Thought for the Week
The next time you meet someone with a strictly “realistic” (materialistic) view of the universe, that only what can be seen (physically observed) exists, point out the following:
96% of the universe is un-observable and is not technically “there.” I was told in my high school physics class that a spaceship leaving Earth could go through millions of miles (or more) of “nothing” to get to “something.” We now have names for that “nothing”—antimatter, dark matter, dark energy—but we still don’t know what it is. Or even if it is.
The 4% of the universe that can be observed, which is itself 99.9999999% empty space, is mostly studied by observing its after-effects which, according to quantum theory, mysteriously change when they are observed.
“There is no there there,” Gertrude Stein famously said. And, although she was not in any sense a physicist, physics echoes her words. Why? Because, according to quantum mechanics, matter is not really “there.” It is simply energy, and energy is made up of undulations of invisible particles.
And if that’s not enough to confuse us, consider this: Subatomic particles can occupy two places at the same time. And some particles (which technically are also not particles) can arrive at their destination before they leave. Bottom line: All of space-time (that which can be seen) is actually an interpretation of reality, rather than reality itself.
So, from a strictly “realistic” (materialistic) standpoint, the universe does not exist! Quantum science circles back again and again to the conclusion that consciousness (that which cannot be seen), rather than matter (that which can be seen), is the ultimate reality.
“And so we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since that which can be is seen is temporary, but that which is unseen is eternal.”
~2 Corinthians 4:18
∞
Ah! Yes! The world is an illusion, and a mighty persistent and sometimes pesky one at that. There is a truth there. I don’t know if religious texts ever speak about how we as souls choose to purposely experience this “illusion” and the “manufactured” hardships, but when I first saw some of the prebirth planning I did (and healed some fear I’d unknowingly been holding onto for years), it changed the way I understood the hard times. Instead of merely dreading and complaining about them, I began to look for the lessons. Great post!
If only more people would learn to “to look for the lessons,” Susan, this would be a wiser and more peaceful world!
What a fascinating and thought-provoking perspective! This beautifully ties together science, philosophy, and spirituality, reminding us that the unseen—whether consciousness, energy, or the divine—holds the essence of reality. It’s a humbling reminder to look beyond the material and embrace the eternal. 🌌✨
Oh yeah, trying to wrap my head around that! But the scripture explains what I NEED to know: that I cannot know what God knows. As a creature, my finiteness limits my understanding. However, I can trust my Creator who knows everything.
Amen, Rob.
This is brilliant, and True!
Actual reality is Not this realm, but is in Yahweh Yahuwshua (true dual names of the Most High). I so love and appreciate your writing — but this one, I had to comment on!
Aw, bless you, Matilda. So good to hear from you! Hope you’re well and thriving, dear friend.
I always wonder how any mere human can be so certain about their beliefs or lack of them. Especially as the universe has expanded greatly, become ever more amazing since I was a child and asked my mother who made God.
Many of the best quantum physicists wonder the same thing, Janet.
Powerful “Thought for the Week” enhanced with your closing summary using ~2 Corinthians 4:18.
Like, literally mind-boggling. How would you say Willow fits into this?
Willow is Google’s Quantum Chip: https://blog.google/technology/research/google-willow-quantum-chip/
I haven’t really looked into this yet, Ed. I only know that quantum computing relies partially, not completely, on probability, a core principal of quantum physics. And I see that Google’s claim is that Willow “scale(s) up using more qubits.” So, presumably it moves further away from traditional yes/no bits into the bit realm of Schroedinger.
“…26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear…”
Hebrews 12″26-28
Blessings
left off verse 29
“…29 For our God is a consuming fire…” Hebrews 12:29
Not on purpose, but so glad you brought it up. Blessings
verses 39 51 53 54
In real sense, there will always be a there there no matter how much you avoid it.
It may sound contradictory, Zuhaib, but the fact that material world isn’t real (scientifically speaking), doesn’t mean it has no purpose.
Of course its not real, but in a spiritual sense, no one can actually go down their whole life not saying There
My son used to research quantum physics (as a curiosity). Much of what he shared with me was fascinating. So, your post today is very interesting. I’ve thought often about energy and the “collective.” I used to dismiss these ideas out of hand. Today, not so much. There’s a lot of power when minds come together. Nice closing Scripture.
Thank you, Maddie.
Excellent
Thank you, Anita.
I dont say there is nothing there, but I need to see it to take it in. I prefer to use my thoughts on things I know is there. Just a different way of looking at things, without discharge the possibilities.
Good question…
Oh, there’s a there, there alright.
Profound. Simply profound.
Thank you, Nancy.
Love it. Paradox is difficult, but ultimately freeing.
Right you are, my friend.
Wow. This is fascinating to think about. Thank you, Mitch.
My privilege, Manny.
🤯
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Fascinating. And yet, as my wife and I pack up to move closer to our daughter and son-in-law and our two grandchildren, I look around the accumulated stuff of a lifetime and KNOW that there really is a there there. Truly, we are a confused people living in a confusing world, we don’t understand. Reminds me of Walker Percy’s Lost in the Cosmos.
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