Big Bang: Real or Imagined:Part 4

 Big Bang: Real or Imagined :

Part 4:

I tried to not think too much into this topic. Yet I find that amidst so many other topics in the head having their own conversations( poetry, nature, work, family, friends), mind has refused to quit this topic. So might as well give it a voice. 

Entropy still remains a topic of intrigue for the mind. The literature thus far from the scholars of physics insists upon entropy being non negotiable in its unidirectional behavior. That is it shows incremental disorderliness in a single direction from the present moment to the next moment coming up. All theories including the original oscillating universe theory and the currently accepted Lambda-Cold Dark Matter adhere to the concept that entropy is unidirectional. 

Earlier when I attempted to apply the principles I observed in the context of personal evolution to the physical observations of matter, I thought may be entropy is not unidirectional at all. May be conscious manipulation may be able to reverse its course. 

But now I’m looking at things from a different angle. 

At the root of my thought lies a comparative approach between the principles of Advait Vedanta to the principles of physics. The goal is to find out if there could be a reconciliation between the two.

What the ^CDM theory calls Lambda , the dark energy is fascinating. It is considered as as a cosmological constant. In Vedanta there are some confusing concepts about Bramhan or Parabramha or the ultimate reality or consciousness. This could be the equivalent of Lamba of the physics model. However this Lambda is postulated to drive the universal expansion. Vedanta divides the Parabramha into two roles. One that is changeless in the absolute sense of the word. It has nothing to do with the movement of the universe. 

One step below the level of this changeless conscious reality is the Ishwara who oversees the expansion of the universe. This is not to be construed as a person sitting there watching the universe but simply in the same light as what physics calls Lamba. 

Physics has no currently postulated equivalent for the transcendent Bramhan of Vedanta. And it actually makes sense. 

How? Why?

From the point of Vedanta everything that appears is an illusion on the substratum of Parabramha or the changeless conscious reality. This includes Ishwar, the mind, intellect, and physical matter. This includes the idea of Big Bang, Big Crunch, and everything in between.

Physics seems to have come as far as the frontier of Lamba but, as discussed above, that frontier is actively involved in the existence of matter. Presence of matter is not negated by physics. On the contrary physics vehemently asserts the presence of matter. It accepts the dissolution of ordinary matter at the time of the Big Crunch. But does not accept that its creation itself is a hoax or trick of the mind. 

Interestingly, Hindu philosophy entertains the idea of successive cycles of Big Bang followed by Big Crunch and this sequence going on for a while. In fact it also gives a timeline for this and describes the journey of sentient beings through these cycles. Physics looks at matter being recycled, Hindu philosophy includes living beings in the recycling process. 

This however, by Hindu philosophy, comes under the umbrella of the illusory reality or “relative” reality. Ishwar is the cosmological constant only as long the illusion is believed. 

Once mind is transcended and it knows beyond doubt that everything perceived is an illusion, Ishwara is exposed as an illusion. 

Physics is right about entropy in its theory that entropy cannot be zero at any time. It can be lowest hypothetically at the moment before the Big Bang. The Vedanta equivalent of entropy is the mind. By definition it cannot be still at any point. Thoughts cannot be eliminated in the absolute sense. But they can be slowed down and to some extent organized. 

The conscious slowing of thoughts to the lowest speed possible,in my humble understanding of Vedanta, is essential for momentary understanding of consciousness and its separation from mind( thought). One cannot count or observe every passing carriage in a fast train. But if the same train were to slow down then each carriage can be identified separately and simultaneously awareness of the observer for himself can become steady. Same principle applies to meditation. The meditator with practice learns to identify thoughts as objects rather than a part of his own identity.

Advanced practice of meditation allows the transcendence of the mind to understand how and why ultimately mind and matter do not have a reality to themselves. 

Through direct experience matter can be proven to be an illusion. But you cannot be yourself identified with the illusion and simultaneously prove it to be an illusion. 

The common confusion that comes from an ordinary mind is that if everything is illusory how can there be consistent laws of physics that can be proven ? The fact that these laws remain consistent does not disprove illusion. The illusion is compatible with an order and its structure stands on definite laws. Why must laws of physics? Laws pertaining to biology, chemistry, mathematics, ethics, and every perceivable subject stands true within the limits of this illusion that we know as creation. As long as we see ourselves as part of creation, these laws apply to us. Not only do they apply to us, if we show the slightest tendency to go against its laws there are repercussions. The system works in an almost automated manner to take corrective action. 

So the laws remain relevant within the illusion. However, unless the mind begins to think out of the box of these laws, it cannot understand itself or the reality that exists beyond the illusion. 

A respectful conversation between saints who have transcended matter and between serious physicists is going to prove valuable for everyone. Physics and science in general does not lose relevance in the face of creation being deemed an illusion. Its relevance gains better understanding and purpose. 

How? Why? 

The entire people of the world are not going to overnight become aware of the transcendental truth. If that was a possibility it would have happened by now because the information of the transcendental truth has been accessible to the brightest of minds for much longer than other scientific theories. But for various reasons not all are drawn to believe it or investigate it or ascertain it through personal experience. To make a long story short, creation will continue to remain a reality for the majority. Hence science and scientific investigation and its applications will always remain relevant to mankind. Scientists will always have a job.

That brings the consideration of another truth about the creation, whether one accepts it as an illusion or not, is that it remains infinite in every way. The possibilities are infinite. Poetic minds will never run dry of poetry. Artists and writers will never exhaust creativity. Scientists will never arrive at conclusive theories. Intellect will never gather the answer for everything that needs to be understood within the frontiers of this creation. Human beings will never achieve perfect moral and ethical perfection. There will always be room for more. 

But this sense of incompleteness that keeps the human mind always occupied with curiosity does not extend into the transcendental reality. That experience is characterized by completeness. It is the core of everything in the universe yet it is not part of the universe. It cannot be the lambda of the physicists because of reasons discussed above. 

Why would mankind benefit if physicists and saints have a respectful conversation? 

I will share me thoughts about this in the next post.