The Non-Dimensional Reality - cont.
For life to exist and be sustained it needs an energy source which the Universe provides in the form of photons of light ; then it
needs water which seems to have arrived in water-rich meteoroids that bombarded the molten Earth around 4.1 to 3.8 billion years ago (and
were the cause of the craters we see on the Moon). Water then interacts with elements leached from rocks to create chemical imbalances
enabling oxidation/reduction reactions and the formation of simple organic compounds which are organised by nucleic acids (RNA &
DNA) into amino acids that are sequenced into proteins.
Proteins on their own could be regarded as life forms but are too unstable to develop into anything substantial. It’s only when a protecting cover (cell membrane) encloses nucleic and amino acids that life starts to make headway some 3.8 billion years ago in the form of bacteria and archaea. (Note that viruses used to be thought of as non-living since they do not have cell membranes and do not evolve but the recent discovery of pandoraviruses may prove this assumption wrong. )
By definition things that do not evolve do not contain life.
Proteins on their own could be regarded as life forms but are too unstable to develop into anything substantial. It’s only when a protecting cover (cell membrane) encloses nucleic and amino acids that life starts to make headway some 3.8 billion years ago in the form of bacteria and archaea. (Note that viruses used to be thought of as non-living since they do not have cell membranes and do not evolve but the recent discovery of pandoraviruses may prove this assumption wrong. )
By definition things that do not evolve do not contain life.
The exchange of genetic material in the evolution of cells occurs ‘horizontally’ in a number of different ways: a virus can transfer
genetic information (transduction), or the cell can just pick up stuff lying around (transformation), or a bridge can be built between
two cells, called conjugation’. Sexual conjugation or Isogomy is thought to be the precursor to sexual reproduction and first appears
in cells with a nucleus (eukaryotes) about a billion years ago.
It appears that the primary reason for exchanging genetic material was originally to repair damaged DNA rather than for the spin-off in genetic diversity ; but there is much about the origins of life and the comparatively rapid differentiation into all life forms, including Homo sapiens, that are still the subject of scientific and religious debate.
It appears that the primary reason for exchanging genetic material was originally to repair damaged DNA rather than for the spin-off in genetic diversity ; but there is much about the origins of life and the comparatively rapid differentiation into all life forms, including Homo sapiens, that are still the subject of scientific and religious debate.
Scientific research has gradually unveiled ‘Mother Earth’ as being saturated with interconnecting life forms of which the basic building
block is the DNA molecule. Even the human gastrointestinal tract is a habitat containing around 400 different species of bacteria all
vying for a dominance which is dependent on the constantly changing gut microenvironment. But regardless of complexity, all forms
of life share a common instinct - they seek their own evolutionary niche, a place to flourish, replicate and innately improve their
own survival capacity.
The enormous complexity of life on Earth derives from 3.8 billion years of evolution. Consider the mating rituals of the Birds of Paradise, dung beetles that navigate by the stars, the eyes of the Mantis Shrimp, the plants and animals surroundingunderwater hydrothermal vents, or the life cycle of Australian eels born in the ocean depths off Vanuatu and journeying for three years to get to their parents fresh water homes 4,000 km away – often beyond dam walls and requiring the crossing of roads and other barriers. The Monarch butterfly also travels 4,000 km in an annual migration that takes them back to the same trees - even though the arrivals may be the 4th generation offspring.
Humans have assumed the mantle of being the most intelligent of Earth’s life forms, with the human brain tripling in size over the last few million years while the prefrontal cortex has increasing six fold - an evolutionary jump which is hard to explain using Darwinian Theory. If the growth of the prefrontal cortex has accelerated beyond the rest of the brain then perhaps our rapid evolution relates to its functions which are planning, decision making, personality expression and social behaviour – all tasks that define the individual’s sense of ‘self’.
Human DNA is 99% the same as chimpanzees and although gene regulation is considered one of the driving forces of evolution our evolutionary advantage has somehow been brought about by fast-evolving ‘switches’ which turn genes on and off and may be related to our decision making. The study of this affect is termed epigenetics and in recent years epigenetic studies have added a Lamarckian nuance to Darwin’s theory of evolution.
