Scientists actually do know everything about the universe.

[Rick O'Shez]

Start another thread if you want to preach your DIY religion. Don't hijack this one.

Returning to the OP, I reckon we know relatively little about the universe at present, and the limitations of our senses and intellect mean that we will always be limited to a partial understanding.

Dark energy and dark matter are just two of the mysteries to grapple with. It's quite possible we will never know what "caused" the big bang.

 

[godnotgod]

It's quite possible we will never know what "caused" the big bang.

...maybe because there was no 'cause'.

‘Time, space and causation are like the glass through which the Absolute is seen…In the Absolute there is neither time, space, nor causation.’
~Vivekananda

 

[Rick O'Shez]

 

[godnotgod]

...which is to say:

'Golly Gee Whillikers...I really do think there was a cause...yuk!....wasn't there?...well....wasn't there?....Oh my...my mind is SO muddled!'

 

[godnotgod]

Think: For there to have been a 'cause' to the BB, there would have to have been a cause to the cause. Now we have the perennial problem of infinite regression, you see. Science operates upon two assumptions: that the 'material' world is real, and that it was caused. Today, Quantum Physics points to a virtual reality, rather than a material world, since all of the mass of the atom is virtual, as it is created by fluctuations in the Quantum and Higgs Fields.

 

[Jonathan Ainsley Bain]

At least in size and the universe is flat.

http://www.isciencetimes.com/articl...ed-perfect-accuracy-infinite-flat-eternal.htm

Perfect accuracy! Almost.. .

If the universe is infinite, and not curved in 4-d space,
then the Earth is at the center, because of the red shift of furthest galaxies.

If the Earth is not at the center, and all parts of it are equally expanding away from each other,
then the universe is a 4-d sphere.

The balloon analogy +1 extra dimension.
A bit tricky to imagine an extra dimension of space, a bit like
it is a bit tricky to envision the Earth not being flat, when our common
perception is that it appears pretty flat.

 

[godnotgod]

The notion that Causation is how the Universe came into existence is sometimes referred to as 'Billiard Ball' physics. Add Time and Space to this and we have the 3 scientific concepts employed by the rational mind to 'explain' the Universe.

 

[godnotgod]

Instead of talking about a 'material' reality the way classical physics does, Quantum Physics points to this 'material' world as 'possibility'. IOW, 'reality' is, in reality, a virtual reality. Continuing to look at Reality via the conceptual filters of Time, Space, and Causation appears archaic when these filters are finally put aside:

"Taking in what quantum physics is revealing to us about the universe we inhabit is “psycho-activating” beyond belief, in that it activates the psyche, inspires the imagination and synchronistically dissolves the boundary between mind and matter*.... In discovering the quantum, physics has indisputably encountered consciousness – there is simply no avoiding this fact....

Quantum physics is the most subversive of all the sciences, having created a “reality crisis” in the field of physics such that the very idea of “reality” itself has been undermined, relegated to being a questionable, ambiguous and twilight concept. The very “reality” that pre-quantum physics had been studying has been demonstrated by quantum physics to not even exist!

Physicists who study their own theory have, in their attempts at grasping its implications, lost their grip on reality, finding nothing, absolutely nothing to hold onto. Quantum physics has pulled the rug out from under us only to reveal no floor below, no place on which to take a stand, as the notion of a seemingly solid, objectively existing world evaporates like dewdrops in the morning sunlight."

Check out the rest of this great article on Quantum Physics and Consciousness here:

http://www.awakeninthedream.com/quantum-physics-the-physics-of-dreaming/

*"The spiritual experience is the merging of the observer, the observed, and the entire process of observation into a single Reality"

Deepak Chopra

 

[Rick O'Shez]

Yuk! Quantum mysticism and flapdoodle! Pretentious pseudoscience! Bring me my sick bucket!

