The Doors of Perception

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PeterH P
PeterH Nov 15, 2005 10:53:07
Replying to Steve Gray

I am not a scientist and Einstein is way beyond me, but consider another approach to the concept of time:

Does time exist or is it just an invention of mankind? If we had no way of measuring time would time exist? If we had no memory would time exist? If we had no written histories would time exist? Does an animal have any concept of time other than the seasons, night and day and coming into heat? Does any creature on earth other than man have any concept of time? If man ceased to exist would time cease to exist? Did time exist before mankind invented it?

Is there a beginning and an ending? Is the reality not one of constant change, growth and decay and growth again. Instead of linear time stretching from A (the Big Bang) to B (collapse of the universe) consider timeless, cyclical, spiralling growth and perpetual motion. What came before the Big Bang and what might come after the collapse of the universe? Nothing? Then surely time will not exist either.

M morfe
morfe Nov 15, 2005 11:14:57
Replying to PeterH

I agree that because we exist in a world limited by our living consciousness - and as this consciousness is measured by birth and death we similarly imagine that the universe is built around our own model. A beginning and an end. I don't see this to be possible somehow, as everything is infinite excpet *maybe* consciousness. I feel though, that 'consciousness' exists on many levels and sends ripples out to the future in unfathomably subtle ways. If time/motion/growth/death is helical then consciousness can be all around, past, future. *If*.

I feel consciousness confounds science because it is only measuable by itself. How is that measurable in scientific terms? Empirically?

In an attempt to explain this in/finite paradox of consciousness I think we also invert our own 'model' and create a God-consciousness to explain away the paradox. And what of re-incarnation? Nature re-incarnates and changes itself via transferal of energy , yet 'consciousness' both defines and confounds us! Where does it go my lovely?

L Littlestone
Littlestone Nov 15, 2005 20:46:08
Replying to PeterH

>Is there a beginning and an ending? Is the reality not one of constant change, growth and decay and growth again.<

"At the end of the night of time all things return to my nature; and when the new day of time begins I bring them again into the light." Krishna to Arjuna; written circa 500BC.*

* <b>The Bhagavad Gita</b>. Translated by Juan Mascaro. ISBN 0-14-044121-2. pp 80.