The enormous complexity of life on Earth derives from 3.8 billion years of evolution. Consider the mating rituals of the Birds of Paradise, dung beetles that navigate by the stars, the eyes of the Mantis Shrimp, the plants and animals surroundingunderwater hydrothermal vents, or the life cycle of Australian eels born in the ocean depths off Vanuatu and journeying for three years to get to their parents fresh water homes 4,000 km away – often beyond dam walls and requiring the crossing of roads and other barriers. The Monarch butterfly also travels 4,000 km in an annual migration that takes them back to the same trees - even though the arrivals may be the 4th generation offspring.
Humans have assumed the mantle of being the most intelligent of Earth’s life forms, with the human brain tripling in size over the last few million years while the prefrontal cortex has increasing six fold - an evolutionary jump which is hard to explain using Darwinian Theory. If the growth of the prefrontal cortex has accelerated beyond the rest of the brain then perhaps our rapid evolution relates to its functions which are planning, decision making, personality expression and social behaviour – all tasks that define the individual’s sense of ‘self’.
Human DNA is 99% the same as chimpanzees and although gene regulation is considered one of the driving forces of evolution our evolutionary advantage has somehow been brought about by fast-evolving ‘switches’ which turn genes on and off and may be related to our decision making. The study of this affect is termed epigenetics and in recent years epigenetic studies have added a Lamarckian nuance to Darwin’s theory of evolution.
A child is born without knowledge of physical form, emotional signals, and cognitive processes – blank within a physical world. From
that point onwards and within the framework of astrological markers, the child draws on the surrounding environment to derive a sense
of meaning and self understanding.
The successful integration of self is affected by the growth environment and is somehow guided by a sense of right action. Every chart has its flavour and a person will act in line with that inclination although its expression can be in multiple ways with multiple and cascading effects. Wrong actions produce negative results – an illness, an accident, misfortune, while right actions lead to understanding, community respect and good fortune.
The solar influence in a birth chart has a self integrating function which attempts to assimilate and incorporate all the attributes of the native, regardless of any incongruous tendencies within the self. Jeff Mayo in his book - The Planets and Human Behaviour, provides many meanings for the symbolism of the Sun with its dot encompassed by a circle. In essence these explanations - from Jung and Blavatsky to Jones, Hone, Leo, Norris, et al, can be summarized as the circle being ‘everything’ and the dot representing the self within everything.
But maybe the newborn has more than a ‘blank sheet’ when born! Perhaps the knowledge of material forms attached to values and emotional responses is already imprinted on inherited DNA – a DNA that dates back to the start of creation. Perhaps the eel and the Monarch butterfly habits are enabled by a ‘genetic memory’ as suggested in humans with Savant Syndrome where the mentally handicapped exhibit genius capacity.
Genetic memory would provide an advanced starting point for the new born even without their being aware of such a thing until stimulated by association later in life. Genetic memory would act as an accelerating factor contributing to the phenomenal rate of human evolvement much as in the mechanics of the epigenome.
The successful integration of self is affected by the growth environment and is somehow guided by a sense of right action. Every chart has its flavour and a person will act in line with that inclination although its expression can be in multiple ways with multiple and cascading effects. Wrong actions produce negative results – an illness, an accident, misfortune, while right actions lead to understanding, community respect and good fortune.
The solar influence in a birth chart has a self integrating function which attempts to assimilate and incorporate all the attributes of the native, regardless of any incongruous tendencies within the self. Jeff Mayo in his book - The Planets and Human Behaviour, provides many meanings for the symbolism of the Sun with its dot encompassed by a circle. In essence these explanations - from Jung and Blavatsky to Jones, Hone, Leo, Norris, et al, can be summarized as the circle being ‘everything’ and the dot representing the self within everything.
But maybe the newborn has more than a ‘blank sheet’ when born! Perhaps the knowledge of material forms attached to values and emotional responses is already imprinted on inherited DNA – a DNA that dates back to the start of creation. Perhaps the eel and the Monarch butterfly habits are enabled by a ‘genetic memory’ as suggested in humans with Savant Syndrome where the mentally handicapped exhibit genius capacity.
Genetic memory would provide an advanced starting point for the new born even without their being aware of such a thing until stimulated by association later in life. Genetic memory would act as an accelerating factor contributing to the phenomenal rate of human evolvement much as in the mechanics of the epigenome.
