The Tao of Physics - by Fritjof Capra [audiobook] part 2

This paragraph explores the different approaches of Eastern mysticism to the paradoxical aspects of reality. Hinduism uses mythical language to bypass paradoxes, while Buddhism and Taoism emphasize them. The Taoist scripture, Lao Tzu, and the Zen Buddhist practice of Koans challenge conventional logical reasoning, aiming to awaken a new consciousness. This is likened to the physicists' experience with atomic physics, where traditional logic was insufficient, and a new awareness was necessary to understand the atomic reality.

The paragraph delves into the exploration of the subatomic world, which is beyond our direct sensory perception. Modern physics, through sophisticated technology, has allowed us to observe atomic properties indirectly. However, this experience differs from our everyday encounters, as our language and concepts are inadequate for describing these phenomena. As we venture into the infinitesimal realm, we must abandon traditional language and embrace a new perspective, much like the mystical experience described by Eastern philosophers.

This section discusses the foundational concepts of the Newtonian worldview, which included absolute space and time, solid particles, and deterministic laws of nature. The Newtonian model was the framework for classical physics for centuries. However, the discoveries of modern physics, including quantum theory and relativity, necessitated a radical shift in these concepts, leading to a new understanding of the universe that challenged the very nature of space, time, and matter.

The paragraph explains Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity, which unified classical physics but altered the traditional concepts of space and time into a single four-dimensional continuum known as space-time. It also discusses the General Theory of Relativity, which incorporates gravity and shows that space and time are curved by the presence of mass, thereby abolishing the notions of absolute space and time and introducing a dynamic, interconnected universe.

This paragraph examines the development of quantum theory, which revealed the dual particle-wave nature of matter and light. It discusses the discovery of quanta, the probabilistic nature of atomic events, and the concept of probability waves. Quantum theory has fundamentally changed our understanding of matter, showing it as a complex web of relations rather than isolated building blocks, and has introduced the observer as an integral part of the observation process.

The paragraph focuses on the discovery of the neutron and the understanding of the atomic nucleus. It explains how the nucleus, composed of protons and neutrons, is incredibly dense and contains most of the atom's mass. The nuclear force, which binds these particles, is a unique phenomenon not found outside the nucleus. The paragraph also touches on the dynamic nature of subatomic particles as revealed by high-energy physics.

This section describes the dynamic and mutable nature of matter as seen through high-energy experiments, where particles can transform into other particles and energy can manifest as particles. It emphasizes the lack of classical concepts like isolated objects and material substance in the subatomic world, highlighting instead a universe composed of inseparable energy patterns and interactions.

The paragraph outlines the religious philosophies of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism, focusing on their mystical experiences of reality. It discusses the Hindu concept of Brahman as the ultimate reality behind all phenomena and the idea of Maya as the illusion of perceiving diverse forms as separate realities. The paragraph also touches on the concept of Karma as the dynamic force of creation and the goal of Moksha or liberation in Hinduism.