If "everything is energy" then what does this mean?

[Jumi]

That's actually a great idea. I guess the experimentalist in me is a bit reluctant to bias responses (plus, there isn't any consistent definition within physics, although things improve if one considers only modern physics)

Let me offer some definitions or simplifications. I know this isn't perfect so I invite others to expand and correct what I offer:

Energy is related to the amount of work that can be done. A stone dropped from 5m height transfers it's potential energy to the ground. Often we can quite accurately predict how much energy is transferred into heat, if we are for example burning fuel to propel our rocket.

In certain states of consciousness such as we can achieve in meditative techniques, prayer or even sport we feel as though energy is moving in our bodies and in the surroundings or even that we become part of that. What this energy is, doesn't translate to work directly. Why it's called energy comes from association with what energy produces in the world around us and our experiences of it. It can be the feeling of wind passing through our bones and blood vessels, lightness when running as if we were carried by it or fire or numerous other sensations that are called "energy".

The confusion comes when a mystic or someone interested in this equates these experiences with physical processes. We say we experienced energy or even the Universe/God as energy, but what is it? We can't burn things with it or use it to propel ourselves.

 

[ak.yonathan]

Let me offer some definitions or simplifications. I know this isn't perfect so I invite others to expand and correct what I offer:

Energy is related to the amount of work that can be done. A stone dropped from 5m height transfers it's potential energy to the ground. Often we can quite accurately predict how much energy is transferred into heat, if we are for example burning fuel to propel our rocket.

In certain states of consciousness such as we can achieve in meditative techniques, prayer or even sport we feel as though energy is moving in our bodies and in the surroundings or even that we become part of that. What this energy is, doesn't translate to work directly. Why it's called energy comes from association with what energy produces in the world around us and our experiences of it. It can be the feeling of wind passing through our bones and blood vessels, lightness when running as if we were carried by it or fire or numerous other sensations that are called "energy".

The confusion comes when a mystic or someone interested in this equates these experiences with physical processes. We say we experienced energy or even the Universe/God as energy, but what is it? We can't burn things with it or use it to propel ourselves.

I think that if something can perform work than it is energy. To the best of my understanding work is inducing change that does not happen on its own. God would be an omnipotent being henceforth He should be able to do things that what we perceive to be normal energy cannot do.

 

[BSM1]

I've often heard people say that in some sense or another "everything" (whatever that is) is "energy". This confuses me, to put it bluntly. I often work with "energy" as it is "defined" (exists? described?) in modern physics, and this has not helped me understand the assertion that everything is energy. So if any members believe this and would be willing to describe what this belief means (or if any members are more knowledgeable about what this means than I) I would be grateful for an explanation as to what "everything is energy" means (e.g., what is the nature of this "energy"? why ought we to believe that everything is indeed a form of or made out of this "energy"? etc.). Thanks!

I have read somewhere that matter is simply energy slowed down (don't know if this helps or hurts).

No, everything is not energy, empty space is not energy, however everything that is not empty space is energy. Personally I like to think of it as there being a dualism in reality, there exists empty space and energy, kind of like the yin-yang philosophy.

The jury is still out as the whether there is such a thing as "empty space", i.e. dark matter. Also yin-yang is simply two sides of the same energy.

 

[Yerda]

I'm not sure at all but I think some people see energy as some kind of fundamental state and that things can be described in relation to pure energy. Everything that occurs seems to involve/require some kind of transfer or transformation of energy so perhaps they assume that whe we get down to brass tacks energy is all we find. I'm guessing.

It's kind of seductive in its simplicity but even in classical physics (where I think we take most of our intuitions about energy from) energy isn't a fundamental unit. It's expressed in terms of length, time, and mass so immediately we can say those things can't be energy.

 

[4consideration]

I've often heard people say that in some sense or another "everything" (whatever that is) is "energy". This confuses me, to put it bluntly. I often work with "energy" as it is "defined" (exists? described?) in modern physics, and this has not helped me understand the assertion that everything is energy. So if any members believe this and would be willing to describe what this belief means (or if any members are more knowledgeable about what this means than I) I would be grateful for an explanation as to what "everything is energy" means (e.g., what is the nature of this "energy"? why ought we to believe that everything is indeed a form of or made out of this "energy"? etc.). Thanks!

