Wow, my wife just brought to my intention that I haven't posted anything here since November of last year! Opps. :)
Below is a great article that you all might find interesting.

Gray~

B"H
Physics & Kabbalah,
Unifying Two Worlds

A Scientific Understanding Underlying Metaphysical Realities

Originally published in Panu Derekh #25
Copyright © 1998 by Ariel Bar Tzadok. All rights reserved.

Introduction, The Difference between Physical & Spiritual

Corporeality is the realm discernible to our physical senses. Yet, we must ask by what criteria do we define the limit of our physical senses. For example, TV and radio waves are not visible to the human eye. I cannot directly see them or hear them. Does this make them non-corporeal? If so, do they fall into the realm of, what religiously we will call, the spiritual realms, the domain of angels? I certainly hope that we will never come to confuse G-d's messengers with TV or radio waves.

We recognize TV and radio waves as corporeal elements because we have a developed technology that can measure, receive and manifest them. Therefore, our definition of corporeality is defined as all things perceived by our physical senses and includes all things that can be perceived by our measuring and monitoring devices. Technology has simply expanded the boundaries of human physical observation.

Corporeality can now be defined as that which can be sensed or perceived by human physical senses complimented by the use of technology. Where then do we draw the line to begin the definition of non-corporeality (the spiritual realms)?

Science today can peer into the smallest of sub-atomic particles to contemplate the elemental forms of matter and can also look out into space and almost see the beginning of creation. Soon technology will expand and we will eventually see everything in the realms of time and space. Eventually a Grand Unified Theory for the universe will be postulated, tested and eventually accepted. The secrets of space-time will then be explained. The study of physics will then be forced to enter those domains, which today we call the non-corporeal. In the not too distant future, scientists will include these realms into their agendas of study. Yet, just what are these non-corporeal realms?

What if anything ever happened to the non-corporeal universe spoken of in such detail by all the world's religions? After all, Grand Unified Theories will not produce for us angels, take us to Heaven or introduce us to G-d. All of these are said to exist in a realm outside of space-time known as Heaven. Where is this place? Is this the place souls go to after death? If so, then what can science teach us about death, about the existence, nature and makeup of a soul? Physics indeed does a good job to explain what happens to us here in the world of space-time. Yet, unless you totally reject all forms of religion and spirituality, you are left with the questions: what is a soul, and where does it come from?

I do not believe that even the most accomplished physicists would ever dare to scientifically postulate on these matters. It is much easier to say that these questions belong to another realm of scientific investigation, or best left out of science altogether, left for the religious and philosopher to debate. After all, science studies discernible reality. Has anyone ever been able to scientifically or otherwise observe or measure a soul, an angel or somewhere that we would call heaven? No, these areas are in the realms of the non-corporeal and thus outside the realm of science, - at least a science limited by its present understanding of space-time.

Now we are back to the previous question, where is (or better to ask) what is a non-corporeal (spiritual) state of being?

The holy Rabbis of the Kabbalah (the esoteric school of Torah) teach that the non-corporeal world is an invisible realm that surrounds us on all sides. Yet, even these ancient masters of mysticism would agree that such things as TV or radio waves, although invisible to our physical eye, are nonetheless, not of the non-corporeal realms of which they speak. Thousands of years before modern scientists Kabbalists spoke about apparently invisible things, this could be “seen” through specific measures, thus making them appear corporeal. These holy Rabbis spoke of the non-corporeal worlds as a place of Divine Light, a place of Thought and Mind. (Angels are understood to simply be bodiless thought forms that somehow, according to their own laws of physics, influence the corporeal realm beneath them. Indeed, angels are often represented as having bodies of "light").

Kabbalistically speaking, the spiritual, non-corporeal realm is a realm of light and thought. It is "above" our corporeal physical world. We define our corporeal world as that which is detectable in space-time, yet science already has postulated the existence of other realms. In these realms the laws of physics, as we know and understand them today, break down. The barrier separating these realms is the speed of light.

Our corporeal world is defined as being limited to those things that manifest mass and that vibrate at a speed slower than the speed of light. This is applicable to everything from sub-atomic particles to entire galaxies in space. According to its speed is its definition. Anything vibrating slower than light is corporeal and thus included within the boundaries of space-time. This means that anything moving faster than the speed of light is non-corporeal.

