# 033 - Indic Wisdom Meets Quantum Physics

(Reproduction of Article in Speaking Tree, TOI dated Feb 05, 2021 by Mani Bhaumik, Physicist at UCLA) We are the manifestation of the innate liveliness of universal fields, which according to the string theory, arise from one unified Source, says physicist MANI BHAUMIK Indic philosophical thought ostensibly began with verses of the Rig Veda. Its content has stimulated diverse interpretations that have been endlessly debated over the millennia. I would not be amiss in presuming that the most recognised version of Indic philosophy worldwide is Vedanta. The fundamental tenets of that can be summarised by three predominant pronouncements: Aham Brahmasmi, Tat Twam Asi, Sarbang Khalidong Brahmn. ‘I am Brahmn and so are you.’ We and everything else in this universe are inseparably intertwined with the source of it all, Brahmn, being eternally present everywhere, thereby upholding and administering the basic aspects of everything that exists. All of these contemplative conclusions are uncannily anchored in experimentally verifiable modern science. Most of the knowledge to back up my assertion was advanced only recently in the second half of the twentieth century. It involves the advanced subject of quantum field theory requiring perhaps one of the extremely intricate mathematical formulations that are beyond the grasp of most people. It all started with a persistently baffling question for physicists. Why are the properties of an elementary particle like an electron exactly the same irrespective of when or where they are created in the universe — at the early beginning following the Big Bang, during the astrophysical processes throughout eons, or in a lab anywhere in the world? The most satisfactory answer came from decades of intensive search involving many experimental and theoretical investigations. The largest of such experimental facilities costing more than 10 billion dollars is located at CERN, Switzerland. This colossal machine is housed in a 27 km long circular, underground tunnel containing supercooled magnets that allow collisions of two opposing beams of protons travelling close to the speed of light. These collisions momentarily simulate some circumstances of enormous temperature up to ten thousand trillion degrees that existed in the early universe, a mere trillionth of a second after the big bang beginning of our universe. Results of these collisions are detected by monstrous detectors like the CMS, much of which was built at the University of California, Los Angeles, UCLA, where I am engaged in research on the foundations of quantum physics. The exquisite experimental results go hand in hand with corroborating studies in theoretical physics conducted worldwide over five decades, garnering numerous Nobel prizes and culminating in the Standard Model of particle physics that categorises 24 observed particles, all predicted by the effective quantum field theory. Through these studies, the ultimate ingredient of reality, uncovered by us so far, consists of quantum fields, which are innately non-material in nature. The primary material objects, elementary particles are the quanta of these abstract fields. Some perception of an abstract field can be gained from our daily experience with the classical field of gravity that pervades us. The field that we do experience is stable everywhere in our vicinity, but its magnitude varies from place to place around its origin, the earth. Quantum fields, however, pervade all space throughout this vast universe at all times, each maintaining an average value almost since the beginning of time. Quantum fields are also distinctly different in that they are always alive with intrinsic, spontaneous, and totally random activity all taking place locally in all space-time elements. In spite of this apparent infinite randomness of their activities, quantum fields on an average have been immutable almost since the beginning of time. This suggests the possibility of the existence of an inherent self-referral referring to some abstract self-awareness. In fact, such universal awareness could be the source of our own awareness as well. Also, the intrinsic spontaneous activity of the Source affects everything. Beginning with the very first members of physical creation — the elementary particles — all the fields remain always inseparably intertwined with them, prompting all manifestations in the universe including us. We are the means of manifestation of the innate liveliness of the universal fields which, according to the mathematically consistent string theory, arise from one unified source. Although we have found no way yet to experimentally verify the string theory, we have unquestionably substantial experimental proofs of unification of fields heading towards a final unification indicating the existence of a single source. It would be cogent to contend that universal self-awareness is at the core of all consciousness, as has been envisioned by legendary quantum pioneers like Max Planck, Erwin Schrödinger, David Bohm, Freeman Dyson, and others. An obvious query is how our consciousness originates from universal self-awareness. Famed physicist, Nobel Laureate Roger Penrose asserts that global quantum coherence builds up in the brain incorporating all the sensory signals. Quantum self-reduction of this global coherence in the brain spawns a moment of proto-conscious experience, presumably through some process of quantum entanglement with the universal self-awareness. As in a movie, quick projection of a series of frames creates a perception of continuous action, the occurrence of a continuous series of proto-conscious moments in the brain generates our perceived conscious experience. To summarise, we are inseparably intertwined with the Source, and its intrinsic, spontaneous, self-active liveliness is manifesting through us.

