E=MC^2 was abstract for me until I read this description of an experiment:
"When two particles collide with high energies, they generally break into pieces, but these pieces are not smaller than the original particles. They are again particles of the same kind and are created out of the energy of motion (kinetic energy) involved in the collision process...This way, we can divide matter again and again, but we never obtain smaller pieces because we just create particles out of the energy involved in the process."
- The Tao of Physics
This made the concept more accessible! From here, it was easy to make the jump from particles colliding to the action of healing with energy. I could see how an experienced practitioner could direct intentional kinetic energy to another creature, and how that energy could affect the mass of the recipient. Moving from the quantum level (or level of intent) to the macro level.
Compare the 4 forces:
Strong force: (strongest)
Responsible for binding together the fundamental particles of nature to form larger particles
Electromagnetic force: (second strongest)
The electric force around charged particles which dictates whether two particles are attracted or repelled. Like charges repel, unlike charges attract.
Weak force: (3rd strongest)
Largely responsible for decay actions, works at very short ranges. This involves particles being attracted to each other, and neutron, electron and proton all changing into each other and setting off decay processes. It's like that anime cartoon where a character crushes on everyone and changes gender when confronted with water. Weak force is responsible for nuclear fission
Gravity: (weakest)
Originally included in the 4 forces, it was later kicked out of the club. Rather than a constant, innate, separate force which pulls objects to itself, as Newton had it; Einstein noted that an object's gravitational pull on the spacetime around it depends on its relative mass. Massive objects exert influence over everything around them, even bending space-time around itself. This 'bending' is felt as gravity. Gravity was evidence towards Einstein's theory of general relativity.
This is all correct but hard for me to conceptualize in this form. I think I need to borrow this brilliant idea from Rachelle: "I think of the great formless Tao and how everything arose from this primordial sea. Even as I learn about the four forces, it is undeniable that even the forces had once been in an inseparable unity."
I love this idea - that the forces were once one primordial force - like how the Chong channel was the first meridian from which all the others sprang. 1 = Chong. 2 = Ren/Du or Yin/Yang. and from 2 comes many.
I think I can understand the concepts better when translated into mythological archetypes:
Strong nuclear = the Creatrix, which brings forth structure from a formless void;
Electromagnetic = the dual deities of love and war;
Weak nuclear force = the spark of innovation? Small changes which change the destiny of nations.
Gravity = Hmm. any ideas?
"When two particles collide with high energies, they generally break into pieces, but these pieces are not smaller than the original particles. They are again particles of the same kind and are created out of the energy of motion (kinetic energy) involved in the collision process...This way, we can divide matter again and again, but we never obtain smaller pieces because we just create particles out of the energy involved in the process."
- The Tao of Physics
This made the concept more accessible! From here, it was easy to make the jump from particles colliding to the action of healing with energy. I could see how an experienced practitioner could direct intentional kinetic energy to another creature, and how that energy could affect the mass of the recipient. Moving from the quantum level (or level of intent) to the macro level. Compare the 4 forces:
Strong force: (strongest)
Responsible for binding together the fundamental particles of nature to form larger particles
Electromagnetic force: (second strongest)
The electric force around charged particles which dictates whether two particles are attracted or repelled. Like charges repel, unlike charges attract.
Weak force: (3rd strongest)
Largely responsible for decay actions, works at very short ranges. This involves particles being attracted to each other, and neutron, electron and proton all changing into each other and setting off decay processes. It's like that anime cartoon where a character crushes on everyone and changes gender when confronted with water. Weak force is responsible for nuclear fission
Gravity: (weakest)
Originally included in the 4 forces, it was later kicked out of the club. Rather than a constant, innate, separate force which pulls objects to itself, as Newton had it; Einstein noted that an object's gravitational pull on the spacetime around it depends on its relative mass. Massive objects exert influence over everything around them, even bending space-time around itself. This 'bending' is felt as gravity. Gravity was evidence towards Einstein's theory of general relativity.
This is all correct but hard for me to conceptualize in this form. I think I need to borrow this brilliant idea from Rachelle: "I think of the great formless Tao and how everything arose from this primordial sea. Even as I learn about the four forces, it is undeniable that even the forces had once been in an inseparable unity."
I love this idea - that the forces were once one primordial force - like how the Chong channel was the first meridian from which all the others sprang. 1 = Chong. 2 = Ren/Du or Yin/Yang. and from 2 comes many.
I think I can understand the concepts better when translated into mythological archetypes:
Strong nuclear = the Creatrix, which brings forth structure from a formless void;
Electromagnetic = the dual deities of love and war;
Weak nuclear force = the spark of innovation? Small changes which change the destiny of nations.
Gravity = Hmm. any ideas?
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