The Logic of Motion

Matter is substance and so is light (see The Logic of Substance). A substance has substantiality. The measure of substantiality is given by mass concentration. We may use the word “substantiality” to mean mass concentration.

By substantiality we mean mass concentration.

As shown in the chapter on The Logic of Field, the range of substantiality (mass concentration) was extended greatly with the discovery of the nuclear and electronic regions in the atom. The substantiality of nucleus is greater than the substantiality of matter. The substantiality of electron, on the other hand, is many orders of magnitude less than the substantiality of matter.

We apply the term “mass” to matter, but when we consider particles like protons, neutrons and electrons, we assume the mass to be distributed throughout the volume of the particle. Hence, we are dealing with mass concentration, or substantiality, at a location in space. We may, therefore, conclude:

A location in space has substantiality.

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Substantiality and Energy

Einstein’s famous equation, E = mc2 shows the equivalence of mass and energy. It also shows that infinitesimal amount of mass is equivalent to a significant amount of energy because of the large multiplier c2. Therefore, an infinitesimal amount of mass may only be detectable as energy.

The mass of the electron field may be back calculated as E/c2, but it is so small a number that physics uses the equivalent energy value. to represent the substantiality of the electron field.

The presentation of substantiality of field in energy units has, unfortunately, contributed to conflating the traditional concepts of mass and energy. The energy units do not imply that field has no substance.

The substantiality is expressed in mass units, but, for fields, it may be expressed in energy units.

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Intrinsic Motion

The agitation of gas molecules is an example of intrinsic motion. Another example is the Brownian motion. These particles move by themselves. There are no external forces acting on these particles. Another example of intrinsic motion is the rapid motion of electron field around the nucleus.

The intrinsic motion of a substance exists because of its intrinsic nature. Therefore, the intrinsic motion must depend on substantiality. We may say that the rapid motion of electron field around the nucleus exists because of the large substantiality differential between these two regions within the atom.

The intrinsic motion of light expresses itself as the speed of light. Therefore, the speed of light is also an expression of the substantiality of light.

Substance has intrinsic motion that depends on substantiality.

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Speed & Mass Concentration

The more substantial is the substance the greater is its endurance, the longer it stays in a state, and the slower is its rate of intrinsic change. This is the case with solid matter. On the other hand, the less substantial is the substance, the lesser is its endurance, the shorter it stays in a state, and the faster is its rate of intrinsic change. The is the case with ephemeral light. Therefore

The rate of intrinsic change is inversely proportional to substantiality.

The rate of intrinsic change for light appears to be its motion in space. This motion is absolute because it does not depend on anything external to light for its existence or specific nature. From this perspective, the absolute motion of matter is close to zero because its rate of intrinsic change in space is extremely slow. Therefore

The rate of intrinsic change appears as absolute motion in space.

The absolute motion is very different from relative motions of objects. The speed of light is 3 x 108 meters/sec. This is a measure of absolute motion. The orbital speed of earth around the sun is about 3 x 104 meters/sec. This is a measure of relative motion. We cannot say that the speed of earth is 1/10,000 of the speed of light because this is not comparing the same type of motion. The absolute motion of earth is very likely even a smaller percentage of the speed of light.

We cannot compare relative speeds to the speed of light.

The speeds of material bodies and fields may only be compared in terms of their substantiality (mass concentration). This comparison is anticipated by the mass-energy equivalence. As the intrinsic mass is replaced by an equivalent amount of intrinsic energy, it has the effect of increasing the intrinsic motion of the substance. This may be demonstrated by the following sketch.

This leads to the conclusion that,

The intrinsic speed of substance is inversely proportional to its mass concentration.

The substantiality of electromagnetic field (EMF) is much less than the substantiality of the electronic region in the atom. Therefore, the EM field moves much more rapidly compared to the electron field.

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Additional Conclusions

We may expect a material body to be fixed in its natural velocity in space. If it is forced to accelerate by the application of external force, it will return to its natural velocity when that force is removed. It will not continue to move at its accelerated velocity forever. This conclusion modifies what Newton proposed.

If a material object is continually accelerated by the application of a constant force (as in a gravitational field), then its substantiality decreases with acceleration. This change, however, may be imperceptible because of energy to mass ratio is c2 to 1.

Any substance at absolute rest must have infinite substantiality. Therefore, the substantiality of postulated stationary aether shall be infinite. We do not experience space being filled with a substance of infinite substantiality. Therefore, Einstein was correct in discarding the notion of stationary aether.

The substantiality of the EM field may be approximated by its frequency. Higher frequency would mean higher substantiality. We may, therefore, expect the velocity of the field substance to slightly decrease with increasing frequency.

The velocity of light is generally measured at the frequency of visible light. We assume on the basis of Maxwell’s theory that this velocity is the same throughout the EM spectrum. Maxwell’s theory assumes an aether of uniform substantiality as the medium throughout the EM spectrum. That may not be so.

The gravitational field is expected to have a substantiality much less than that of the EM Field. Therefore, the velocity of the gravitational field is expected to be higher than the velocity of light

Implications of the above on the special theory of relativity shall be covered later.