It has typically been my understanding this expression of "everything is energy" having to do with everything vibrating, and that vibrating was being equated with "energy."

However, in thinking about this some more, especially in seeing your question about how it relates to "work" I'd like to throw something out there for your consideration and response.

Is everything made up of atoms? I would answer that questions with, yes.

Is there "work" going on in every atom? I think there might be.

I'm not sure if classical physics, or modern physics, sees it that way, but it looks that way to me.

If there is a strong force holding the nucleus of an atom together, and without that strong force, the protons would fly apart, I think it may be fair to say that everything made of atoms has some level of "work" going on in order to keep itself together.

If "work" is necessary for defining "energy," it could be that everything is energy, when viewed from this perspective.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

I've often heard people say that in some sense or another "everything" (whatever that is) is "energy". This confuses me, to put it bluntly. I often work with "energy" as it is "defined" (exists? described?) in modern physics, and this has not helped me understand the assertion that everything is energy. So if any members believe this and would be willing to describe what this belief means (or if any members are more knowledgeable about what this means than I) I would be grateful for an explanation as to what "everything is energy" means (e.g., what is the nature of this "energy"? why ought we to believe that everything is indeed a form of or made out of this "energy"? etc.). Thanks!

They don't mean "energy" in same sense as physics. IMO, they mean something more like "a thing that I think I can 'feel' (like static electricity or psychosomatic sensations) but that is undetectable, but plausibly so, to a casual observer."

You know: "energy".

 

[Quintessence]

Don't know if you were thinking of things I've said, but when speaking from a non-science perspective, I'll use the term "energy" to designate the preternatural "feel" of things that relate to an object's nature. To put it another way, the "energy" of a piece of wood is the impression we get of it, through our senses and through intuition. Such is how the term is sometimes used in occult/magical circles, at any rate. This concept should not be confused with "energy" as used in the sciences, and in particular in physics, but unfortunately, it is often confused with this.

I don't think I would ever say "everything is energy," but I would say everything has energy, or a "feel" or "vibe" we can sense.

 

[atanu]

May be we can say that the manifested universe is 'karma' -- the works.

As much as I respect you and your worldview, I don't necessarily understand it. Thus, alas, whilst you may perhaps say that the universe is X, that doesn't mean I'm smart enough to get it.

There is no physics in what I said.

In my world view, the universe is result of work (Karma in Hinduism and kamma in Buddhism) happening in the non dual chitta (mind), which rises as manifestation of desire in non dual Brahman -- which is of the nature of Truth (ever existing)-Awareness (never unaware)-Bliss (ever devoid of pain). One can learn of Karma here:

http://hinduism.about.com/od/basics/a/karma.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karma

And Brahman here:
http://hinduism.about.com/od/basics/a/brahman.htm

For example, a thought "Let me be many" arising in non dual brahman is a karma.

Hope it is a bit clearer.

 

[LegionOnomaMoi]

There is no physics in what I said.

I didn't say there was, and perhaps that's my problem. I just don't understand it. I will re-read what you've written and try again. And I do thank you!

 

[LegionOnomaMoi]

They don't mean "energy" in same sense as physics.

That much usually seems clear (although sometimes, as evidenced by the attempts to equate matter and energy to be equal in this thread alone, it seems "they" do).

IMO, they mean something more like "a thing that I think I can 'feel' (like static electricity or psychosomatic sensations) but that is undetectable, but plausibly so, to a casual observer."

Thank you!

You know: "energy".

If I knew, I wouldn't have started this thread!

 

[LegionOnomaMoi]

Don't know if you were thinking of things I've said, but when speaking from a non-science perspective, I'll use the term "energy" to designate the preternatural "feel" of things that relate to an object's nature. To put it another way, the "energy" of a piece of wood is the impression we get of it, through our senses and through intuition. Such is how the term is sometimes used in occult/magical circles, at any rate. This concept should not be confused with "energy" as used in the sciences, and in particular in physics, but unfortunately, it is often confused with this.

This is, perhaps, the best (for me!) answer yet. If you would be willing to expand on it here (or via messaging) I would be extremely grateful. I have some familiarity with "occult/magical circles", or at least I hope I have enough better grasp how practitioners understand the nature of the intuitive feel you refer to. I understand, of course, that without such experiences I won't ever really "get" what this means, but I think I will be content if I can merely better understand. Thanks!

