mystikegg.com - A Mystical Guide to Enlightenment

The Universe in a Single Atom: the Convergence of Science and Spirituality

This is the first book I have read by His Holiness the Dalai Lama so I have nothing to compare with respect to hhDL’s previous works. This book makes an attempt to bridge the modern scientific method and reasoning with that of Tibetan Buddhism. At the frontiers of modern science the questions, observations and answers particularly at the super macro level (i.e the universe) and at the sub-atomic level start to resemble the ideas and philisophies of ancient religious thought. Quantum physics in particular raises ideas and possibilities that were once the realm of mystics and prophets. The fascinating thing about this book is learning that hhDL was and is very familiar with many of the theories and ideas of modern science through his dialogue and friendship with many of the greatest minds in quantum physics.

The key learning here is that science uses on objective observational vantage point to describe the universe. However the act of asking the question and subsequent observation can influence the outcome of a particular experiment. Therefore what was supposed to be an objective observation becomes a subjective experience by the one asking the question or observing a particular phenomenon. For example is light a particle or a wave? How is that we can know either the location of an electron or it’s spin by not both at the same time. This subjective nature of reality has long been recognized in Buddhist thought and forms the basis for contemplative meditation. His high holiness makes a case for the collaboration between objective scientific observation and contemplative meditation on the subjective nature of the universe. The important divergence between science and Buddhism is that the end game differs. Scientific thought and reasoning is used to understand the nature of the universe but the use of that knowledge is indeterminate. There is a moral imperative to use this knowledge in the best interests of humanity but we know very well that it is not always handled with such care (i.e atomic weapons). Whereas with Buddhism the primary and sole aim of understanding the nature of the universe it is to end suffering and cultivate compassion.

Overall this is a worthwhile book to read if you have an interest in science and spirituality. If you are newcomer to this area I would suggest reading Fritjov Capra’s The Tao of Physics first to get a better handle on some of the concepts of quantum physics and how these relate to eastern philosophy and spirituality.

Please sign the petition below to save the Canadian Boreal Forest.

Protect North America’s Boreal Forest

I have added my signature with the following letter.

As a Canadian citizen I am appalled at the destruction of the boreal forest. We as a country have been blessed with vast natural resources. The value of the boreal forests is much larger than the value of the oil deposits beneath it. The boreal forests are the lungs of the planet, reducing carbon dioxide and replacing it with oxygen. If we destroy these forests we are not only harming our natural environment but having a negative global impact. If we place more value on the Alberta Tar Sands then we might as well all start smoking to increase the profits of the tobacco industry. We have come to recognize the enormous cost and impact that smoking has on human health, how long will it take for us to make the connection to the costs associated with destruction of our forests and the health of the planet. It has been stated by British economists that Global Warming could reduce global GDP by 20%. This would be catastrophic to the global economy, and would far outweigh any marginal short term economic benefit from the destruction of the boreal forest in an effort to extract oil. Please do the right thing for your children, your grandchildren and protect the boreal forest, the lungs of our planet.

March of the Penguins (Widescreen Edition Without Trailers)

As a recurring theme in my posts compassion is a topic that begs for more attention in mainstream society. Compassion underpins the teachings of many of the great spiritual teachers of the past, and is strongly endorsed by the likes of the Dalai Lama. Why is compassion so important and why is not receiving the attention it deserves? Dacher Keltner received his PhD from Stanford University and is a professor of psychology at the University of California at Berkeley and spends much of his time investigating emotion with respect to personality and social interaction. His views on compassion and the social interaction it produces may demonstrate evolutionary adaptation in mammals. I have explored some of these ideas and those of my own below.
The father of evolutionary theory Charles Darwin in his landmark and revolutionary book - The Descent of Man describes sympathy and social instincts as the strongest sentiments at the core of human nature. This observation was an attempt to differentiate humans from other animals and their natural behavior. There are however countless examples of the care of offspring and the elderly in the natural world (an example being March of the Penguins), and this can be explained in terms of evolutionary adaptation based on natural selection. Mammals in particular from birth experience the dependence on mother’s milk, and the subsequent bonding. This early experience and feeling of bonding is emotionally necessary to bring people closer together. If there is no bonding with the mother at the time of birth there is little or no capacity to show empathy or compassion. There is no biological need for this dependence therefore it can be argued that it has been adopted as a survival mechanism in mammals and particularly in humans.

Another interesting feature to note is that of the vagus nerve which is unique to mammals. In controlled experiments, subjects where shown a picture of suffering and this was demonstrated to activate the vagus nerve. This demonstrates that compassion is a physiological response that is directed to vulnerable individuals. The vagus nerve is responsible for innervation of the heart and the stomach and controls parasympathetic responses to stress. Therefore practicing compassion in the morning to calm the vagus nerve may normalize heat rate, blood pressure for the rest of the day and ulcers and heartburn may be prevented. The key point here is that compassion has a biological basis and promotes equality in a social environment.

Some being more cynical may claim that compassion could be maladaptive. Can you really be nice to everyone without being taken advantage of? Those that clinically demonstrate compassion for everyone have difficulty in forming long-term relationships. Therefore compassion and wisdom must go together. We know especially from the Buddhist experience that there are different levels of happiness - sensory, physical, mental, and compassion reduces mental states that lead to suffering.
Not only has compassion provided a survival benefit to mammals and humans thus far, even more than ever humans must call on their ability to show empathy and compassion in their dealings with other each other individually, as groups, as nations, and as part of the natural world in order for our continued survival and the survival of life as we know it on this planet.

These words are not my own, but that of Deepak Chopra. As a father of a 16 month old son and with another baby due in March I take this to heart. My wife goes to amazing lengths as a mother to our son. I believe that her role in my son’s life is critical for his wellbeing and the wellbeing of our community. What is reflected in the mind is reflected in the body.

Homeostasis is the state of the body in which our organs and systems are working in harmony, including our temperature, heart rate, and neural activity. Deepak Chopra states that with a sense of security and safety homeostasis increases and healing at the cellular level is maximized. The relationship of a mother and baby is essential in establishing and developing an infant’s homeostatic ability. The bonding that takes place with mother and child beginning in-utero and reinforced through breastfeeding is essential in the ability of a child to develop the ability to feel and demonstrate love, empathy and compassion.

It has been said the every child that is born is proof that god has not given up on man. In each child there is the potential to heal the wounds of our world. Evan the most dangerous of terrorists was once an innocent child. Violence is motivated by fear, hatred, anger the opposite of this mental energy is compassion. Compassion and empathy are the only long-term methods to create a more peaceful humanity

Elevate motherhood to the most sacred profession on the planet, and in doing so we increase our chance for world peace.