Scientific
experience of the universe is rational. Perception and experience become
separated through the rational activity of the mind. Let’s analyse the current,
indirect way of experiencing. Information enters the senses, goes into the mind
where it is processed, and becomes an experience.
universe
- perceiving (senses) -
processing (mind) - rational experience (mind)
The rational part of
the mind processes the perception of an object or event through logic and mathematics: that’s how experience is
formed. Let’s do a simple experiment. You observe for a few moments a plant in
your room or one that is outside the window, and then close your eyes. Inside
yourself you observe many thoughts, like how big the plant is, what colour it
is, and so on. The mind’s elaboration creates a gap between perception and
experience.
The question arises: is it possible
to experience the plant directly as perceived by the senses without the mind
elaborating on it? Direct experience requires us to become aware of all
thoughts, emotions and images that are associated with the object or situation
that we experience. Humans have the capacity to watch how mind
elaborates perception. One can close one's eyes and watch the stream of
thoughts in one's inner space whenever one likes. Thoughts are coming and
going, inner space remains there, unchanged. By watching thoughts you become
aware that you are not thoughts, you are space itself. You discover
consciousness, you become self-conscious.
Watching the
mind is the function of consciousness (1). By practising
watching, consciousness gets activated and woken up; one can experience a plant
consciously without mind's elaboration. Rational experience is indirect and happens
through the mind, conscious experience is direct and happens through the
consciousness.
universe -
perceiving (senses) - conscious experience (consciousness)
Watching is an individual research
method practiced by Buddhists for the last twenty-six centuries. It gives the
possibility of conscious experience of reality and ourselves. With the
expansion of Buddhism all over the world it is also becoming known in western
culture.
Watching applied in time research
shows that time can only be experienced, and not clearly perceived as can
matter and cosmic space. There is no clear evidence of its existence as a
physical entity. The question arises: How can time be experienced without being
perceived? The answer is given by analysing the rational way of experiencing as
presented above. The eyes perceive a stream of irreversible change of an event:
change A is transforming into B, B is
transforming into C and so on. Once elaborated by the mind, the irreversible
stream of change is experienced as a linear running of time. Change A as past,
B as present, C as future. Time is created by the rational part of the mind.
Through time the perception of change of an object or an event can be
elaborated scientifically.
Consciousness can make distinction
between reality that is perceived through elementary perception and reality
that is created by the mind. Having conscious experience of time one has
possibility to experience only what eyes are perceiving: a stream of
irreversible change in space. On the base of conscious experience it can be concluded
that Time When Experienced
Consciously Exists Only As A Stream Of Irreversible Change In
Space.
According to conscious experience
with clocks we are measuring the duration and numerical order of all change.
The speed of clocks as well as all other change depends on the strength of the
gravitational field in a given volume of cosmic space. The stream of change
runs slower in those parts of the universal space where the gravitational field
is stronger. Experiments confirm that clocks near the sea run slower than
clocks positioned on top of high mountains. Gravitation is stronger at the sea
than on the top of the mountain.
Conscious experience brings
clarity to the idea of travelling into the past. This idea has its origins in
the understanding of time as a linear entity composed of past, present and
future. The General Theory of Relativity allows speculation about time travel.
Someone could travel with a space-ship trough a black hole, back into the past
and kill his grandmother. The consequence is that he could never be born (2).
According to conscious experience hypothetical time travel into the past
through black holes is not possible, because past exists only as a memory of
the human mind.
Conscious experience makes clear
that universe is eternal, has no beginning and no end. Time as a linear entity
(i.e. past-present-future) exists only as part of the mind, it does not exist
as a physical entity, so it cannot have a beginning as a physical reality. As
there is no beginning of time, there is no beginning of the universe. Man is
projecting his birth and death on to the universe, that's why he thinks that
the universe was born, and will die one day. The universe simply exists,
it was never created. This idea is
supported by research done by Steinhardt from Princeton, and Turok from
Cambridge. Their research introduces the idea of a cyclic universe that has no
beginning and no end, big bangs are cyclic. The universe is timeless, eternal.
Conscious
experience confirms Kant’s statements. He was right in saying that time exists
only as a structure of the mind: space and time are not realities existing in
themselves. In a word, they are subjective forms (3). Linear time and
three-dimensional space exist only as structures of the rational scientific
mind. Through these mental structures science can elaborate an event happening
in cosmic space.
Understanding
of time have changed during the ages. For ancient Greeks,
Indians, and Mayans, time was considered a cyclic phenomenon; time is moving in
circles, has no beginning and no end. When Judaeo-Christian civilization arose
in Europe, another understanding of time became prominent - time going forward
in a straight line. According to this civilization, time has its beginning with
God’s creation of the universe and will have its end with the Last Judgement. In Newtonian physics,
time is an independent physical quantity (absolute time), running uniformly
throughout the entire cosmic space (absolute space). In the General Theory of
Relativity, time is no more an independent physical quantity - it is linked
with space into four-dimensional
space-time.
