Another Look at Relativity

Albert Einstein (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

The limitation of the theory of relativity is that it is matter-centric. It uses a frame of reference attached to matter. From this frame of reference, the theory of relativity looks at the speed of light, and assumes it to be constant since any variations are undetectable.

In matter-centric view, the speed is being measured with absolute notions of space and time. The movement of a disturbance, such as sound, is very different from the movement of matter. When sound travels through a material medium there is no net movement of matter particles. The speed of sound depends on the properties of the medium.

Light seems to be a disturbance in a field like medium. This medium, when disturbed, appears to have electrical and magnetic properties on which the speed of light depends. Thus light is a different phenomenon than matter and their respective “speeds” are not measuring the same parameter.

Light is energy. Its motion has a frequency, period and wavelength. Period and wavelength are expressed in the dimensions of time and space respectively. Per the theory of relativity time and space are not absolute but transformable into each other.

Since there is no absolute space or time the composite dimension of space-time seems to represent motion of light in terms of its frequency.

Light then exists over a large spectrum of frequencies in the dimension of space-time. Matter is likely to appear at the high frequency end of this spectrum because light seems to condense as its frequency increases.

Relative motion of any two points on this spectrum may be compared in terms of their frequencies. We know that the speed of light is many orders of magnitudes higher than the speeds associated with matter. Therefore, the relative motion seems to slow down as frequency increases.

The frequency of material objects may be calculated per de Broglie’s equation. The relativity of motion in terms of frequency is more appropriate as it is measuring the same parameter.

The Disturbance Theory of Light uses a frame of reference of space-time in terms of the frequency spectrum associated with energy and matter. Disturbance level zero (frequency of 2^0 or 1) acts as the reference point. The disturbance levels are based on the frequency of energy and matter expressed as powers of 2. Space-time relativity is calculated in terms of disturbance levels instead of velocities. Based on this frame of reference the radio waves are expected to travel faster, and X-rays slower than the speed of visible light.

Here we see matter simply as a disturbance of very high frequency and much slower “speed”. The Disturbance Theory of Light opens the door to the investigation of the “speed” of light as a function of its frequency.

.

Here are some conjectures that needs to be investigated:

(1) Light seems to follow a curved path whose radius seems to depend on its frequency. The higher is the frequency, the smaller seems to be the radius of the path.

(2) The increased curvature of the path seems to make the speed appear slower.

(3) Very high frequencies are likely to make the radiation curve upon itself making the net speed appear zero.

(4) Extremely high frequencies seems to be involved in the formation of the nucleus of an atom. Relatively lesser frequencies shall form the electronic shells around the nucleus.

(5) Radii of electronic shells exhibit quantum properties since whole numbers of wavelengths must be accommodated in the surface area of the shells.

(6) The frequency of incident light must match the frequency of the electronic shells of the atom in some way to knock out electrons from the atom.

(7) Electrons do not exists as such in the electronic shells of an atom. They are formed only when some interaction occurs.

(8) It appears that wave-like motion displays particle-like properties only when frequency-based interaction takes place. An example of this is a standing wave. It is similar to vapor condensing into water.

(9) It may be said that the photoelectric effect condenses electromagnetic waves into electrons through some frequency-based interaction.

.

November 14, 2014 – 1:52 AM Categories: Science | Comments (2)

A New Look at Space-Time

shiva-hindu-god

The most basic concepts used to define reality are matter, energy, space and time. Space and time are thought to form the background in which matter exists and energy acts. Modern physics finds such conceptualization to be inadequate.

Per “The Tao of Physics”,

Modern physics has confirmed most dramatically one of the basic ideas of Eastern mysticism; that all the concepts we use to describe nature are limited, that they are not features of reality, as we tend to believe, but creations of the mind; parts of the map, not of the territory. Whenever we expand the realm of our experience, the limitations of our rational mind become apparent and we have to modify, or even abandon, some of our concepts.

In light of the progress made by the relativistic view of modern physics, the concepts of matter, energy, space and time can be improved upon to describe the experience of reality more closely. The broadest view of matter, energy, space and time is that these elements bring about awareness. This awareness then appears against the background of non-awareness.