Three factors determine an individual’s reality: the positioning of the birth moment in space; the growth environment providing the grist for development; and the genetic background of the person’s linage. The favourable mixing of these three factors would lead to a greater rate of evolution than predicted by Darwin’s theory of natural selection. Astrologers understand the first and the second of these factors, and have an inkling of the third if they take the time to enquire into their client’s ancestry. Psychologists understand the second and scientists are still debating the third.
Buddhist thought sees self, I and mine as being illusions:
This line of thinking then proceeds to attribute the perceived sense of self as being an ephemeral aggregate of physical form, feelings,
thinking, values, and ‘truths’.
Buddhist philosophy derived from Siddhartha Gautama’s enlightenment, and involved an understanding of the true nature of ‘being’. Since Siddhartha’s being is a summation of his own particular physical, mental and psychic disposition, an astrological look at his natal tendencies should shed light on his philosophies.
Buddha’s birth date is uncertain but it is generally agreed that he was born around midday on a Full Moon in April/May. I personally believe his birth date to be May 15th, 623 BC which would have his Taurean Sun conjunct his MC, a Scorpion Moon conjunct the IC and a Leo Ascendant. This would give him a noble bearing (Leo Ascendant), a strong sense of purpose (Sun conjunct MC) and a conflict between ego and emotions (Sun opposite Moon). An understanding of the conflict between ego and emotions as represented in Siddhartha's birth chart is easily gleaned by looking at his living situation at the time.
Buddhist philosophy derived from Siddhartha Gautama’s enlightenment, and involved an understanding of the true nature of ‘being’. Since Siddhartha’s being is a summation of his own particular physical, mental and psychic disposition, an astrological look at his natal tendencies should shed light on his philosophies.
Buddha’s birth date is uncertain but it is generally agreed that he was born around midday on a Full Moon in April/May. I personally believe his birth date to be May 15th, 623 BC which would have his Taurean Sun conjunct his MC, a Scorpion Moon conjunct the IC and a Leo Ascendant. This would give him a noble bearing (Leo Ascendant), a strong sense of purpose (Sun conjunct MC) and a conflict between ego and emotions (Sun opposite Moon). An understanding of the conflict between ego and emotions as represented in Siddhartha's birth chart is easily gleaned by looking at his living situation at the time.
Siddhartha Gautama was born into nobility and his father did not want him to venture outside the castle walls where he might witness
the old and the sick and become aware of the mortality of man. After a few secret trips outside the palace Siddhartha finally decides
to leave for good, he discards his adornments puts on the robes of a monk takes up a begging bowl and proceeds in his quest for universal
peace and happiness.
Eventually Buddha’s enlightenment is the understanding of his own being. He detaches from his sense of self (Sun) so that the stressful influences of his emotions (Sun opposite Moon) can be understood from an impersonal point of view. (Buddha's Birth Date)
But whether the self is real or not would seem to be less relevant than the fact that the human body serves as a platform from which to view the interacting world around us. If the self is confused by a matrix of contradicting influences then detaching from the self would seem to give a better view, but at other times self understanding may be more efficiently achieved by the assertion of personal ego – as much as from negative outcomes as from positive.
Eventually Buddha’s enlightenment is the understanding of his own being. He detaches from his sense of self (Sun) so that the stressful influences of his emotions (Sun opposite Moon) can be understood from an impersonal point of view. (Buddha's Birth Date)
But whether the self is real or not would seem to be less relevant than the fact that the human body serves as a platform from which to view the interacting world around us. If the self is confused by a matrix of contradicting influences then detaching from the self would seem to give a better view, but at other times self understanding may be more efficiently achieved by the assertion of personal ego – as much as from negative outcomes as from positive.
Particle physicist Brian Cox’s television series ‘Wonders of Life’ gives a good scientific explanation for the evolution of life on
Earth but there remains the big question of a starting point for the infinite Universe.
The Big Bang (13.8 billion years ago ) explanation does not do it for me since infinity was a contemplation that often kept me from
adolescent sleep and is still a concept that I’m not comfortable with.
If the concept of infinity cannot be understood then perhaps the external world is an outward manifestation of an internal reality that is non-dimensional, with the internal reality being the truer since the external world with its sensory and emotional colouring changes an individual’s perspective to the point that one may see black while another sees white.
In the same way that Astrology provides a ‘Language of God’, conceivably the physical correspondence and vitality of a non-dimensional internal reality could be ascertained by therapeutic techniques such as Chakra Healing , Kinesiology or Reiki.