Many modern physicists have postulated the existence of a faster-than-light particle, known as a tachyon. If indeed this and other faster-than-light particles do exist, then they probably form a universe (in their own place and according to their own properties of physics) similar to how protons, neutrons and electrons in our universe form us.

When we think of protons, neutrons and electrons, we visualize them as being little round marbles or balls. This image is how sub-atomic particles are portrayed in science books and taught in schools. Yet, the pioneer theory in physics today is that these sub-atomic particles are not these little dots of matter, but rather a group of vibrating strings. Indeed all sub-atomic matter is said to be merely varying degrees of resonance vibrating on these sub-nuclear strings. The whole universe then is founded upon sound. Matter is nothing more than the symphony of space-time. However, there is one unique principle about matter; the vibrating strings all vibrate slower than the speed of light. It is thus possible that there is a universe invisible to us made up of particles (sound resonance upon strings) that travel (modulates) faster than light.

Modern science is a long way off from knowing whether there is a sentient hyperlight universe. Yet, who knows what is being discovered right now in experimental laboratories around the world? Indeed modern theoretical physicists are already talking about invisible "dark" matter, 10 dimensional space-time, the realities of time travel and parallel universes. With the advances in modern physics, the realms of the invisible are no longer the domains of religion or science fiction. The realm of the invisible is now science fact.

What is the invisible, faster than light realm? What exists in it? Is there life there as we know and understand life? The chances are no, life as we define it here on earth cannot exist there. For "there'' is a realm wherein which the laws of our familiar four dimensional space-time do not exist. "There" is a realm of other dimensions, other laws of physics. Therefore, we can conclude that anything in that realm will be very different, if not completely different from anything in our four dimensional space-time realms.

Difference, however, is defined by a lack of common denominators. If I have nothing in common with another, then we are completely different. Nevertheless, we cannot say for sure that we have no commonality with whatever might exist in a faster than light hyperspace.

Indeed there are aspects of the human condition that clearly exist yet have no relative dimension in neither space nor time. Human emotions and thought are two such examples. We all know that feelings and thoughts exist, yet neither of these can be subject to mathematical analysis or a theory of their operations presented.

I can go to school and learn the laws of physics, biology, chemistry and the like. I can even learn laws that govern economics, human behavior and societies. Yet, in spite of whatever psychology wishes to advance, one cannot learn the laws of human emotions and thought and thus be able to predict and direct how people are to think and feel. Granted while there are techniques to manipulate the way people feel and what people think, these techniques of mind control (including commercial advertising) take advantage of what is missing in the mind instead of using what is best in the mind (i.e. rational, cognitive, analytical abilities of discretion, discernment and critical thinking).

Let us shift for a moment into a discussion of religion. The holy Sages of the Kabbalah teach many things concerning angels, spiritual realms and the ultimate domain of G-d. Unfortunately, modern science dismisses these teachings as religious myth. Indeed many modern day theoretical Kabbalists are mythological in their thinking and add fuel to the atheistic fires.

However, putting aside all incorrect views of knowledge, let us focus on what the ancient Kabbalists were saying. When they spoke about invisible worlds and those who dwell there, describing these realms with a cursive, poetic form of imagery, they were concealing within their words their knowledge of the laws of physics. They knew many things that modern science is just uncovering.

The ancient Kabbalists, with all due respect, did not discover these matters on their own. Their knowledge was supposedly revealed to them by angels or other angelic messengers sent by G-d. Yet, let us now ask, just what is an angel? What type of form does it have? What is its makeup? How does it travel from "heaven" to earth? In addition, just what is and where is heaven? What exactly is G-d? What is the religiously referred to spiritual plane? It is here that we will see science and Kabbalah are describing similar things, yet using sets of terms that are unique to each particular system. How unfortunate that more scientists and Kabbalists do not learn the vocabulary of the other and thus compare notes, all for the common cause of the pursuit of truth.

