Science and Spirituality: Wonders of the Negligible
The bigger need not be always mightier. Rather, it is often experienced by those who can think deeper that — the subtler forms of matter and energy, and the subliminal currents of conscious force are exponentially more powerful than their gross manifestations. Equally noticeable is the fact that this power needs to be focused and used cautiously.
One kilogram of soil cannot do what an atom of its negligible particle could. What is an atom? An ensemble of orbiting electrons, and the nuclear protons and neutrons, or still subtler particles! At whatever level we consider its decomposition, this subtle unit of matter is indeed a source of immense energy.
The potency — the energy, of the drug constituents — are given maximum importance in Homeopathy. Dr. Heinemann, the founder of this system of medicine, had pioneered the potency theory. Later on, Dr. Schuessler had also emphasized similar facts in the principle of "Tissue Remedies."
Darwin, the father of the modern theory of evolution, was also interested in the subtler fields of energy. A Dutch scientist had apprised him of the finding that even a one hundred thousandth fraction of a grain of Atropine affects the eyes. Darwin responded in affirmation, saying — "In one experiment, I have seen how a millionth part of a milligram of Ammonia could stimulate an artery. A hundred and twenty millionth fraction of a tiny crystal of common salt also causes similar effects."
Dr. A. Singer had shown that whatever effect a milliliter of an acid would cause on the healthy body, similar would be the reaction of its two hundred thousandth milliliter. The iron content of milk is a very important factor in its being a healthy food. How much is this content? Almost a millionth fraction of a milligram of iron in 250 grams of milk! It sounds negligible. But Nature has adjusted everything so optimally. A little more of this amount would, on the contrary, make milk too heavy to be digested.
The root of manifestation of life in a human form is also so subtle! The zygote formed by conceiving of the sperm by the ovum is about a millionth of a cubic millimeter in size. Isn't it surprising that the marvelous creation of the human body is contained in such a microstructure which can't even be seen without an electronic microscope?
The amount of radium available in the world might weigh about ten ounce only. This element plays a key role in nuclear medicine. Its tiny amount, available on the earth so far, is estimated to be sufficient for all these applications for nearly next hundred years or so. Now, we can easily imagine how minute amount of it is required for the crucial applications!
The material world, the visible facts of life often appear quite familiar, sundry, mundane, ordinary and unattractive. But the sagacious seers, the great thinkers and the researchers of the subliminal world find absolute perfection, limitless knowledge and ever-new secrets of the ultimate truth embraced in its folds.
"The Brahma — the Omnipresent Supreme Consciousness manifests itself in Māyā — the physical world, the perceivable expression of Nature. Māyā is ultimately absorbed in the Brahma." These implications of the Vedanta Philosophy sound too 'abstract,' occult and confusing in general. However, advancement of the science and technology of nano-particles, detection of the self-existent energy fields of the Bosons at the root of creation of the universe indicate advancement of modern science in this direction. As it unfolds subtler forms of matter and energy, it would tend closer towards the ancient science.
Confluence of physical manifestation of Nature and the absolute power expressed in the realm of consciousness and life is a reflection of what is defined in the ancient Indian texts as the conjunction of the Prakriti and Purusha. This unique linkage of the manifested and the transcendental, of matter and consciousness, of the body and mind, is so deep, vast, and still, so subliminal that it cannot be described or deciphered completely.
The wider and higher we expand our outlook, and the deeper we immerse our intellect in the unlimited ocean of knowledge, the more astonishing wonders and completeness we would find in Nature. We may find His presence in a stone provided one has the trenchancy of pure vision to see the subliminal.
[A tribute note: Giordano Bruno, one of the best scientists of his times, had done research on Copernicus's theory and arrived at the conclusion that "the center of our universe is the Sun and like other planets, the Earth revolves around the Sun." Bruno's words were considered heresy by the Catholic Church and he was sentenced to be burnt alive. When the verdict was read out to him, he said, "I am truly scientific only because I am truly spiritual. Faith or science, both encourage the discovery of truth. They do not conflict with each other."]