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Copyright © 1996 by Guy McCarthy
All rights reserved. Inquiries should be addressed to
Twelve Star Publishing, P.O. Box 123, Jefferson, MD 21755
Earthlight Magazine / Books
/ Home
Copyright © 1996 by Guy McCarthy
All rights reserved. Inquiries should be addressed to
Twelve Star Publishing, P.O. Box 123, Jefferson, MD 21755
Twenty-odd years ago, Robin Williams amused millions of
TV viewers when his character from the "Mork & Mindy"
show exclaimed, "Reality...What a concept!"
In a good-natured way, the visitor from planet Ork reminds us
that there might be more to our world than meets the eye. Perhaps
a larger perspective, or some greater awareness, will enable us
to observe and ultimately change what we experience as physical
reality.
Indeed, physicists have been seeking this greater awareness for
nearly one hundred years. A brilliant scientist named Max Planck
started it all in December 1900. Speaking before the German Academy
of Science, Planck presented his theory concerning packets of
energy called "quanta."
Unlike smooth and continous waveforms, quanta are individual bursts
of energy. They are the smallest possible units of an energy system.
At the quantum level energy is transferred in integer multiples
only. No fractions are allowed.
Planck found a friend in Albert Einstein, who shared his interest
in mathematical physics and music. Building on Planck's theory,
Einstein proposed in 1905 that matter could be changed into energy,
and that energy could be changed into matter. The innocent-looking
equation E=mc2, solved the mystery of how the sun could continue
to burn for thousands of years. It also promised a new age of
energy abundance.
Once experiments had confirmed the theories of Planck and Einstein,
the race was on to discover the innermost secrets of matter and
energy. Decades of intense research followed, and the theory of
quantum mechanics evolved. Finally, a startling conclusion was
reached: the basic building blocks of matter, known as sub-atomic
particles, are not really particles at all. Instead they are waves.
Not waves of matter, mind you, but waves of probability.
In other words, if you break matter and energy down into the smallest
possible portions, there is nothing physical left. All you have
is a set of mathematical equations. This means that the finest
structure of the universe is merely information. But what is information?
It is an idea. And what is an idea? It is the basic unit of consciousness.
Here then, is the awesome truth revealed by quantum mechanics:
"Matter and Energy are made from the same, non-physical stuff.
And the stuff is called consciousness."
This mystical truth, revealed by science, is tremendously important.
Simply put, it means that anything and everything is possible.
If the finest structure of matter and energy is consciousness,
how are they separated from our own minds?
Thinly, at best.
Guy McCarthy is a writer, philosopher, and engineer who
enjoys tracking developments in the New Energy community. He can
be reached via earthlight! at (301) 473-9035.
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