Part 1: Everything is Energy

Ancient Wisdom as a Precursor to Modern Physics

Did you know there is a real fear of burning in hell? It is called stygiophobia. I hardly consider myself a practicing Catholic, but I still feel compelled to eat fish on Fridays during Lent, and occasionally think I might burn in hell for thinking outside the box about creation. Religious beliefs can form a wall that makes it hard to think independently. It’s difficult to break through old thoughts. Just as religious people fear the wrath of God for questioning doctrine, scientists fear the wrath of their peers if they speak outside acceptable scientific theories, especially if they begin to lean into spiritual beliefs.  

However, viewing energy from a strict perspective of a single discipline makes it hard to see the bigger picture. For most of my life I have kept an open mind about science, religion, metaphysical studies, and supernatural experiences. This has shaped a new perspective about our universe— it is a multi-faceted, complex expression of energy, that has been described in ancient systems and unfolding in modern physics.

The Tao of Physics by physicist and author, Fritjof Capra, discusses the parallels between Eastern Mysticism and Modern Physics. Legendary physicists, J. Robert Oppenheimer and Neils Bohr commented on the familiarity of Eastern thought with modern physics a few decades before Capra.  However, Capra extensively compared the similarities between Eastern practices and physics theories that hypothesize the underlying system for the universe. He explained String, S-Matrix, Space-Time, and Quantum Field theories and why they are reminiscent of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Taoism thoughts on creation.

Since Capra published The Tao of Physics in 1974, physicists have made advances in particle research bringing modern physics and Eastern mysticism closer together. The parallels are intriguing, especially in light of the current understanding of energy as revealed by CERN experiments and other research institutions. At the heart of this convergence lies a shared recognition of the interconnectedness and interdependence of all phenomena—a fundamental principle that finds expression in both scientific theories and mystical traditions.

CERN is an international research lab in Switzerland often referred to as the European Laboratory for Particle Physics. According to CERN, they probe the fundamental structure of the particles that make up everything around us using the world's largest and most complex scientific instruments. In theoretical physics, discoveries at CERN and other cutting-edge facilities have revolutionized our understanding of the universe. Through experiments probing the fundamental nature of matter and energy, physicists have uncovered a rich tapestry of phenomena. At the heart of these discoveries lies the concept of energy—not merely as a static quantity, but as a dynamic, ever-transforming force that animates the cosmos.

I do not pretend to understand the complex, scientific theories that attempt to explain creation. Artificial Intelligence was the next best thing to hiring a tutor to explain it in non-scientific language. Here is a summary of some of the more popular physics theories, per Chatbot:

String Theory:

• Imagine that everything in the universe, from tiny particles to massive galaxies, is made up of tiny, vibrating strings. These strings can vibrate in different ways, producing various particles and forces. String theory aims to unify all fundamental forces of nature (gravity, electromagnetism, weak and strong nuclear forces) into a single framework. It suggests that the properties of particles and forces emerge from the vibrations of these strings in higher-dimensional spaces.

S-Matrix Theory:

• The S-matrix theory is a framework for understanding particle interactions. Imagine particles as actors on a stage and their interactions as exchanges of cues and dialogues. The S-matrix represents the scattering amplitudes, which describe how particles interact and scatter off each other. It helps physicists understand the outcomes of collisions and interactions between particles. S-matrix theory aims to provide a deeper understanding of the fundamental forces and particles in nature by studying the patterns and symmetries of particle interactions.

Space and Time:

• Space and time are the stage on which the drama of the universe unfolds. In classical physics, space is where things exist, and time is the progression of events. According to Einstein's theory of general relativity, space and time are intertwined in a four-dimensional fabric called spacetime. Massive objects like planets and stars curve this fabric, causing the path of objects to bend, which we perceive as gravity.

• Quantum mechanics suggests that spacetime may have a granular structure at very small scales, and some theories propose that spacetime itself emerges from more fundamental building blocks, such as strings or loops.

Quantum Field Theory (QFT):

• Imagine the universe as a dynamic stage filled with invisible fields that permeate all of space. These fields can be excited, creating particles that pop in and out of existence like actors appearing on the stage. Quantum field theory describes how particles and forces interact through these fields. It combines principles of quantum mechanics and special relativity to explain phenomena ranging from particle interactions to the behavior of electromagnetic waves.

• QFT is one of the most successful frameworks in theoretical physics, providing a robust description of fundamental particles and forces within the quantum realm. While these theories offer intriguing insights into the nature of the universe, proving them requires experimental evidence and mathematical consistency. Physicists continue to explore and test these theories through experiments, observations, and mathematical modeling, aiming to unlock the deeper secrets of the cosmos.

Extra Dimensions:

• Imagine that we live in a three-dimensional world: length, width, and height. These dimensions describe the space around us and the positions of objects within it. Scientists propose the idea of extra dimensions beyond the familiar three. These extra dimensions would be directions that are perpendicular to the ones we're accustomed to, but they're too small or curled up for us to perceive directly. Picture a garden hose: from a distance, it looks like a one-dimensional line. But if you zoom in, you'll see that it also has a circular dimension wrapped around it. Similarly, extra dimensions could exist, but they might be hidden or compactified on tiny scales.