"In contrast to the mysticism of Schrödinger and Heisenberg, today quantum mysticism typically refers to its New Age incarnation that combines ancient mysticism with quantum mechanics. Called a pseudoscience and a "hijacking" of quantum physics, it draws upon "coincidental similarities of language rather than genuine connections" to quantum mechanics.[8] Physicist Murray Gell-Mann coined the phrase "quantum flapdoodle" to refer to the misuse and misapplication of quantum physics to other topics.[18]
An example of such misuse is New Age guru Deepak Chopra's "quantum theory" that aging is caused by the mind, expounded in his books Quantum Healing (1989) and Ageless Body, Timeless Mind (1993).[18] In 1998 Chopra was awarded the parody Ig Nobel Prize in the physics category for "his unique interpretation of quantum physics as it applies to life, liberty, and the pursuit of economic happiness".[19]"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_mysticism

 

[godnotgod]

Yuk! Quantum mysticism and flapdoodle! Pretentious pseudoscience! Bring me my sick bucket!

I find it a curious thing that, while I was using the word 'Yuk!' to mean a kind of chuckling laughter, a la Curly of 3 Stooges fame, you used it to mean something you found disgusting, LOL. Must be due to a rare condition known as Kneeosis Jerkynensis, which short-circuits the brain for a more immediate yet mindless response.....twoing!

 

[godnotgod]

An example of such misuse is New Age guru Deepak Chopra's "quantum theory" that aging is caused by the mind...."

...or perhaps more accurately, by a lack of mindfullness, attentiveness, and focus, as in 'mind-wandering':

http://happinessbeyondthought.blogspot.com/2013/01/premature-aging-caused-by-mind.html

hmmmmm.....I wonder if kneeosis jerkynensis causes premature aging, as in 'stagnant backwater'?..... just sayin'....

 

[Rick O'Shez]

I find it a curious thing that, while I was using the word 'Yuk!' to mean a kind of chuckling laughter, a la Curly of 3 Stooges fame, you used it to mean something you found disgusting, LOL.

Flap-doodling new-age prophets like yourself do make me rather nauseous, it's the pervasive reek of BS I suppose.

 

[godnotgod]

Flap-doodling new-age prophets like yourself do make me rather nauseous, it's the pervasive reek of BS I suppose.

hmmmm.....must be the overpowering stench of that stagnant Hinayanist backwater you persist in wallowing in to the degree that you are not even aware of it.

Did you say I was a 'new age prophet'? Which doctrine is it that you suppose I am pushing? I don't recall fostering any particular doctrine at all, so you must know more than I.

 

[Rick O'Shez]

hmmmm.....must be the overpowering stench of that stagnant Hinayanist backwater you persist in wallowing in to the degree that you are not even aware of it.

Instead of the lame ad-homs, and knee-jerk defensiveness, how about you address the valid criticisms in the Wiki article?

"In contrast to the mysticism of Schrödinger and Heisenberg, today quantum mysticism typically refers to its New Age incarnation that combines ancient mysticism with quantum mechanics. Called a pseudoscience and a "hijacking" of quantum physics, it draws upon "coincidental similarities of language rather than genuine connections" to quantum mechanics.[8] Physicist Murray Gell-Mann coined the phrase "quantum flapdoodle" to refer to the misuse and misapplication of quantum physics to other topics.[18]
An example of such misuse is New Age guru Deepak Chopra's "quantum theory" that aging is caused by the mind, expounded in his books Quantum Healing (1989) and Ageless Body, Timeless Mind (1993).[18] In 1998 Chopra was awarded the parody Ig Nobel Prize in the physics category for "his unique interpretation of quantum physics as it applies to life, liberty, and the pursuit of economic happiness".[19]"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_mysticism

 

[godnotgod]

Flap-doodling new-age prophets like yourself do make me rather nauseous, it's the pervasive reek of BS I suppose.

hmmmm.....must be the stench of that stagnant Hinayanist backwater you persist in wallowing in to the degree that you are not even aware of it.

Did you say I was a 'new age prophet'? Which doctrine is it that you suppose I am pushing? I don't recall fostering any particular doctrine at all, so you must know more than I.