It is interesting to note that although human beings (and all other matter) are formed from sub-atomic particles, there remains one aspect of matter that remains unexplained by modern science. What exactly is the definition of sentience (consciousness)? What exactly causes life? The chair in which I presently sit is formed from many different materials - wood, plastic, fabric and more. Each of these materials is made up of a series of microscopic cells, each of which is only a combination of molecules. Molecules are simply combinations of atoms. Atoms are made up of neutrons and protons that form the atomic nucleus. Electrons orbit the atomic nucleus in the same way as the earth orbits the sun.

In recent decades, physicists have ascertained even smaller particles form the neutrons and protons within the atomic nucleus. These smaller particles are called quarks. Both neutrons and protons are said to be made up of three quarks apiece. Additionally scientists have found a number of other sub-atomic particles that form the menagerie of atomic structure. Yet, with all these particles, there is a cohesive force that binds them together.

Comparatively speaking, there is as much space between sub-atomic particles as there is between planets and stars. As this is the case, what exactly is the nature of the force that binds matter together? How do the sub-atomic particles, which form my hand, know that they belong to my hand and not to the wood table upon which my hand presently rests?

At our human level, I can recognize forms, which create the difference between my hand and the table. Yet, at the sub-atomic level all that exist are little particles, which bare no resemblance to that which they form. How is it then that they know what to form? What force binds combinations of sub-atomic particles into atoms and eventually molecules?

Is this really a mystery? I think not. Science does know the answer to this. The answer is that electrons orbiting the atomic nucleus generate an energy field, which acts like a force field. This is very important to understand. For if the distant between particles is so vast that we compare it to the distance between planets and stars, then the vast majority of matter is nothing but empty space (or so it appears).

If this is so, why then should my hand not pass through the table upon which it now rests? If there is so much empty space making up the molecular structure of my hand and of the table, one should naturally and easily pass through the another. This, we know does not happen. The reason for this is the electron field. If it were not for the field of electrons surrounding each atomic nucleus, indeed my hand would pass through the table.

So, let us thank G-d for electrons, those negatively charged particles, which define the parameters of that which we recognize as, form. Electrons form the energy fields, which give rise to physical form. Yet, the electrons themselves are not form, as we know it. They are energy - an energy, which gives rise to form but itself, is not form. This is the secret of what the Kabbalists call the "speaking silence", the Hashmal (which "hover around the celestial throne"). The Hashmal are not electrons, but it is the force that directs the electrons in their function.

You may not realize it but I have just explained a most profound Kabalistic secret that underlies the usage of holy Names, miracles and magic. I have also raised a number of questions that we must explore in order to be able to put all these matters together and understand them within the context of Kabalistic terminology.

Creation: Physics meets Torah
As briefly mentioned above, the newest of all sub-atomic theories hypothesizes that the smallest particles of matter, indeed billions of times smaller than neutrons and protons, are not particles at all, but are rather strings. These tiny little strings each vibrate in a different way expressing a different frequency. Similar to a violin, one string can manifest many different notes. So too do these sub-atomic strings each vibrate with a different resonance. Together these strings create the orchestra of the universe. In other words, underlying all forms of matter in our four dimensional space-time is not any type of particle, but only variations of sounds upon strings. One type of string, many types of sounds. Physical matter is, therefore, founded upon sound.

Yet, whose sound? Who (or what) causes the strings to vibrate? Who (or what) orchestrates the "music" that forms the universe? This newest theory in physics is called the super sting theory. Unknown to most physicists, the super string theory, even in its most advanced mathematical forms, is coming very close to the Kabalistic understanding of the process of creation.

In order to understand this we must understand the relationship between, or better to say the difference between, physical matter and energy. According to Einstein's famous theory of relativity E=MC˛ (energy is equal to mass times the speed of light), the difference between energy and mass is defined by the speed of light.

If the string theory is correct (and according to Kabbalah it is) the difference between energy and (physical) mass is simply the frequency of vibration of the strings. That which vibrates faster than the speed of light is energy. That which vibrates slower than the speed of light is mass.

Our world of space-time is composed of those vibrations, which make up neutrons, protons and electrons. According to Kabbalah, there exists a faster than light world made up of tachyons and other yet unknown particles (or strings).

