Wednesday, March 21, 2012

What I Learned

Barbara: So I had my last class in Quantum Physics last night and I am happy to say that, yes, my life has changed!

Okay, my daughter and I were just hashing out what “my life has changed” even means: is it your literal life, is it in the everyday, is it in shifts of thinking or awareness (but which of these actually “stick”), what exactly has changed and what qualifies as “life changing”…And on and on. Subtleties too complex (or unfathomable) to actually answer.

Which brings me full circle to quantum physics. Here’s the beauty: every fundamental question we have about life is “too complex (or unfathomable) to answer” in the world of physics too, even by our most illustrious scientists. But the answers they have come up with are actually amazing to consider.

As I told you before, I was never religious, but still I could always feel a rightness about spirituality and a connectedness to others and unconditional love and all those lovely things. I just never liked the rules and regulations, the punishments and rewards, the seeming favouritism or exclusion, the black and white-ness of religion, or conversely, in more encompassing religions like Buddhism, I find the quiet too … I don’t know, quiet? Strangely, quantum physics is maybe as close to understanding/finding religion as I’ve ever been able to get. Why? Okay, I will try and answer that question in as brief and concise a way as possible (for me). And why am I going to even try and answer it? Because, like with every epiphany and miracle, I want to share it with you, even if I risk sounding like an idiot or utterly confusing you with my inability to communicate clearly (my most basic fear: the inability to communicate).

So here I am trying to sum up for you 8 weeks of classes, several intense readings including the wonderful The Dancing Wu Li Masters by Gary Zukav, and a few TV shows and movies on the subject. In other words, a) I am no learned expert, and b) the ideas that have been illuminated for me got there through many, slow steps (quantum steps!). Is it a losing game to even try blogging about this? We’ll see. But I do love you guys so much for always humouring me and going along for the ride no matter how rambly, weird, unfun, or unclear I am!

The most amazing thing I learned was that we are all made up of the same fundamental energy at our core. And, as we posted here before, that fundamental energy connects the entire universe (hello, big bang). But we have, through our processes of thinking, created a sense of separateness from each other and our place in the world that has literally caged us inside little thought-boxes, which in turn leads to all the conflict we see in the world around us (imagine if you will 6 billion rigid little thought-boxes ramming up against each other). But by working to free our minds and our rigid sets of rules (whatever those may be), we have a chance to truly see and know ourselves and the universe in ways we never imagined.

This from Gary Zukav in The Dancing Wu Li Masters: “Most of us respond to our environment with a collection of automatic responses that once brought desirable results, usually in childhood. Unfortunately, if the environment that produced the results changes (we grow up) and the responses themselves do not adapt, they become counterproductive. Showing anger, becoming depressed, flattering, crying, and bullying are response patterns appropriate to times often long past. These patterns change only when we are forced to realize that they are no longer productive. Even then change is often painful and slow. The same is true for scientific theories.”

As far back as Einstein, experiments revealed that those wonderful laws of science that we apply to everything could explain most of what happens and how it happens—but not all of it. So the physicists around Einstein’s time, including him (only referencing him because, of course, he’s the most famous), began coming up with formulas that could maybe explain everything. They seemed to find it with a “quantum” explanation of things, but most physicists (including Einstein) hated the quantum model because it led to strange discoveries like this: did you know that in experiments as far back as the early 1900s with sub-atomic “components” (ie photons), the results were determined by the mere fact of the photon being observed? In other words, stuff would act differently depending on who/what was looking and when/where! And also that observed stuff could somehow communicate with related stuff across the world and change that in the exact same way—as if one tiny photon in New York was telepathically communicating with its twin photon in Tokyo! (If you haven’t studied physics—like I hadn’t before this—you have to take my word for this. These are scientifically-based experiments I’m quoting.)

After the shock of that discovery wore off for the scientists, the question had to become, “Well, who/what is the observer then? And why and how can It affect things?” And then every question and experiment after that just confirmed and re-confirmed that we are all a connected “observer”, subconsciously (or consciously) affecting—and determining—our world every second of every day (if you even believe in “time”—but that’s a whole other question). I began to become aware of that rigid cage we’ve each made for ourselves and realized how it is a habit (an uncomfortable/comfortable habit) that has developed over our generations-long stubborn belief that what we see is what is.