# 032 New saree

New saree. 

Kamala Bai had worn it just once. She wanted to wear it that evening to go to the temple. A little costly saree. Let people who come to temple know that Tukaram’s wife also has costlier sarees. Even thought not much dirty, soaking it in water she washed it. She could not help smiling at herself when she thought how gently she is washing as if the stone will get hurt. Because the saree is new, have the hands fallen in love with it or what? It was given by one of the fans of Tukaram’s Kirthanas. Otherwise, is it possible to buy such a costly saree in Tukaram’s earnings? 

Earnings! The very thought of it produced an ironic smile on her lips. Employment is said to be the stamp of a man. Tukaram is not going for any work and earning any money. Will simply singing Kirtans get one food? One has to fill the Stomach too! She only got him a job of guarding a corn field through a person known to her recently. One has to responsibly do the work to not lose the job! If you sing Bhajan songs climbing on to the loft, are the birds going to listen in joy beating tala? They ate all the grains and went away! The owner of the field removed him from the job and sent him home.

 

Always singing devotional songs on Krishna! She is also a devotee of Krishna and likes Kirtans, still not like this!! When will the God open his eyes? When will her poverty go? There is another issue with Tukaram. He sings Bhajans to one and all making them sit equally together not distinguishing between people of low and high caste. Who among high caste will accept this? 

 

With a great sigh, Kamala Bai squeezed the saree and hung it on the line in the back yard of the house to dry. It will get dried in half an hour due to wind. Looking for him, she came out to the front of the house. As usual, Tukaram was singing sitting on the platform at the entrance. Many were listening to that heavenly music. Pleasantness of his voice and depth of devotion did melt her also. 

 

Even his not earning is okay …. But he doesn’t follow caste and customs! Many in the gathering are people from lower castes only. If asked, “What is this, you are doing like this” he will laugh and say all are one caste only – human caste. One good looking girl was listening to the songs standing a little away. With great difficulty her torn saree kept her dignity in check. Tukaram said kindly, “Why are you standing at the distance? Why don’t you come and sit here?” Irritated, Kamala Bai saying to herself ‘shower hospitality on that girl from lower caste wearing torn saree’, went quickly inside the house, snapping her neck as if to show that she has no part in such things. 

 

The platform concert continued. “Aha! What music!!” Everybody’s heart melted. That girl also was moved. Tukaram advised them saying “There is no distinction of caste for Krishna. All of you worship Krishna with devotion and try to reach Vaikunta” and wound up that day’s Bhajan. One by one people took leave, but the girl was sitting calmly, alone.

 

“Are you not leaving?” he asked her. She replied, “Let everyone leave. I will go in the end. If I leave now people coming behind me will walk criticising my torn saree”. “Don’t you have another saree?”

 

“I had lot of sarees. But one woman in a difficult situation asked for a saree to save her dignity. My husband, a philanthropist, gave off all my sarees. Only this torn saree has remained for me. It seems my husband used to play in his childhood stealing sarees. Stealing sarees while women bathe, he will give them back, it seems, only if they beg. He had thus caused pains in the minds of women, isn’t? That is why his wife, it looks, is fated to have only torn sarees.” Tukaram listened to her stories. 

 

Saying “wait a minute’, he went to the backyard of his house, took out the saree that Kamala Bai has hung to dry and came out. “Amma, now wear this saree. This is not torn. Women should not wear torn sarees.” and gave it to her. Looking gratefully at him she asked, “Will not your wife be angry at your giving the saree to me?”

 

“How long will her anger last? She will soon calm down. She has one more saree that is not torn. You only need this now”. Smiling at his words, she left.

