Q & A based on laws in Classical Physics and Vedic Science (VS)
What is meant by the phrase “There is intelligence in nature”?
“Intelligence in nature” represents the systematic and orderly structure and function that exists in nature. In the materialistic paradigm, intelligence is represented by the classical laws of physics such as the Law of Least Action, where nature does the least amount to continue its functioning and support for evolution. In the consciousness based paradigm, the laws of nature support evolution and exist in the transcendental field, with the Law of Least Action supporting evolution through the experience of higher states of consciousness.
What is the relationship of lower self and higher Self in the state of unity consciousness?
The relationship between the higher self and lower self in the state of unity consciousness is that of union. The higher self includes aspects of the personality which never changes, that of absolute being. Aspects of the lower self include the mind, intellect, and the ego, the relative aspect of existence. The lower self moves toward subtler and subtler levels, to the transcendental field, universal existence where lower self and higher self become one.
What are the four levels of nature in Vedic Science and the physics fields that study them. What type of “object” does each level study?
The four levels of nature, their physics fields and “objects” of study include:
Gross Level - This is the classical level of macroscopic physics containing objects (anything you can see with the eye). The gross level in VS also contains the senses, desires and the mind.
Subtle Level - In physics this is the Quantum Mechanical Field containing atoms and subatomic particles. The laws of nature in quantum mechanics are different than those at the classical level, grounded mostly in probabilities. In VS, this level includes the intellect/discernment.
Subtlest Level - In physics this is the Quantum Field, containing the subatomic particles that make up atoms and molecules. Fields interact, giving rise to wave functions. In VS, this level includes the ego/individuality.
Transcendental - Unified Field Theory, doesn’t study many different fields like in quantum field, Unified Field theory is the study of only one field in which all the laws of nature reside. All material is self interacting.
What is the correspondence principle in physics and how (if at all) can it be correlated to VS?
The Correspondence Principle in Physics can easily be correlated in VS. The Correspondence Principle asserts that new findings should always encompass older findings. Newer/deeper knowledge should explain the older surface knowledge. Deeper levels of knowledge can be used to explain the surface levels, but the reverse is not true (surface cannot always be used to explain deeper). In VS, higher states of consciousness can experience and understand lower states of consciousness and awareness. Lower states of consciousness cannot fully experience higher states and deeper awareness.
Define statistical law, and connect it to a VS principle?
Statistical laws define the probability of material objects and their behavior, and generally include a margin of error compared to the volume to make assumptions. This is similar to the first level of consciousness in VS, the waking state, where the statistical classical laws of physics allow for diversity. Individual experiences are varied approximations of individual and collective interactions with the laws of nature, resulting in any number of possibilities. The “statistical law” in this example accounts for the vastness of diversity humans experience in the waking state, and perhaps even more deeply, what is statistically still possible through attaining higher states of consciousness.
Contrast the Heisenberg uncertainty principle with the 'billiard-ball' mechanistic approach of classical physics.
The Heisneberg uncertainty principle explains that there is a limit to the precision with which complementary values can be known at the same time, that cannot be explained by the constraints of a measuring device. It is a limit in understanding of the abstract universe. This contrasts with the mechanistic approach in physics that result in a “billiard-ball” understanding of the laws where each assumption is proven to build upon past proven methods (ex: Point A moves to point B as a result of action C).
Shortly describe the double-slit experiment with an observer. How would you explain the observer effect in terms of VS?
The double-slit experiment reveals that the process of observation affects the object of observation. In the experiment, a single source of light hits two slits and spreads out with an interference pattern. The pattern reflects that the waves either begin to work together or cancel each other out. When a detector is placed, the pattern results in localized placement. Similarly when atoms go through the double-slits, an interference pattern like a wave results. When the detector is present, the atoms continue to act like particles.
In VS, as one continues to saturate the physiology with the transcendental field (during regular transcendental meditation), the observer can be directly experienced. The observer, observed and process of observation acts as a three in one mechanism where consciousness begins to experience itself. This can also be explained as the knower, known, and knowing. The observer effect is the experience of observing the observer in this process, and the resulting experiences outside of meditation that may shift as a result of this observation.
What phenomenon studied in VS is most cited as being analogous to the third law of thermodynamics and why?
The third law of thermodynamics is most analogous to the phenomenon of transcending in VS. The third law of thermodynamics states that as a system’s temperature is cooled, entropy decreases. During transcendence, we reduce the “mental temperature” of the mind, reducing disorder. As the mind settles, the physiology becomes more orderly and begins to purify itself. Physiology becomes saturated with pure consciousness, resulting in less excitation.
In terms of entropy, what is so special about the behavior of living systems?
Living systems are highly ordered and require constant energy input to maintain a state of low entropy (energy dispersal). Living systems function by means of and for the purpose of decreasing entropy locally. They do this by gathering low entropy—“drinking orderliness” (Schodinger) Living systems do so by absorbing sunlight and consuming energy-rich nutrients, and in VS, the experience of pure consciousness in the physiology.
What are the EEG markers of transcendence during meditation?
When practicing Transcendental Meditation, coherent properties can be measured with the EEG as well as other physiological indicators such as reduced stress and increased creativity. This coherence results in a more powerful system, functioning orderly within itself. The EEG markers of Transcendental Meditation include “higher frontal, interhemispheric alpha 1 coherence”, an indicator of heightened alertness or wakefulness.
In turn, the breath slows downs, there is less sympathetic activity (fight/flight response) and more parasympathetic activity (increase calm, prevents system from overworking).
