The world around us appears solid, and we think it is. But when we dig deeper and get into the world of atoms, things begin to change.
Atoms
We are all more or less agreed on the idea that everything is made up of atoms.
We understand that these atoms are made up of subatomic particles like protons, neutrons and electrons.
Through the process of smashing atoms using particle colliders, we have come to understand that these subatomic particles themselves are made of even smaller particles such as quarks.
Scientists are busy building even more powerful particle colliders, so for now, it seems to be a case of ‘And on it goes…’
Subatomic Particles
We are used to picturing subatomic particles as solid spheres, like billiard balls. But that’s not what they’re really like. They’re not perfect spheres. They’re not solid. And they are not constant.
Quantum Mechanics
The world of quantum mechanics (or quantum physics as it is also known) deals with the world of subatomic particles. At this level, it seems that matter and particles behave differently than they do at the larger, atomic level.
Studies in this field of science revealed that far from being solid, subatomic particles are in fact, fuzzy and hazy. Here one moment and gone the next, they are constantly flickering in and out of existence – but too fast for the naked eye or other senses to tell (much like the changing scenes of a vintage movie reel, which is only really a collection of still photographs).
Wave-Particle Duality
But here’s the real kicker: subatomic particles behave both like particles (as in ‘solid’) and like waves (‘energy’).
The same ‘thing’ is, in fact, two things…
The Observer Effect
If you thought what came before this was strange, then you’re in for a shock because… it appears that particles exist as waves and only change into particles when they are being observed!!
The rest of the time, they are fuzzy, wave-like collections of energy that exist as possibilities and probabilities.
It is only when we turn our awareness towards them that they ‘freeze up’ into solid things.
I know. It makes my head hurt too : )
It’s hard to explain why the same thing can be two things, and why it changes from one to another merely through being observed.
But there is a simple explanation; one that goes beyond science and requires a stretch of the imagination (yes, you really have to let go of those billiard balls now).
Consciousness as the Underlying Reality
All of the above is easily explained when viewed from the vantage point that everything is ultimately made up of Consciousness (think ‘intelligent energy’) and is being orchestrated by Consciousness in order for Consciousness to perceive and experience.
Maya
In my previous post, I explained how we are Infinite Consciousness having an experience as human beings. And so it follows that this third-dimensional physical reality we are living in, is also not what it seems. This is, perhaps, one aspect of the ‘Maya‘ or illusion that is spoken of in Hindu Philosophy.
Here, everything out there seems separate and solid. But what is ‘out there’ is really inside of us. And what seems separate is actually just the many facets of The One. And, what appears ‘solid’ is not actually solid at all (at least not when you delve deeper into it).
So, if what we’re living and experiencing isn’t real, then what is it? The best answer I have come across so far is that it is all a sort of virtual reality – just one of many.
Virtual Reality
In this reality, we possess a body and a mind. We also possess five senses that connect the body and the mind to the outside world.
Through the mind and the five senses, we are able to navigate this virtual reality and have the various experiences which serve the desire that Infinite Consciousness has for Self-discovery and expansion.
In this way, our bodies are merely the vessels for consciousness to operate through and the mind is the interface between consciousness and physicality. Both are different manifestations of Consciousness.
As for everything else in our world, all of that too is ultimately a manifestation of Consciousness, largely comprised of energy and intelligence, acting and responding to the awareness/observation of Consciousness.
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I appreciate that all of this takes some mental gymnastics and mind-bending to understand. And trying to perceive something infinite, with something so finite as the human mind is always going to be a challenge.
Also, generally speaking, this is as about as far as my understanding goes. So, don’t think it’s just you if you’re having trouble understanding or accepting any of this.
Ultimately, it’s just one way of trying to see the world and making sense of it all. In that respect, it’s been a useful tool to me and I hope it proves helpful to you too in some way too.
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