The
experience of cosmic space depends on which geometry is used for its
description. Applying Euclid’s geometry in cosmology, space is assumed to be three-dimensional
and infinite. With Riemann geometry cosmic space becomes four-dimensional and
finite. Having conscious experience one becomes aware that cosmic space is not
three or four-dimensional, not infinite or finite. It is empty and formless,
its real nature is beyond rational description. This empty formless space in
Buddhism is called true vacuum or Primordial Awareness.
The
Buddhist contemplative science, in parallel to Western physical science,
describes two types of vacuums: (1) The false vacuum, or bhavanga, is
the relative ground of becoming, out of which each individual mind stream
emanates; and (2) the true vacuum, or Primordial Awareness, the absolute state
of phenomena out of which space and time, mind and matter, everything in the
universe, emerge (4).
Man
has the capacity to discover true vacuum. Practicing Vipassana meditation,
sitting silently with eyes closed and watching the mind one becomes aware that
inside there is a formless inner space - consciousness - true vacuum. Skin
is not the border where inner space finishes, it exists inside as outside of
us.
The
distinction between external and internal is an illusion; internal and external
space are ultimately non-dual. This is the absolute space of phenomena. In
Buddhist literature, this is the Great perfection out of which the entire
universe originates (5).
The idea that the absolute space is
the origin of material universe is bringing new light into problem of
appearance of the energy in the inflation phase in the first moments of the big
bang.
According to Stephen Hawking in
inflation phase energy of the matter that is positive and the gravitational one
that is negative are multiplying. Its sum remains always zero: E matter (Em) +
E gravitational (Eg) = 0.
In the similar way as (-1) + (1)
= 0, (-2) + (2) = 0, (-3) + (3) = 0 (6).
Hawking
idea of multiplication of energy is not in accord with first law of
thermodynamics according which energy can not be created and not destroyed.
Explanation of the inflation phase with equations (-1) + (+1) = 0 and so on, is
not of much help. Equations that function in mathematics does not necessary
function in physics. Mathematics is useful for description of the universe, not for its explanation.
The
other possibility is, that the sum of energy of the matter and gravitational
one is always constant: E matter (Em) + E gravitational (Eg) = E constant (Ek). In the first moment after
the big bang Em = 0, Eg = Ek. In the subsequent moments of the inflation phase
Eg is structured into Em, and the transformation is over when Eg and Em are
balanced: Eg = Em (Eg = Ek/2, Em = Ek/2). With the formation of black holes,
the transformation of Em into Eg starts, Em is falling towards zero (Em -->
0), Eg is rising towards Ek (Eg --> Ek).
With disintegration of matter into gravitational energy is increasing the
amount of gravitational energy. This process increases the gravitational
constant and the gravitational forces between galaxy are getting stronger. The
speed of expanding universe is getting slower, at the certain point the
expanding stops and universe start to collapse in enormous black hole that
explode into new big bang. Big bangs are cyclic, universe is a self-renovated system
that has no beginning and will have no end. Energy of the matter and
gravitational one are in a permanent dynamic equilibrium. Here
gravitational energy is understood as the energy that creates cosmic space. It
is gravitational field that constructs cosmic space. Without gravitation cosmic
space can not exist.
Experiments
in weightlessness show that functioning of organisms is related with the
changes of the strength of gravitational field, with the other words, of the roundness of cosmic space.
Spaceflight induces a cephalad
redistribution of fluid volume and blood flow within the human body and space
motion sickness, which has a problem during first few days of spaceflight,
could be related to these changes in fluid status and in blood flow of the
cerebrum and vestibular system (7).
In weightlessness there is a
decreased activity of spinal ganglia neurons of the hypothalamic nuclei
producing arginine, vasopressin and growth hormone releasing factor. Structural
changes of the somatosensory cortex and spinal ganglia suggest a decreased afferant flow to the somatosensory cortex in
microgravity. The results characterise the mechanisms of structural adaptation
to a decreased afferant flow in microgravity by the neurons in the hemisphere
cortex and brain stem nuclei. So, under microgravity there is a neuron
hypoactivity (8).
Microgravity has a direct influence
on bone fracture healing because of poor production of bone callus in microgravity : there is an increase volume
of osteoid and a decrease in the number and activity of osteoblasts (9).
Experiment carried out at the
University of Lubiana, Slovenia in 1987-1988 with Californian worms (Latin name
is: Lumbricus Teresticus) shows that the weight of living Californian Worms
bigger than of the same dead ones; force of gravity is stronger on the living worms
than on the same dead ones (10).
Duncan
MacDougall experiments, carried out in Haverhill, Massachusetts in 1908, shows
decreasing of the man’s weight at the time of death; force of
gravity is stronger on the living man than on the same dead one (11).
Studies by Penrose and Hameroff (12,13)
suggest that the force of quantum gravity acting on the mass of neurones within
the brain may be responsible for the emergence of consciousness. The process is
fundamentally related to the influence of quantum gravity on microtubule
networks within the neurones. The components of quantum gravity are described
by Penrose as twistors (14). These are described by a branch of
mathematics known as complex algebra and are otherwise known as objects that
exist in complex or 'imaginary' space.