 

Evening. Wanting to wear the saree that she washed and hung for drying to go to temple with her husband, Kamala Bai went to the back yard. The saree was not there. She came to Tukaram angrily. “Where is the saree?”. “A girl had come with torn saree to my concert. I gave that saree to her, Kamala. You have got another good saree, isn’t?” She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at his childlike talk. 

 

“There is struggle here for food itself. But he is a philanthropist! Could not even do the job of guarding a corn field.” Wiping the tears that appeared in her eyes, she locked the house and went with her husband. “Don’t cry, Kamala! Krishna will give what is needed for us.” 

 

Without any further talk, she walked with him with a big sigh. They went near Garbagruha. She stood with her eyes closed, tears running and a question in her mind, “Why did you create my husband like this”. With their hands on their hips, Panduranga and Rukmani were standing smiling. Kamla Bai opened her eyes and saw Rukmani’s statue. She got stunned. The saree adorning the statue of Rukmani was the same one she had left it on the clothesline for drying. Rubbing her eyes, she looked again and again. There is no doubt. It is her saree only!

 

“Then is that my mother Rukmani who had come as that woman of lower caste? Devi pardon me. I have talked all those things not knowing the greatness of my husband. Amma! Poverty has made me talk like that. Now I realise the truth of my husband saying that all women including people from lower caste are your form only.” After doing Namskara to Krishna and Rukmani, she with tears of devotion running, said to her husband, “Lets go home” and went.

 

There was a bullock cart standing in front of the house. Person who was sitting in that cart got down and did Namaskara to them and said, “Have you forgetten, Amma? I only gave him the job of guarding the corn field. I removed him from the job saying he didn’t perform the work properly. But what a surprise! My field has yielded ten times more than normal. He is not an ordinary man, Amma! Therefore, I have come with some rice, pulses, other grains and a little gold coin as a debt.” Kamala Bai was amazed. When Tukaram said “Kamala! Did you see the things husband of Rukmani has sent as the price for her wearing the saree given by us?” and laughed, Kamala Bai’s blissful laugh also joined his. 

 

 (From a WA post that was in Tamil)

 

 

 

 

 

 

# 031 Waves that bind body and planet

A sine wave or sinusoid is a mathematical curve that describes a smooth periodic oscillation. It is the fundamental waveform from which other waveforms may-be generated. It is now an accepted fact in medicine that every single organ and organelle in the body is constantly vibrating.

In a paper which was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in 2009, a team of scientists from Massachusetts Institute of Technology showed that the membrane of red blood corpuscles is in a state of constant vibratory motion. The same has been seen in cell membranes where lipids and proteins flip flop back and forth across the cell membrane.

Moving to the organ level, it is known that the heart contracts and relaxes approximately 72 times in one minute. The lungs and intestine similarly contract and relax at well-defined intervals. It is likely that the entire body functions in simple harmonic motion; in other words, the body functions as a sine wave.

Scholars would say that it is not only the human body which is governed by sine wave dynamics. It is possible that everything in the planet is governed by the sine wave; from the rise and fall of civilisations, the movement of the tides and the migration of wildebeast in the savannah. It is also known that the earth pulsates constantly — a phenomenon called the Schumann Resonance.

Although Winfried Otto Schumann, a German physicist, is credited with this discovery, it is likely that the genius Nikola Tesla realised this phenomenon much earlier, around the year 1899.

Schumann Resonances are a series of low-frequency resonances which are caused by lightning discharges in the atmosphere. These resonances envelop the entire earth; perhaps one could call these waves the heartbeat of the earth. These frequencies vary between 3 to 60 Hz. However, the ‘fundamental frequency’ or the natural pulsation of the planet occurs at a frequency of 7.83 Hz.

Is there an association between the vibratory frequencies of the human body and the rhythm of the planet? Let us take the simple example of the brain. The brainwave speed varies from a very low frequency (infra-low of <0.5 Hz) to a very high frequency (gamma waves between 38 to 42 Hz). Of all these waves, the theta waves exist between 3 to 7 Hz and the alpha waves exist between 8 to 13 Hz.

The theta waves occur most often during sleep and deep meditation. When theta waves predominate in the brain, the senses are withdrawn from the external world and focussed on signals which are originating from within the body. Very similarly, alpha waves are seen when a person is in a relaxed and calm state of mind.