How is macroscopic quantum coherence similar to the behavior of the enlightened nervous system?
Macroscopic quantum coherence explains how the large objects of classical life reflect the unbounded and frictionless quantum level properties. Lasers an example from physics. Lasers are coherent lights all focusing in the same direction, created by stimulated emission. Stimulated emission occurs by taking an atom at a low energy level and stimulating it by a photon to move it to a higher energy level. The atom first absorbs the energy of the photon as it increases in energy, then as another photon is introduced, two identical photos are produced, resulting in stimulated emission. This is similar to experiences occurring during the practice of Transcendental Meditation. By accessing pure consciousness, we are introducing a higher source of “energy” into our biological system, resulting in the absorption of the new energy and a “stimulated emission” as pure consciousness is released in our own physiology. The result is that our own natural state of being rises to meet that of pure consciousness. A stronger, more effortless state.
Compare the Maharishi Effect with the Meissner Effect.
The Meissner Effect is a phenomenon in which a superconductor exhibits invincibility to outside influence. While the material is actually penetrated by this outside influence, it maintains the ability to reorient itself immediately. It is instantly adaptable in response to the environment.
Similarly, higher states of consciousness create adaptability, not through separateness but through flexibility and the ability to transform diversity into harmony continually. The Transcendental Meditation technique cultivates the connection between the mind and body by bringing consciousness to the point of no excitation. It is at the point of no excitation that the mind can recognize and begin to function within itself, individual consciousness embedded in pure consciousness. The mind begins to witness the field of the body and the fluctuations of the mind independently.
Research shows that when a segment of the population continues the Transcendental Meditation practice and experiences the subsequent benefits, the Maharishi Effect can be observed. The studies show when 1% of the population in the given area practices the Transcendental Meditation technique there is an increase in quality of life indicators that cannot be attributed to other geographical variables. This impact can be attributed to the reciprocal relationship gained by rising collective consciousness in response to the growth in individual consciousness. The studies demonstrate the intimate connection of humanity and how a relatively small number of people transcending can measurably affect the whole.
What Meissner found was that when certain metals are cooled to a superconductive temperature the metal is unaffected by external magnetic fields. Superconductive metals have an extremely coherent inner structure because their atoms are all in their ground states, like meditators who are experiencing “the complete settling of the activity of the mind.” This reduces the influence of outside forces such as magnetism, for the metal, and hostilities for the meditators. Thus, the Meissner Effect in physics is analogous to the Maharishi Effect in human behavior.
How does Einstein’s description of space in general relativity support the Vedic description of space (Akash)?
Einstein discovered that space and time were not absolute as previously thought, that the mass of objects cause a distortion in space-time. Time slows down near a large gravitational mass.The previously non changing values of space and time actually reveal deeper values of change. The Vedic description of space “Akash” is a relative element subject to the ever-changing nature of the relative. Einstein’s description of space-time concludes that it is not a stage in which relativity exists but like Akash, it is a relative element subject to the ever changing nature of the relative.
Elaborate on E=mc2 in terms of Vedic Science.
Matter and energy were once thought to be completely different. E=mc2 explains the matter/energy equivalence. Energy of a given object is equal to the mass of the object times the speed of light squared. Energy is dispersed matter. Two things that were thought to be separate in fact have a deep unity. In VS, surface level reality has apparent diversity and duality but on a deeper level are unified, where all expressions of the relative are expressions of deeper unity. Previously non changing values are actually revealing deeper values of change. The world is based upon your frame of reference. VS different states of consciousness reveal different boundaries. Awareness gets collapsed and becomes trapped by the boundaries of the objects of perception. CC boundaries fall and in higher states, matter takes on celestial values, that are not illusory but just as real. Frames of reference are equally valid. Waking state w boundaries is a real experience. CC boundaryless is real. Higher states of consciousness include the lower states. Surface levels are included in the deeper levels. Boundaries can be appreciated.
How does the presence of a strong gravitational field effect time?
Time slows down near a large gravitational mass. According to Einstein's general relativity, time runs slower in the presence of a gravitational field. This effect is known as gravitational time dilation.
Einstein’s general relativity determined that gravity is not an invisible force but a result of the shape of space and considers all the ways in which matter and energy move in space. Gravity acts within spacetime as something that emerges out of the interaction between mass and energy. “Spacetime tells matter how to move; matter tells spacetime how to curve”, John Wheeler's quote explains that general relativity incorporates all possibilities of motion. Space is not fixed, it is a mutable relative reality that is curved in the vicinity of mass, and objects just follow the path. The effect of the bent in space is what is known as gravity. The relationship between matter, the shape of spacetime, and the motion of matter is a self-referential loop.
Does the advancement in unified field theoretical physics depend on whether the physicist's approach to consciousness is materialist-based or consciousness-based?
The advancement of unified field theoretical physics must include the consciousness-based paradigm.
The materialistic-based approach to physics has established classical laws that are approximations of the laws of nature. Following the classical laws of least action and the corresponding principle, quantum mechanics and quantum field studies have considerable supporting interpretations and theories. Using this existing framework, theories such as string theory, dark energy and dark matter can continue to uncover discoveries in quantum field theory. However, to further work in unified field theory, the consciousness based approach must be included to reflect the self-referential field is an unbounded field that gives rise to waves or fluctuations within itself.
The Unified Field theory is the study of only one field in which all the laws of nature reside. In order for the consciousness-based approach to be included, it must first be considered as either the one field which will be studied, or considered as a law of nature.