The Miracle of Life Part 1

[OpenMind]

We take our bodies for granted. But they are truly a miracle. The deeper science goes into the workings of the universe, the more amazed I am at the wonder of life.
A hundred years ago, the common person in the advanced world would not have understood what a cell is. Today, most of us can understand what a cell is and don’t have a great problem imagining these tiny things working away non-stop day in day out.
But how many of us can understand the human body in terms of quanta – those tiny little points of mass and energy that whiz around without any apparent aim. In fact, if we could see down to their level, we would only be discernible as a cloud that’s denser than the air that surrounds us. We would be amazed at the constant bombardment of photons and, by watching the reaction of our body’s particles to these photons, you would understand why fruit and vegetables need to be stored in the dark and why we need protection from the sun.
How amazing that a single little cell can develop out of all this stuff. Think about it, these particles do not have brains, minds or hearts – yet, this is what we are made of. Just the same, we do have brains, minds and hearts. Organs that, for the greater part, we take for granted. Out of all this tiny stuff, their existence is nothing short of a miracle. Aside from this, life as we know it on this planet has developed into a self-sustaining entity. A complex structure that reproduces itself. Could this have been the result of the random interplay of particles and energy? Consider the odds for a life form as intricate as ours that requires two models in order to reproduce. Consider the development of pollination. Which molecule came up with the idea to create pollen and bees?
So here we are, nothing more than a cloud of particles. We are all part of a huge cloud, a cloud that extends across the universe. We are as cells in a vast organism. Yet we are capable of so much. Conceptualisation, calculation, imagination, invention, thought, emotion, sensation, and more. All of these abilities are dependent on the quanta we are made of. Not only that, but we are guided by the pure enjoyment of the things we need to survive. If I am not enjoying my life, then I am doing something wrong.

[theia]

Originally Posted by OpenMind

We take our bodies for granted. But they are truly a miracle. The deeper science goes into the workings of the universe, the more amazed I am at the wonder of life.
A hundred years ago, the common person in the advanced world would not have understood what a cell is. Today, most of us can understand what a cell is and don’t have a great problem imagining these tiny things working away non-stop day in day out.
But how many of us can understand the human body in terms of quanta – those tiny little points of mass and energy that whiz around without any apparent aim. In fact, if we could see down to their level, we would only be discernible as a cloud that’s denser than the air that surrounds us. We would be amazed at the constant bombardment of photons and, by watching the reaction of our body’s particles to these photons, you would understand why fruit and vegetables need to be stored in the dark and why we need protection from the sun.
How amazing that a single little cell can develop out of all this stuff. Think about it, these particles do not have brains, minds or hearts – yet, this is what we are made of. Just the same, we do have brains, minds and hearts. Organs that, for the greater part, we take for granted. Out of all this tiny stuff, their existence is nothing short of a miracle. Aside from this, life as we know it on this planet has developed into a self-sustaining entity. A complex structure that reproduces itself. Could this have been the result of the random interplay of particles and energy? Consider the odds for a life form as intricate as ours that requires two models in order to reproduce. Consider the development of pollination. Which molecule came up with the idea to create pollen and bees?
So here we are, nothing more than a cloud of particles. We are all part of a huge cloud, a cloud that extends across the universe. We are as cells in a vast organism. Yet we are capable of so much. Conceptualisation, calculation, imagination, invention, thought, emotion, sensation, and more. All of these abilities are dependent on the quanta we are made of. Not only that, but we are guided by the pure enjoyment of the things we need to survive. If I am not enjoying my life, then I am doing something wrong.

This is truly fascinating stuff, Open. I've been interested in the proposed links between quantum physics and mysticism for a number of years although I know very little about science.

I'm reading a book presently that talks about our essence being pure energy...it doesn't in any way dismiss the presence of God...in fact it makes God more real in some sort of strange way. Reading what you've written makes me wonder if the huge cloud or the organism, as a whole, is a way of "perceiving" God.

