week 2: Quantum Mechanics

Reflections on Uncertainty:

After class I reflected on the Bohr-Einstein Debate and while it looks as though they were on other sides of the argument, they were actually more alike than different. That debate happened in the context of western reductionism. Both were trying to reduce the nature of reality into predictable paths. Even if the result of the argument is that we are left with uncertainty, we still want to be able to predict uncertainty. We in the west are so uncomfortable with the Mystery.

As I drove in the car later that day I heard one of my favorite "profits" on KPFA. Caroline Casey, Visionary Activist, Weaver on Context. One of the things I hear her say from time to time is "believe nothing, entertain all possibilities". Anything is possible if we can let go of our beliefs about things. Our beliefs, how we expect things to evolve, will affect the outcome of events. This leads to...

Reflections on Causality:

I recently picked up a couple of books which seek to apply the concepts of quantum physics to everyday life. One addresses issues around money and abundance, 'Busting Loose From the Money Game" and the other looks at energy and healing "Matrix Energetics, the Science and Art of Transformation".

From Matrix Energetics: "Current science accepts that the act of observing something, at least at the subatomic level, changes the behavior and characteristics of the thing observed. This implies that consciousness has a direct and observable affect on the structure of composition of matter. This has been borne out in so many classic experiments in quantum physics that is is now considered a fundamental principle."

Years ago, while traveling in France, I encountered a saying that I think started me to open to the concepts of quantum physics. "C'est comme to veux". Translation: It is as you like. What we say, what we believe, what we put our energy into will affect the outcome of our lives. My French was not very evolved at the time, but that saying helped me help a friend navigate a very scary energetic experience. He felt like he was being attacked by some negative, unseen force. I reminded him that it was "comme tu veux" and that empowered him to have the boundaries he needed to get through it. I don't know what he was up against. I certainly didn't "believe" in that sort of thing but he taught me that saying and it had power. The power of positive thinking is part of this equation, but I think it goes deeper than that. Sometimes affirmations don't work and I am curious as to why that is.

Yes...The Universe is Weird...

That experience alone confirms it for me, but I have had many other unexplainable things happen in my life. The Universe IS weird, and its WILD and EXCITING and INSPIRING. I am grateful every day that I get to participate in the dance of photons and electrons and quarks. To me there is an incredible evolution happening here and now. It is not linear and a lot of the time doesn't make sense, but how amazing that we get to have consciousness and contemplate the nature and meaning of it all.