 

[Rick O'Shez]

Everything is in motion. So you could say that everything has energy. I think.

 

[Papoon]

No, everything is not energy, empty space is not energy, however everything that is not empty space is energy. Personally I like to think of it as there being a dualism in reality, there exists empty space and energy, kind of like the yin-yang philosophy.

There is no such 'thing' as empty space. It is an abstraction. A concept.
Can you provide any evidence that empty space 'exists' ?
The appearance of 'space' is a construct in your brain.
And your brain may well be a construct in your mind.

I need a drink. Or maybe another yin-yang.

 

[Ben Dhyan]

I've often heard people say that in some sense or another "everything" (whatever that is) is "energy". This confuses me, to put it bluntly. I often work with "energy" as it is "defined" (exists? described?) in modern physics, and this has not helped me understand the assertion that everything is energy. So if any members believe this and would be willing to describe what this belief means (or if any members are more knowledgeable about what this means than I) I would be grateful for an explanation as to what "everything is energy" means (e.g., what is the nature of this "energy"? why ought we to believe that everything is indeed a form of or made out of this "energy"? etc.). Thanks!

There is matter and there is energy....that is a fact....but I would like to learn in layman's terms what is happening to particles in the CERN LHC.. I mean I understand generally what is involved in Lepton particle antiparticle collisions where the energy released is proportional to the combined mass of the two particles according to E = MC^2, but where the energy released takes the form of some radiation quanta such as Gamma Rays such as with an electron positron pair...but which are ultimately reabsorbed and revert back to the electron anti-electron pair....but is there a similar or analogous process with Hadron particles when processed in the Collider?

Please...I know you would love to share your deeper mathematical understanding and it's not that I do not respect it, I admire and love you for it and would also love to understand...but if it all goes over our head, it's a lose - lose instead of a win - win situation. If you could though explain simply the relatively more convoluted transformations and transmutations of larger particle mass to energy and reversion to particle mass cycles associated with the LHC, it would be appreciated.

What really intrigues me though is what energy is constituted of?....And if you think there could be some sort of ubiquitous cosmic energy resonant field that acts like some form of 'reservoir' that helps to regulate all the mass - energy transactions going on at every level over time and space?

 

[ak.yonathan]

There is no such 'thing' as empty space. It is an abstraction. A concept.
Can you provide any evidence that empty space 'exists' ?
The appearance of 'space' is a construct in your brain.
And your brain may well be a construct in your mind.

I need a drink. Or maybe another yin-yang.

Okay, maybe you're right, then again maybe tomorrow someone will show that empty space really does exist, either way it's too early to tell.

 

[Ben Dhyan]

Okay, maybe you're right, then again maybe tomorrow someone will show that empty space really does exist, either way it's too early to tell.

If that were possible...that someone would need a pretty good Dewar flask to prove it...

 

[Papoon]

If that were possible...that someone would need a pretty good Dewar flask to prove it...

Dewar eh ? Gotta get me some of that

 

[Milton Platt]

No, everything is not energy, empty space is not energy, however everything that is not empty space is energy. Personally I like to think of it as there being a dualism in reality, there exists empty space and energy, kind of like the yin-yang philosophy.

Where would you find "empty space"? Maybe the space between the nucleus and the electrons of an atom? Outer space is not empty.

 

[ak.yonathan]

Where would you find "empty space"? Maybe the space between the nucleus and the electrons of an atom? Outer space is not empty.

Any place devoid of massive objects.

 

[Milton Platt]

I've often heard people say that in some sense or another "everything" (whatever that is) is "energy". This confuses me, to put it bluntly. I often work with "energy" as it is "defined" (exists? described?) in modern physics, and this has not helped me understand the assertion that everything is energy. So if any members believe this and would be willing to describe what this belief means (or if any members are more knowledgeable about what this means than I) I would be grateful for an explanation as to what "everything is energy" means (e.g., what is the nature of this "energy"? why ought we to believe that everything is indeed a form of or made out of this "energy"? etc.). Thanks!

When you can find a scientific dissertation that states that everything is energy, we can have a real conversation here.....