Is it not strange that the vibratory frequency of the brain in a state of calm coincides exactly with the background pulsation of the earth? Several scholars have hypothesised that a human being who is in a state of peace is in that situation because his brain waves are in consonance with the vibratory frequency of the earth and these two are intertwined inexorably with each other.

Perhaps, the Indian sages were aware of this phenomenon many centuries ago. The sound ‘Om’ is revered in Hinduism and this incantation is associated with the cosmic sound.

Challenges to theory

Sceptics have argued vociferously against the importance of the Schumann Resonance in our everyday life. They contend that the earth is bombarded constantly by all kinds of waves.

The frequency of these waves varies from micrometres to several kilometres. Their reasoning is that a single wavelength of 7.83 Hz would most certainly be lost in this sea of activity and that the Schumann Resonance cannot possibly be responsible for human well-being.

In recent times, there has been a significant deterioration in the state of mental and emotional calm in the human race as a whole. Has there been a corresponding change in the Schumann Resonance? It is known that there are temporary variations in the frequency.

However, a permanent variation in the Schumann’s frequency is an entirely different matter. It is believed that the alpha and theta waves emanating from the brains of a vast human population are responsible for a change in the Schumann Resonance and this change then affects our state of tranquillity. Other groups of researchers have just as vociferously argued against this theory.

The final truth perhaps lies between these two extremes.

Proponents of traditional Chinese medicine have used this property of the human body to their advantage. They evaluate the radial pulse on the forearm using 28 pulse positions and 80 pulse qualities to arrive at a diagnosis.

The same concept is seen in traditional ancient Indian medicine. Here, three radial pulses are evaluated and it is believed that the network of nerves and sensory organs communicate their dysfunction through the radial pulse.

Of all the phenomena which are governed by the sine wave, the Schumann Resonance would perhaps be the one which would be most relevant to the functioning of the human body.

(Reproduction of article "Waves that bind body and planet" by Dr (Col) Nikhil Murchung", Senior Consultant, Surgical Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, Neuberg Anand Reference Laboratory, Bengaluru in Deccan Herald dated 20.3.2019)

# 030 Gurupurnima

Gurupurnima

(Talk of Acarya Swami Sadatmanandaji on 27th July 2018 at Arsha Vidya Gurukulam)

Today we are celebrating the day called Vyaasapurnima, also known as Gurupurnima. It is called Vyaasa-purnima because on this full moon day Vyaasa was born. Vyaasa was an important guru in our tradition. He is called Veda Vyaasa – ‘viv vyaasam vedam yasmat’ - one who compiled vedas. He did not author the vedas, but he compiled them. Therefore he is called Veda Vyaasa. His other name is Sri Krishna Dvaipayana because he was born in a particular Island and his name was Sri Krishna. He is considered to be an avatara of Lord Vishnu. There is a sloka which expresses this idea – ‘Vyaasaya Vishnu rupaaya’.

His contribution to our tradition is enormous. He compiled the vedas. He wrote brahma sutra which is a book of analysis on the Upanishad. He also wrote Mahabharata consisting of 100,000 slokas. He wrote ashtadasha (18) puranas and he has written a commentary on yoga sutra and there is also a Vyaasa smrti.

He has covered all the aspects of vedic teaching. Therefore, there is a saying – ‘vyaasochchhishtam jagat sarvam’- everything is touched upon by Veda Vyaasa. Idea is that all the aspects of life are dealt with by Veda Vyaasa. To express our gratitude to Veda Vyaasa, we celebrate Vyaasapurnima. Since Veda Vyaasa represents the lineage of teachers, this day is also called Gurupurnima – ‘guroh purnima’ – the full moon day dedicated to Guru. On this day we express our gratitude to our own teacher and also the teachers of the entire sampradaya (tradition). In fact, there is a specific way of doing this puja where you make a mandala and you invoke all the Acharyas. 

