Shangra-la, sketching a new world view

Sketching a New World Model

Einstein’s theory states that everything is energy, but what exactly is energy? The fact is that scientists do not know. Present-day science is very good at describing how things behave, but not so good at telling us what they are. What science can tell us is that energy is a form of vibration or wave. Scientists describe energy waves in terms of frequency, amplitude and wavelength. To make it simple, let us talk about vibration.

Matter is not a solid, unchangeable substance. It is simply energy that has taken on a form that makes it appear solid to our senses. Your eyes see visible light rays and these energy waves cannot penetrate solid matter. Visible light rays are reflected by matter, and that is why our eyes cannot see through matter. However, some energy waves can penetrate “solid” matter. An X-ray camera “sees” by using X-rays that can penetrate matter. That is why the camera can see into the human body and many other “solid” objects.

As you go beyond the surface appearance of matter, you find smaller particles, namely molecules. At a deeper level, you find atoms and beyond atoms you find elementary particles. When you start looking closely at the socalled elementary particles, you run into the wave/particle duality. In other words, at the level of the subatomic particles, the barrier between matter (particles) and energy (waves) begins to break down; it becomes fuzzy.

There is more between heaven and earth
Quantum physicists have observed that a subatomic particle can appear out of “nowhere,” divide itself into several particles that again collide and disappear back into the nowhere from which they came. A few scientists have used this fact to speculate that there must be something beyond what we can detect with current scientific instruments. Some physicist speculate that both matter and energy are the manifestations of a deeper, underlying reality. Scientists have come up with names such as a “quantum field,” a “vacuum state,” an “implicate order” or a “parallel universe.”

The existence of such a deeper level of reality is easy to explain by considering that everything is energy and that energy is a form of vibration. The human eye is an instrument that is designed to detect the forms of energy that we call light. Normally, the human eye can detect only certain types of light, namely socalled visible light. We see this light as different colors. Violet light is obviously quite different from red light, however the only difference is the vibration of the light rays.

The human eye can detect light that vibrates within a certain spectrum. It cannot detect light of a higher or lower vibration than visible light. From a dualistic (sensory-based) state of consciousness, one might say that such light simply doesn’t exist. When we acquire a higher understanding, we realize that there are many forms of light (and other types of vibrations) that our eyes simply cannot detect. Yet, these forms of energy are fully as real as visible light.

Based on these facts, we can create a model that presents the universe as a continuum of vibrations. Our eyes can detect only a small section (we might call it an “octave” as a parallel to the tonal scale) of that continuum. By using scientific instruments, we can detect a larger pocket of the energy continuum. However, we cannot rule out the possibility that even scientific instruments can detect only a small part of the entire continuum. In other words, the world seems to be a continuum of vibrations, and there might be a huge part of the continuum which our physical senses and (current) scientific instruments cannot reveal.

The energy continuum
One might say that the material universe is one part of a larger whole, and we might call it the “matter-energy continuum.” The continuum might have other realms, other universes, other dimensions or other octaves. Our universe is not separated from the rest of the continuum, and there is no impenetrable barrier between the material octave and other octaves. The only difference is a difference in vibration.

If you lower the vibration of violet light, it turns into red light. Some physicist seem to think that the entire material universe might be created from energies of a higher vibration. These energies are simply lowered in vibration until they vibrate within the spectrum of the material universe.
These ideas open exiting new vistas for thought. For example, there might be a constant interchange of energy between the material universe and other octaves. Therefore, many of the phenomena we observe in the material universe could be the effect of causes that originate in a higher octave. This would explain why there are so many things that science cannot account for by looking at material causes.

For example, astrophysicists have found that there is not enough mass in the universe to account for the gravitational forces that hold the galaxies together. Some scientists theorize the existence of a substance called “dark matter” which cannot be detected by scientific instruments, but which can still create a gravitational pull on visible matter. Perhaps dark matter is simply energy which vibrates at a higher level than the material universe? Therefore, it “resides” in a higher octave from which it influences the material universe. In other words, we cannot explain all material phenomena by looking for causes in the material universe (or octave).