We may postulate a cosmic disturbance that oscillates between awareness and non-awareness. The transition from non-awareness to awareness appears as creation. The transition from awareness back to non-awareness appears as destruction. In between we have the survival of awareness as matter, energy, space and time.

Since they represent awareness, space and time are in the foreground along with matter and energy. The background is made up of non-awareness. Space and time act as the parameters of matter and energy. In the absence of matter and energy, space and time are absent as well.

.

From “The Tao of Physics”,

Our notions of space and time figure prominently on our map of reality. They serve to order things and events in our environment and are therefore of paramount importance not only in our everyday life, but also in our attempts to understand nature through science and philosophy. There is no law of physics which does not require the concepts of space and time for its formulation. The profound. modification of these basic concepts brought about by relativity theory was therefore one of the greatest revolutions in the history of science.

Awareness is part of a periodic disturbance and, therefore, it is always changing. Any specific awareness is very likely a complex combination of periodic disturbances of different frequencies.

A periodic disturbance have the characteristics of frequency, period and wavelength. The period is the interval in which the disturbance advances by a wavelength. The frequency is how many times this advance occurs in some “standard” interval. From the viewpoint of relativity there is no such “standard” interval.

Period and wavelength are expressed through the dimensions of time and space respectively. They are complementary notions that describe the periodic disturbance as frequency.  Therefore, frequency seems to establish the relativity in the combined dimension of space-time. 

.

From “The Tao of Physics”,

Classical physics was based on the notion both of an absolute, three-dimensional space, independent of the material objects it contains, and obeying the laws of Euclidean geometry, and of time as a separate dimension which again is absolute and flows at an even rate, independent of the material world. In the West, these notions of space and time were so deeply rooted in the minds of philosophers and scientists that they were taken as true and unquestioned properties of nature.

Time and space describe the awareness of energy and matter. They are not independent of this awareness of energy and matter. Thus there is no interval, and no geometry, that acts as absolute and independent basis for time and space. Defining space on the basis of Euclidean geometry is as arbitrary as the defining earth as flat. The theory of relativity correctly looks at space and time to be transformable into each other.

Similarly, the theory of relativity correctly looks at energy and matter to be transformable into each other. It appears that as the frequency of disturbance increases energy condenses into matter.

.

From “The Tao of Physics”,

The belief that geometry is inherent in nature, rather than part of the framework we use to describe nature, has its origin in Greek thought. Demonstrative geometry was the central feature of Greek mathematics and had a profound influence on Greek philosophy. Its method of starting from unquestioned axioms, and deriving theorems from these by deductive reasoning, became characteristic of Greek philosophical thought; geometry was therefore at the very centre of all intellectual activities and formed the basis of philosophical training. The gate of Plato’s Academy in Athens is said to have borne the inscription, ‘You are not allowed to enter here, unless you know geometry.’ The Greeks believed that their mathematical theorems were expressions of eternal and exact truths about the real world, and that geometrical shapes were manifestations of absolute beauty. Geometry was considered to be the perfect combination of logic and beauty and was thus believed to be of divine origin. Hence Plato’s dictum, ‘God is a geometer.’

Space and time are then parameters whose basis lies in the forms of energy and matter. Any geometry is simply an idealization of forms, which do not necessarily exist in reality. The logic that is implied through the axioms of geometry is an idealization too that does not fully reflect the reality.

This raises questions about the absolute nature of our system of logic. We come to the realization that the logic we use is not inherent in nature. Though the system of logic is consistent in itself, it is more of an idealization where reality is concerned.

.

From “The Tao of Physics”,

Since geometry was seen as the revelation of God, it was obvious to the Greeks that the heavens should exhibit perfect geometrical shapes. This meant that the heavenly bodies had to move in circles. To present the picture as being even more geometrical they were thought to be fixed to a series of concentric crystalline spheres which moved as a whole, with the Earth at the centre. In subsequent centuries, Greek geometry continued to exert a strong influence on Western philosophy and science. Euclid’s Elements was a standard textbook in European schools until the beginning of this century, and Euclidean geometry was taken to be the true nature of space for more than two thousand years. It took an Einstein to make scientists and philosophers realize that geometry is not inherent in nature, but is imposed upon it by the mind.

