The East's hidden connection to physics

Asangoham, July 28, 2023; Sheldon S., Ashley Wells (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Ancient Indian philosophy's hidden connection with theoretical physics, Part 3

What has Oppenheimer done again?

(Asangoham) July 28, 2023. In this exploration of the fascinating parallels between the ancient wisdom of Indian philosophy and the groundbreaking theories of modern quantum physics, we have already navigated two profound themes.

In Part 1, we delved into the intriguing concept of "emptiness," comparing the ancient Buddhist and Indian philosophy's idea of shunyata with the quantum theory of vacuum fluctuations and the idea that even "empty" space is not truly empty.

• [EDITORIAL NOTE: But, of course, empty does not mean empty of all things. It is not "nothingness" as many mistakenly imagine and gloss; it means devoid of a self. There are aggregates, Five Aggregates or "heaps" in the case of human personality," but no abiding self though these heaps themselves cling to themselves as a kind of permanent self though they are falling away moment by moment.]

In Part 2, we probed into the theme of "interconnectedness" [interdependence], drawing parallels between Eastern philosophy's belief in the inherent interconnectedness of all phenomena and quantum entanglement's demonstration of instantaneous connections between particles, irrespective of distance.

As we progress to Part 3 of this series, we turn our attention towards another equally compelling concept -- time. We will explore the nature of time as conceived of in Buddhism and Hinduism and compare these with the current understanding in theoretical physics.

This exploration is not merely an intellectual pursuit but an attempt to grasp our place in the universe and understand the nature of existence more deeply.

Embark with us on this voyage across millennia and disciplines as we unravel the essence of time and its striking conceptual convergence in Eastern philosophy and quantum physics.

In doing so, we shall once again appreciate the timeless wisdom inherent in ancient thought and its amazing resonance with cutting-edge theories of the contemporary scientific world.

#quantumphysics #vedanta #nonduality #enlightenment

• Script: Malcolm Grayson
• Edit: Medo Voiceover: Abhinav Banerjee
• Original score: Epidemic Music x Original score
• DISCLAIMER 01: All ideas expressed on this channel are for entertainment and general information purposes only. There is no advice on what an individual should or should not do. Any response made by viewers after hearing this communication is their interpretation and is their responsibility. Ideas expressed by this channel should not be treated as a substitute for medical advice or professional help. If expert assistance or counselling is needed, the services of a competent professional should be sought.
• DISCLAIMER 02: All materials in these videos are used for entertainment purposes and fall within the guidelines of fair use. No copyright infringement intended. If one is or represents the copyright owner of materials used in this video and has an issue with the use of said material, please send an email to doseofquotes02@gmail.com. Copyright © 2022 Asangoham. All rights reserved.

Fritjof Capra: Science gets closer to Buddhism

Eds., Wisdom Quarterly; Maria Armoudian, Prof. Fritjof Capra (Scholars’ Circle, 8-31-14)

The Buddha under a vast sky, Battambang, Cambodia (Samantonio/flickr.com)

Amazing visionaries from the Buddha to the guardians and more (Pete Karnevil/flickr)

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The Systems View of Life: a Unifying Vision

(Scholars' Circle) Fritjof Capra, the world-famous author of The Tao of Physics, talks about his more recent work, The Systems View of Life: A Unifying Vision.

Capra, who is for all practical purposes now an Eastern mystic and one of Leonardo da Vinci's greatest proponents, also researched and wrote: The Turning Point, The Web of Life, The Hidden Connections, The Science of Leonardo: Inside the Mind of the Great Genius of the Renaissance, and Learning from Leonardo: Decoding the Notebooks of a Genius.

Dr. Capra is an eminent physicist, system theorist, science writer, and the founding director of Center of Ecoliteracy.

• AUDIO: PLAY NOW (download, Scholars' Circle)

Feeding students, sustainable living, thinking about ecosystems (ecoliteracy.org)

 

The Systems View of Life

Over the past three decades, a new conception of life has emerged at the forefront of science: New emphasis has been given to complexity, networks, and patterns of organization leading to a novel kind of "systemic" thinking. Fritjof Capra and Pier Luigi Luisi integrate the ideas, models, and theories underlying the systems view of life. They put it all into a single coherent framework Taking a broad sweep through history and across scientific disciplines, the authors examine the appearance of key concepts such as autopoiesis, dissipative structures, social networks, and a systemic understanding of evolution. The implications of the systems view of life for health care, management, and our global ecological and economic crises are also discussed. It is for college students and essential reading for graduate students and researchers interested in the new systemic conception of life with implications for a broad range of professions -- from psychology and law, economics and politics, to medicine.