Now this is all a huuuuggeee over-simplification, of course, but this is how my life has changed. All those catchphrases that I took for granted as 60’s era hippie love has actually been confirmed for me through the scientific world! It is what it is. We are all one. We can do anything. Build it and they will come. It is a seductive, reassuring, hopeful, empowering “religion” that gives me “proof” of its existence every single day.

And the best part of all this is, each of us can learn to push off our restrictive thinking by simply approaching the world as a child would: open and curious. Open. Curious.

I’ll leave you with another thought from The Dancing Wu Li Masters: “The next time you are awed by something, let the feeling flow freely through you and do not try to “understand” it. You will find that you do understand, but in a way that you will not be able to put into words. You are perceiving intuitively through your right hemisphere.”

PS for those of you who live in the Toronto area, here is a link to the school that hosted the class. The class itself is called Philosophy and Quantum Physics and is offered two or three times a year at the School of Philosophy. The next session starts on April 10th and runs for 10 weeks. It is in a relaxed setting with no exams, tests, reading list, homework, or notebooks!



Deb: This is fascinating and, frankly for me, easy to grasp and believe. I know when you started the Quantum journey I was “WHAT?” but the summary has touched my brain. It makes sense. The idea of all of us being the same is both wonderful and sad at the same time--give us an inch and we’ll wreck it. But the awe statement was the deal breaker for me. Let it freely flow through you and try not to understand it. These are the moments in my life that have transcended me. I want more and this may help!!!! They are the “Let go and let God” moments. And that of course would be God as each of us understands Him. In this instance it would be the God in all of us, each creature on earth. Or the us in God. I use the word God, not to put religion in this but to illustrate what you have said in a term that we have been raised with as humans. We have the power ourselves just by our very existence. Then sadly ... we think. Ironic, isn’t it? 

23 comments:

  1. Barb I am so glad that you have gained so much insight from this class! It inspires me to think about my coursework! Essentially all of my classes have left me with something, whether I enjoyed the class or not!

    Man, education rocks! :D

    P.S. I love the fact that the next upcoming class is so lax: I wish all classes were like that! Wouldn't that be something? lol

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  2. Education does rock!! That is my best lesson for myself: keep learning and looking to learn (aka open and curious). And the class I took was just as relaxed (but not "lax" :) ) -- and it worked great for me to be keyed into listening -- as opposed to madly writing notes and dreading tests.

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  3. I love you !!! I REALLY REALLY LOVE YOU...!!
    you know that.....
    This is so so connected to what we have been talking about on FB.......its so amazing !!!!! I am very happy for you.....what a wonderful Lifealtering experience...!!! Unbelievable...
    I used to ebe pretty religious...(they way we were raised has a big effect) But after loa...its all gone.....And it feels so open and wonderful and I am letting it flow freely as its so beautiful....that words can never describe it....!

    And Most important....Rambling is good, you are never unclear to me (HELLO...INTUITION and TELEPATHY ??), everything you write is awesome..And I have so much fun reading it...and
    WEIRD IS THE NEW NORMAL...!!!!!! C'mon look at me.....I'm as weird as it gets !!!

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    1. Of course, I knew you would "get" this and relate to it, Shalaka! Weird does seem to be the new normal -- which should lead to ALL kinds of interesting developments, right?!

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    2. Amen to that sistah !!!...Times are A---CHANGING !!!!! Ok why do I TALK LIKE THIS ??? XD

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  4. Wait did you take physics or philosophy?! Quite the deep stuff here, I love it though makes me think. In an interesting coincidence (or maybe it's just all connected) my oldest is working on a science naturale project focused on the life and work of Albert Einstein right now. I think I'm learning as much as she is while helping her to find research material and proofreading. It's all quite interesting stuff. Yay for learning vicariously through others!

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    1. I know, sounds counter-intuitive, doesn't it? It is at the School of Philosophy and it does have "philosophy" in the title of the course, but my experience was that we were learning factual elements of the physics world and its history --spanning from classical discoveries (Copernicus to Newton, that kind of thing) and taking it to the quantum discoveries of the 1900s and then applying (or not) our own philosophies to our learning (as I did here) as opposed to discussing how philosophy played into all or any of it.