In this system of idealized logic, one’s subjective sense of “I” that is observing the reality leads to the conclusion that “I” is separate from reality. This provides the basis for the idea that spirit is separate from matter. This idea then develops into the belief that God is pure awareness that exists independent of the Universe.

The experimental observations of Quantum mechanics brings the above logic into question. It forces us to look at the sense of “I” as not something absolute, but as the product of the process of observation. The sense of “I” as an observer is there but it is also a part of the reality. The objects that are being observed are part of that reality too. Thus, in a broader sense, it is reality observing itself. Underlying the process of observation there is the sense of separation; but, per modern observations, this separation is never absolute. Thus everything in this Universe is more or less interconnected. The whole reality is ultimately one.

As covered above, awareness consists of space and time that describe matter and energy. Thus awareness is part of reality, and not separate from reality even when it appears to be so. Thus, spirit and matter are not really separable in some absolute sense. It is now increasingly becoming obvious that God is the very essence of nature, and not a “Being” or beingness that is separate from nature.

.

November 14, 2014 – 1:20 AM Categories: Science | Comments (4)

A View on Enlightenment

Reference:  The Human-Centric Fixation

This is an interesting lecture that tries to establish what happens in the mind during the process of enlightenment. However, in my view, there is a lot more that we do not understand.

Listen to the segment especially from 43:05 to 45:40. It is fascinating!

The key point that neuroscientist and author Todd Murphy makes is that

The sense of self comes from the activation of the same area of the brain as hallucination.

Professor Murphy draws the conclusion that the sense of Self is a hallucination. “It is not something intrinsic to your being. It is something created… The self is a hallucination. It is a constant, functional ongoing illusion… it’s function is to unite everything that happens to us internally and externally into a single core that the rest of our system can identify with…”

Buddha acknowledged the presence of self, but he declared that self is always changing and that there is nothing at the core of self that is permanent.

Professor Murphy goes on to say that

You as an individual cannot reincarnate.

“If you take birth into  another body and build up a new body-mind complex you will create the neuro-substrates for this process once again and go on existing without having to have it to be carried from one life to the next.”

But we do wonder about the innate genius that some people display. Mozart is a great example. There also seems to be memories that do not seem to belong to this life, and the full recall and purging of which does bring relief to many afflictions.

According to Buddhist thought, “When this physical body is no more capable of functioning, energies do not die with it, but continue to take some other shape or form, which we call another life… Physical and mental energies which constitute the so-called being have within themselves the power to take a new form, and grow gradually and gather force to the full.” ~ What the Buddha Taught (1959) by Walpola Rahula.

So, there is no permanent soul, but there are physical and mental energies that continue beyond the death of the body and the soul.

This is pretty much the view taken on this blog. The question then becomes, “What is the nature of physical and mental energies that take up the form of the body and the soul respectively?”

On this point the research on this blog starts with: Universe and Awareness.

On enlightenment, it seems that the person breaks through the confinement of a narrow self and starts to view the reality from the viewpoint of reality itself.

Maybe the flows in the brain become more balanced as a result.

.

October 30, 2014 – 5:28 PM Categories: Education | Comments (10)

Patanjali Sutras Chapter 1 (Old)

Please see Patanjali Yoga Sutras

This is a very brief summary of Patanjali Yoga Sutras from the chapter on Samadhi Pada.

What is Yoga? (1.1-1.4)

A person normally identifies himself with his turbulent thought patterns. When Yoga is practiced it helps  integrate thoughts and settle that turbulence. The person then realizes his true nature and becomes established in it.

.

Types of thought patterns (1.5-1.11)

There are five types of thought patterns: demonstrably correct, misconceived, conjectured, vacant, and remembered.  A thought pattern is demonstrably correct when it is directly perceived, well-reasoned and consistent. It  is misconceived when it is perceived differently from what it really is. It is conjectured when nothing about it corresponds to reality. It is vacant when there is nothing associated with it. It is remembered when an impression exists of what was perceived.

.

Practice and non-attachment (1.12-1.16)

The turbulence of thought patterns is settled through practice and non-attachment. Practice consists of doing those actions that bring a stable and tranquil state.  As one perseveres with this practice without break, one becomes firmly grounded in it. The mind becomes free of attachment to ideas and objects, and gains objectivity toward anything perceived.

.

