Uncertainty & Causality:
As was mentioned in class, the West tends to have this obsession with accuracy. This is evident in the way that it practices science and medicine- having always to prove, quantifiably, a theory, or a drug or method of achieving health before the rest of the community can stand behind it. This is why Eastern medicine exceeds the comfort levels of the West, because many things are "uncertain" in the way that they can not be proven by instruments of science. (Such as Qi- the entire basis of the medicine).
But is this level of certainty truly necessary? To most of us in this Physics class, the answer would be no. Knowing that there are thousands of years of empirical data displaying the cause and effect of applying Chinese medicine gives us enough piece of mind. We trust that a medicine that is so rooted in nature- which runs perfectly as it should, always- is important enough to practice and promote.
And it seems that the collective consciousness is morphing into understanding that these tired theories of old white science men is a limited way of considering our universe. Being a more globalized society than ever, we benefit from the influence of other cultures which have, for generations, practiced things like Santeria, or Native American or African rituals. Practices that exceed the level of precise, quantification, yet clearly have an effect on change.
So, to address the question of whether our universe is weird, I look at the definition of "weird" to guide my response.
weird
suggesting something supernatural; uncanny.
uncanny
strange and mysterious, especially in an unsettling way.
I would say, yes. Our universe is weird. And it seems like there is a growing population of people who are OK with that, and embrace it. As one of my favorite lecturers said, many of us still have a lot of work to do with mastering our own personal universe, before we can even start to think about the universe beyond our planet.
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
Week 1- Intro & The Meaning of Time
What attracts me to Chinese Medicine?
As a younger person, I spent years working in gyms, which allowed me the opportunity to be educated about my own body, and to tune into it's functions and patterns. I also began to see, by way of observation, conversation, and teachings from my colleagues/ mentors, how the situations/ lifestyles/ environments of a variety of other types of people plays out in their overall health. This experience led to a fascination with the human body and how it can be manipulated to manifest as a wide spectrum of health. Massage therapy was my first step in engaging with this realm of the human experience on a deeper and professional level. However, I knew it was simply a stepping stone and that my curiosity spanned much farther than what the knowledge associated with massage therapy could provide. I also knew that my body would be ready to be done with giving massage after some years. Working along side Chinese Medicine over the last several years exposed me to its remarkable range as a healing practice. It's relationship with nature resonated with my deep connection with nature that became ingrained in me as a child. Chinese medicine made a lot of sense to me (on a rudimentary level), and I felt it was necessary for me to learn in order to pursue my vision of being a facilitator/ educator of empowered wellness (taking control of one's own health/life). So I decided to jump down the rabbit hole that I had been peering down for years.
What do I honestly think of Physics?
To date, I have never taken a physics class, so I don't have much of an opinion on it. However, I do know that, like chemistry, physics is responsible for the very foundational elements of life. So, I respected it as a field/ subject and I look forward to learning more about it.
Have I ever experiences time slowing down or speeding up?
As I mentioned in class, the first thing that came to mind with this topic was when I was younger and would get stoned, there were many times when I thought so much time had passed, yet actually very little had. It's as if time had stopped and allowed for experience to take place unconditionally. I suppose this is what attracts people to "drugs" because in a sober, responsible day, time often leads to pressure and uncomfortable stress and emotion.
Reflections and thoughts on Class:
Week one's class left me feeling intrigued and enthusiastic about the upcoming 13 weeks.
The topic of Time itself is interesting to explore as modern beings and is often put into perspective using experiences.
For example, when you stare at the clock waiting for your work shift to be over, or to ensure you are keeping on track with your schedule. Thus, experiences are what create our perception of time and also effect our attitude towards it. So, the "Meaning" of time, or what is meant by "time," is really our experience of space, quantified by a numerical value that we learned about during our primary years.
Then again, having awareness of time can also put experiences into perspective. Such as when you reflect back on the years you have been in a relationship with your partner, or for those who become terminally ill and are then aware of their shortened life time.
Being aware of time alone can often lead to unbalanced emotional states, such as worry, fear, sadness, or excessive joy. This is where the practice of Mindfulness and Meditation come in as an important practice because it allows one to balance their awareness of time and space, so as to remain more grounded in it.
As a younger person, I spent years working in gyms, which allowed me the opportunity to be educated about my own body, and to tune into it's functions and patterns. I also began to see, by way of observation, conversation, and teachings from my colleagues/ mentors, how the situations/ lifestyles/ environments of a variety of other types of people plays out in their overall health. This experience led to a fascination with the human body and how it can be manipulated to manifest as a wide spectrum of health. Massage therapy was my first step in engaging with this realm of the human experience on a deeper and professional level. However, I knew it was simply a stepping stone and that my curiosity spanned much farther than what the knowledge associated with massage therapy could provide. I also knew that my body would be ready to be done with giving massage after some years. Working along side Chinese Medicine over the last several years exposed me to its remarkable range as a healing practice. It's relationship with nature resonated with my deep connection with nature that became ingrained in me as a child. Chinese medicine made a lot of sense to me (on a rudimentary level), and I felt it was necessary for me to learn in order to pursue my vision of being a facilitator/ educator of empowered wellness (taking control of one's own health/life). So I decided to jump down the rabbit hole that I had been peering down for years.
What do I honestly think of Physics?
To date, I have never taken a physics class, so I don't have much of an opinion on it. However, I do know that, like chemistry, physics is responsible for the very foundational elements of life. So, I respected it as a field/ subject and I look forward to learning more about it.
Have I ever experiences time slowing down or speeding up?
As I mentioned in class, the first thing that came to mind with this topic was when I was younger and would get stoned, there were many times when I thought so much time had passed, yet actually very little had. It's as if time had stopped and allowed for experience to take place unconditionally. I suppose this is what attracts people to "drugs" because in a sober, responsible day, time often leads to pressure and uncomfortable stress and emotion.
Reflections and thoughts on Class:
Week one's class left me feeling intrigued and enthusiastic about the upcoming 13 weeks.
The topic of Time itself is interesting to explore as modern beings and is often put into perspective using experiences.
For example, when you stare at the clock waiting for your work shift to be over, or to ensure you are keeping on track with your schedule. Thus, experiences are what create our perception of time and also effect our attitude towards it. So, the "Meaning" of time, or what is meant by "time," is really our experience of space, quantified by a numerical value that we learned about during our primary years.
Then again, having awareness of time can also put experiences into perspective. Such as when you reflect back on the years you have been in a relationship with your partner, or for those who become terminally ill and are then aware of their shortened life time.
Being aware of time alone can often lead to unbalanced emotional states, such as worry, fear, sadness, or excessive joy. This is where the practice of Mindfulness and Meditation come in as an important practice because it allows one to balance their awareness of time and space, so as to remain more grounded in it.
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