If
energy is vibration, this pure energy must have a form of vibration
that is above the vibration of matter particles. As the vibration of
the energy is lowered or becomes more dense, the pure energy takes on
the appearance of a solid particle. This is supported by the fact that
quantum physicists have observed that a subatomic particle can appear
in what is seemingly empty space. A particle suddenly appears out of
“nowhere,” divides itself into several particles that then
collide with each other and disappear back to wherever they came from.
Where could subatomic particles possibly come from? Quantum physicists
have discovered that it is impossible to predict the exact outcome of
any experiment that involves subatomic particles. One can only predict
the probability of a certain outcome. This has caused scientists to
speculate that until an observation is made, subatomic particles do
not exist in the material realm, the realm of matter. Instead, they
exist in what is called the realm of probability. In this realm there
are numerous potentials for a certain type of particle to manifest in
a certain location. When an observation is made, one of these probabilities
becomes an actuality, and a “solid” particle appears in
the realm of matter where it can be measured.
It now becomes clear that the philosophical implications of quantum
physics point to a world view that incorporates the following elements:
-
There
must be something beyond what scientists now call the material universe.
This might be called a realm of probability, a quantum field, a
realm of pure energy, a different dimension, a parallel universe
or something else. Yet there must be a realm of higher vibrations
in which there is only pure energy and neither physical matter nor
physical energy. As the vibrational properties of these pure energy
waves are lowered, they manifest as subatomic particles (which then
form the building blocks of all matter) or physical energy waves
such as light.
-
There
is no impenetrable barrier between the two realms. In fact, the
material realm is created by – possibly sustained by –
a “stream” of energy that flows from the higher realm
into the material realm.
-
The process
whereby energy takes on material form seems inescapably linked to
some form of consciousness. Quantum physicists have discovered that
no matter could be created without the involvement of a conscious
mind. They even consider whether the universe is actually there
when no one is looking.
- The
human mind can interact with the most fundamental level of matter,
and can seemingly play a role in bringing energy from a higher realm
into the material realm, even causing this energy to take on a specific
form.
The consequence
of these scientifically proven facts is that science has now pointed
to a world view that is very similar to what various spiritual teachings
have been saying for thousands of years. Obviously, spiritual teachings
have used a vastly different terminology, often involving myths and
stories adapted to a more primitive culture than modern society. Yet
it seems that the main difference between the scientific and the spiritual
world view is a matter of words. Could one find a new approach that
would unite the two?
Take note that it is not hereby said that any specific religion has
been validated by science. In fact, the world view sketched above would
require most traditional religions to abandon some of their most cherished
doctrines. Many religions are based on the idea that God resides in
a higher realm, but that human beings cannot enter that realm on their
own. Thus, they need the outer religion or an outer savior in order
to “be saved.” The new world view makes it clear that this
view has to be abandoned.
The human mind itself can interact with a realm that is beyond matter,
meaning that you do not need anything outside yourself in order to contact
the spiritual realm. In reality, this has been taught by several spiritual
teachers. For example, the Buddha said that the cause of suffering is
found in the mind in the form of ignorance. Thus, the way to overcome
suffering is to develop a higher state of consciousness that is free
from ignorance. Jesus also taught that you do not need an outer institution
in order to enter the kingdom of God. As he said, “The kingdom
of God is within you” (Luke 17:21). Is it possible that science
has now discovered a fundamental truth about the human mind, a truth
that both the Buddha and Jesus expressed in a different language?
16.
A radical new world view
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© 2008 by Kim Michaels |