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  5. Doing this secretly...I'm at work. SHH!!!! :]

    Barb, what an inspiration. At one point I had that same passion when learning something new. Reading this has made me realize that I have lost a lot of that passion that I used to have. I am not really sure why though. Sounds like a challenge we can all pursue; rediscover passion!

    Going to college and continuing my education was the best thing I have ever done for myself! In a way, it has proved the nay-sayers wrong. When I was younger, I was told I would probably barely graduate high school and probably not go to college. I can't wait to walk across the stage in a little over a year and say "take a look at me now!" :D

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    1. You so deserve that proud walk, Kelly! And actually you have always epitomized for me everything that is wonderful about learning: your passion and curiosity, your questions and thoughtful ideas. You have EVERYTHING you need to be everything you want to be. Thanks for inspiring me more times than you could know.

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  6. I'm glad it was a great experience for you, Barb. I love to see people that love learning. It's my passion, which is why I am going into the education field.
    One of the "Great Philosophers" once said something along the lines of "the truly wise are those that admit that they know nothing rather than those that believe they know everything." I really love this.
    "the purpose of education is to replace an empty mind with an open one."-Fortune Cookie (really).

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  7. I am someone who does attend church. If you knew our congregation you would never call it "organized religion" though. More a fellowship of seekers who are doing their seeking in the Christian path, understanding that it is one path to truth. Something to focus our endeavour.So apparently is quantum physics.I joined a church because I do believe in God, a name which I use because, again, it focuses the conversation. I could say Universe, or Light, or Love or anything I please but God gets the job done and signifies the realm I'm working in. The energy that is at our core and mutual to all of us puts us "in relationship" with each other. Perhaps the amalgam of that energy is God. Perhaps God, a greater energy, has bequeathed us life in that amalgam. We don't get to know exactly the equation but I have come to believe that it is about relationship. That two are greater than one and that being right with ourselves is somehow hooked into being in relationship with each other and that which is greater. I read an article recently that described God as constantly seeking relationship. Relationship with us. Desiring us to relate and live in God. It's this that leads me to understand that when they say "God is love" that it doesn't mean God is "loving". It literally means, I think, that God IS love, that that's what God is. It is the pure energy that flows between us. That "God's will" is being fulfilled when there is love. And love comes as seeking justice, as revealing and living in truth, as honouring life - ours, our planet's and all its creatures. If I believe in this reality of God and again look to science as another path to understanding, I must also deal with the yin and yang, the dark and light, the God and devil. There is a force that battles Love. That is in malevolent relationship with Love. And that struggle reveals the human journey. We choose, in every moment, which side we will take. When the dark side wins the battle in one person we have murder and rape and all forms of abuse and domination. When the dark side amalgamates in one period of time we have genocide. So I believe that our mutual spark is Love, that it is God and God is it. That, as individuals, we can tap into and be in relationship with the All Love and find comfort and strength in it. I've never found a barrier between science and religion (or at least religion as I choose to experience it). Quantum physics proves my point. Not that I have an opinion, mind you. :)

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    1. Wow, awesome response, Cheryl. So thought FULL. And I also loved experiencing the reciprocal thoughts that pinged around in my mind as I read this. As I said, I don't know why it's always been hard for me to use the word "God", but I wholeheartedly relate to the way you (and people like you) use it. It certainly doesn't "bother" me when others use it, and it allows me to understand exactly what they mean -- I feel the divineness and sacredness of it. And that there is a point where both science and religion (or spirituality) meet "proves the point", yes! I also want to jump on your line "that being right with ourselves is somehow hooked into being in relationship": I know it's worthy of its own post, but I so so so believe that when we work to free ourselves, our own minds, our hearts, and make ourselves better, the whole benefits. That's why we should never feel guilty about working on ourselves (although I would guess that one would need to know the sometimes subtle difference between selfish acts of caring for yourself -- i.e. I'll steal that from you because I want it -- and healing yourself -- i.e. I'm going to take a course, get a massage, take time to meditate, etc, etc). Could go on and on and on!!