And what do you think of the concept that we can, in some way, create our own reality...sorry, I'm going to get a little, or a lot, lost here but is it thought that makes the cells behave in a certain way? Or do we not have much choice over that?

(Yes, I'm drowning...please throw me a rope )

[OpenMind]

Hi, Theia. To answer your first question first.

Reading what you've written makes me wonder if the huge cloud or the organism, as a whole, is a way of "perceiving" God.

It is too early to say at this point. String theory suggests that each particle is a physical and
cross-sectional reprentation of a vibrating string. I haven't studied string theory sufficiently to be able to wrap my grey cells around it yet, but I will.
It is tempting to visualise the 'cloud organism' as a way of perceiving God, but I tend towards the idea that the 'organism', our universe, is part of a greater 'host'. This greater 'host' could, indeed, be God.

And what do you think of the concept that we can, in some way, create our own reality...is it thought that makes the cells behave in a certain way? Or do we not have much choice over that?

This is a subject I intend to present in a future thread. On the one hand, a thought is our own creation. On the other, a thought is developed from pre-conceived ideas. Underlying beliefs and faith also have an influence on how a thought will interact at the energy level. Whether we can literally create our own reality depends on whether a thought is radiated or not. Within the body, focussed visualisation can be used to heal, providing there is not an underlying negative belief that prevents it from working.
The idea that we transmit energy is nothing new. As far as influencing our environment is concerned, we would need to transmit a set of instructions. This will, by and large, involve transmitting energy and its codependent particles. However, I tend to think that the real answer here would lie in the capabilities of 'strings'. But I think I'm going a bit too far here at this point.
I believe that by means of accurate visualisation, we can create whatever we want. This would involve a mix of personal physical action as well as an apparent mystical interaction at the quanta level. Of course, if you don't believe it, it just won't happen.

[weeder]

When I was very young, I would lie in bed waiting for sleep, and ponder the exact concepts you have written about. Trying to understand the process and Of how and why I was here, was so overwhelming for me, that I would have to push it out of my mind. Thinking about all of this, is the road that leads people down their personal spiritual quest for understanding. It is also why I have made my living surrounded by plants, and growing things. I have beenawed daily watching things grow. The key to understanding everything, would be knowing the answer to the question you ask. Who came up with the formula of cells mutiplying, and becoming what we are. It cant be a who. Does a single cell have a brain? Where does the single cell come from? I think there is a door to walk through where all of the answers are. I think that most humans do not find that door. I think that the small percentage of humans that do find it because they can eliminate all of the false realities the world creates. Those people know that the things that do keep us from enjoying life are diversions. Road blocks set up to make the door lost in brambles of trivia.

[OpenMind]

Originally Posted by weeder

When I was very young, I would lie in bed waiting for sleep, and ponder the exact concepts you have written about. Trying to understand the process and Of how and why I was here, was so overwhelming for me, that I would have to push it out of my mind. Thinking about all of this, is the road that leads people down their personal spiritual quest for understanding. It is also why I have made my living surrounded by plants, and growing things. I have beenawed daily watching things grow. The key to understanding everything, would be knowing the answer to the question you ask. Who came up with the formula of cells mutiplying, and becoming what we are. It cant be a who. Does a single cell have a brain? Where does the single cell come from? I think there is a door to walk through where all of the answers are. I think that most humans do not find that door. I think that the small percentage of humans that do find it because they can eliminate all of the false realities the world creates. Those people know that the things that do keep us from enjoying life are diversions. Road blocks set up to make the door lost in brambles of trivia.

Sometimes, I don't think that we were meant to look for any 'door' or 'answers' as such. I believe we look for God because we were taught about Him as children. But, "...children...are of the Kingdom of God". There is a lot significance in this statement.
Nonetheless, exploration and discovery is part of the joy we can share. There is no harm in exploring the world around us, reaching out as far as we can. It is what we do with that knowledge that makes the difference.

