The Universal Building Blocks: Space, Time, Energy and Matter

One might ask why I would wish to introduce the fundamentals of modern physics into a discussion of the nature of awareness, consciousness and the mind. Let me explain. Our daily lives, particularly in the West, have become so overwhelmed by the reach of the physical sciences that most of us allow very little time for other traditions which might offer a more introspective and less deterministic approach to understanding the universe.  The sciences have a profound effect on the way we define the mind and consciousness:

 “Far from being abstract and philosophical, the implications (of the materialist paradigm) touches each one of us directly and intimately, for almost everything we think, feel and do is profoundly and, for the most part, subliminally influenced by the prevailing paradigm in which we have been raised and now live.”

Spira, Rupert.  The Nature of Consciousness:  Essays on the Unity of Mind and Matter.  Sahaja, UK 2017.

 In this Section I will endeavour to define the primary concepts of physics, space, time, energy and matter from a lay perspective.  And conclude by explaining that scientists have no definitive explanation as to how consciousness emerges from these basic building blocks, if indeed it does. 

Space

From the perspective of modern physics space is the basic stuff of the universe.  It is the container in which all matter exists.  The word “space” implies that part of the container that is not occupied and exists as a void between objects.  This could not be further from the truth.  Space is full to overflowing.  The following diagram illustrates the basics connectedness of space and time:

“In modern physics, space is a "boundless four-dimensional continuum" known as ‘spacetime’.  Disagreement exists about whether it is an entity (something that actually exists).  It might be just a relationship between entities, or part of a conceptual framework.”

Wikipedia 6.4.2019.

Time

The notion of linear sequential time has been under close scrutiny in physics since Einstein.  It seems to most of us that the Buddhist notion of the three times; past, present and future, is irrefutable. 

 “Time in physics is defined by its measurement: time is what a clock reads.  In classical, non-relativistic physics it is a scalar quantity and, like length, mass, and charge, is usually described as a fundamental quantity.  Time can be combined mathematically with other physical quantities to derive other concepts such as motion, kinetic energy and time-dependent fields.”

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_in_physics

 Einstein challenged the linear notion by pointing out that time runs a different speeds depending upon relative motion.  Physicists have determined that time proceeds more slowly near the sea than it does in the mountains.  Some believe that the three times (past, present and future) are co-existent and transverse-able. 

 Our perception of time is closely related to the manner in which events are experienced in the mind.  For the most part it (the mind) operates in a linear sequential manner. Although sometimes unexplained time events occur and we might mysteriously find ourselves in multiple locations simultaneously, experience event synchronicity or feel that the clock is speeding up or slowing down.

Energy

The concept of energy presents many challenges.  It is defined as the capacity for doing work and comes in many forms such as kinetic, electrical, chemical, thermal, nuclear energy and more.  It carries the potential for transformation from one form to another.  For example the electricity used to power an electric motor converts the electrical energy into kinetic energy. 

“Quantum physicists discovered that physical atoms are made up of vortices of energy that are constantly spinning and vibrating, each one radiating its own unique energy signature.  Therefore, if we really want to observe ourselves and find out what we are, we are really beings of energy and vibration, radiating our own unique energy signature - this is fact and is what quantum physics has shown us time and time again.”

Walia, Arjun.  Nothing is Solid & Everything is Energy – Scientists Explain the World of Quantum Physics.  Collective Evolution. 2014.

The Electromagnetic Spectrum

When we cast our mind outside of ourselves we have the illusion that our senses can tell us quite a lot about what’s going on.  It comes as something of a surprise to learn that our capacity to apprehend the physical world is really quite limited.  Take the electromagnetic spectrum for example:

The part of the spectrum visible to the human eye is quite narrow.  Much of the universe is outside our perceptual range.  There may also be a great deal that is outside the range of our underlying consciousness.  Dark Energy is hypothesized to constitute 68% of the energy in the universe.  It is completely outside our range to apprehend, by any means. 

 Dark Matter is thought to make up around 26% of the universe.  Like dark energy, it is outside of our range.  It may be composed of yet unknown particles.  Like all phenomena it might not exist unless there is a conscious mind to bring it into being. 

Matter

Matter has many definitions but the most common is that which has substance and occupies space.  It is seen to generally have form and be comprised of elementary particles such as protons, neutrons and electrons.  These building blocks are themselves composed of quarks and leptons which are not considered to be matter.  The states of matter are solids, liquids, gases, plasma and Bose-Einstein condensates (where molecular motion comes close to zero and the substance has the properties of a non-friction superfluid).

As previously stated, according to some quantum physicists, matter has no absolute existence and is composed of energy and vibrations.  Physical objects have only a conventional existence and do not ultimately exist as solid and immutable.  Rovelli argues that matter, such as a rock or a mountain, can be viewed as an event.  Energies coalesce for a period of time, only to then disintegrate.  Some argue that matter has no ontological existence without the observer to observe.

Nothing in the field of classical physics gives any clue about how consciousness emerges from these elementary universal building blocks, if indeed it does.

Discussion of Space, Time, Energy and Matter

As the 21st Century advances some scientists believe they are coming closer to understanding the nature of consciousness.  In a fascinating discussion between Theoretical Physicist, Sean Carroll and Buddhist Scholar and Philosopher, B. Alan Wallace, Carroll maintained that the natural world is made up of particles; protons, neutron and electrons and that all phenomena are emergent properties of these fundamental materials, including consciousness.  There is no place in this universe for concepts such as the continuity of consciousness.  Wallace, on the other hand, accuses the scientific community of being blind to its own influence on observed phenomena.  Scientists follow a deterministic script which is limiting a more broad based understanding.

 “The reason why consciousness is not accessible to science is that it is not objective.  It is the light that the observer uses to throw on objects but this light cannot be turned upon itself.  Rational science is related to associations and it must, therefore, be material and reductionist.  Consciousness cannot be fitted in the framework of rational science.”

The Universe, Quantum Physics, and Consciousness. Kak, S. in Quantum Physics of Consciousness.  Kak S. Penrose R. and Hameroff, S (Eds).  Cosmology Science Publishers, 2017.

So how then do scientists see the mind and consciousness emerging from the primary elements described above?  One explanation is that the brain is made up of these elements and consciousness is an emergent property of the brain:

 “mental phenomena are caused by neurophysiological processes in the brain and are themselves features of the brain.  But before this hypothetical solution can be validated, the neural correlates of consciousness (NCC) must be identified and tests must be conducted to determine whether NCC are both necessary and sufficient for the experience of consciousness.”

 Wallace B. Alan.  The Unification of Physics and Consciousness.  Columbia University Press, New York.  2007 P 24-25.

Many practitioners of the Eastern and other traditions would refute the claim that the light of consciousness cannot be turned upon itself.  Five millennia of first person introspection into the nature of mind, using highly advanced meditative practices, does exactly this.