Before Paulo Coelho and Marianne Williamson had best-selling books advocating better living through love and connection, Einstein had taken the leap from theoretical physicist to metaphysician.  Metaphysics literally means beyond physics but is more generally used to describe a branch of philosophy that explores the nature of being, existence and reality.       Through scientific experiments and mathematical equations, Einstein and his colleagues demonstrated we are all connected energetically.   His conclusion:

A human being is part of the whole, called by us ”universe”, limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feeling as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons close to us.  Our task must be to free ourselves from our prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all humanity and the whole of nature in its beauty.

Albert Einstein

The discovery of how our energies are entangled was awe inspiring enough to turn Einstein into a philosopher and inadvertent spiritual teacher. Who else but a spiritual teacher would claim the feeling of being separated from everyone else is ‘a kind of optical delusion’ of consciousness?  According to the good doctor, if we feel isolated and alone, it is a misconception brought about by a narrow view of who we are and our place in the universe.

Even better, Professor Einstein offers a solution: widen your circle of compassion. He doesn’t say you must approve of other’s actions. You don’t have to like everyone you meet. From an energetic perspective, if you recognize and embrace how we are all connected you can escape isolation which is a self-imposed prison and be happier.  Compassion or the extension of love to everyone and everything is the vehicle of transformation.

Why extend love?  Why not simply recognize there is a field and be done with it?  Because if we are all connected, whatever you extend will be what you experience. Be frustrated and your section of the field will reflect frustration.  Project fear and reasons to be afraid will come at you like flies to a day-old hamburger. You may as well do whatever you are doing directly to yourself.  There is nothing separate from you to effect.

Even distance does not necessarily dilute the effects of your thoughts or activities due to the physics concept of action at a distance. Physical distance does not work the same way in the field as it does on Google Maps. Let’s say you are angry at your brother. You might think that avoiding him will alleviate some of those nasty thoughts and bring some respite. Not quite. Whether your brother is sitting next to you on the sofa or doing laundry in his condo 3,000 miles away, the impact of your thoughts on the field is the same.

What Einstein knew is there are no neutral thoughts or actions.  All thoughts and actions are forms of energy and impact the field. If you want peace of mind and serenity, widen your circle of compassion to encompass everybody and the whole of nature. Maybe start thinking out of the box like Einstein. Or rather Tenzin Einstein.

Next time: The Brilliant Counselor