What is the importance of having and showing gratitude? Especially in our Vedanta tradition, gratitude to our teachers is very important because if I have gratitude and reverence to my teacher from whom I am learning or have learnt, then only there will be an impact of the teaching given by him or her. If there is no reverence or gratitude for the teacher , even though I have learnt, his or her teaching will not have so much impact. The notes I have written during the class, I will not have the mind to see it and even if I see it, I won’t give much validity to it . So my reverence and gratitude to the teacher will create an impact on the teaching given by the teacher. It is for my own benefit that I have and express my gratitude.

Another thing is – gratitude makes me humble. Otherwise there can be jnana-ahankara. “I have understood well”,” I can express and talk fluently“ – this kind of arrogance. To counter-act that, having gratitude to your teacher is very important. Gratitude means I remember that what I have is because of the grace of my teacher and this attitude will keep me humble. Gratitude in general is very good for our mental health. Gratitude keeps us happy. Gratitude is the feeling born of the acknowledgement of the favours done to me. When I remember something good done to me, naturally there will be happiness. Therefore, gratitude in general is a very good attitude. I have seen it in Pujya Swamiji so much. A person would have done a small thing to him, but he will make it a big point to express his gratitude. In my own life, I have seen it has helped me very much. So gratitude keeps you happy.

Another thing is gratitude takes care of our self-esteem as well. When you express your gratitude often, then you are remembering - how blessed I am, how blessed I am. Means, I remember what all I have. How I have been helped by so many people. When I think of that, then the general feeling many people have ‘that life has let them down’, will not come to me because of my remembering that so much has been done

to me by so many people. Therefore, this gratitude helps us to even have a relatively good self-esteem. That is why we express our gratitude in general and especially to our teacher on this Gurupurnima day.

Also this gratitude should not be kept within yourself. It needs to be expressed in an appropriate way and at appropriate time. When expressed, it gets strengthened like love or any other good feelings. Therefore, gratitude needs to be expressed. Gurupurnima and days like these give us an opportunity to express our gratitude. This gratitude can be expressed in various ways - through speech, through chanting some stotram or expressing some feelings to the teacher, if they are there or through puja or worshipping the picture, paduka/feet of the teacher and also by serving the teacher in whatever manner possible – ‘kayena, vacha, manasa’.

All these three means we use to express our gratitude. When we express our gratitude verbally, we should make sure there is no exaggeration. So whatever feeling we have, we express appropriately without exaggeration. That will help us to strengthen our gratitude. 

One more thing, this day is marking thebeginning of Caturmasya vratam of sanyasis. In earlier days and even now some sanyasis keep walking and don’t stay in one place for more than three days. That was the convention. But during monsoon they cannot travel, so they will be staying in one place and the villagers or citizens of that town/

city will request the sanyasi to stay there and bless them by his presence. There is a particular vidhi for that. The sanyasi will agree to stay in that place and everyday he will be teaching some sastra like puranas or if there are evolved students, then he may teach brahma sutra. This gurupurnima day is the beginning of Caturmasa vratam. Caturmasa is a group of four months starting from this gurupurnima day. But now a days this is too much as most of the sanyasis are busy! So there is an abridged version – ‘paksho vai masah’. Four months are reduced into two months. Some follow this and don’t travel for two months.

This day is also important for starting some vratam (vow or discipline). Generally, the vratam is ‘upavaasa pradhana vratam’. You reduce your intake during these four months. This is also good health-wise because it is said during the monsoon time our digestion power is reduced and therefore it is btter we eat less. One variety of vratam  is – ‘shaaka haara’ – eating only vegetables for four months. The result of this vratam is one becomes healthy. Or one can fast on alternate days. Some vratams are positive like you chant purusha suktam every day. This will increase buddhi shakti or you do 108 pradakshina having fruit in your hand or do some vedic chanting every day. All these will bless you anytime time of the year but if done during Chaturmasa, it will bless you even more. Like shops announce special Diwali sale, this period is speacial!  If you cannot do it for four months, then do it at least for Kartika masa - the last month. These four months is devashayana - Vishnu is taking rest. Therefore, mangal karyas (auspicious actions) such as marriage etc. are not generally done during this period.