Loss of the weight at the time of
man’s death supports studies by Penrose and Hameroff; it shows that
gravitational force is acting on the mass of living neurones stronger as on the
mass of the same death ones.
According Duncan experiment the
weight difference between living and dead man is around 20 grams. Duncan
carried out also experiment with fifteen dying dogs that did
not show the weight difference.
Difference
between weight of living and dead man is around 0,025% of
his living weight. By Californian worms the difference between living and dead
weight is 0,0001% of living weight. It seems that by animals the difference of
the weight at the time of death is much less; scales of Duncan were not precise
enough to measure it.
Duncan’s experiments were not done
in the mass close system where all physical circumstances can be measured and
so do not fulfil scientific standards. By experiment with the worms physical
circumstances were measured. Both experiment show that the weight of the living
matter is bigger than the weight of the same dead one. More evolutes is the
organism, bigger is the difference.
Relation between gravitational field
and consciousness is supported by the fact that man is the only mammal with the
spine parallel to the gravitational force. At a certain point of evolution some
mammals evolved into homo erectus; position of the spine has changed
from horizontal to vertical. Beside some monkeys man is a mammal with most
vertical spine. Gravitational force works on his spine nervous system in the
direction parallel to spine. By other mammals that in evolution did not stand
up, the gravitational force works on the spine under the angle of around
ninety degrees. Evolution of intelligence and becoming conscious corresponds
with changing of gravitational force working on spine nervous system.
Relation between consciousness and
gravitation suggest that evolution on the planet Earth is a part of an
universal process. This idea is supported with discovery of around hundred basic
organic molecules necessary for development of life in whole observable
universal space. It means that the whole universe is in the phase of chemical
evolution which on Earth has developed into life. Universe is physically
homogeneous, the physical circumstance for development of life are equal in the
whole universal space. In the universe there are many solar systems with
planets similar to our. Life could been developed there also. Probably we are
not alone in this vast universe. Evolution of man develops towards
consciousness that is his cosmic rout, his real nature, Zen says his real
face. Discovering consciousness, becoming self-conscious being, is the peak
of the evolution on the planet Earth. It is the only guarantee for peace and
prosperity on the Earth.
There are some hints that life could
have been brought to earth from elsewhere in our solar system or even galaxy.
Life tends towards more complexity but Homo Sapiens is not the pride of
creation but rather an accident in evolution. Humans may disappear as they have
come but evolution will continue. Life as such is not an accident but a
function of our universe (15).
References:
1. Sorli (2001), Watching the Mind As an Individual
Research Method, Frontier Perspectives,
Temple University, Philadelphia, Volume 10,
Number 1
2. Paul Davis
(1995), About Time, Chapter 11, Time Travels: Reality of Fantasy?, Orion
Productions
3. Immanuel Kant
(1999), Critique of Pure Reason, Amazon
4. Alan Wallace
(2001), The Potential of Emptiness: Vacuum States in Physics and Consciousness,
The Scientific and Medical Network Review, No 77
5.
ibid
6.Stephen Hawking, 1988, The Brief History of Time, Routlege
& Kegal Paul
7. US Army (1993), Madigan Army
Medical Centre, Tacoma, Washington “ Cerebral blood velocity and other
cardiovascular responses to 2 days head down tilt. Journal of Applied
Physiology, 74 (1): 319-25
8. Krasnov IB.(1994), Institute
of Biomedical Problems, Moscow, Russia.
“Gravitational neuromorphology”, Advances in Space Biology and Medicine
4:85-110,
9. Durnova G.N., Burkovskaia TE.
Voraotnikova E.V., Kaplanskil A.S., Arustamov O.V., (1991),“The effect of
weightlessness on fracture healing of rats flown on Biosatellite Cosmos 2044”,
Kosmicheskaia Biologiia I Aviakosmosmicheskaia Meditsina 25 (5):29-33,
10. Sorli (2001) Additional
Roundness of Space-Time and Unknown Vacuum Energies in Living Organisms,
Frontier Perspectives, Vol.10, Nr. 2
11. Duncan MacDougall M.D. (1907), ‘Hypothesis Concerning
Soul Substance Together with Experimental Evidence of The Existence of Such
Substance‘,
American Medicine, April ( www.artbell.com/duncan.html )
12. Penrose, Roger (1994),
'Shadows of the Mind' (Oxford) pp377-391.
13. Hameroff, Stuart (1994),
'Quantum Coherence in Microtubules: A Neural Basis for Emergent Consciousness?'
, Journal of Consciousness Studies Vol.1, No.1, pp91-118
14. Peat, F. David (1993),
'Superstrings and the Search for the Theory of Everything', (Abacus) pp237-274
15. Stephan Krall (2002), Life
and Light, Network, Number 78
Amrit Sorli
Independent Researcher
Podere San Giorgio 16
53012 Chiusdino (SI) Italy
phone: 0039-3488127445
e-mail: spacelife@libero.it
web site:
www.directscientificexperience.com