I Love Science in the Spring time

Too often science is viewed as the antithesis of religion. I, like Carl Sagan believe that a scientist’s job is to prove the existence of God.  Sagan believed that science reveals that the universe has order and that there is a universal energy force underlying that order.

Physicist often receive a bad rap in the religious world because their search for truth appears to contradict the existence of God. Specifically, it is often viewed that when they discover how things work, they are disproving God. For example, I am a romantic and I consider the Northern Lights to be a gift from God. Astrophysicists  have told us that these lights are the result of discharged particles from the sun passing through the earth’s magnetic field. I don’t look at this analysis of a physical phenomenon as a repudiation of God’s existence.

In fact, as some quantum physicists and mathematicians will tell you, the study of quantum physics corroborates  the inherent mysteries/mysticism within our universe.  We were told by physicists that the universe’s smallest particles were solid.  There have been several tests of electrons designed to prove this point. However, it appears electrons are mysterious entities. On one hand under certain circumstances they are undeniably solid. Yet, in other situations they have been proven to be waves and not solid. Edward Frenkel, the author of the book Love and Math, is a professor at the University of California at Berkeley. Professor Frenkel believes that the paradoxes within quantum physics such as an electron being a solid particle and a wave are a metaphor for the unknown infinite possibilities of our existence.  He believes that this sentiment is stated clearly in the Vedas.

AyurVeda is a Sanskrit word that means “the science of  longevity.” The Vedas as they are commonly known, are replete with statements designed to quench the thirst of those who ruminate on questions regarding the nature of existence.  One of its more renown statements to which Prof. Frenkel was referring is as follows :

As is the atom, so is the universe

As is the human body, so is the cosmic body

As is the human mind, so is the cosmic mind

As is the microcosm, so is the macrocosm

The Hindus have known for some time that the universe is filled with infinite possibilities. Once we understand the true nature of our existence, our power is limitless. As Jesus said “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20)  Scientists, like Professor Frenkel, have discovered  through the study of such “concrete” sciences as physics and math that as much as we know, we have not begun to approach the depth of the knowledge within  the cosmic body or cosmic mind. Hmm, I guess those ruminating philosophers chewing on the cud of human existence may have been smarter than we thought.  It is my postulate that the cosmic mind and that cosmic body represent the presence of a Universal Force.  We Christians and Jews call this force God. The Muslims call that force Allah. As Shakespeare so profoundly put it, “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” Whatever the name, the concept is the same.  There is an immeasurable force that is the source of all there is.  Our goal is to remember that we hail from that source and once we realize that we are all a part of that source, we can accomplish great things while we are here in this embodiment.