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TOWARDS A MATHEMATICAL THEORY OFSPIRITUALITY BASED ON ADVAITA (PART-II)*
Raju Chidambaram, Ph.D
.
Alexandria,Virginia
ABSTRACT
The mathematical model introduced in Part-1 is further developed and analyzed to show:
●
In the case of jeevas with uniform (i.e. non-varying) spiritual detachment, a result is derived which in form and content is identical to a famous result in Special Relativity Theory, thus forging a strong relationship between Advaita and Modern Physics.
●
Based on the concept of kalpa and Brahma-days, the above result is applied to quantify the near-perfect spiritual state of Brahmaji. The model assumes that Ishwara (as Brahmaji, the creator) selects the one path of evolution for the world to follow from the various possible alternatives available at every moment.
●
In the general case of jeevas subject to forces accelerating or decelerating their spiritual detachment, equations describing their spiritual path are derived. These equations are shown to be consistent with the Upanishadic concepts of Realization.
●
The paper suggests open questions and potential for further development of the theory. There is opportunity here for academics and graduate students with background in science and Advaita to develop what could become a distinctive new discipline of Mathematics Of Spirituality
.
INTRODUCTION
Part-I of the paper introduced a mathematical model representing the world-view of
Advaita Vedanta
. Here, in Part-II, we derive results from the model conforming to
Advaitic
declarations and also bearing similarity to those in modern physics.
1. TIME CONTRACTION AND RELATIVE AWARENESS
We first derive a general equation relating the subjective time
FIG 5: RELATIVE AWARENESS
ACBE
E X P E R I E N C E R / A W A R E N E S S
EXPERIENCED: O-E-T / CHANGES
α
F
J1J2
2
compression experienced by a
jeeva
J2 relative to that of a worldly “ignorant –of-Self”
jeeva
J1. Let the path followed by J2 be AC and the angle BAC be
α
(Fig 5).
α
is (
π
/2-
θ
) where
θ
= J2’s spiritual inclination. We assume there is no differencebetween the
jeevas
other than in their spiritual disposition. In the above diagram: AE= AC = AF by assumption of uniform speed of the wave in all directions. Let T
J2
=time experienced by J2 during the time the O-E-T moves from A to E, and T
J1
= timeexperienced by J1 in the same duration. As reasoned earlier (in Part-I)T
J2
= BC and T
J1
= AEThe
time- compression ratio
T
J2
/ T
J1
= BC / AE = BC/ AC = Sin (
α
).Since Sin(
α
) =
√
(1- cos
2
(
α
)) we haveT
J2
/ T
J1
=
√
(1- (AB/AC)
2
) =
√
(1- (AB/AF)
2
)Noting that Relative Awareness of J2 is r
A
= AB/AF, we
derive the equation:
where T
J1
= time for a worldly {i.e.
“ignorant of the Self
”} jeeva J1, T
J2
= time for a jeeva J2 with
some Knowledge of Self
, and r
A
=
Self-Knowledge of J2
relative to that of the Perfect Being (
maximum possible Knowledge of Self
of one fully established in Self).
Note that we have not so far used any thing other than elementary geometryand principles of
advaita
in deriving the above result
.
Yet equation (A) bears astriking resemblance in form and content to a basic result in special relativity theory :
whereT
J1
= time for a stationary {i.e
. “immobile in space
”} observer J1, T
J2
= time for an observer J2 moving through space at
some constant speed
, and r
C
=
speed of J2
relative to speed of light (
maximum possible speed in space
)
1
.
2. THE CORRESPONDENCE
The remarkable similarity between Eq. (A) and Eq. (R) gets even moreastonishing when we recall that
Advaita
often speaks of Self (i.e. Consciousness)and Space in the same breath as though the two are one. That is, the terms Self andSpace are set in association. Similarly Knowledge and Light are spoken of almost assynonyms. In modern physics, light is of fundamental importance for the reason thatit represents the maximum speed achievable in space for information transmission.
1
It should be noted that while Eq (A) indicates that increased spiritual detachment results incontraction of experienced time, the reverse assertion is not true: time contraction experienced by a
jeeva
does not necessarily imply its increasing spiritual detachment, since there could be othercontributing causes such as deep sleep, motion in space etc. Note also that in Eq(A) we ignore thesmall effect due to the assumed discrete nature of experienced time. This effect is negligibly small fortime contraction computed over a large number of time periods.
Advaita Vedanta: T
J2
/ T
J1
=
√
(1- (r
A
)) Equation (A)Relativity Physics: T
J2
/ T
J1
=
√
(1- (r
C
)) Equation (R)
3
We also note the
Upanishadic
definition of State of Realization as the “HighestKnowledge” or “That by knowing which everything else is known”. The RealizedMaster (one established in Full Knowledge of Self) possesses this MaximumKnowledge. Such
Mahatmas
are spoken of as Light itself. Indeed they areuniversally referred to as the “Enlightened” ones. Thus, a Mahatma with MaximumKnowledge of Self corresponds to Light which in physical terms possesses themaximum speed in space. Setting the following rules for translation of terms from
Advaita
into Physics
LANGUAGE OF ADVAITA
LANGUAGE OF PHYSICS
Self
=
Space
Maximum Knowledge of Self
=
Maximum Speed in Space Knowledge of Self
2
=
Speed in Space
we see that Eq.(A) of
Advaita
transforms readily into Eq.(R) of Relativity.
Thus
Advaita and Physics seem to speak of the same Truth but in different languages .
The fact that such a close correspondence in language and results exists isremarkable in itself. But there is something more involved here than just aninterchange of words. In deriving Eq (A) from Fig 5, we did not simply use results inRelativity Theory and changed the labels. There is something different in the way wehave abstracted reality in Figures 1-5 compared to the standard methods used inPhysics
3
. Our approach based on
Advaita
principles is straight forward and readily
comprehensible. Time defined in terms of cause-effect waves, or changesexperienced, is not the usual way it is viewed in physics. The idea of constant speedof light in Relativity Theory is replaced in our paradigm by the notion of constant rateof cause-effect changes. Thus, the overall approach taken here involves more thana simple re-labeling of terms used in physics.The correspondence noted between Eq. (A) and Eq. (R) could be an indicatorthat some of the results of physics in the time-space plane are a projection of asimilar phenomenon in the spiritual realm. This of course is a purely speculativeconjecture at present but, if proved true, will be truly revolutionary.
3. TEMPORAL AND SPATIAL COMPONENTS OF IMPERFECTION- ANINTERPRETATION OF THE CORRESPONDENCE RESULTS
Does the correspondence relationship show that the Consciousness of
Advaita
is
identical
to the Space of the physicists or that State of Perfection is same as physical
2
Knowledge of Self is not erudite knowledge, but an intuitive knowledge borne of immediateexperience. For
jeevas
striving for Realization, Knowledge is measured by the purity of their mind-intellect (In
Gita
Chapter XIII verses: 8-12, Lord Krishna enumerates characteristics of the virtuousmind and concludes
“This is called Knowledge
”). It is valid to speak of degrees of Self-Knowledgesince the purity of mind has a wide spectrum of levels from the most gross to the most immaculate
.
3
Figures 1 through 4 refer to those in Part-I of the paper
.
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