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August 13, 2019 – 10:50 AM Categories: Physics Book | Post a comment

The Logic of Reality

As shown in the paper, Physics & Reality, the logic of reality depends on its consistency. A strange shift in reality occurred when Newton’s corpuscular theory of light was replaced by the wave theory of light. Light was no longer viewed as substance; instead it was viewed as energy that propagated through a hypothetical medium (substance) called aether.

The reality in physics shifted from “light is substance” to “light is energy”.

NOTE: A substance is anything that has impact on senses. That impact is sensed as force.

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Young’s Interference Experiment

The wave theory of light was at first resisted because there was no medium in which a light wave could travel. But Newton’s corpuscular theory could not explain the overwhelming evidence of the wave characteristics of light.

According to Wikipedia:

Young’s interference experiment, also called Young’s double-slit interferometer, was the original version of the modern double-slit experiment, performed at the beginning of the nineteenth century by Thomas Young. This experiment played a major role in the general acceptance of the wave theory of light.

With the acceptance of wave theory, physics was forced to postulate a hypothetical stationary aether.

The demonstration of interference patterns of light led to the acceptance of wave theory over Newton’s corpuscular theory.

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Particles versus Wave

The corpuscles of Newton’s theory were discrete; therefore, they could not be modeled into waves to explain the interference patterns. But a closer look tells us that these corpuscles cannot be discrete.

Material particles are discrete by the fact of their center of mass. Light particles do not have center of mass, and, therefore, they cannot be distinguished from each other. They must form a fluid-like continuum of substance that flows. Newton’s corpuscular theory incorrectly visualized light to be made up of discrete particles.

When corpuscles are modeled as a flowing, fluid substance, the objections to corpuscular theory go away. Light becomes capable of explaining the interference patterns of Young’s experiment, without requiring a medium.

When corpuscles are seen as fluid-like flowing substance, they are able to explain Young’s interference patterns.

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Quantum Reality and Mathematics

This shift of light as energy has persisted through Maxwell’s theory, Einstein theory of relativity, Quantum mechanics and now QED (Quantum electrodynamics) even when the hypothetical aether has long been discarded. The illusion of light as energy has been kept alive by the accuracy of results from these mathematical theories.

In his book, QED, The Strange Theory of Light and Matter, Richard Feynman takes up the difficult problem of partial reflection from glass surfaces. It has no satisfactory solution for light either as a discrete particle or as a continuous wave. So, QED has no choice but to resort to mathematical probability to explain the “strangeness of nature”.

But if we define light as a non-atomic fluid that has very low mass density and very high speed, the problem of partial reflection is resolved easily without thinking of the strangeness of nature. With this classical model one does not have to resort to mathematical probability to find a real answer.

Strangeness of reality comes from conflating energy with substance.

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Future Possibility

The mathematical models of quantum physics have been successful in predicting physical phenomena in a certain narrow sense. It may be possible to reinterpret the mathematical symbolism of quantum physics without affecting those results.

By considering light to be a fluid-like, flowing, non-atomic substance we restore the consistency of reality. This consistency may spur just enough intuition to allow QED to successfully explain gravity and radioactivity as well.

The consistency in reality seems to spur intuition.

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August 11, 2019 – 3:13 PM Categories: Physics Book | Comments (1)

The Goal of Meditation

The original word for becoming enlightened is Bodhi, which means “awakened”. The words the Buddha uttered involuntarily at the moment of enlightenment were: 

“Wonder of wonders! Intrinsically all living beings are Buddhas, endowed with wisdom and virtue, but because men’s minds have become inverted through delusive thinking, they fail to perceive this.”

A human being, whether clever or stupid, male or female, ugly or beautiful, is capable of being awakened to the fact that he is naturally endowed with wisdom and virtue. There is no perfection other than this state of being awakened.

At the moment of enlightenment, the person is suddenly out of the trap of his deluded thinking that is preventing him from perceiving his true nature.

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The Goal of Meditation

The goal of meditation is to become enlightened. When you start practicing meditation, it immediately reduces the turbulence in your mind so you can become more aware. With increased awareness you can start spotting your deluded thinking and make it disappear.

At first you may be in doubt about your true nature. But as you make progress through meditation there comes a point when you suddenly awake to your true nature. You now have a certainty that harbors no doubt. It is a unique moment that fills you completely with joy and happiness.

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The Enlightened Individual

An enlightened individual is not absolutely free of flaws, but he is cleared of his deluded thinking. He has a mind in which perceptions continually divide into fine discriminative elements and get freely associated and assimilated into an orderly mental matrix providing rational solutions.

The cleared individual does not avoid, resist, suppress or deny any thoughts, emotions, and sensations when thinking; and so, he perceives things objectively with clarity. He is able to examine and overcome all prejudices, biases and fixations. He is keenly perceptive and knowledgeable and continues to explore new areas of knowledge.

The cleared individual is universal in his outlook. He rises above any idea of self or individuality. He is not subjective, self-centric, or human-centric. There are no conflicts within him. He would not hesitate to sacrifice himself if need be.