Let us review the parameters of dimensions. Space consists of three dimensions. Time is the fourth dimension. According to Kabbalah the fifth dimension is that which is referred to as Thought. Space travel is accomplished by foot, car or plane. Time travel (at present) is accomplished by aging. Thought travel is two directional, between good and evil. The method of travel in this dimension is through the medium of the thinking process. In other words, where your thoughts are is where you are. Thought traverses the fifth dimension. Thought, therefore, is the dimension above space-time. It can travel at a speed faster than light. This fact was scientifically proven during tests of quantum mechanics performed in the 1980's.

According to the Kabbalists, Adam, before the fall in the Garden of Eden, had a body of light and not one of flesh and blood. Only as a result of the eating of the fruit from the forbidden Tree was Adam "penalized" with a body of flesh. What then was the true nature of the fall of Adam? The present Adamic body of flesh and blood is composed of matter, which exists in four-dimensional space-time. In other words, our bodies are formed of those sub-atomic particles, which are strings that are vibrating slower than the speed of light.

If Adam's original body was made of light, as the Kabbalists say, this would mean that his original form did not exist within the realm of physical matter at all. Indeed the Kabbalists teach this. Rather his body of light vibrated its constituent strings at a hyperlight speed. Thus Adam's original form did not exist in space-time but in the fifth dimension of Thought. Is there any connection between this and the forbidden Tree being the Tree of Knowledge?

It appears that Adam's body of light might have been made from tachyons. It is possible that tachyons or other hyperlight particles (strings or whatever) are the conductors of Thought in the hyperlight dimension, as electrons are the conductors of charge in the sub-light worlds.

Angels
Adam's original body of light is said to have been similar in appearance to the angels. Angels are pure thought forms composed of hyperlight particles existing in a fifth dimension. The value of Thought here gives us insight as to why the Torah places such strong emphasis on thought and intent (i.e. kavana) in performing the ritual commandments. Our Thoughts create things. Indeed, the modulations within the observance of the ritual law are said to create a body of light, which the soul inhabits upon leaving this body and this world. Another modern name of this light body is the "astral body".

A shift of essence from hyperlight to sub-light speed should not be a foreign concept to us. Heat equals speed of movement. In other words, the more a molecular structure of a thing vibrates the hotter that mass becomes. The opposite is also true - the slower something goes, the colder it becomes. The best example of this we all know - the compound H2O (two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen). This element we all know as water. When water is in between the temperature 32 to 212 degrees Fahrenheit it exists in a liquid state. Beneath 32 degrees Fahrenheit and the molecular structure of water slows down to become solid ice. Higher in temperature than 212 degrees Fahrenheit and liquid water turns into a gas: stream. Eventually steam can be heated until it becomes plasma, a type of matter, which is not simply gas, but is not yet pure energy.

As water can change its property from a solid to a liquid to a gas to plasma, what would happen if we sped up the hydrogen and oxygen atoms to the speed of light? Obviously the heat would be tremendous, yet what form would this molecule take?

As it is with water so it is with the body of Adam (and thus all mankind), whose bodies are made up of 90% water. The result of incongruent movement in the dimension of Thought led Adam's essence to slow to such an extent that it changed essence from light to mass. Instead of being like an angel, Adam became like a monkey (at least from the physical side of things).

Yet, it appears that our energy side only became encased in an outer shell of matter. This is the relationship of body and soul. Matter is ever changing. Atoms are continually forming new molecular structures. So it seems that whatever energy field it is that we call a soul, it only has a temporary ability to project a cohesive element to the molecules that form our physical bodies. Yet, at some point this cohesive ability either breaks down or intentionally has built within it a type of self-destruct mechanism. This is the aging process and the inevitable death of the physical body.

From Kabalistic tradition though, it does not seem that this process is absolute. We have two examples of humans who transcended the physical plane by transforming into light bodies. These two are Enoch and Elijah, both spoken about in the Bible. Yet, the point to note here is that in both these cases, neither is portrayed as having transcended their physical bodies of their own accord. Both "were taken" above. In other words, there was an intervention from other entities that apparently were the inhabitants of the realms to which these two were taken. Thus they were changed by an outside force.

