Truth is, if I remember correctly, you have a degree in chemistry...do you not? I would welcome some of those old style posts highlighting the intelligence of creation...nobody does that better.

jo

===================

What a wonderful compliment. I thank you sincerely for it.

Where would you like me to begin? The world, nay the universe is His stage, from the submicroscopic to the supermacroscopic, we don't know everything about anything.

Let's start with some immutable facts, shall we?

Engineers design with efficiency in mind. Now consider EVERYTHING you see, touch and in fact are. Everything is actually pretty close to nothing. I calculated that only about one part in 10 to the 17th is matter, and the rest of solids, and liquids, are of course empty.

This fantastic and unprecedented efficiency just designed itself, and fabricated itself, out of ... nothing. No, really. Would I kid you?

Then we have light, which transmits with uncanny clarity and efficiency these very words to your eyes, where they are almost instantly transmitted to your brain.

Now as strange as it sounds, light too just fabricated itself, from... nothingness. It's all so simple, don't you see. Light, with a constant velocity of 3 x 10 to the 10th centimeters per second. It knows how fast to go all the time on account of everything from nothingness. Make sense to you?

Light transmits not only information, enabling you to read this, but also energy, enabling photosynthesis and ultimately life for everything. Kinda cool, coming as light did from ... nothing.

Light is fast, really fast. If it were not, radio communications would be far less efficient, and all of us would be quite dead. You see, the energy coming from our sun is a function of the SQUARE of the velocity of light, as hydrogen is converted to helium relative to the mass/energy equation.

So just a 30% reduction in c would reduce earth's solar energy by about half.

But light is thousands of times faster than sound. How cool is slow sound? Just as cool as fast light, by golly. As I listen now to Requerdas de la Alhambra, the stereophonic effect is absolute bliss. The difference in the sounds between left ear and right are discernable to about one ten-thousandth of a second because sound is 750 MPH versus 186,000 MPS for light.

Your ears perform a Fourier analysis on everything you hear. If your eyes did this, they would break down white light as a prism does. Luck, luck, luck. All this from nothing. Beauty, eh?

You pick the next naturalistic topic, jo, whatever it may be, and I will try to show you God's hand and design in it.

.

said it in another way, as well as the Primordial Adhi-Buddha, Samantabhadra...

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali - Book 1 - The Problem of Union

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO CD:

47. When this supercontemplative state is reached, the Yogi acquires pure spiritual realization through the balanced quiet of the Chitta (or mind stuff).

The Sanskrit words employed in this sutra can only be adequately translated into clear terms by the use of certain phrases which make the English version clearer. Literally, the sutra might be stated to run as follows "Clear perspicuity follows through the quiet chitta." It should be remembered here that the idea involved is that of purity in its true sense, meaning "freedom from limitation," and therefore signifying the attainment of pure spiritual realization. Contact by the soul with the monad or spirit is the result, and knowledge of this contact is transmitted to the physical brain.

This is only possible at a very advanced stage of yoga practice, and when the mind stuff is utterly still. The Father in Heaven is known, as revealed by the Son to the Mother. Sattva (or rhythm) alone becomes manifest, rajas (activity) and tamas (inertia) being dominated and controlled. We should remember here that sattva has reference to the rhythm of the forms in which the yogi is functioning, and only as they express [103] the highest of the three gunas (or qualities of matter) is the highest or spiritual aspect known. Only as rajas controls is the second aspect known; only as tamas holds sway is the lowest aspect known. There is an interesting analogy between the inertia (or tamas) aspect of matter and the condition of the bodies of the yogi when in the highest samadhi. Then the sattvic or rhythmic motion is so complete that to the eye of the average man a condition of quiescence is achieved which is the sublimation of the tamasic or inert condition of the densest substance.

The following words from the commentary dealt with in Woods' translation of the sutras will be found helpful:

"When freed from obscuration by impurity, the sattva of the thinking-substance, the essence of which is light, has pellucid steady flow not overwhelmed by the rajas and the tamas. This is the clearness. When this clearness arises in the super reflective balanced-state then the yogin gains the internal undisturbed calm (that is to say), the vision of the flash (sputa) of insight which does not pass successively through the serial order (of the usual processes of experience) and which has as its intended object the thing as it really is... Impurity is an accretion of rajas and tamas. And it is the defilement which has the distinguishing characteristic of obscuration. Clearness is freed from this." (p. 93.)