Instead of the lame ad-homs, and knee-jerk defensiveness, how about you address the valid criticisms in the Wiki article?

"In contrast to the mysticism of Schrödinger and Heisenberg, today quantum mysticism typically refers to its New Age incarnation that combines ancient mysticism with quantum mechanics. Called a pseudoscience and a "hijacking" of quantum physics, it draws upon "coincidental similarities of language rather than genuine connections" to quantum mechanics.[8] Physicist Murray Gell-Mann coined the phrase "quantum flapdoodle" to refer to the misuse and misapplication of quantum physics to other topics.[18]
An example of such misuse is New Age guru Deepak Chopra's "quantum theory" that aging is caused by the mind, expounded in his books Quantum Healing (1989) and Ageless Body, Timeless Mind (1993).[18] In 1998 Chopra was awarded the parody Ig Nobel Prize in the physics category for "his unique interpretation of quantum physics as it applies to life, liberty, and the pursuit of economic happiness".[19]"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_mysticism

As usual, you're not paying attention. I did address the part about Chopra and aging, if you will only look. That alone is sufficient to discredit the author of tyour Wiki article as misinformed and therefore presenting an overall slanted and erroneous view, in much the same manner as your ridiculous knee jerk responses, which have no basis in fact, and which pinpoint both of you as still dwelling as prisoners in Plato's Cave, whose enslaved attention is locked on those tantalizing dancing cave wall shadows as representing 'reality'. It's not that Quantum Physics has been hijacked by anyone; it's simply that your stagnant but comfy materialist paradigm is keeping you ignorant as to the real implications of Quantum Physics. You still want to box it in with the conceptual mind, when it is clearly outside the realm of the rational mind. See the article I posted on Quantum Physics and Consciousness to get the real feel of this great new discovery which defies and actually negates the sterile materialist viewpoint.

Once glimpsed, you will never return to the contrived safety and comfort of Plato's Cave.

Ready?

If you really want more concrete scientific proof of the new science, watch this video:

(You didn't answer the question: show me the doctrine you claim I espouse as a 'new age prophet'.)

 

[Rick O'Shez]

I did address the part about Chopra and aging, if you will only look. That alone is sufficient to discredit the author of tyour Wiki article as misinformed and therefore presenting an overall slanted and erroneous view, in much the same manner as your ridiculous knee jerk responses, which have no basis in fact, and which pinpoint both of you as still dwelling as prisoners in Plato's Cave, whose enslaved attention is locked on those tantalizing dancing cave wall shadows as representing 'reality'. It's not that Quantum Physics has been hijacked by anyone; it's simply that your stagnant but comfy materialist paradigm is keeping you ignorant as to the real implications of Quantum Physics. You still want to box it in with the conceptual mind, when it is clearly outside the realm of the rational mind.

More hollow new-age rhetoric, preachy twaddle.

The Wiki article neatly demolishes your flap-doodle pseudo-science, and your hero Deepak Chopra is a fraud. Get over it. Wake up and smell the coffee.

Here is some more stuff to ponder, but do try to avoid your usual dismissive knee-jerk reaction to anything which challenges your blinkered new-age dogma:

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/14/science/far-out-man-but-is-it-quantum-physics.html?_r=0

http://www.federaljack.com/ebooks/C...enger - The Myth of Quantum Consciousness.pdf

http://www.csicop.org/si/show/quantum_quackery

http://mattleifer.info/2009/07/08/debunking-the-quantum-mystics/

 

[godnotgod]

More hollow new-age rhetoric, preachy twaddle.

The Wiki article neatly demolishes your flap-doodle pseudo-science, and your hero Deepak Chopra is a fraud. Get over it. Wake up and smell the coffee.

