Week 3: Synchronicity

Evidence for synchronicity

Most of the time it seems like any evidence for synchronicity would be something happening that is more out of the ordinary than the statistical average of such an event happening. However, it seems like the articles we read in class about particles acting in a synchronistic way with their partner particles shows that synchronicity can also at time be tested.

Connectivity

If we think of ourselves as beings made of the same energy as everything around us in the universe, then connectivity makes a lot of sense. We are all the same stuff and space does not separate us as much as it is part of the web that we are all linked in. We are not connected individuals as much as we are one whole organism.

Week 2: Quantum Mechanics

Uncertainty

Very mind blowing or curious or confusing I guess is what I would say. I am uncertain...It was very strange to think that you can be uncertain about what a thing is or even that the thing can be more than one thing at a time. That's bizarre. It must have been such a trip for Heisenberg to discover the Uncertainty Principle. I don't really know what to say about it, though I also am willing to accept it as true. That seems strange too.

Causality

This one inspires me. It shows that we can exert influence over our surroundings and vice versa. I read a book called "the Miracle of Water" where a Japanese scientist gave different intentions to different beakers of water using labels or music, etc. and then froze the water to see how the water crystals turned out. He found that certain beakers with positive messages like the word "love" or "beautiful" written on them made the most beautiful crystals, and the opposite effect was found for negative messages. I don't know if these experiments have been repeated by others but the findings, if true, are very powerful. We are made mostly of water and I think that if we stay positive and surround ourselves with loving people, it doesn't just make us happier, but it could also change us on a molecular level.

Is the Universe weird?

Yes. But I would add the words "really frikken". It seems like the more I know the weirder it gets.

Week One Reflections: The Meaning of Time...

I thought the first class definitely baited my interest for Physics. I think it will be fun to think and talk about the Physics concepts presented in class.

I think I have heard that time is another dimension that effects the speed at which we experience objective time. I remember watching a documentary on 2 ways that time travel is theoretically possible and both had time as an actual force being effected by gravity or speed. That time could be physically dragged upon and slowed. In class it seemed like time is possibly not that way and could be only a subjective experience. It was interesting to talk about the subjective changing of time especially Ten who said she had experienced time out of sequence. I cannot even imagine what that would be like. How would you know what is happening? Is it confusing, or does it make sense when it is happening to you? Fascinating!

I was also thinking that time could be the pace of your existence. Maybe it is the rate at which your body systems are operating. If you could stop the ageing process, would you not be freezing time itself? Would that not be the same as travelling to the future? What's the difference between that and stepping into a machine for 5 minutes and stepping out 1000 years in the future? What if that 5 minutes felt subjectively like 1000 years? It is really the effect on your human body that has not changed.

Lots of fun stuff to think about! I change my mind, I LOVE Physics!

Week One Quiz: The Meaning of Time...

What attracts me to Chinese Medicine?...is the emphasis on preventative and holistic care as well as the very important fact that it works.

I injured my back about 5 or 6 years ago, and when it happened the only thing modern medicine could do for me was (kind of) numb the pain with pills. I dutifully followed my doctor's advice for a few years. I call these my dark years. I could not sleep, lift or carry anything properly. I was essentially disabled and there was no improvement. At the time I was working a desk job, not exercising and stressed out all the time. Adding to that I had chronic back pain that I thought I would be stuck with for life and that made me depressed.

A cousin recommended Acupuncture. I was skeptical but desperate so I gave it a try. After about 2 treatments I felt significant improvement. I continued to get treatments and also began an herb regiment. I don't know that I can really describe how my life was changed by Chinese Medicine. I can only say that I would not be in school learning what I am learning today because I would be unable to sit in a chair for very long or carry a back pack or ride my bike to classes as I do now.

I want to share Chinese medicine with others because I know what it's like to live with chronic pain. I want to help people feel better so they can live their lives and pursue their dreams.

What do I honestly think of Physics, really?

I find Physics interesting though I feel like my understanding of physics is very general and vague. I do geek-out on a good quantum physics documentary when I come across one. I love the idea of time travel and parallel universes, but I guess I don't think much about it. Maybe I should. Maybe I will more after this class!

Now that I think about it, have I ever experienced time "slowing down" or "speeding up"?

Sure I have. But only subjectively. Whenever anything bad happens I feel like it happens in slow motion. Especially if I am not fast enough to prevent the thing from happening. I often can feel my body refusing to move fast enough.

In terms of speeding up I feel like when I am very busy my life moves more quickly. I feel like I was too busy during my 20's and they flew by. That's why I am hoping school will move quickly, but as I discovered from other students last night, that may not be the case.