The man has succeeded (through discipline, through following the means of yoga, and through perseverance in meditation) in dissociating himself [104] from all forms, and in identifying himself with the formless.

He has arrived at the point at the heart of his being. From that point of pure spiritual realization, he can increasingly work in the future. Through practice, he strengthens that realization, and all life, work and circumstances are viewed as a passing pageant with which he is not concerned. Upon them, however, he can turn the searchlight of pure spirit; he himself is light and knows himself as part of the "Light of the World," and "in that light shall he see light." He knows things as they are and realizes that all which he has hitherto regarded as reality is but illusion.

He has pierced the great Maya and passed behind it into the light which produces it and for him mistake is in the future impossible; his sense of values is correct; his sense of proportion is exact. He no longer is subject to deception but stands freed from delusion. When this point is realized, pain and pleasure no longer affect him; he is lost in the bliss of Self-Realization.

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali - Book 4 - Illumination

4. The "I am" consciousness is responsible for the creation of the organs through which the sense of individuality is enjoyed.

Here we have the key to manifestation itself and the reason for all appearances. Just as long as the consciousness of any entity (solar, planetary or human) is outward going towards objects of desire, towards sentient existence, towards individual experience, and towards the life of sensuous perception and enjoyment, just so long will the vehicles or organs be created whereby desire can be satisfied, materialised existence can be enjoyed, and objects perceived.

This is the great illusion by which consciousness is glamored, and as long as the glamor exerts any power, just so long will the Law of Rebirth bring the outward-going consciousness into manifestation upon the plane of materiality.

It is the will-to-be and desire for existence that swings outward into the light both the cosmic Christ, [386] functioning on the material plane through the medium of the solar system, and the individual Christ, functioning through the medium of the human form.

In the early stages the "I am" consciousness creates forms of matter inadequate for the full expression of the divine powers.

As evolution proceeds these forms become increasingly suitable until the "organs" created enable the spiritual man to enjoy the sense of individuality.

When this stage is arrived at, there comes the great realization of illusion. The consciousness awakes to the fact that in form and sense perception, and in the outward going tendency, lie no real joy or pleasure, and there starts a new effort which is characterized by a gradual withdrawal of the outward-going tendency and an abstraction of the spirit from out of the form.

5. Consciousness is one, yet produces the varied forms of the many.

Here Patanjali lays down a basic formula which serves to explain not only the purpose and reason of manifestation itself but covers in one short phrase the state of being of God, man and atom.

Behind all forms is found the one Life; within every atom (solar, planetary, human and elemental) is found the one sentient existence; back of objective nature, the sum total of all forms in all the kingdoms of nature is found the subjective reality which is essentially a unified whole or unity, producing the diversified many. [387]

The homogeneous is the cause of the heterogeneous, unity produces diversity, the One is responsible for the many. This the student can appreciate more intelligently if he follows the golden rule which reveals the mystery of creation and studies himself. The microcosm reveals the nature of the macrocosm.

He will find that he, the real or spiritual man, the thinker, or the one life in his tiny system, is responsible for the creation of his mental, emotional and physical bodies, his three lower aspects, the "shadow" of the Trinity, just as his spirit, soul and body are the reflections of the three divine aspects, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

He will find that he is responsible for the formation of all the organs in his body, and for all the cells of which they are composed and as he studies his problem more closely he will become aware that his consciousness and life pervades, and is therefore responsible for, myriads beyond number of tiny infinitesimal lives; that he is the cause of their aggregation into organs and forms, and the reason those forms are held in being.

Gradually there dawns on him a true understanding of the significance of the words "made in the image of God."

His "consciousness is one and yet has produced the varied forms of the many" within his little cosmos, and what is true of him is true of his great prototype, the Heavenly Man, the planetary Logos, and true again of the prototype of his prototype, the Grand Man of the Heavens, the solar Logos, God in manifestation through the solar system. [388]

The Aspiration of Samantabhadra

HO
All that appears and exists, all of samsara and nirvana,
Has one ground, two paths and two results.
It is the display of awareness and ignorance.
Through the aspiration of Samantabhadra
May all be fully awakened
In the citadel of the dharmadhatu.

The ground of all is uncomposed,
An inexpressible, self-arisen expanse
Without the names "samsara" and "nirvana."

If it is known, buddhahood is attained.
Not knowing it, beings wander in samsara.
May all beings of the three realms
Know the inexpressible ground.