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  8. We do indeed decide all the time to stand in awe and if you just stand in it, it is awesome. Sometimes I try to just watch the stars or a tree in movement and see through it to all the amazing negative space. As an artist I maximize negative space and there in lies the beauty. It is everywhere if we just stop and take it in. Great job explaining Barb but what I loved most was your enthusiasm for this type of learning.

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    1. My mother is an artist and I've often hear artists talk about negative space, the space between, etc. Love that. And how wonderful to look at the world through the eyes of a wondering self and the eyes of an artist, different shades of awareness and curiosity. Thanks, Madge.

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  9. I am so glad you blogged about this, Barbara. It is setting off fireworks in my thought-box!

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    1. Love this, Eileen! "fireworks in my thought-box" might just my new mantra!

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  10. Jeez, I leave this blog for a few months and it turns into the comedic wing of New Scientist. I'm with you in using science (or quantum physics in your case) to get closer to spiritual experiences than religion. The Big Bang is twice as miraculous and beautiful as any gossamer-winged creatures with lovely harp music. I know this isn't your point but I'd need to take notes before I said something intelligent here. And I'm busy, K?

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    1. Oh my god, MJ, how we've missed you!! I so owe myself a good read over your way too. I can't tell you how I enjoyed having a good throw-my-head-back laugh at your last zing. The other stuff you said was pretty good too -- I think I hear gossamer-winged harp playing as we speak...

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  11. I love how you stuck with the quantum physics! I could have never made it through the class LOL : ) Way to go!!!
    I understand the love of learning we all seem to share. I have a habit of memorizing the most useless information. Me and my dad actually have a little battle going on. Each time we see each other we sprut out some random fact and try to stump the other. If the other didn't know what ever fact we just blurted we consider it a win LOL.
    But I kind of relate it to how Sherlock Holmes does drugs when he doesn't have a case to keep his mind busy; excpect I don't do drugs : )
    When ever I get bored I just teach myself some useless peice of information; Like I memorized the entire preamble to the US Constution ????? I don't think this will ever even come up in Jeopardy LOL; I also taught myself sign language in high school, just because I was bored 8 ), so this may be a usefull skill but I have yet to meet anyone I can try it out on LOL
    So at least you learned something usefull Barbara!! : )

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    1. What a great excuse to learn about random things: to play a game with your dad! I think our urge to learn often manifests as boredom -- we just forget that if we turned that boredom into curiosity, we could discover some amazing things. I love the things you've chosen to learn about -- who cares if they're "useless" right now. That might change one day ;)

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  12. Hi Barb,

    Thanks for the warm welcome and hug. Now you are getting me really excited by sharing this information...now you are rocking! This portal you are opening for you and your daughter just continues to expand and expand and expand. It is the most thrilling place to explore because the journey will lead you deeper and deeper into a relationship with the truer nature of who you are and the truer nature of who we are...together.

    Metaphysics is my passion. I sincerely and humbley came into this passion with a desire to change some really painful patterns that were not creating the reality I wanted and I devoured, gobbled and personally applied what I was learning in the realm of Quantum Physics/Spirituality with some great hits and alot of misses. Now over 10,000 hours later, I feel confident to say I am expert at alot of this know how. I am so excited you are exploring this at this time and so excited for your daughter.

    There is a broad movement, economy, social networking etc on line called Evolutionary Spirituality that is about becoming Conscious of how reality works, understanding this is our next quantum leap in our evolutionary journey as spiritual beings, in human form, becoming aware again of the spiritual nature of who we are. This book you speak of fits in with it all. I have it as well in my library.

    This movement is more like a nova star ready to do it's thing this year it seems....very exciting to read your latest learnings and I soooo looking forward to this topic expanding here.

    Exciting....

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    1. Beautifully said, Val. I'm certainly going to keep exploring this broad world of connectedness. Boy, we will have some interesting stuff to talk about if all works out re our visit!

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  13. I haven't read your blog in a few months, and I got to thinking - Barb and Quantum Physics?! I had to take quantum mechanics when I was in college... too much math. And NO IDEA what it meant!

    God is good at what he does, and even without a calculator! :)

    <3 you ladies

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