Types of absorbed attention (1.17-1.18)

There is a kind of absorbed attention that involves reasoning and discrimination and it is accompanied by a feeling of bliss and a sense of individuality. The other kind has no object of absorbed attention; it is characterized by absence of turbulence of thought patterns, where only latent impressions remain.

NOTE: The latter kind of absorbed attention is achieved after many passes through the former kind with respect to all objects.

.

Efforts and commitment (1.19-1.22)

Some attain absorbed attention of contemplation and objectivity naturally and easily. Others need conviction, inner strength, retentive power, an all-consuming focus, and clear understanding. Success comes from the intensity of one’s approach.

.

Contemplation on AUM or OM (1.23-1.29)

One gets absorbed quickly when one simply surrenders to the natural process of creativity. The natural creative process is immune to the afflictions of distortions, reactions, outcomes and impressions. It is the source of all knowingness. It is the teacher of all teachers. It is manifested in the word AUM, which when repeated with deep longing brings one to self-realization and removal of obstacles.

.

Obstacles and solutions (1.30-1.32)

The obstacles are illness, sloth, indecision, carelessness, laziness, clinging to sense enjoyments, delusional thinking, and failure to attain and retain absorbed attention. The symptoms that accompany these obstacles are pain, despair, physical restlessness and irregular breathing. The remedy is the practice of focusing the mind on a single principle or object.

NOTE: One should focus on discovering the deepest and broadest principle and aligning everything that follows to it.

.

(1:33 – 1:39)

The mind becomes clarified by cultivating friendliness towards happiness, compassion towards misery, gladness towards virtue,

and indifference towards vice; or by the expiration and retention of breath; or by generating extraordinary sense-perceptions;

or by meditating on the Effulgent Light beyond all sorrow; or by focusing the mind on those who have given up all attachment to sense-objects;

or by developing proper perspective for dreams and sleep; or by meditating on anything that appeals to one.

.

(1:40 – 1:45)

So the yogi brings the understanding of all physical (gross) and mental (fine) objects to an overall state of consistency.

With the reduction of modifications the yogi becomes in reality the observer, means of observation, and objects all together.  

In the questioning stage of Samadhi, objects, their perception and essential knowledge is mixed together. When consistency is obtained all subjectivity is reduced to complete objectivity of Samadhi without question.

Similarly, other samadhis may be explained that address finer objects ranging all the way to formless, elemental nature (Prakriti).

.

(1:46 – 1:51)

These stages of samadhi are with seed.

At the conclusion of the final stages there is illumination and events are seen as they are actually unfolding.

This knowledge is different from the knowledge acquired through testimony and inference because it is direct and specific.

Impressions born of it prevent further impressions. The resolution of even these final impressions then leads to the seedless samadhi.

.

October 29, 2014 – 9:23 AM Categories: Mindfulness | Comments (11)

Kundalini and the Chakras

Chakras

Growing up as a Hindu, I was able to absorb the philosophy of Hinduism, but the “spiritual technology” in Hinduism was always mystifying to me.  Frequent attempts to understand this technology always ended up in frustration. Key part of this technology was the concept of “kundalini” and how it rose up the human spine activating the various “chakras”. Here is my latest attempt to understand these concepts.

From Wikipedia, “Kundalini stems from yogic philosophy as a form of shakti or ‘corporeal energy’. Kundalini is described within Eastern religious, or spiritual tradition as an indwelling spiritual energy that can be awakened in order to purify the subtle system and ultimately to bestow the state of Yoga, or divine union upon the seeker of truth.”

Kundalini is described as a sleeping serpent lying “coiled” at the base of the spine, waiting to be awakened. Normally we go through life as actors on some stage without knowing who is pulling our strings. Once in a while we get jarred into thinking, “Why does life seem so empty? What are we doing here? What is life all about?”

We may call this moment, the awakening of Kundalini. We start to feel that there must be something more to this life. Such an awakening may start us on a journey to understand life. Thus, here is my understanding of Kundalini,

Kundalini is the jarring awareness that there must be something more to life, which then starts one on a journey of discovery.

When awakened, Kundalini is said to rise up the spine through various chakras. The progress of Kundalini through the different chakras leads to different levels of awakening and mystical experience, until Kundalini finally reaches the top of the head. There it produces an extremely profound mystical experience.