I, Samantabhadra
Know naturally that ground
Without cause and condition.

I am without the defects of superimposition and denial of outer and inner.

I am unobscured by the darkness of mindlessness.

Therefore, self-appearance is unobscured.

If self-awareness remains in place
There is no fear even if the three-fold world is destroyed.

There is no attachment to the five desirables.
In self-arisen, non-conceptual awareness
There is no solid form or five poisons.

The unceasing lucidity of awareness
Is five wisdoms of one nature.
Through the ripening of the five wisdoms
The five families of the first buddha arose.
From the further expansion of wisdom
The forty-two buddhas arose.
As the display of five wisdoms
The sixty blood drinkers arose.
Therefore, ground-awareness never became confused.
As I am the first buddha,
Through my aspiration
May beings of samsara's three realms
Recognize self-arisen awareness
And expand great wisdom.

My emanations are unceasing.
I manifest inconceivable billions,
Displayed as whatever tames beings.
Through my compassionate aspiration
May all beings of samsara's three realms
Escape the six states.

At first, for bewildered beings
Awareness did not arise on the ground.
That obscurity of unconsciousness
Is the cause of bewildered ignorance.
From that unconsciousness
Emerged terrified, blurry cognition.
Self - other and enmity were born from that.
Through the gradual intensification of habit
Sequential entry into samsara began.
The five poisonous kleshas developed.
The actions of the five poisons are unceasing.
Therefore, since the ground of the confusion of beings
Is mindless ignorance,
Through the aspiration of myself, the buddha,
May all recognize awareness.

The connate ignorance
Is a distracted, mindless cognition.
The labeling ignorance
Is holding self and other to be two.
The two ignorances, connate and labeling,
Are the ground of the confusion of all beings.
Through the aspiration of myself, the buddha,
May the thick, mindless obscurity
Of all samsaric beings be dispelled.
May dualistic cognition be clarified.
May awareness be recognized.

Dualism is doubt.
From the emergence of subtle clinging
Coarse habit gradually develops.
Food, wealth, clothing, places, companions,
The five desirables and beloved relatives --
Beings are tormented by attachment to the pleasant.
That is mundane confusion.
There is no end to the actions of dualism.
When the fruit of clinging ripens,
Born as pretas tormented by craving --
How sad is their hunger and thirst.
Through the aspiration of myself, the buddha,
May desirous beings
Not reject the longing of desire
Nor accept the clinging of attachment.
By relaxing cognition as it is
May their awareness take its seat.
May they attain the wisdom of discrimination.

Through the emergence of a subtle, fearful cognition
Of externally apparent objects
The habit of aversion grows.
Coarse enmity, beating and killing are born.
When the fruit of aversion ripens,
How much suffering there is in hell through boiling and burning.
Through the aspiration of myself, the buddha,
When strong aversion arises
In all beings of the six states,
May it be relaxed without rejection or acceptance.
Awareness taking its seat,
May beings attain the wisdom of clarity.

One's mind becoming inflated,
An attitude of superiority to others,
Fierce pride, is born.
One experiences the suffering of disputation.
When the fruit of that action ripens
One is born as a god and experiences death and downfall.
Through the aspiration of myself, the buddha,
May beings with inflated minds
Relax cognition as it is.
Awareness taking its seat,
May they realize equality.

Through the habit of developed dualism,
From the agony of praising oneself and denigrating others,
Quarrelsome competitiveness develops.
Born as an asura, killed and mutilated,
One falls to hell as a result.
Through the aspiration of myself, the buddha,
May those who quarrel through competitiveness
Relax their enmity.
Awareness taking its seat,
May they attain the wisdom of unimpeded activity.

Through the distraction of mindless apathy,
Through torpor, obscurity, forgetfulness,
Unconsciousness, laziness and bewilderment,
One wanders as an unprotected animal as a result.
Through the aspiration of myself, the buddha,
May the light of lucid mindfulness arise
In the obscurity of torpid bewilderment.
May non-conceptual wisdom be attained.

All beings of the three realms
Are equal to myself, the buddha, in the all-ground.
It became the ground of mindless confusion.
Now, they engage in pointless actions.
The six actions are like the bewilderment of dreams.
I am the first buddha.
I tame the six types of beings through emanations.

Through the aspiration of Samantabhadra,
May all beings without exception
Be awakened in the dharmadhatu.