The change itself is a rather interesting one. For according to Kabalistic legend their bodies were "turned into fire". Now, everyone knows that if one's flesh were to spontaneously combust, one would burn to death. Therefore, this is some other type of "fire". Yet, if the transference of matter into energy is performed by the speeding up of the molecular structure to the speed of light (and beyond), this generates a large amount of heat. This is most likely the reason why angels or other entities of that nature are said to possess "bodies" which glow like brass or gold. Their forms are not made of matter as we know it but rather of energy congealing in an appropriate form for the sake of their individual earthly missions. Such form is discarded once the entity returns to its own dimensional plane of existence.

This also explains why angels never appear the same to two different observers. Angels have no physical form. Their appearance, therefore, is only a reflection of matter. They "borrow" such forms so as to be recognized by those who need to conceptualize things in form. Standard human intelligence does not conceive of matter-less forms of pure energy (which are constructs of thought existing in the fifth dimensional plane). Yet, these entities exist over and above our awareness (or lack of it). These entities when interacting with us must project a type of visage through their natural medium of the mental plane. It is only in this way that standard humans are able to cognize non-matter forms of life (without the advantages of modern technology). Thus when one of these entities "appears" it actually is harmonizing its vibrational frequency (of whatever form of particles or strings that form its existence) with an appropriate match within the individuals subjective mind. Such an entity does not need to take on mass and thus slow down its personal modulations. It simply communicates with the human in that one dimension which we share: the realm of Thought.

Whenever necessary, as deemed by whatever force or power that science does not yet know, these hyperlight entities can and do lower their modulations and take on physical appearances in this world. An interesting question thus arises (for which I have no answer). Do these entities have within their nature the innate ability to perform, on their own, this lowering of modulation? On the other hand, is this process performed on them by a higher source or some form of technology that exists and works within the laws of their dimensional planes? Remember Ezekiel's chariot outlined in the Biblical book of the same name. We take for granted that his vision is projected mind thought. However, is it possible to interpret this vision as being some form of technological device? Perhaps. While this is not a Kabalistic view on the matter, nonetheless, our understanding of the vision is, if anything, incomplete.

Demons
The mathematical equations that underlie the super string theory require that there be ten dimensions to the space-time universe. However, as we all know, we only see four of them - three dimensions in space and the dimension of time. Where then are the other six dimensions? Scientists say that these six dimensions of space-time became rolled up into themselves soon after the big bang. Presently, they are too small to be seen or noticed. Yet, these dimensions make up what is called "black matter".

These other dimensions form the dark side of space-time, a universe that is not so brightly lit. By this I mean that the sub-atomic particles vibrate at a lower frequency than they do here in our space-time. This limits this dimension from being visible to us. It also means that this dark matter dimension is unable to receive the high frequency modulations of the hyperlight universe. The dark matter universe, therefore, cannot receive the frequencies from the higher ends of the fifth dimension of Thought, which we call "good." That which we call good is a frequency that cannot be received in dark matter. The entities that inhabit this realm of space-time are what we call demons. Their existence is ordained by that which we call "G-d". Yet, they are limited to exist within the context of their creation. They cannot ascend beyond space-time, but they can indeed transcend their own and enter into ours.

In a way these entities are like humans, in that they require physical nourishment, sexually procreate and like all things physical, they die. Yet, since their world is different from ours, they can appear to us as projected mind thought (or as invisible). They can fold space and almost instantaneously move from one location to the next. More than this, the unique nature of their existence enables them to "see" a short distance in time (into the near future). Even though these entities are close to the low frequency band of Thought (which we call "evil"), nonetheless they too live in a five dimensional universe. They are only limited in where they can go in it.

Ayn Sof, The Science of Creation
Kabalistic teachings outline its own five dimensional universe, with our 3D universe being only one dimension, time being a second, and three different levels of mind rounding out the whole. As matter of fact, the Kabalistic order of creation, in both time and deed, can be best understood in light of modern day science.

Let us review the creation scenario as outlined in the writings of the Kabbalists and apply to it insights from science.