There are some guiding principles as to what sort of vratam, one should do. One thing is the vratam you do should not disturb the household set-up or office set-up. Means your vratam should not be a source of disturbance to others. Suppose you are a receptionist and you take the vratam of maunam or you take vratam to chant purusha suktam loudly very early in the morning - not proper. Also the vratam should be in keeping with your physical stamina. If one has problem walking, one should not take a vratam of doing 108 pradakshina – ‘Samartho dharmam Acharet’. Also it should be in keeping with your mental condition. Like one should not undertake the vratam of maunam when one’s mind is depressed - talking is necessary to get over depression. Also the vratam needs to be in harmony with the type of sadhana one is predominantly following. Suppose a person is having a commitment to nididhyasanam, then doing 108 pradakshina or chanting may not be appropriate. Similarly the vratam should not distract one from his/her present sadhana. Like right now if I have commitment to Vedanta study and have to attend 6/7 classes in a day, then I should not take a vratam which will distract me from my study. Keeping all these factors in mind we do vratam.

“Why do vratam?” Vratam is meant for establishing my mastery over my own body-mind-sense complex. If you already have this mastery and you feel that your body, your mind and senses are very cooperative, under control and do not create any problem, then you need not do vratam because you have already got the result of vratam. But if this mastery is not there, then vratam can help. Further undertaking a vratam should not create any guilt. Suppose you are not able to keep up after a while guilt should not crop up. Perhaps, you can pray – “O Lord, give me the capacity to do this vratam next year.” So without any guilt we follow the vratam. It then surely gives a lot of discipline, lot of mastery over one’s body-mind-sense complex.

So we pray to lord Dakshinamurti and to Pujya Swamiji to bless us in our pursuit. If we are going to have some vratam we pray to Bhagavan - “Give us the strength to pursue  a vratam next time”.

# 029 Religion and Spirituality

▪ Religion is for those who want to be guided.

▪ Spirituality is for those who want to inquire.

▪ Religion has a set of dogmatic rules.

▪ Spirituality has no rules.

▪ Religion threatens and frightens.

▪ Spirituality gives inner peace.

▪ Religion speaks of sin and guilt.

▪ Spirituality helps avoid sin and guilt.

▪ Religion speaks of a God.

▪ Spirituality is in God.

▪ Religion invents.

▪ Spirituality finds.

▪ Religion does not tolerate any question.

▪ Spirituality questions everything.

▪ Religion is human.

▪ Spirituality is Divine.

▪ Religion is the cause of divisions.

▪ Spirituality results in unity..

▪ Religion is looking for you to believe.

▪ Spirituality is about you looking for truth.

▪ Religion follows the concept of a sacred book.

▪ Spirituality seeks the sacred in all books.

▪ Religion feeds on fear.

▪ Spirituality thrives on inquiry.

▪ Religion lives in thought.

▪ Spirituality is about Consciousness.

▪ Religion deals with performing rituals.

▪ Spirituality deals with ultimate reality.

▪ Religion feeds the ego.

▪ Spirituality transcends ego

▪ Religion asks you to renounce the world to follow a God.

▪ Spirituality makes us live in God, without renouncing the world.

▪ Religion fills us with dreams of glory in paradise.

▪ Spirituality makes us live the glory and paradise.

▪ Religion lives in the past and future.

▪ Spirituality is living in the present.

▪ Religion creates cloisters in our memory.

▪ Spirituality liberates our Consciousness.

▪ Religion makes us believe in eternal life.

▪ Spirituality makes us aware of Eternal Life.

We are not human beings, who go through a spiritual experience.

We are spiritual beings, who go through a human experience.

# 008 Evolution by Sri Aurobindo

Is Consciousness (and life/mind) the result or cause of Matter? 

Whether it has entered into matter and whence? 

Or was it always in it, and if so, whether it is ever less or subordinate in action or is in essential a power greater than Matter? 

Whether it is contained in or contains the Matter? 

Is Matter itself dependent on essential pre existence of Consciousness? 

Is Spirit (Consciousness) the first, last and eternal, the Alpha and Omega, the OM?

These are the questions posed and answers provided by Sri Aurobindo in his talks on evolution brought out as a booklet by the Ashram.

Quite interesting ..