Multiverse:

• The concept of the multiverse suggests that there could be many different universes, each with its own set of physical laws, constants, and properties. Think of each universe as a separate bubble in a vast cosmic bubble bath. Each bubble represents a different universe with its unique characteristics. In some versions of the multiverse theory, these universes may exist parallel to our own, perhaps separated by vast distances or operating according to different rules of physics.

• The multiverse idea arises from theories in physics, such as inflationary cosmology and string theory, which suggest that our universe may be just one of many possible outcomes in a broader cosmic landscape. These concepts push the boundaries of our imagination and challenge our understanding of reality. While they may sound like science fiction, they emerge from rigorous mathematical and theoretical frameworks in physics. Exploring the possibilities of extra dimensions and the multiverse can help scientists unravel the mysteries of the cosmos and our place within it.

The revelations of modern physics echo the insights of Eastern mysticism regarding the nature of reality. Both traditions recognize the dynamic nature of existence, wherein energy flows and fluctuates in a ceaseless dance of creation and dissolution. The concept of qi (pronounced, chee) bears a striking resemblance to the notion of energy in physics—a subtle yet pervasive force that permeates all aspects of life.

As our understanding of energy continues to evolve, bridging the gap between the material and the spiritual, we get a glimpse into a more holistic worldview—one that integrates the empirical rigor of science with the profound insights of ancient wisdom. In this synthesis lies the promise of a deeper understanding of ourselves and the cosmos we inhabit—a journey of exploration and discovery that transcends the boundaries of discipline and tradition.

To understand the parallels between ancient wisdom and modern physics, let’s examine the Tai-Ji symbol. It is probably one of the most recognizable symbols associated with Eastern Mysticism, yet often it is visually misrepresented. I have seen the symbol published upside down, sideways, mirrored, and missing the tiny circles. If any of my readers have a tattoo of it, I hope it looks like this:

The white side of the symbol represents the active “yang” energy. The black side represents passive energy “yin.” The circle and the tad-pole shapes of the energy show fluidity between the two forces in a constant state of movement. The small circles within each show yin cannot exist without yang and vice versa. They contain within themselves the potential for creation and destruction, for growth and decay. It is said that by embracing the interplay of Yin and Yang and acknowledging their inherent unity, one may glimpse the underlying harmony of the cosmos.  Yin and yang are complementary facets of the same cosmic dance—a dance in which each step informs the other, and in which balance is found not through dominance, but through mutual respect and harmony.

Even though descriptors of yang, (e.g., white, day, male, life, etc.) are the opposite of yin, (black, night, female, death, etc.) they are not dualistic, opposing forces. Long before the Tai-Ji symbol emerged, the dynamics of yin and yang were represented through eight trigrams. The Tai-Ji symbol is a simplified form of these trigrams.

A trigram is made of a solid or broken line that demonstrates the transformation of yin and yang energy.  The lines of the trigram are read from the bottom up, and represent earth, humankind, and heaven in that order. The oldest recorded trigram symbols were found on bones six thousand years ago at a gravesite. The find was linked to the earliest form of feng shui (i.e., grave selection).

The trigrams and the Tai-Ji symbol represent the universal state of change demonstrating an interconnectedness and interdependence of all things long before theoretical physicists began exploring the concept.

In Eastern philosophy, qi (energy) is everywhere, and everything is made of qi. It is a scientific fact that everything is made of energy, but for a long time, spaces with low atmospheric pressure were thought of as empty spaces, devoid of any particles or fields. But that is no longer thought to be true. According to quantum field theory, even in the seemingly empty vacuum, fields permeate space and fluctuate incessantly. These fields, such as the electromagnetic field, the Higgs field, and others, can manifest as particles and antiparticles spontaneously popping in and out of existence.

Ancient mystics understood and accepted the connectedness of the world based on observation and the spiritual philosophy of oneness, whereas modern physics observed the universal makeup in a controlled laboratory environment to generate proof of this connectedness.

What Eastern mystics have accepted as truth for thousands of years might take multiple, modern scientific disciplines and supporting evidence to convince everyone else. One of the central tenets of Eastern mysticism is the idea of unity or oneness—the notion that all phenomena, including human consciousness, are interconnected and inseparable from the fabric of existence. According to this view, consciousness is not confined to the individual mind but is rather an expression of the universal consciousness that permeates all of creation.

Some researchers explore the hypothesis that quantum processes in the brain may play a role in generating consciousness. This perspective suggests that phenomena such as quantum coherence, entanglement, and superposition could contribute to the emergence of subjective experience. However, the extent to which quantum effects influence consciousness remains a topic of debate and speculation.

Perhaps the best empirical evidence that consciousness is energy can’t yet be measured through a laboratory experiment (though some interesting research has taken place over the last fifty years). People who have had Near-Death Experiences (NDEs) provide proof about human interconnectedness. Up next week, Part 2 on Energy and what can be learned from NDE cases about the universe.