Week Six - Vibrations

• Are all vibrations “good”?
• Vibrations can be good or bad.  Good vibrations can feel good and can calm us.  They are the cause of why the when the sea water hits the shore cause a wave.  However, powerful vibrations can cause monstrous tsunamis that can wipe out over a million lives. "Bad" vibrations can cause earthquakes that can damage structures and kill people.  In that sense they cause very undesirable effects.  It is the low frequency vibrations from 1 Hz to 10 Hz that can do this. I think the main takeaway  is not to take them lightly. 
• Resonance in my world
• Resonance in my world is the same as practicing yogic chanting.  The teacher will chant an Om that will set the tone for the rest of us to join in and chant with resonance.  When we chant in harmony its a beautiful feeling that makes me feel connected to everyone in the room.  I can feel the vibration of the sound in my body giving me a very calming and grounded feeling.
• Connections I can make between Energy and Qi
• Energy is one of the characteristic functions of Qi.  What Qi is encompasses much more than just what energy is.  The five functions of Qi is to warm, to transform and transport, to contain, and to protect the body.  In that way, energy is like Qi because it does take energy to warm the body, to transform and transport bodily fluids, to contain substances, and to protect the body.  However, energy in Western terms is the power derived from physical or chemical resources.  The importance of Qi is its function rather than it's material or tangible form.

Week Five - Symmetry and Sacred Geometry

• My (a)symmetrical world
• My world is definitely asymmetrical more than it is symmetrical.  It's a constant battle to live in harmony and balance with society and nature.  I believe Western society promotes living more asymmetrically since advertisers sell ideas of individuality and uniqueness as paramount.  Social responsibility and connection to community are not popular ideas to sell products since they don't plant a seed of need within the consumer.  As idealistic as I am, I'm well aware that I live much selfishly than my ancestors.  Being American, I am sold the idea that I am an individual with the privileges given to me that aren't given to citizens of other countries.
• Just what does this "CP violation" really mean?
• CP violation in my inexperienced understanding, is the balance of matter with anti-matter.  If Nature treated matter and anti-matter the same then the world would be CP symmetric.  If not, then there would be a CP violation.  If I remember correctly, CP violation occurs most often than CP symmetry.  In order for this to be true then we would discover all the anti-particles accumulated after the big-bang.
• Are there connections between Sacred Geometry and Physics?
• There are many connections between Sacred Geometry and physics.  One connection is the concept of fractals that Benoit Mandelbrot developed showing beautiful organic shapes that are complex.  They can correspond to natural processes such as how babies and plants grow, the weather and structures of space and time.  The symmetry of snowflakes and fractals are 95-99% alike.  Early sacred geometrists were pondering the same concepts that physicists debate about today.  In theory, they both attempt to explain the supernatural.

Week Four - Energy, Matter, & the Four Forces

• How has e=mc² affected you?
• Einstein's formula explains the relationship of energy and mass.  How we exist within them encompasses energy, time, matter, and space.  It's a concept that I take for granted since it has been taught to me as obvious.  I found this entertaining video online explaining the formula in only minute.
• How would you compare the four “forces”?
• The four forces are gravity, electromagnetism, weak nuclear force and strong nuclear force.  Gravity is the weakest of all four forces and can be demonstrated with static electricity.  Electromagnetism is the second strongest force even though gravity is more common.  It comes in two charges, one positive and one negative.  The weak and strong nuclear forces are the lesser known out of all forces and not well understood.  
• What is the function of gravity?
• The function of gravity is to ground us.  If it didn't exist unattached objects would float away like balloons.  I think of gravity as the Yin anchor to Yang Qi.  Gravity keeps the Earth orbiting around the Sun.  Without the Yang from the Sun there would be no life.

Week Three

* What evidence can you find for synchronicity?
Evidence of the existence of synchronicity is dependent ones perspective.  If one person sees two seemingly unrelated events as significant and related then that is enough evidence to that person. Evidence is determined on an individual basis which makes it difficult to measure and quantify synchronicity to scientific standards.  In my own experience, I use synchronicity as a cosmic reminder that I am following the right steps/path in my life.  I find it comforting and see it as an affirmation.  I don't need scientific evidence to prove to me that it exists.

* Based on what you know, how would you explain connectivity?