The cleared individual can look from the viewpoint of others as well as objectively from the viewpoint of all life and the environment. He continues to expand his understanding of the physical and spiritual aspects of the universe without resorting to superstitions.

The cleared individual is the first to realize his error and correct himself. Whenever he senses resistance or observes some oddity, he follows it up until it is cleared. If he suffers a painful experience, heavy loss, or confusion he is able to sort it out quietly in his mind.

The cleared individual is in good health and has no psychosomatic illnesses. He is purposeful in his demeanor, and graceful in his movements. He is strong and calm even in adversity. In no way is he trying to win or dominate, but he is passionately engaged in bringing order to his environment.

Above all, he is compassionate.

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August 10, 2019 – 6:38 PM Categories: Meditation | Post a comment

Posture in Meditation

In the Satipatthana Sutta Buddha instructs:

Herein, monks, a monk, having gone to the forest, to the foot of a tree or to an empty place, sits down with his legs crossed, keeps his body erect and his mindfulness alert.

The ancient statues of Buddha show him sitting in this posture. An erect posture imparts the alertness of mindfulness.

In the Yoga Sutra, Patanjali describes this asana as a “steady and comfortable posture.” So, a meditative posture, besides being stable and erect must also be natural and comfortable so that it could be maintained for a long time without causing any stress or discomfort.

The condition of body in deep meditation is very similar to the condition in deep sleep. When sitting, the body may slump if not propped up properly. Crossing the legs and locking them in full-lotus position keeps the body erect even in deep meditation.

The purpose of the posture in meditation is to keep the body stably erect, even in deep meditation, in a natural and comfortable manner.

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Niceties of Posture

In the ancient culture people were used to sitting with their legs crossed. This posture was natural and comfortable to them. So, this became the natural posture in meditation. Over time, however, other details got added that are not essential to meditation.

Zen Buddhism goes into incredible details about how to sit in meditation. It provides the size and shape of cushions to sit on, and the kinds of clothes that should be worn. It specifies how to place legs and knees on the mat, and hands and fingers in the lap. It dictates how ears should be lined up with the shoulders, and nose with the navel. It even directs the position of tip of the tongue, and the angle of the gaze. If you give importance to such niceties you can waste much time worrying about the correct posture during meditation.

Once the purpose of meditative posture is met, additional details prescribed for the posture are inessential.

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Sitting in a Chair

In many cultures, especially in European culture, people are not used to sitting with their legs crossed. People find it easier to sit in a chair. They do not feel comfortable in the lotus posture after a while.

As long as body can be kept stably erect, there is no reason why a person cannot meditate sitting in a chair. One may use a straight-backed chair to keep the body erect. Additional cushions may be used to ensure the stability of the posture in deep meditation.

One may meditate sitting in a straight-backed chair as an alternative to the lotus position.

When meditating in a chair, it may help if the knees are parallel to the shoulders and feet are flat on the ground. The arms may rest in the lap. The hands, fingers and tongue may assume natural and relaxed positions. The eyes may be open, half open or closed according to natural tendency. The attention may focus or not focus on anything in particular. The gaze may become directed or peripheral. These variations may occur naturally during meditation.

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August 10, 2019 – 1:26 PM Categories: Meditation | Post a comment

Introduction to Meditation

Twenty-six hundred years ago Buddha launched a grass-root movement of spiritual awakening, which was so successful that it civilized three-quarters of the world. That ancient movement was based on the concept of meditation. Wikipedia states:

Meditation is a practice where an individual uses a technique – such as mindfulness, or focusing their mind on a particular object, thought or activity – to train attention and awareness, and achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm and stable state. Scholars have found meditation difficult to define, as practices vary both between traditions and within them.

When you look up meditation in a dictionary, it provides synonyms, such as, concentration, contemplation and reflection. Meditation seems to have become difficult to practice today because most people find it difficult to define.

We need to define meditation more precisely using a scientific approach.

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The Problem of Meditation

In meditation, a person is using concentration, contemplation and reflection to settle the mind; but none of these actions can be accomplished until the mind is already in a settled state. This is a catch-22. Therefore, one must understand why the mind is in turmoil in the first place.

We all have heard the analogy that the muddy water in a bucket will remain muddy if it keeps on getting stirred. One must stop stirring the water to give mud a chance to settle down at the bottom. The same approach is needed to calm an agitated mind.

The mind is agitated because it is continually being interfered with.

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The First Step

One must stop interfering with the mind to let it settle down into a quiet state. But for most people this is easily said than done. As soon as a person sits down to meditate, he is hit with the mental chatter that soon makes him tired and sleepy. He then spends his meditation time trying not to fall asleep.

But, to not interfere with the mind also means to not interfere with the mind falling asleep. This is an extreme example, but it is given here to drive home the point that the principle of non-interference applies to all activities of the mind, including sleep.

So, if the mind is falling asleep don’t interfere with it. It would eventually wake up. Then you can continue with meditation without having to fight with the sleep. Just make sure that the body does not slump when it is asleep (see the chapter Posture in Meditation).

The first step in meditation is to stop interfering with the mind, so it has a chance to settle down naturally.

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August 10, 2019 – 8:07 AM Categories: Meditation | Post a comment