Adviata Vedanta: Unveiling the Mysteries of Quantum Physics (Part 2)

 

There are amazing similarities between implications of theories of modern physics and ancient Hindu philosophy as expressed in Vedas and Upanishads. The basis of Hindu philosophy is the mystical idea of Brahman. In Mundak Upanishad, knowledge is divided into two parts: Para Vidya which deals with the eternal truth that can lead to self- realization and Apara Vidya which deals with knowledge about material world. Under this classification, Physics comes under Apara Vidya.

First of all, it was found that the world is not made out of rigid firm objects like billiard balls or bricks. At the atomic and sub-atomic level, it consists of fuzzy wavelike objects and lot of empty space. So, the solid nature of objects we see around is only apparent. As one goes deeper and deeper, one keeps on finding vacuum all the way. This reminds one of the ideas of shunya (Zero) (Nothingness) and Maya (illusion) covering the whole universe, as Adi Shankaracharya said “Brahma Satyam, Jagat Mithya.”

Brahman is the only truth; the world is a false illusion. Now, just like us, he must have seen solid bodies, rigid walls, and trees. Thus, because of the covering of Maya, one does not see the underlying real Brahman (previously, the concept of Maya from Mandukya Upanishad was emphasized by Shankaracharya’s spiritual grandfather Gaudapadacharya).

Similarly, in physics, one sees only the material objects around and does not see strange quantum fuzzy world underlying all the matter. Moreover, the particles of modern physics are believed to be in some kind of suspended state devoid of any specific properties until they are measured. They are in some sense both here and there at the same time and are described by a wave function, a superposition of seemingly contradictory properties. Such a description is very similar to the description of Brahman e.g., in Ishopanishad: “It moves and it moves not; it is far and it is near; it is within all this and it is also outside all this.”

Then the ultimate shock of quantum theory came when Bell’s theorem and subsequent experiments proved the so-called entanglements to be right. In such cases, two or more atoms, electrons or photons demonstrate correlated properties even at distances where no communication is possible between them during the given time. These developments are the most important developments in the history of physics and perhaps in the whole of science. They give rise to the idea of the interconnected wholeness of the world and non-local interactions in contrast to the separate identities with local interactions. Thus, atoms also exhibit holistic like properties and perhaps some primitive relationship to consciousness. So, it is not proper to say that any analysis starting with atoms is reductionist and not holistic.

The four Mahavakyas express similar concept about individual and Brahman. Pragnanam Brahman – "Consciousness is Brahman" (Aitareya Upanishad 3.3 of the Rig Veda) Ayam Atma Brahman – "This Self (Atman) is Brahman" (Mandukya Upanishad 1.2 of the Atharva Veda) Tat Tvam Asi – "That Thou art " (Chandogya Upanishad 6.8.7 of the Sama Veda) Aham Brahmasmi– "I am Brahman" (Brhadaranyaka Upanishad 1.4.10 of the Yajurveda.

The Vedas depict Brahman as the Ultimate Reality, the Absolute or Paramatman (Universal Self). Brahman is the indescribable, inexhaustible, incorporeal, omniscient, omnipresent, original, first, eternal, both transcendent and immanent, absolute infinite existence, and the ultimate principle who is without a beginning, without an end , who is hidden in all and who is the cause, source, material, and effect of all creation known, unknown and yet to happen in the entire universe. Brahman ; Sanskrit: ब्रह्म, "the Supreme Being; the Absolute Reality; Godhead", from the verb brh, "to grow", and connotes "immensity" is the impersonal and immanent, infinite cause and support of the universe that has no form or attributes. The uncaused cause of the Universe; Satchiddnand (Existence-Consciousness-Bliss Absolute), The Eternal Changeless Reality, not conditioned by time, space and causation. Brahman is the basis, source and support of everything, the transcendent reality which is the Divine Ground of all matter, energy, time, space, being, and everything beyond in this universe. Its nature consists of the three incommunicable attributes of Sat (Absolute Being), Chit (Consciousness), Annand (Bliss). This Supreme Being assumes a dual nature of Male and Female. The male aspect is known as Purusha which means “that-which-fills “and the Female aspect is known as Shakti -Prana or “Energy.”

Brahman (not to be confused with the deity Brahma) is seen as a Cosmic Spirit. The personality behind Brahman is known as Param Brahman (The supreme Brahman). Brahman may be viewed as Nirguna Brahman (without personal attributes) or Sagun Brahman (with attributes). Brahman is not an object, as it is Invisible beyond the reach of the eyes or any physical instrument. Hence the Upanishads declare: “Neti Neti—not this, not this….” This does not mean that Brahman is a negative concept, or a metaphysical abstraction, or a nonentity, or a void. It is not another. It is all-full, infinite, changeless, self-existent, self-delight, self-knowledge, and self-bliss. It is Swaroopa, essence. It is the essence of the knower. It is the Drashta (seer), Turiya (transcendent) and Sakshi (silent witness).

The Vedic understanding of universal oneness

Thus, Brahman is present in everything. This matches very well with the concept of modern physics that everything is made out of the same fundamental particles. Another basic finding of quantum theory is the involvement of the observer in the observed things. It is impossible to separate the effect of the measuring apparatus from the object measured. Detachment of the two is just not possible. Such an idea about the observer and the object of observation is also emphasized in Upanishads. It is behind the holistic philosophy about mind and body. A leading current model of origin of universe assumes that there was total vacuum in the beginning and the universe arose from a quantum fluctuation.

In this way something came out of nothing. At that time, it was totally dark since light had not emerged from vacuum yet! Compare this model with the following quotation from Vayu Purana about origin of universe. “In the beginning, there was nothing in the universe. The Brahman (the divine essence) alone was everywhere.”

 The Brahman had neither colour nor scent; it could not be felt or touched. It had no origin, no beginning, or no end. The Brahman was constant and it was the origin of everything that was destined to be in the universe and the universe was shrouded in darkness Nasadiya Sukta (10th Mandal of Rig Veda, Hymns of Cosmic Creation ) also mentions that there was total darkness before creation. There are strange facts in the theory of relativity also; it requires that measurement of time depends on observer’s motion and also the strength of gravitational field he/she is in.

 An often-recurring mention in Hindu scriptures is that Brahma’s time is different from ours. When one hears about Arjun looking at the past, present and future in the mouth of Lord Krishna in Vishwa Rupa Darshan (Ch.11 of Bhagwat Gita), one is reminded of collapse of the space time coordinate system near singularities of general theory of relativity. Also, it is well known that Hindu scriptures came up with the correct order of magnitude of the age of universe of several billion years, when other religious systems insisted on the age to be a few thousand years.

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