Matter and Energy, Part 6
“We are slowed down sound and light waves, a walking bundle of frequencies tuned into the cosmos. We are souls dressed up in biochemical garments and our bodies are the instruments through which our souls play the music.”
Albert Einstein (1856-1943)[1]
What follows is an exploration about which I feel abundantly curious and poorly equipped. I may get some parts wrong, but the foundational concepts which I attempt to articulate are fascinating. I trust where this may fall short in accuracy is compensated for with intrigue.
An interesting finding in the science of Physics, which studies the nature of the physical universe, is the realization that the physical laws that appear to govern the world as we know it only apply within a limited range of reality. The range of Physics extends well beyond our perceptual abilities, although even that range detects only a small portion of the possible realities. If we consider vast or miniscule distances, speeds of motion at the extreme ends, ultra-high or low temperatures, or vibrations too far out of the range of our perceptual abilities, the laws that reliably predict the interactions of mass and energy in our daily lives become increasingly irrelevant. In sum, the small circle of familiar life which we think we know and have some degree of control over is surrounded by a vast unknown.
For example, the speed of light is considered a hard-stop for the universe, in the sense of assuming nothing travels faster than light. Many of the mathematical formulas that describe the physical universe rely on the speed of light as a constant factor in their calculations. The distance parameters of the universe are measured in light-years, which is the distance something would travel in one (earth) year at the speed of light, or about 5.9 trillion miles. The nearest stars are estimated to be about 4.2 light-years away from us. The known universe is thought to be about 93 billion light-years across, although (1) the universe is also thought to be expanding and (2) no one has found an actual edge to the universe, or a point beyond which there is no more universe. The numbers are so far beyond our ability to intellectually grasp as to seem ridiculous. The measurement scales at the atomic and sub-atomic levels are equally mind-numbing, only at the ridiculously miniscule level.
Will we ever find the edges of the universe or the smallest particles making up the world as we know it? I suspect not, and I believe the fact that the laws of physics become irrelevant as we attempt to study unfathomable distances (great or small), unimaginable speeds, or extreme temperatures supports that suspicion. Even as our scientific instruments gain finer capabilities, I think we will continue to discover more distant galaxies and smaller, sub-atomic particles. From our three-dimensional perspective and understanding, there are no ends from which to establish our position with any degree of certainty because no ends exist in this reality. It is like trying to identify the smallest positive number greater than zero. If I propose 0.1, you will propose 0.01, and we will continue to add zeros to the right of the decimal until we both die and still never find that elusive smallest number. Neither will we find the largest number. Those numbers do not exist because (1) of limitations to mathematics, (2) of limitations to our three-dimensional perception, and/or (3) no such edges exist.
Part of the beauty and seductive attraction of spirituality is its unknown nature. Finding ultimate answers is like trying to figure out why we fall in love. We can bloviate in countless ways about the reasons why, as many authors, poets, and philosophers do, and still be no closer to understanding the nature of the reality. We fall in love because it is an inexplicably inherent part of our nature to do so. There is no physical organ, muscle, or bodily chemical responsible for it. The falling-in-love origin lies in the dark matter or dark energy of our being – the spirit that animates and sustains our lives and is beyond our ability to know. It is the mystery and intrigue of life that drives our desire to grow and find meaning. Questions that have no answers hold the key to our existence, but those questions, like the edges of the universe, have no end.
Whenever we stray far from the familiar center in search of the edges of reality we find more reality, whether in the field of physics, biology, religion, or love. It is the nature of life and love to be ever-changing and ever-expanding because change is inherent to reality. If we cannot change with life, we die. If we cannot change with love, we become bitter and lonely. Perhaps the lesson of the matter and energy making up our world is that the closer we remain to the center, to the here and now, the closer we are to God and to each other.
This is the 19th in a series of Life Notes on Space, Time, and Eternity. The opinions expressed here are mine. To engage with me or to explore contemplative spiritual direction, contact me at ghildenbrand@sunflower.com.
[1] www.quotefancy.com/albert-einstein-quotes, accessed August 30, 2023.
Contemplating Grace 