A HO
From now on whenever a powerful yogin
Within lucid awareness without bewilderment
Makes this powerful aspiration,
All beings who hear it
Will be fully awakened within three lives.

When the sun or moon is grasped by Rahu,
When there is clamor or earthquakes,
At the solstices or at the year's change,
If he generates himself as Samantabhadra
And recites this in the hearing of all,
All beings of the three realms
Will be gradually freed from suffering
And will finally attain buddhahood
Through the aspiration of that yogin.

From the Tantra of the Great Perfection Which Shows the Penetrating Wisdom of Samantabhadra, this is the ninth chapter, which presents the powerful aspiration which makes it impossible for all beings not to attain buddhahood.

Translated by Lama Yeshe Gyamtso and The Dzogchen Ponlop, Rinpoche.

I have always been fascinated by the work of Amedeo Avogadro and the discovery of the the mole...6.022 x 10 > 23.... I posted on this a while back in faith based ...there were those who found the relationship unremarkable but as for me I still marvel at such consistency in the atomic structure.That kind of coincidence simply does not exist.

Not to disturb your present chain of thought, but you might be interested in this article:

hDark Light, Dark Matter and The Monad

justoffal:

I have always been fascinated by the work of Amedeo Avogadro and the discovery of the the mole...6.022 x 10 > 23.... I posted on this a while back in faith based ...there were those who found the relationship unremarkable but as for me I still marvel at such consistency in the atomic structure.That kind of coincidence simply does not exist.

Avogadro's number has little to do with atomic structure. But on the subject of atomic structure, consider these attributes of metals.

1. While iron readily oxidizes, rendering it uglier, weaker, and much dirtier, it is transmogrified to stainless steel with only relatively small amounts of carbon, and chromium. Two percent or less make profound changes in a structure. It is as if you painted only 2% of a surface, and thereby rendered the whole thing waterproofed! Sacre bluh!

2. On the subject of metals, consider the impossibly illogical aspect of alloying. You see, if metal B has a melting point of 850 degrees and metal C has a melting point of 950 degrees, and you melt them together into a homogenious block, you would expect that their alloyed melting point would be something like a liner function of the respective two. But no, in fact often these alloys melt at a lower melting point jointly than either of them melts individually. Fascinating.

3. Why do metals have the unusual and profoundly beneficial properties of high electrical conductivity, and high thermal conductivity COUPLED WITH high tensile strength and high shear strength, and a very high hardness? As useful as these characteristics are, they would be of little consequence if metals weren't so very abundant, AND ductile AND malleable AND easy to purify and work with.

The gratuitious pretense that matter and energy and organization all made themselves from nothing whatsoever is about as unscientific as it gets. Science addresses naturalistic events. God, being beyond the purview of naturalism, is forever beyond the ken of "science" and is not subject to any constraints imposed by naturalistic pretenders.

I appreciate that subject especially because I am responsible for choosing drum thickness on high pressure boilers from time to time. t = (p)(r)(fs) / (Ts)(E) is good up to 750 degrees F but not after that. I also know that high carbon steel is not a good choice for high pressure drums because the metal tends to creep if it is not elastic enough.

I am curious about why you say that Avogadro's number has little to do with Atomic structure it is based on that very value is it not?

justoffal:

I appreciate that subject especially because I am responsible for choosing drum thickness on high pressure boilers from time to time. t = (p)(r)(fs) / (Ts)(E) is good up to 750 degrees F but not after that. I also know that high carbon steel is not a good choice for high pressure drums because the metal tends to creep if it is not elastic enough.

I am curious about why you say that Avogadro's number has little to do with Atomic structure it is based on that very value is it not?

X-ray crystalography is the study of the structure of solids. There are many different structures of crystals, such as face-centered cubic, and body-centered rhombic. These structures have absolutely nothing to do with the number of atoms or molecules in some arbitrary mass of a substance. You see, Avocados Quantity is somewhat arbitrary in that it is defined as a gram-equivalent weight. It would be very different if it were an ounce-equivalent weight, or a kilogram-equivalent weight. There would be many more avocados, from about 29 times as many to 1,000 times as many.

On the other hand, with a different Avocado, the structure of everything would be just as it is right now, wouldn't it.

Don't get me wrong. I love avocados. They're great on sandwiches and salads, you know, when the lettuce is nice and perky...