Here is some more stuff to ponder, but do try to avoid your usual dismissive knee-jerk reaction to anything which challenges your blinkered new-age dogma:

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/14/science/far-out-man-but-is-it-quantum-physics.html?_r=0

http://www.federaljack.com/ebooks/Consciousness Books Collection/Victor Stenger - The Myth of Quantum Consciousness.pdf

http://www.csicop.org/si/show/quantum_quackery

http://mattleifer.info/2009/07/08/debunking-the-quantum-mystics/

Your argument, if you can call it that, is pure fluff, so I won't waste any more time with you and your New Age Hindu ideas and obvious attempt to hijack this thread. If you can't produce an argument on a reasonably intelligent level, then there's nothing to discuss. So if there's nothing more to present that has any worthwhile content, other than the usual vindictive, I bid thee farewell.

 

[Rick O'Shez]

Your argument, if you can call it that, is pure fluff, so I won't waste any more time with you and your New Age Hindu ideas and obvious attempt to hijack this thread. If you can't produce an argument on a reasonably intelligent level, then there's nothing to discuss. So if there's nothing more to present that has any worthwhile content, other than the usual vindictive, I bid thee farewell.

You were the one who introduced pseudo-science and mysticism into the discussion, as you always do. You are like a broken record. It's very revealing that you have failed to provide a coherent response to the criticisms of pseudo-science that I have just presented. It is further demonstration that you are only interested in preaching your new-age fluff, and not at all interested in a genuine debate about these ideas.

You are just another self-proclaimed prophet on an ego-trip, and you simply cannot cope when your strange pronouncements are challenged. You are not the least bit interested in what other people have to say, all you want to do is hijack threads and fill them with your Chopra-inspired babble.

You should really be blogging instead of continually derailing threads.

 

[godnotgod]

You were the one who introduced pseudo-science and mysticism into the discussion, as you always do. You are like a broken record. It's very revealing that you have failed to provide a coherent response to the criticisms of pseudo-science that I have just presented. It is further demonstration that you are only interested in preaching your new-age fluff, and not at all interested in a genuine debate about these ideas.

You are just another self-proclaimed prophet on an ego-trip, and you simply cannot cope when your strange pronouncements are challenged. You are not the least bit interested in what other people have to say, all you want to do is hijack threads and fill them with your Chopra-inspired babble.

You should really be blogging instead of continually derailing threads.

I can't properly address your (and others) ignorant interpretations of the mystical view.

Where I started out with your position is to criticize the fact that you began with an assumption, one which I logically pointed out as flawed, and to which you never responded in a rational manner. Instead, you flew off the handle, as you always do, and went for the jugular, while foaming at the mouth. A rational discussion is impossible with a rabid mentality.

You claim to have practiced Zen, but exhibit no understanding of this discipline, as it is the mystical branch of Buddhism, and which relies upon the intuitive mind, rather than the thinking mind. All you really are is a Legalist, demanding rational 'explanations' your conceptual mind feels comfortable with, while missing the moon that Zen is pointing to, a fact that I, ben d, and several other members have consistently pointed out about your mindset. Buddhism is never about clinging to safe and comfortable notions that make you feel good, but about going beyond what the rational mind is saying, so it is about SEEING, rather than about thinking. But being a Buddhist is not essential to a shift in attention to see what is being pointed out. What IS essential is to let go the baggage of preconceived notions about Reality that you constantly lug around, and which is the cause of your silly knee-jerk responses.

I see that 30 years of Buddhist practice have gotten you nowhere. Time to leave that 'stagnant backwater' of Hinayana Buddhism, as someone once pointed out.

You see the pointing to a view other than the current materialist paradigm as 'hijacking this thread'. Fear of new ideas is a terrible obstacle to overcome, is it not?

You falsely claim I am advancing a pseudo-scientific view. Did you watch the video I provided from Nassim Haramein, a physicist currently highly touted in the scientific world?

Second request:
(You didn't answer the question: show me the doctrine you claim I espouse as a 'new age prophet'.)

 

[Rick O'Shez]

The same old ad-hom attacks, and hollow rhetoric, you are like a broken record.

All a smoke screen to avoid addressing the valid criticisms made of your pseudo-science in the Wiki article and the other articles I posted.

Further evidence that you are here to prosletyse and not to debate.