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Man and Nature Unified
According to a commonly held idea, ancient cultures saw a unified creation, while we moderns look on a fragmented and divided world. The decline of faith has been blamed for this, as has the absence of myth, traditions, and social bonding. But I believe the opposite is true: The ancient way of understanding could barely explain a sliver of all the phenomena in nature, while physics today is on the verge of a “theory of everything.”
The eminent physicist John Wheeler makes a crucial point when he says that before Einstein, human beings thought that they were looking at nature “out there,” as if through a plateglass window, trying to figure out what external reality was doing.
Thanks to Einstein, we realize that we are embedded in nature; the observer changes reality by the very act of observation. Therefore, despite a widespread feeling of psychological alienation (the result of technology’s outstripping our ability to keep meaning alive), the duality of man and nature is shrinking with each successive generation.
Nature loves efficiency, which is very odd for something supposedly working at random. When you drop a ball, it falls straight down without taking unexpected detours. This expenditure of least energy, also called the the law of least effort, covers human beings, too. Cause and effect aren’t just linked; they are linked in the most efficient way possible.
This argument also applies to personal growth–the idea that everyone is doing the best he or she can from his or her own level of consciousness.
Adapted from The Book of Secrets, by Deepak Chopra (Harmony Books, 2004).
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add your comment »The fact that we could even have this discussion and exchange our thoughts instantly is a result of our continuous innovations, discoveries and technological breakthroughs. There is no doubt that the river of history has taken us towards greater understanding, knowledge, creativity and liberty. However, what's problematic is the way that we see and treat the world/nature, which reflects our world view of separation and duality. This view is largely shaped by modern western science. Under traditional wisdom/science, we saw and studied the world as a whole, while modern science cuts any subject into pieces and studies them separately. For example, Chinese medicine prescribes a combination of herbs that work together on different parts of our body to tackle the cause of illness; while western medicine usually contains single ingredient that suppresses the symptom. I wouldn't say that the modern science has caused duality, but it surely contributes to our separation from the nature, by giving birth to ambitions and tools for humans to control over, rather than coexist with the nature. Nevertheless, life is ever changing, and we are where we are for a reason. Enlightenment is an individual's self-discovery journey. We may live in different time-space, but the end results is the same--awaken to the Oneness.
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I agree Jillian, but computers now for me are my only connection to society. I am thankful for this technology but, at the same time always wishing too for today's generation to see nature and compassion in humanity its true..did Einstein even have a computer no.. so I was just thinking now what he would have invented??? Amazing thoughts Humm Love Brenda
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The present generation, in general, seems to be completely ignoring the wonders of nature. Without the temptation of a Play Station, as a child I would spend hours contemplating the wildlife and marvelling at the effect of the change of seasons. We may have advanced a lot in technology but we have reversed in humanity.
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Mentors Deepak,... you and Einstein are such mentors to us all Thank You
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the ancient way of understanding could barely explain a sliver of phenomena yet now modern medicine is looking back at their traditions. i wish to embrace these ancient understandings, i've all but given up on modern science. the decline of faith is due to modern culture's too heavy reliance on science and logic. appreciation for the unconscious realms and cultivation of virtues will bring us back closer to nature in a balanced way.
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Einstein realization of the "observer changes reality by the very act of observation". So profound and practical when one is present in the moment, a new world reality opens up.
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Einstein realization of the "observer changes reality by the very act of observation". So profound and practical when one is present in the moment, a new world reality opens up.
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