Phenomenal World

 

Liberation from the Phenomenal World

Beyond the Veil: Bridging Ancient Wisdom and Dark Sector Cosmology 

The Indian saint, Ramana Maharshi, once stated, "Know yourself and you will know everything, and there will be nothing more to know." This profound directive implies that the macrocosm is reflected in the microcosm. In the pursuit to know oneself, one must inevitably turn to nature, for we are not merely observers of the natural world, but intrinsic components of its unfolding. This realization was also the cornerstone of ancient Chinese philosophy. Long before the advent of modern scientific instrumentation or complex mathematical modeling, the ancient sages arrived at cosmological conclusions that mirror the cutting-edge findings of today’s astrophysicists. 

The Scientist vs. The Philosopher 

The primary difference between the modern scientist and the ancient oriental philosopher lies not in the data they observe, but in their relationship to that data. The scientist gathers information through a dualistic lens, accumulating facts that, while accurate, often leave the observer unchanged. They study the laws of physics but remain subject to the same processes of birth, suffering, and decay that govern all sentient life. For the scientist, the end of biological function often marks a point of total uncertainty, where many may abandon data and turn to traditional philosophy for solace. 

In contrast, the philosopher uses their entire physical and mental constitution as a measurement tool. Their goal is not just the collection of information, but the transcendence of the physical body to achieve a new perspective on reality. While the scientist submits to the mechanical laws of the cosmos, the philosopher seeks to transcend the very concept of the universe. By realizing that the cosmos is a mental construct - an illusion generated by the mind - the philosopher identifies the ultimate reality that lies behind the veil of phenomena. 

The Mystery of the Dark Sector 

Contemporary astrophysics tells us that the universe we observe - stars, planets, and galaxies - accounts for only 5% of the total mass-energy density. The remaining 95% is comprised of two mysterious entities: Dark Matter and Dark Energy. 

Dark Matter is contractive in nature. It exerts a gravitational pull that acts as a cosmic "glue," providing the centripetal force necessary to hold galaxies together. Without its influence, the centrifugal force of rotating gas and stars would cause galaxies to fly apart. Conversely, Dark Energy is a repulsive property of space itself. It is expansive, acting as a "cosmic lever" that pulls the universe apart, causing its expansion to accelerate. 

Remarkably, ancient Chinese cosmologists reached a nearly identical conclusion. They identified the primal forces of the universe as Yang and Yin. In their system, Yang represents the contractive, consolidating force (correlating to the gravitational effects of Dark Matter). In contrast, Yin represents the expansive, dissipative force (correlating to the repulsive pressure of Dark Energy). These two forces, though energetic opposites, work in a delicate, shifting unison to manufacture the theater of the universe. 

The Laws of Energetic Interaction 

The ancient sages proposed a specific set of rules to describe how these forces interact within the phenominal universe: 

1. Yang exposes Yin: Dark Matter is only perceivable in the context of the space Dark Energy provides. 

2. Yin exposes Yang: The expansion of space provides the theater for the aggregation of matter. 

3. Like repels like: Yang repels Yang, and Yin repels Yin. 

4. The Law of Extremes: When Yang reaches its absolute limit, it transforms into Yin; when Yin reaches its zenith, it becomes Yang. 

In astrophysical terms, this interplay describes the life cycle of the universe. If Dark Energy becomes too dominant, the universe undergoes a "Big Rip," where matter is pulled apart until the fundamental, elementary particles that compose atoms are all that still exist.  If Dark Matter from the remaining sub-atomic particles aggregates to a point of extreme density, it can no longer hold its own weight, potentially leading to a "Big Crunch" or a new "Big Bang," setting the cycle of manifestation in motion once again. 

The Biological Connection: Satva and Liberation 

The brilliance of the philosophical approach is the recognition that these cosmic forces - the contractive Yang and the expansive Yin - operate within the human form as well. We are not exempt from the "Dark Forces" that manufacture the universe. 

Dietary choices are the most direct way we interact with these forces. Yin foods (expansive or cooling) tend to pull the mind apart, leading to mental fragmentation and, physically, to conditions of lethargy or obesity. Yang foods (contractive or heating) can cause the mind to become rigid and the body to become emaciated or tense. Neither extreme is conducive to liberation. When Dark Energy (Yin) overwhelms the system, the sense of "Self" dissolves into confusion; when Dark Matter (Yang) overwhelms the system, the "Self" becomes a prisoner of its own density or intransigence. 

The solution offered by the sages is the cultivation of Satva. A Satvic diet consists of foods that are perfectly balanced in their inward and outward pulls. This state of equilibrium creates a "still point" or a neutral platform. From this balanced vantage point, the mind becomes quiescent, allowing the seeker to see through the illusion of a phenomenal world. 

Conclusion: Realizing the Absolute 

Liberation is not an escape from the universe, but a realization of its nature. By balancing the forces of Yin and Yang within our own biology, we stop being victims of the cosmic "push and pull." We find the "Buddha Mind" - that point of absolute silence where the dark forces of matter no longer have a grip on the mind. 

While the physical universe may continue its long, slow float toward dissolution as Dark Energy eventually triumphs over matter, the liberated mind remains unconcerned. It has recognized that the beginning and end of the universe are merely fluctuations in a deeper, unchanging reality. To know oneself is to stand at the center of the Big Bang and the Big Rip simultaneously, remaining as the eternal, silent witness to the drama of the dark forces. 

You can read more in the book  Sacred Holistic Health.