Beyond materialism
As a mental image of these ideas, imagine that you have lived all of your live in an airplane that cannot penetrate the surface of the ocean. Therefore, you believe there is nothing under the surface. You now fly North along the east coast of the United States, and you observe icebergs that are moving South. According to your world view, icebergs simply sit on top of the water, because there is nothing below the surface. To your astonishment, you observe that the icebergs are moving against a very strong southerly wind. You measure the wind speed, the surface area of an iceberg and calculate the force that the wind exerts on the iceberg. Based on these measurements, you conclude that the iceberg should be moving North. You simply cannot explain how the iceberg could be moving South.

The reason why you cannot explain this phenomenon is the limitations of your world view. By expanding your world view, you would discover that there is indeed something beneath the surface of the water. The visible part of an iceberg is only one part of a larger whole. An iceberg has 90% of its mass under water, and that is why an ocean current can easily move the iceberg against a strong wind.

Likewise, materialistic science has been trying to explain all aspects of our universe by looking for material causes. As a result, there are numerous observed phenomena which science cannot explain. The logical conclusion is that if we want answers to these many questions, we need to look beyond materialism which states that there is nothing beyond the material universe.

Einstein proved that everything is energy. Energy is vibration, and there might be an infinite continuum of vibrations, some of which cannot be detected by our senses or scientific instruments. Therefore, Einsteinian physics, quantum physics and other branches of science compel us to look beyond the materialistic world view. One might even say that science itself has made materialism outdated!

Energy and consciousness
If everything is energy, then consciousness is also a form of energy. What does that say about the human mind? We have seen that the eyes are instruments that detect the type of energy we call visible light. The eyes see only visible light, so they are relatively limited in their scope. However, the human mind has no such limitations. In fact, the human mind has a unique ability to think about and “see” things that go beyond the senses and even beyond the material universe.

Therefore, one might speculate that the mind is an instrument which can detect any type of energy, even energy that vibrates at frequencies beyond the material universe. One might compare the human mind to a radio receiver. The radio can tune in to different stations (which are simply radio waves of different frequencies). The human mind can also tune in to different frequency spectrums (or octaves).

We have seen that modern physics has opened up the possibility that there might be worlds, dimensions or octaves beyond the material universe. The human mind might be capable of perceiving these other worlds by tuning in to vibrations of a higher or lower frequency than those perceived by the senses or scientific instruments.

In other words, we simply need to consider that the human mind is a scientific instrument which can be used to perceive vibrations that current scientific instruments cannot measure. Science has traditionally been opposed to this idea, mainly because of the quest for objectivity. Science has taken the stand that the human mind could never be used to make objective observations of anything. However, because quantum physics has proven that we can never make an observation that is NOT influenced by the consciousness of the observer, that stand is no longer sustainable.

How we perceive the world
Whether we like it or not, whether we accept it or not, our consciousness influences all of our observations of the world. Therefore, science can no longer ignore consciousness and at the same time claim objectivity.

Objectivity cannot be achieved by ignoring consciousness; it can only be achieved by understanding how consciousness influences our observations. This is precisely what Einstein implied in 1905.
The Theory of Relativity states that any observation is relative to our “frame of reference.” Einstein gave several examples of how a person’s movement relative to the phenomenon being observed would influence the person’s observations and conclusions.

Unfortunately, scientists do not seem to have combined this with the discoveries of quantum physics. If all observations are influenced by our frame of reference, and if all observations are influenced by the consciousness of the observer, then it follows that our consciousness is part of our frame of reference. Therefore, the way we look at the world is inevitably influenced by our state of consciousness. Unless we accept this fact and begin to examine how our consciousness influences our observations, we can never escape the dualism and relativity of the lower human consciousness. Therefore, we need to take a new look at human perception.

Two states of consciousness
By looking at history, it is easy to see two “forces” working in human psychology. One force makes us gravitate towards the lower aspects of human nature (selfishness, greed, conflict, fear, etc.) while another force pulls us towards the higher aspects of human nature (the desire to know, altruism, love, etc.). We might describe this by saying that there are two states of consciousness available to human beings. The human mind has the ability to tune in to either of these states of consciousness, just as a radio can tune in to different stations. We simply need to make the choice as to how we turn the dial of consciousness.