Chakra Healing is based on one of the oldest philosophical systems in India (circa 900-600BC), Samkhya which puts forward the premise that the universe consists of two realities - consciousness and matter - with intellect providing the connection between the two realms. Intellect derives from consciousness and evolves into the ego-sense of self-consciousness which defines itself by using the sensory organs of physical perception.
Coincidently Vedic sage Kapila is credited as being the founder of Samkhya and it is said that his students built the city of Kapilavastu - the place of the Buddha’s upbringing within the walls of his father’s palace .
If the concept of infinity cannot be understood then perhaps the external world is an outward manifestation of an internal reality that is non-dimensional, with the internal reality being the truer since the external world with its sensory and emotional colouring changes an individual’s perspective to the point that one may see black while another sees white.
In the same way that Astrology provides a ‘Language of God’, conceivably the physical correspondence and vitality of a non-dimensional internal reality could be ascertained by therapeutic techniques such as Chakra Healing , Kinesiology or Reiki.
Chakra Healing is based on one of the oldest philosophical systems in India (circa 900-600BC), Samkhya which puts forward the premise that the universe consists of two realities - consciousness and matter - with intellect providing the connection between the two realms. Intellect derives from consciousness and evolves into the ego-sense of self-consciousness which defines itself by using the sensory organs of physical perception.
Coincidently Vedic sage Kapila is credited as being the founder of Samkhya and it is said that his students built the city of Kapilavastu - the place of the Buddha’s upbringing within the walls of his father’s palace .
Meditation is an important technique used by Buddhist practitioners and usually involves a trance state such as exists in hypnosiswith the difference being that meditation usually uses focus without thought, while hypnosis is usually end oriented.
Stephen Brookes, one of the gurus of hypnosis uses:
Stephen Brookes, one of the gurus of hypnosis uses:
The hypnotic affect is similar in process to the mechanisms of memory construction with highly charged moments being the best remembered
and at the same time being the most susceptible to manipulation by suggestion. The implication for us all is that we may not know
what is real and what is not and perhaps meditating on nothingness gives us a contrast from which we may separate the subjective from
the objective. (Igor Ledochowski is another hypnotic guru who works in a similar fashion to Brookes and in this YouTube interview he
discusses what actually goes on. And here on YouTube is an actual demonstration of hypnosis with Igor Ledochowski. )
When moving ‘forward’ we focus to achieve outcomes and then reflect (meditate) to see if the outcomes were in a positive direction. It may well be that the suggestive powers of the advertising industry has human kind in a forward moving trance such that a period of standing still will create a new paradigm in human evolution.
When moving ‘forward’ we focus to achieve outcomes and then reflect (meditate) to see if the outcomes were in a positive direction. It may well be that the suggestive powers of the advertising industry has human kind in a forward moving trance such that a period of standing still will create a new paradigm in human evolution.
A photon is an elementary particle of light emitted from stars all across the Universe, while biophotons are photon emissions of biological
systems. Biophotons were first observed by Alexander Gurwitsch in 1923 and led to the theory of morphogenetic fields later pursued
by plant physiologist Dr Rupert Sheldrake.
Increased biophoton emissions have been observed from senescing plant life and from tumour growths which indicates it to be a measure
of oxidative stress. Space Physiologist and Theoretical Neurophysiologist, Karl Simanonok, suggests that biophotons may be the mechanism
that connects all life forms:
‘Evidence is presented for existing and hypothetical structures and functions which 'bridge the explanatory gap' to mechanistically
explain how individual consciousnesses could be derived from a higher (God) consciousness through an interface created in the brain
by endogenous (emitted from within) light. It is hypothesized that photons emitted from cells in the brain are guided to the surfaces
of the brain's fluid-filled ventricular spaces, where the photons interact with beating cilia lining those ventricles and are guided
by the beat timing to form interference patterns in the ventricular spaces, creating an interface (a nexus) through which a tiny portion
of the "light of God" is able to animate the corpus.’
There has been an increased interest in the study of biophotons in recent times and perhaps, via scientific discovery, we may yet
come to the same conclusion as Indian guru Paramahansa Yogananda.
I can't think of anyone as a stranger, for I know that we are all part of the One Spirit. When you experience the true meaning of religion, which is to know God, you will realize that He is your Self, and that He exists equally and impartially in all beings. Then you will be able to love others as your own Self.
