Thought for Today

In the previous post (over two weeks ago!), we started to look at how groups as diverse as Eastern mystics and gurus, Western physicists and philosophers, and even some liberal “Christian” theologians all seem to be pointing towards the same “reality.” Today, we will talk about a few of the commonalities between the Western physicists and Eastern gurus.

Eastern mystics, gurus, and Eastern religion in general, are known for proclaiming that what we think is real is an illusion. The idea that we are all individuals is a pure myth. Instead, it is claimed that we are all one, indeed all that exists is one. Through meditation, chanting, yoga, or other methods, we can develop our inner awareness, realize that “truth,” reject the illusion, and become one with the divine, or with the universe or some other “oneness” depending on the tenets of that particular Eastern religion/philosophy. Biblically, we know that none of this is true, but that is not the point here.

How then, do physicists make the same claim? One could argue that Western physicists would not be drawn to Eastern mysticism in general, to Hinduism or Buddhism, etc. Is that argument still accurate? I can’t say. What can be said is that the Newtonian world as we knew it has been upended by the world of physics. What appears to be concrete and solid—for example the desk I’m using while typing this entry—in the sub atomic world is anything but solid. My belief that it is a solid object is an illusion.

According to physics, most of the “solidity” of my desk is, in reality, empty space. As a result, in theory, I should be able to pass my hand right through it. So, why can’t I do that? The answer is that due to the phenomenal speed of the movement of  the sub-atomic elements, an object functions as though it were solid, and getting a hand through it is impossible. One example Capra uses is that of a propeller. Its speed effectively blocks any attempt to penetrate it. Even though the propeller itself takes up a relatively small portion of the total area of the circle it covers, it moves fast enough to give that area a false sense of solidity.

One point of convergence is that in both worlds, what appears to be solid, what appears to be real, isn’t. A second point of convergence is that in both Eastern religions and Western physics, the “unreality” has to do with the physical world we live in, of what we supposedly “see.”

Could these parallels, draw more people into the world of Eastern mysticism and religion? Very possibly, but in this context, 2 Corinthians 4:18 is significant, as biblically speaking the world that we see is only temporal, while the world we do not see is the world that is eternal. The key difference between the two systems is in terms of what is ultimately “real.” In Christianity the ultimate reality is God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son, our Lord. That is certainly not the reality Eastern religions acknowledge.

The potential convergence of these various scientific, philosophical, and religious thoughts bears watching. At some point, biblically a one-world false system will emerge. Literally, only God knows when that will be. It could be in the near future, or it could still be a long ways off. Again, God only knows, but there is wisdom in keeping our eyes open. As Scripture declares, for believers, the day that is coming should not catch us by surprise.