[Rapunzel]

Originally Posted by OpenMind

We take our bodies for granted. But they are truly a miracle. The deeper science goes into the workings of the universe, the more amazed I am at the wonder of life.
A hundred years ago, the common person in the advanced world would not have understood what a cell is. Today, most of us can understand what a cell is and don’t have a great problem imagining these tiny things working away non-stop day in day out.
But how many of us can understand the human body in terms of quanta – those tiny little points of mass and energy that whiz around without any apparent aim. In fact, if we could see down to their level, we would only be discernible as a cloud that’s denser than the air that surrounds us. We would be amazed at the constant bombardment of photons and, by watching the reaction of our body’s particles to these photons, you would understand why fruit and vegetables need to be stored in the dark and why we need protection from the sun.
How amazing that a single little cell can develop out of all this stuff. Think about it, these particles do not have brains, minds or hearts – yet, this is what we are made of. Just the same, we do have brains, minds and hearts. Organs that, for the greater part, we take for granted. Out of all this tiny stuff, their existence is nothing short of a miracle. Aside from this, life as we know it on this planet has developed into a self-sustaining entity. A complex structure that reproduces itself. Could this have been the result of the random interplay of particles and energy? Consider the odds for a life form as intricate as ours that requires two models in order to reproduce. Consider the development of pollination. Which molecule came up with the idea to create pollen and bees?
So here we are, nothing more than a cloud of particles. We are all part of a huge cloud, a cloud that extends across the universe. We are as cells in a vast organism. Yet we are capable of so much. Conceptualisation, calculation, imagination, invention, thought, emotion, sensation, and more. All of these abilities are dependent on the quanta we are made of. Not only that, but we are guided by the pure enjoyment of the things we need to survive. If I am not enjoying my life, then I am doing something wrong.

Hi OM,
did you actually write this yourself or did you copy it from somewhere?
I ask because you have stated very succinctly EXACTLY how I feel about how life and energy work, but I was unable to express my thoughts as clearly!

If you copied it from somewhere, please could you let me know where as I would like to follow this train of thought further. If you wrote it yourself then please continue with parts 2 & 3, etc, ad infinitum.

Maybe each type of cell has its own function, but what makes each cell different?
Does energy break down into many parts and come back to form a whole?
Is energy guided and what is its purpose?

I can't wait to read more of your theories.

[OpenMind]

Originally Posted by Rapunzel

Hi OM,
did you actually write this yourself or did you copy it from somewhere?
I ask because you have stated very succinctly EXACTLY how I feel about how life and energy work, but I was unable to express my thoughts as clearly!

If you copied it from somewhere, please could you let me know where as I would like to follow this train of thought further. If you wrote it yourself then please continue with parts 2 & 3, etc, ad infinitum.

Maybe each type of cell has its own function, but what makes each cell different?
Does energy break down into many parts and come back to form a whole?
Is energy guided and what is its purpose?

I can't wait to read more of your theories.

Hi, Rap. This I wrote myself. When I started writing about it, I found that the subject was too large to put into one thread. I didn't want to post a thread that took too long to read. Even the best of us only have a short concentration span.
I have yet to compose the next part in which I hope to take things a stage further, and that's just appreciating the miracle of life. There is more.
Please be patient with me, however. Most of my time is spent checking up on quantum mechanics to make sure I'm not posting gibberish. While quantum mechanics is old hat nowadays( ), I am not aware of any research on the relationships that I am presenting here. This means that I have to be very careful what I write and how I present my arguments.
If you look on Amazon, you will find books that have been written about the relationship between quantum mechanics and the spirit (just do a search for quantum mechanics or quantum physics, or just quantum). The reviews, however, are discouraging. I cannot truthfully say that I have read any of these books. It may be worthwhile if only to see if and where they are going wrong. Although, they may have fresh ideas that are worth consideration. Trouble is, I already have a pile of books that I haven't read as yet.
The replies that I have had so far back up another theory of mine that it is rare for one person alone to have an idea or theory. It's just a question of who gets it out first. I believe that this is nature's way of giving the idea a good chance of succeeding. Just like nature. It didn't produce 1 amoeba, it created trillions of them.
By the way, Rap. Thanks for your words of encouragement. When I posted it, I wasn't entirely happy with it. But it was a case of posting something or forever waiting for the perfect precis.