.

The chakras are like “whirlpools of energy,” or knots, in the energy channels of the subtle body through which the life force moves. The chakras seem to describe the major inconsistencies about life that needs to be resolved. Their resolution seems to form a bridge from ignorance to spiritual knowledge. The journey through chakras involves resolution of inconsistencies.

For resolution to occur one looks closely at inconsistencies at each chakra in as broad a context as possible.

There are seven major chakras, which are arranged vertically along the spine. More details may be obtained from Wikipedia. Below is a description of the seven chakras, followed by comments.

.

  1. Muladhara Chakra:
    Root Chakra… considered the foundation of the “energy body”… Kundalini awakening begins here… where the individual consciousness is sleeping or dormant… after you have done certain practices, this becomes so stimulated or agitated that the agitation continues up to Manipura chakra.

This chakra seems to represent the engrossing of attention on basic physical survival. Here the person is living as a body. Agitation of awakening takes place when the person starts to wonder about the futility of it all.

.

  1. Swadhisthana Chakra:
    “One’s own base”… It is closely related to the Muladhara in that Swadhishthana is where the different samskaras (potential karmas), lie dormant, and Muladhara is where these samskaras find expression… It contains unconscious desires, especially sexual desire.

The fixation of attention on body seems to boil down to the activities of eating and reproducing. If there is attention on health then one must review and fully resolve this chakra. The resolution requires closely looking at the inconsistencies associated with the obsessive impulses of the body.

.

  1. Manipura Chakra:
    Located at the navel… “jewel city”… this chakra is involved in self-esteem, warrior energy, and the power of transformation; it also governs digestion and metabolism. A healthy spirited third chakra helps overcome inertia and jump-starts a “get-up-and-go” attitude so it is easier to take risks, assert one’s will, and assume responsibility for one’s life. This chakra is also the location of deep belly laughter, warmth, ease, and the vitality received from performing selfless service.

Here the person’s attention is begun to free up from the fixation on body impulses. The next level of inconsistencies now shows up as fixation on self or individuality. The resolution requires closely looking at the inconsistencies associated with the ideas of self or individuality.

.

  1. Anahata Chakra:
    Located near the heart… “Unhurt, unstruck and unbeaten”… associated with a calm, serene sound devoid of violence… In Anahata one makes decisions (“follows one’s heart”) based on one’s higher self, not the unfulfilled emotions and desires of lower nature (based on karma)… It is also associated with love and compassion, charity to others and psychic healing.

At this level, the attention has been freed up from the individuality of body and self. The person is now operating with much less egoism. However, there is still attachment to relationships in life. The inconsistencies at this level have to do with relationships.

.

  1. Vishuddha Chakra:
    Located near the throat… “especially pure”… associated with higher discrimination, creativity and self-expression… negative experiences… feelings of guilt… are transformed into wisdom and learning…

At this level one focuses on freeing oneself from feelings of guilt. One has been unable to face certain areas of life, and has been withdrawing obsessively from various activities. Such inconsistencies are closely inspected and resolved.

.

  1. Ajna Chakra:
    Located between the eyes… “command”… eye of intuition and intellect… end of duality… trusting inner guidance… inner aspect relates to the access of intuition… deals with visual consciousness and clarity on an intuitive level… allows mind communication to occur between two people.

At this chakra one seems to be dealing with inconsistencies of understanding at the conceptual level. One looks closely at the concepts to do with spirit and matter until all inconsistencies are resolved. One inspects and cleans up residual inconsistencies from earlier chakras.

.

  1. Sahasrara Chakra:
    Located at the crown… “thousand-petaled”… symbolizes detachment from illusion; an essential element in obtaining higher consciousness of the truth that one is all and all is one… the state of pure consciousness, within which there is neither object nor subject… a state of liberating samadhi… it involves such issues as inner wisdom and the death of the body… deals with the release of karma, physical action with meditation, mental action with universal consciousness and unity, and emotional action with “beingness.”

This is the state achieved when no more inconsistencies remain and the attention is totally free to roam about. At this level one becomes the very reality looking at itself.

 .

October 24, 2014 – 2:59 PM Categories: Mindfulness | Comments (5)