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Reference: Postulate Mechanics (PM)

The dimension of Substantiality may be described through infinity of sub-dimensions; but the sub-dimensions that stand out are substance, space and time. 

The most obvious substance is matter. The smallest particle of matter is called an atom. An atom has volume, which determines its space. An atom also has a duration, which determines its time. Therefore, substance (atom), space (volume), and time (duration) are intimately related to each other, though we may study them separately.

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The Substance (Atom)

Atom is a good place to start because it contains the whole spectrum of substance, which is matter, energy and thought.

The real matter is the most concentrated form of substance that constitutes the nucleus of the atom. It is extremely dense, small and rigid. We may call it ‘solid substance.’

Much less concentrated form of substance constitutes the rest of the atom. It is made of electrons that are quite fluid and not that rigid. Since they have motion, we may associate them with energy. We may call this electronic region to be made up of ‘liquid substance.’ 

The interatomic space is filled with least concentrated form of substance, which is referred to as radiation. It is made of quanta that is extremely fluid and has extreme motion. We definitely associate radiation with energy. We may call this interatomic region to be filled with ‘gaseous substance.’ 

The atomic model is the result of a large number of experiments. This model is consistent in itself as well as with all the experimental observations. We associate this model with thought. We may call it the ‘mental substance’ of atom.

Thus, in atom we find the whole spectrum of substance from matter to energy to thought.

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The Space (Volume)

The atom occupies space; therefore, it has a volume. The volume is filled with substance of the atom. Substance and space go hand in hand.

The solid substance of the nucleus occupies a very small volume as it is very concentrated. This is the real form of matter. The liquid electronic substance that fills rest of the atom is much less concentrated and it has a much larger volume. The gaseous radiative substance that fills interatomic region is the least concentrated and it has the largest volume.

The space occupied by substance seems to increase as the concentration of substance decreases. Therefore, energy occupies much greater space than matter because it is much less concentrated.

“Empty space” is empty of matter only. It is not empty of energy. We measure empty space as if we are measuring space filled with matter. This is an anomaly. This anomaly is addressed to some degree by the theory of relativity; but it still needs to be resolved fully. There is also space filled by the mental substance of thought.

Space is actually an extension of substance. Space cannot exist in the absence of substance.

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The Time (Duration)

The stars, the sun, the moon, and the planets appear to be existing forever. Their permanent endurance seems to provide us with the background of infinite time. Against this background we see things moving and changing, that have lesser duration or time.

As the thickness of the substance changes from matter to energy, we observe not only increased volume but also increased motion. Increased motion means that the substance is less fixed in space. In other words, it has lesser duration. Energy has much less time (duration) than matter.

Thought or mental substance also has varying durations, or time. For example, fixed ideas and beliefs have very long durations. In comparison, general attention of a person has much less duration.

Time shows how dynamic a substance is due to variation in duration. Time cannot exist in the absence of substance.

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Substantiality

We encounter substantiality all over the universe. Substantiality consists of substance, space and time. Substance is the main component, and it has extents (space) and duration (time). Space and time vary in their characteristics as the thickness of substance varies from matter to energy to thought. This variation creates this wonderfully diverse and dynamic universe.

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Reference: Postulate Mechanics (PM)

The universe is constructed out of postulates. When we talk about the universe, we include in it individuality and Self that basically reduce to awareness. Awareness may also be found in other entities in the universe to different degrees. 

The ultimate experience of universe is described in the Vedic philosophy as SAT-CHIT-ANANDA. This may be presented as the postulates of Substantiality-Awareness-Oneness.

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Substantiality (SAT)

The universe can be sensed and known, therefore, it is substantial. In other words, the universe must be made of substance. The degree of substantiality may be denoted by the “thickness” of substance. It is visible as density, firmness, viscosity, etc. 

The substance of the universe may be divided into the following categories: (1) Matter, (2) Radiation, and (3) Thought. Science may not accept radiation and thought as “substance”; but, these are considered “substance” in Postulate Mechanics because they are substantial enough to be sensed and known.