According to the writings of the Ari'zal, in the beginning, (what scientifically we would call "before" the Big Bang), there existed G-d. G-d was unknowable and undifferentiated, in Hebrew, "ohr pashut" (simple light). At this level, G-d is called Ayn Sof, the infinite (or "nothing"). Kabbalists are the first to admit that nothing can be known about the Ayn Sof. Even though some late generation Hasidim postulate about the Ayn Sof, their conclusions by definition have to be incorrect - for the Ayn Sof is a level of existence, which is the opposite of existence. Anything in creation, including our speculations, can never possibly conceive what was before. Scientists are able to tell us how creation proceeded from a millisecond after it started, but they too admit that what was before cannot be known.

We exist in creation, the Ayn Sof, therefore, is a type of anti-creation. Indeed, the Hebrew word Ayn is best translated as "nothing". In a manner of speaking G-d was nothing before creation.

Within the nothing (the Ayn) the Kabbalists say, arose a desire for G-d to be called by His Names. The focus of this desire was said to be at the very "center" of the Ayn Sof.

This description raises a number of puzzling questions. The Ayn Sof is infinite. It has no boundaries. It is the most pure form of consistent unchanging simplicity. How then could a desire arise? This would imply change. Moreover, there can be no change in an unchanging simple nothing. So what does it mean that there arose a desire?

Another problem is the "place" where the desire arose. It arose in the "center" of the Ayn Sof. Yet, where is the center of infinity? It is clear that the Kabalistic terminology is not literal. Yet, just what does it mean?

Another age-old question is when did G-d create the universe. According to Jewish Biblical chronology Adam was created 5759 years ago. According to a simplistic reading of the Bible, creation began six days before that. Yet, how long a "day" of creation is in human terms is a matter that some Kabbalists have interpreted using logic similar to Einstein's view of relative time. The six days of creation actually occurred over a period of 15,340,500,000 years. This date, of Kabalistic origins, is very close to modern scientific measurements for the age of the big bang.

Regardless of how old the universe is, when did G-d create it, not in relationship to us, but with regards to Himself? In other words, how long was G-d around before it finally dawned upon Him to create the universe? The question itself is a trick question since time only came into existence with the beginning of creation.

G-d, the Ayn, in the beginning is nothing. The ultimate zero. Yet, zero maintains a property unique from any other number. It exists before all positive integers and it exists after all negative integers. In essence zero is not nothing, it is in the middle between positive and negative. Therefore, the universe was created in zero time. Time started to tick immediately with the Kabalistic big bang, the tzimtzum.

When this occurred is a question that can only be asked within the context of time, which at that time, did not exist. So when did G-d create the universe? The answer is "when there arose a desire." In addition, what does it mean to have a desire in an unchanging essence? It means that the desire was not an aspect of change. In other words, for G-d to have a "desire" means that such a desire is an essential aspect of the unchanging nothing. This would seem to be a process of transformation. For when nothing becomes something, this indeed does manifest an essential change in original nature. On the other hand, does it?

When we are dealing with "nothing" we are dealing with laws of nature which are totally unknown and unknowable to us. Nothing and something, desire and non-desire appear to us in creation as irreconcilable opposites. Yet, within an existence of "nothing" where the laws of its nature are possible to be the opposite of everything that we understand, opposites can indeed be one unchanging whole. Indeed the Kabbalists teach just this; that all forces in creation however different they may appear to us, are essentially the same. This is the secret of the unity of G-d.

So when did the desire arise in the Ayn Sof? It did not happen in time. It happened out of time. As such the arising desire in the Ayn Sof is happening now! Creation is beginning now! Not in creation, but outside of it. Inside creation, we recognize the beginning as having happened. Outside creation, creation is beginning just now and will always be beginning just now.

We can compare the desire and the creation to the zero. As will be shown in the following diagram, the arising desire did not really manifest any change in the unchanging Ayn but is rather a natural expression of it.

Although this diagram is only an incomplete example, it helps serve as a visual reference for us. In essence creation and anti-creation, G-d before creation and after the creation, is still all one concentric whole. We just do not see it. Nevertheless, let me take one last attempt to explain. Looking at the above example, where is the Ayn Sof, i.e. G-d before creation? If you answer in the left side triangle, you are wrong. G-d is indeed in the left side triangle, but He is also in the right side one. He is also above them, below them and all around them, in every place and every time. Existence, in other words, is an integral part of non-existence, its "flip-side." Yet, they are both parts of a greater whole.

End of part one.