KPFK (90.7 FM) Host Maria Armoudian (armoudian.com, The Scholars' Circle)

Kill the Messenger: The Media's Role

• Pacifica Radio host and producer Maria Armoudian (The Insighters, The Scholars's Circle) is author of Kill the Messenger: The Media's Role in the Fate of the World and a fellow at USC’s Center for International Studies, a doctoral candidate at the Univ. of Southern California, and a board member for the L.A. League of Conservation Voters.
• fritjofcapra.net

Thinking Like an Ecosystem (Frances Moore Lappe/ecoliteracy.org)

Dancing Shiva and Dispelling Fear

Buddhist monks dispelling fear on a rollercoaster (sensitivitytothings.com)

(lotussculpture.com)

Every culture has its symbol of the triumph of "good over evil." In India it is the Dancing Shiva, also known as Nataraj. It is often portrayed as a statue in the Hindu tradition with similar themes running through Buddhist art.

The Nataraj is mystical and reminiscent of the Bharat Natyam and Kuchipudi dancers who say a prayer before every dance recital, such as the Arangetram ceremonies (a graduation of sorts).

Physics
"Fritzof Capra in The Tao of Physics relates Nataraj's dance with modern physics. "Every subatomic particle not only performs an energy dance, but also is an energy dance; a pulsating process of creation and destruction…without end…For the modern physicists, then Shiva's dance is the dance of subatomic matter. As in Hindu mythology, it is a continual dance of creation and destruction involving the whole cosmos; the basis of all existence and of all natural phenomena."

Indian yogi: a non-dancing Shavite ascetic

Similarly there is a poem by Ruth Peel:

"The source of all movement,
Shiva's dance,
Gives rhythm to the universe.
He dances in evil places,
In sacred,
He creates and preserves,
Destroys and releases.

We are part of this dance
This eternal rhythm,
And woe to us if, blinded
By illusions,
We detach ourselves
From the dancing cosmos,
This universal harmony…"

This dancing form of Lord Shiva is a synthesis of the most important aspects of Hinduism, which claims Buddhism by extension, and summarizes the central tenets of Vedic religion. The term Nataraj means "King of Dancers" (Sanskrit, nata = dance; raja = king).

Origins
An extraordinary iconographic representation of the rich and diverse cultural heritage of India, it was developed in southern India. The development came about in a series of beautiful bronze sculptures made by 9th and 10th century artists. This is known as the Chola period (880-1279). By the 12th century, it achieved canonical status and soon the Chola Nataraja became the supreme statement of Hindu art.

Symbolism
It is a marvellously unified and dynamic composition expressing the rhythm and harmony of life. Shiva's four hands represent the four cardinal directions. He is dancing — his left foot elegantly raised and his right placed on a prostrate figure. This figure is Apasmara Purusha, the personification of illusion and ignorance over whom Shiva triumphs.

This is similar to Buddhism in that the Buddha triumphs over "Mara," the personification of Death. He simultaneously triumphs over ignorance and Samsara (continued wandering on through the round of rebirth and death).

The upper right hand holds an hourglass drum or dumroo, which stands for the male-female vital principle. The lower shows the gesture of assertion: "Be without fear." This is similar to the Buddha's hand gesture (mudra) dispelling fear. The upper left hand holds a flame. The lower left points down to a dwarf, who is shown holding a cobra.

Snakes, which represent egotism, are seen uncoiling from his arms, legs, and braided and bejewelled hair. His matted locks whirl as he dances within an arch of flames representing Samsara, the endless cycle of death, birth, and death. On his head is a skull, which symbolizes his conquest over death.

The Goddess Ganga, epitomizing the holy Ganges river, also sits in hair. His third eye is symbolic of his omniscience, insight, and enlightenment. The entire idol rests on a lotus pedestal, the symbol of the creative forces of the universe. Many of the same features are embedded in Buddhist works through different symbols.

Significance
Shiva's cosmic dance is called Anandatandava, the "Dance of Bliss." It symbolizes the cosmic cycles of creation and destruction, as well as the daily rhythm of birth and death. In Buddhist terms this would be Anicca or "impermanence," known in longer cycles as "eventual decay" and in much shorter cycles as "constant flux."

The dance is a pictorial allegory of the five principle manifestations of eternal energy — creation, destruction, preservation, emancipation, and illusion. According to A.K. Coomerswamy, the Dance of Shiva also represents his five activities: evolution, support, de-evolution, illusion, and release (or grace). The overall temper of the image is paradoxical, uniting the inner tranquility and outer activity of Shiva.

• [Drona & Dharmachari; Nataraj text adapted from hinduism.com].

Dispell fear even if the dollar and economy should tumble

• Overcoming Fear: Initial Steps (Theravada)
• DealingWithFear.org (New Kadampa Tradition)
• Fear-mental-illness-and-meditation (Zen, Blogisattva Award winner)