[Rapunzel]

Originally Posted by OpenMind

Hi, Rap. This I wrote myself. When I started writing about it, I found that the subject was too large to put into one thread. I didn't want to post a thread that took too long to read. Even the best of us only have a short concentration span.
I have yet to compose the next part in which I hope to take things a stage further, and that's just appreciating the miracle of life. There is more.
Please be patient with me, however. Most of my time is spent checking up on quantum mechanics to make sure I'm not posting gibberish. While quantum mechanics is old hat nowadays( ), I am not aware of any research on the relationships that I am presenting here. This means that I have to be very careful what I write and how I present my arguments.
If you look on Amazon, you will find books that have been written about the relationship between quantum mechanics and the spirit (just do a search for quantum mechanics or quantum physics, or just quantum). The reviews, however, are discouraging. I cannot truthfully say that I have read any of these books. It may be worthwhile if only to see if and where they are going wrong. Although, they may have fresh ideas that are worth consideration. Trouble is, I already have a pile of books that I haven't read as yet.
The replies that I have had so far back up another theory of mine that it is rare for one person alone to have an idea or theory. It's just a question of who gets it out first. I believe that this is nature's way of giving the idea a good chance of succeeding. Just like nature. It didn't produce 1 amoeba, it created trillions of them.
By the way, Rap. Thanks for your words of encouragement. When I posted it, I wasn't entirely happy with it. But it was a case of posting something or forever waiting for the perfect precis.

Well keep composing OM, because I think you are making an awful lot of sense!

I have tried to read articles on Quantum theories before, but they are usually not for the lay-person and they degenerate into technobabble that makes no sense to me!

In fact, the only books which I found really clear on the subject were the ones written by Russell Stannard e.g., "Uncle Albert and the Quantum Quest". He has written several books (for children) about Uncle Albert (Einstein) and his niece (Gedanken ~ his name for his thoughts) but they express his theories very clearly

I agree with your theory about many people having the same idea, which gives the idea a good chance of survival. I get lots of ideas for inventions but have no idea how to make them come about and so they sit in my head until eventually I forget about them or until I see someone else invent the same thing. So if it were left to me it would never get invented!

So keep up the good work!

[OpenMind]

Originally Posted by Rapunzel

Well keep composing OM, because I think you are making an awful lot of sense!

I have tried to read articles on Quantum theories before, but they are usually not for the lay-person and they degenerate into technobabble that makes no sense to me!

In fact, the only books which I found really clear on the subject were the ones written by Russell Stannard e.g., "Uncle Albert and the Quantum Quest". He has written several books (for children) about Uncle Albert (Einstein) and his niece (Gedanken ~ his name for his thoughts) but they express his theories very clearly

I agree with your theory about many people having the same idea, which gives the idea a good chance of survival. I get lots of ideas for inventions but have no idea how to make them come about and so they sit in my head until eventually I forget about them or until I see someone else invent the same thing. So if it were left to me it would never get invented!

So keep up the good work!

I shall look up those books. In the meantime, I found Robert Gilmore's "The Wizard of Quarks" is useful for visualising at the quantum level.

[OpenMind]

This is the synopsis for Russell Stannard's "Why?: Why Evil? Why Suffering? Why Death?"
Might make interesting reading.

If the world was created by God, why is it in such a mess? Russell Stannard begins his exploration with the question of evil. Why, he asks, do we see terrible things happening each day? Evil leads on to suffering. Evil does not, though, cause all suffering. What about natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, disease? And finally there is death. It is the one inevitability we must all face up to in our lives. Does it not make everything seem pretty pointless? Drawing on his scientific background and his Christian faith, Russell Stannard offers penetrating and perceptive responses to these seemingly unanswerable questions.