Matter has the most thickness called “mass.” Radiation is considered to have no mass, but it still has thickness, which is sensed mostly as motion or “energy” and measured as “frequency.” Thought has thickness that is sensed mentally instead of physically, and it may be measured as “heaviness.” For example, hate has much more thickness than love. Fixed ideas have much more thickness than a fleeting thought.

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Awareness (CHIT)

Awareness arises as we sense the universe. Sensations assimilate into perceptions, memories, experience and knowledge. All knowledge assimilates, ultimately, into knowingness. Pure awareness is based on total assimilation.

Identification is superficial awareness that is limited to labels and symbolisms. It is memory intensive as there is little assimilation.

Knowingness is deep and intuitive awareness resulting from total assimilation. It does not require memory. It operates on an instantaneous basis.

Assimilation resolves lack of awareness. Awareness increases from identification to knowingness. In knowingness one is fully aware of all phenomena.

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Oneness (ANANDA)

“Ananda” means bliss, but that is just an aspect of oneness. Essential elements of oneness are harmony, consistency and continuity. For example, in oneness, both observer and observed are in complete harmony.

Bliss, rationality. beauty, health, etc., arise from oneness. In fact, everything that is positive, arises from oneness.

Oneness may be compared to a state in which everything is in equilibrium. When oneness is disturbed there is a natural effort to restore that equilibrium. Assimilation is the process that restores the equilibrium.

The word UNIVERSE literally means, “all things combined into one.” In Postulate Mechanics, this implies that

All elements of the universe are in a dynamic harmony, consistency and continuity with each other at all times.

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Reference: Postulate Mechanics (PM)

Postulate Mechanics is an effort to understand the fundamentals of this universe. Its basic postulates are:

1. The fundamental impulse is to know.
2. Effort to know starts with a postulate.
3. Assimilation of postulates brings enlightenment.

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Postulate

A postulate is a basic assumption, taken as true, which is then used to derive the rest of the theory. For example, Einstein postulated that the speed of light is a universal constant. He used this postulate (and others) to derive his theory of relativity. The purpose of generating a theory is to explain and organize what we observe, to unify many separate facts into a coherent model, and to guide prediction, research, and action. 

Postulate serves as a foundational premise for further reasoning. It is through postulates, which follow observations, that knowledge develops. The postulates must be harmonious, consistent and continuous among themselves for sensible knowledge to develop. Ordinary assumptions are lower harmonics of postulates. Such assumptions either get revised upwards into postulates, or simply get dropped, as knowledge comes to be assimilated over time.

Assimilation means bringing harmony to knowledge by removing all inconsistencies. It also means researching and making discoveries in those areas where gaps exist in knowledge.

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Oneness, Anomalies & Misconceptions

The ideal scene of knowledge is ONENESS of all postulates, reasoning, and theories. Departures from this ideal scene appears in the form of disharmony (arbitrary data), inconsistency (contradictory data), or discontinuity (missing data). We refer to such departures as anomalies.

The basic form of anomalies are misconceptions. Misconceptions at the level of postulates corrupt the logic of reasoning, and the workability of theories. Resolution of misconceptions at the level of postulates is an important part of the assimilation of knowledge. The resolution of misconceptions and other anomalies lies at the core of Postulate Mechanics.

A very basic misconception is about the nature of self. “Who am I?” is a genuine concern for every person as he develops his understanding. He looks for answers in the universe and derives his identity from the things in it. Enlightenment occurs when he realizes his true nature. Further enlightenment occurs as he realizes the true nature of the universe.

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Postulate Mechanics

The purpose of Postulate Mechanics is to investigate the nature of self and the universe, and to assimilate all knowledge. It attempts to do that by going back to the original postulates and resolving anomalies at that level.

Postulate Mechanics attempts to reveal the mechanics of “thought,” just like Classical Mechanics reveals the mechanics of “matter,” and Quantum Mechanics reveals the mechanics of “energy.”

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