Time Zero

-

 

February 20, 2005

 

            Singularity. The universe cannot have been created, intelligently or otherwise, because of singularity. Time zero cannot have existed. If it did, it would have to be as a transfer of energy to matter. As there is no explanation for where that energy came from, there can be no beginning to the universe. Energy cannot be created or destroyed. It can become matter, and vice versa, but that’s it.

            Action and reaction. The Big Bang theory explains the known facts, but does not account for time zero or the law of action and reaction. In order for something to happen, something else has to happen.

            (Dammit, I’m losing the thread of this! I need my father! I know what I mean, and what I think, but I don’t have the vocabulary to explain it, even to myself.)

            I like the Oscillating Universe Theory, because it does not require energy or matter to spontaneously appear. As mortal beings with both a beginning and an end, we desire our universe to have these qualities as well. Thus the myth of a “creator” holds great appeal, because it gives the universe a time of birth. A mortal mind cannot conceive of the idea ‘forever’ simply because we are aware of our own time zero. Infinity is beyond the imagining of the finite.

            I can equate the Oscillating Universe with a rubber ball bouncing on a hard surface. When the ball reaches its apex, where momentum and gravity are equalized, it must succumb to gravity and fall back down. If we remove friction, this ball could conceivably bounce forever. Of course, if one so desired, one could ask when this ball started bouncing, but that is once again our desire to locate and define a time zero. However, one could also view the universe as an infinite perpetual motion machine. There was no time zero. As difficult as it is, even for me, to wrap my mind around such an idea, I can understand why this is so hard for anyone else. Let there be a beginning, the mind wants to say, and let there be an end. The impossibility of this is that there cannot be a beginning, according to the laws of physics.

            (I feel like I’m trying to take apart the entire complexity of the universe with a bent paper clip.)

            The origins of the species can be traced and even understood. The origins of life on this planet can be sought and eventually found. But the origins of the universe can never be defined, because they cannot exist.

Cindy Jo

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

On Sacrifice and the Path

-
  On Sacrifice and the Path   Sacrifice is a prevailing theme of many world religions, whether you are giving up life, time, or money. The idea is that you have to pay for salvation somehow; nothing is free, after all. Some religions have an entire laundry list of things you cannot do, things you must give up entirely in order to practice their faith. Some ask for money, either through tithes or “charitable donations.” The entire Christian faith is based on what is an objectively barbaric form of human sacrifice. The message is clear: to be saved, you must offer up something in return, or forgo something you once indulged in. A sacrifice must be made. Pagan spiritual traditions incorporate energetic reciprocity: to invoke the favors of the gods, certain offerings are made. These offerings can be physical or energetic in nature, either cream and honey to please the Fae folk, or personal psychic energy expended during a healing rite. These sacrifices are more personal (as pagan pra
Read more

Beware the False Dichotomy

-
  The appeal of the dichotomy is understandable. It’s psychologically soothing to have two clear options, so we can act accordingly. Unfortunately, life is messy and complicated, and many of the dichotomies we embrace as a society are not only false, they are actively damaging. Consider the false dichotomy of “fight or flight,” of which I’ve written before. If you believe you only have two possible responses to perceived threat of trauma, you won’t realize that freeze, flop, and friend may be more appropriate to the situation. You could end up punching your boss, because running away is for cowards. Even worse, however, are the dichotomies we apply to sex, sexuality, and gender: you’re either gay or straight, male or female. What we are finally beginning to acknowledge is that these things exist on a spectrum, and the old labels just don’t work anymore. But there are still those who cling to these false dichotomies and refuse to recognize anyone’s identity if it doesn’t fit in a bo
Read more

Path Doctrine on the Seven Deadly Sins

-
  Topic: Path Doctrine on the Seven Deadly Sins Today’s sermon is about the Christian list of seven “deadly sins” and how they relate to Path teachings. Some of these so-called sins are of the body, some are of the mind. But they must be subject to rational dissection so we can extract whatever value they may have. Lust is a body sin, and an easy one. The sex lives of others are none of our business, as long as everyone involved is a consenting adult and no harm is being done. If you are not hurting anyone or treating other people as things, feel free to lust after and even have sex with as many people as you want. Greed is one of the sins that you only commit in your head; the only problem with greed is that it can turn you into a power-hungry asshole. But there are wealthy people who still try to make the world a better place, so there is nothing wrong with greed itself. Gluttony is a body sin, and is contrary to the Virtue of Balance. If you find yourself overindulging, mayb
Read more