"We are all connected."  This idea that we all a part of something greater that connects is the opposite of exclusivity which emphasizes separation and difference.  When I think of connectivity I think of it as a spiritually understanding of oneness with everything.  It is a loving vibration that I have felt when my mind is clear and calm, usually after a peaceful retreat or after meditating for awhile.  It supports the concept of reincarnation.  I know that when I "die" my body will eventually decompose and become part of the soil that grows food to be consumed.  I know that the cup of tea that I drink was once a cloud, the food I eat was once my ancestors.  The blood that runs through my veins is not only mine but my mother and my father's along with their mothers and their fathers and so on and so forth.  According to the Law of Conservation of Matter, sub atomic particles can never be destroyed or reduced to nothingness.  Objects merely change form. Physics and quantum mechanics has discovered that the universe is indeed one massive medium where vibrations and frequencies are going on simultaneously.

Week Two

Reflections on Uncertainty
The uncertainty principle states that the more precisely you measure one quantity the less precisely you can know another associated quantity.  Sometimes they come in set pairs that both can't be completely measured.  The first theory that comes to my mind that shares a similar idea is the theory of Yin and Yang.  Yin cannot be measured separate from Yang because they are mutual interdependent and in opposition to each other.  How can one define Yin without the relationship to its pair, Yang?  In fact, it is impossible.  Perhaps Heisenburg's observation of the impossibility of precision measurement in nature is due to constantly changing states of matter.  Life is a dynamic process that is continually transforming and changing.  To take a freeze frame measurement of a moment can only be true for that specific moment, but what knowledge does that bring to its greater whole?  I believe accepting uncertainty is crucial to begin to understand any truth.


Causality
The idea of causality is a collection of phenomena where one thing, a cause, gives rise to something, else, an effect.  It is a universal idea that is represented in the Buddhist belief of Karma.  In Buddhism, it is believe when living beings act, think, and feel in ways it gives rise to an effect.  The spiritual practice is then to be aware of the thoughts as they arise and nourish the compassionate ones while letting go of the harmful.  The Dalai Lama once said that although science hasn't demonstrated evidence of past lives, it hasn't been able to prove it's non-existence.  For that reason I think it is more useful to practice kindness with the chance of it not only benefitting myself but people around me.  It's much more pleasant anyway :)

Is the Universe weird?
The Universe is totally weird, mysterious, surprising, mind blowing, and awesome all at the same time! With that, it makes it easier for me to surrender and just trust that what will happen is meant to be.  The vast magnitude and mystery of the universe humbles me incredibly and I am reminded at how little and unimportant I am.  "We're not worthyyy"

Week One

Quiz

• What attracts me to Chinese medicine?
• I was raised by my grandparents who were immigrants of China and Vietnam, and exposed to CM at an early age.  It was common practice to have Gua Sha on my back and take herbs with porridge when I got sick.  My great Uncle on my mother's side ran a village pharmacy in North Vietnam prescribing mostly herbs and other folk remedies. My mother now runs a successful wellness center Long Beach.  Being a Chinese medical practitioner is a natural path for me to follow.  Being that most of my family was lost in the VN war it helps me to get in touch with my ancestral roots while learning practical skills to take care of myself and my community.  In the East, we have always been big on health and wellness as a holistic lifestyle.  I think everyone should have basic training on how to take better care of their health.
• What do I honestly think of Physics, really?
• It is very mysterious to me and I look forward to learning more.  
• Now that I think about it, have I ever experienced time "slowing down" or "speeding up"?
• Definitely, especially through spiritual practices such as meditation, Qi gong, etc.  

The Meaning of Time

• Can we slow time down?
• The "feeling" of time is based on our own perception of it.  With skill and practice, it is possible to heighten our level of awareness to be more in the present moment which can feel slower.  We could also change the way we view and measure time, which again is changes our perception.  What if we threw away our clocks and watches?
• What are the cultural implications of time?
• Different cultures have different views on aging.  For example, in the East, elders are well respected and their opinions are valued in their communities.  Perhaps because the Eastern view on time isn't as linear.  The Western world sees aging as a curse and time as a commodity.  If time is linear it is quantified can be seen as tangible.  Time can be spent, saved, or given.  Again, it's question of perspective.
• What about parallel universes?
• Sure!  Why not :)