The two states of consciousness are:

The lower state of consciousness. This state of consciousness is dominated by the senses and the material world. The dial of consciousness is attuned to the vibrations that can be detected by the senses. A person in this state of mind might believe that there is nothing beyond the material world. Or the person might believe that he or she could never have a direct experience of that something, and therefore one must blindly follow a particular religious doctrine.
The lower consciousness sees everything in terms of dualism which means that it is focused on differences.

Everything can be put on a relative scale. At one end of the scale is black, and at the other is white. The lower consciousness wants to label everything as being either black or white, right or wrong, true or false. However, the scale set up by the lower consciousness is not an absolute or objective scale. It is a scale defined according to the short-term, ego-centered interests of the individual. What is best for me is automatically right, and that is why history has numerous examples of how people have been able to “justify” the most amazing atrocities.

Differences between people must inevitably lead to conflict, and the only way to settle a conflict is through a power struggle. Somebody has to win and somebody has to lose. It is either him or me, so it might as well be me.

People in the lower consciousness have closed their minds to ideas that go beyond their chosen beliefs. The less aggressive people will either ignore new ideas of go into a state of denial. The more aggressive people will seek to discredit, ridicule or destroy new ideas. The most aggressive people will seek to destroy the people or institutions that promote the new ideas.
The higher state of consciousness. The essence of the higher consciousness is an intuitive ability to reach beyond the perception of the senses. Through intuition, human beings can realize that there is something beyond the world perceived by the senses. People can come to accept ideas that are not supported by (and even ideas that contradict) direct sensory perception or material evidence. They can accept that there is a higher law of human behavior than the law of the jungle.

Therefore, the higher state of consciousness is not attached to the senses or the material world. The dial of consciousness has been turned so that the person, through an inner realization or experience, realizes and accepts that there is something beyond the material world.

The higher consciousness has levels (as does the lower), and it might range from being open-minded to having a direct perception of worlds beyond the material universe. However, the overriding characteristic is that the higher consciousness is not dualistic and it is not focused on differences. Instead, it looks for a higher understanding in the form of a unifying idea or principle.

In the higher consciousness, differences do not necessarily lead to conflict. One side is not always wrong and another right; both sides might have an incomplete understanding of the issue. By reaching for a higher understanding, we can avoid conflict. In some cases, both sides might embrace a new understanding that replaces both of the previous positions. In other cases, the new understanding might reveal that both positions are valid; they are simply two different ways to approach the situation. Therefore, the two sides can peacefully coexist with a sense of mutual respect.

The higher consciousness does not seek to place everything on a relative scale. Instead, it seeks an understanding that reaches beyond the dualism, relativity and selfishness of the lower consciousness. It does not simply restrain the lower human qualities; it replaces them with something better.

People in a higher state of consciousness are not closed to new ideas. They accept that their present ideas and beliefs are simply a stepping stone to a higher understanding. Therefore, there is no need to defend present positions or to discredit new ideas or the people promoting them. The main purpose of life is a constant striving for a deeper understanding and a more complete world view.

From lower to higher consciousness
When we look at these two states of consciousness, it becomes obvious that few people are completely dominated by the lower consciousness and few people are completely anchored in the higher consciousness. Most people have elements of both states of consciousness. In fact, one might consider that there is a natural progression from the lower to the higher consciousness.

A look at history shows that humankind as a whole is engaged in a process of growing out of the lower consciousness (as exemplified by the cave-man stage) and into the higher state of consciousness (as demonstrated by developments in democracy, humanitarianism, science and many religious/spiritual endeavors).

We might consider that it is possible for people to consciously embrace and accelerate this growth process. The key is that some individuals make a commitment to pursue the higher state of consciousness in their own lives. Any positive change in society has begun with a few people, who had the courage and sense of commitment to embrace new trends and ideas. These trailblazers gradually form a critical mass that pulls the rest of humanity to a higher level of understanding; even to a higher level of consciousness.

To discover why it is so important to develop higher consciousness, click here.

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