Rhythm of the Universe

 

The Rhythm of the Universe is Rooted in Retribution

The Rhythm of the Universe 

Karma and Cosmic Retribution 

The fundamental difference between modern science and ancient philosophy lies in the treatment of the unquantifiable. While the Buddha mind remains fundamentally subjective - being only in the rare and direct experience of stillness - science provides us with a clear, measurable map of the universe’s rhythm. This rhythm is rooted in a cycle of retribution: the inevitable consequence that follows every action. When a star exhausts its nuclear fuel, the "retribution" is its collapse and subsequent supernova explosion. The following cycle is the coalescence of that scattered matter into the building blocks of new cosmic phenomena. This is Newton's third law of motion - for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction - playing out on a galactic scale. 

Humans, as intrinsic parts of nature, are bound by these same universal laws. Action begets reaction. However, in the human case, the reaction is not always a measurable physical event. Ancient philosophers identified this internal, experiential reaction as Karma. While a star’s reaction is external and quantifiable by instruments, the measurement of Karma is internal and subjective. It is a law of cause and effect that operates on the level of consciousness. 

The Human as a Microcosm 

The concept of the human being as a microcosm of the universe is a foundational pillar of cross-cultural wisdom. We are composed of the same stardust as the cosmos, and we are governed by the same cycles of creation, stability, and destruction. Our moments of peace and chaos, our birth and death, and the ebb and flow of our emotions all mirror the larger cosmic dance. 

The primary difference is the locus of observation. In the cosmos, we observe the scattering of matter; in the human realm, we experience the psychological and spiritual consequences of our thoughts, words, and deeds. An act of kindness produces an internal state of tranquility, while an act of deceit generates anxiety and dissonance. These are not merely "feelings" - they are the subjective measurements of a universal law in action. For the ancient sage, these subjective states were treated with the same empirical seriousness that a physicist treats a gravitational wave. They understood that a heavy heart or a clouded mind is a signal from the universe that the internal "hydrostatic equilibrium" has been compromised by an action out of alignment with the Whole. 

Physiology Precedes Psychology 

To navigate this rhythm of action and reaction, one must recognize that physiology precedes psychology. The body forms the essential foundation for the mind’s existence; the quality of the vessel inevitably shapes the quality of the consciousness within. A body in a state of deep imbalance or "noise" becomes a distraction that prevents the mind from observing its own nature. Just as a telescope with a cracked lens cannot accurately map the stars, a body saturated with toxins and extreme energies cannot accurately reflect the light of the Self. 

This is where the energetics of food become a vital tool for the philosopher. Consuming extreme or imbalanced foods - those high in tamas or rajas - stresses the physical body and subsequently fragments the mind. This nutritional imbalance makes it nearly impossible to find the inner peace required to face the consequences of Karma consciously. Conversely, consuming foods with harmonious energies, as explored in the book Sacred Holistic Health, serves as a vehicle toward tranquility. A body nourished without being overstimulated creates the fertile ground necessary for deep self-inquiry. In this state of satvic poise, the mind is no longer a turbulent sea reflecting a thousand broken images, but a still lake reflecting the one, true moon of consciousness. 

The Unique Human Potential 

While the universe is bound to move in endless loops of equilibrium and chaos, humans possess a unique capacity that the stars do not: the ability to transcend the cycle itself. A star explodes, and its remnants form a new star, but the new star is not wiser or more conscious than its predecessor. It simply follows the blind laws of physics, repeating a mechanical process of birth and death over billions of years. The cosmos, left to its own devices, is a magnificent but unconscious machine. 

Humans, however, have the potential for self-awareness. We can observe the cycles of action and reaction, learn from them, and ultimately detach from the repetitive loops of the physical world. This is the realization of the Buddha nature - a state of being that is free from the play of phenomena and attachment to the mind-made world. It is the transition from being a mere object of universal laws to becoming the subject that observes them. This shift in perspective is the true "evolution" of the species, moving from material dependency to spiritual autonomy. 

The Path to Absolute Stillness 

We are indeed fortunate to bear this human potential. We occupy a unique position in the cosmos where we can not only understand the universal laws but go beyond them. By cultivating a balanced physical foundation through satvic living, we align ourselves with the universal rhythm of equilibrium, eventually reaching a state of stillness that transcends the very laws of cause and effect. 

This journey requires a conscious decision to stop feeding the cycles of retribution. By choosing purity in diet, thought, and action, we slowly dampen the vibrations of past Karma. In this profound stillness, the "reaction" of Karma is finally resolved not in another physical rebirth, but in the realization of the Self. Here, at the center of the turning wheel, there is neither movement nor lack, neither beginning nor end. There is nothing more to be done and nothing more to be known, for the seeker has finally recognized that they are the very Reality they once sought among the stars. 

You can read more in the book  Sacred Holistic Health