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SCIENCE AND THE DANCE OF SHIVA |
SEPTEMBER 30, 2008 |
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GREETINGS DEAR FRIENDS
With the new season upon us, the Fall colors remind us that everything is in a constant state of change. We are truly living in turbulent times, and sometimes it may seem that this turbulence is harsh and difficult. I am convinced, however, that it is all necessary and that the future is glorious. It's all part of the Dance of Shiva.
This newsletter features the second in a series of articles on The Physics of Mysticism, exploring the parallels between what the ancient mystics and modern scientists are telling us about the nature of our universe. The observations of science tell us that everything is in a state of constant motion and change - much like the Dance of Shiva.
The Bhadra Collective's, debut performance in Toronto was a big success. We are looking forward with excitment to our next 2 concerts in Guelph and London. We'd love to see you there. Please forward this message to anyone you feel would be interested. See below for details.
If you'd like to access past newsletters containing the ongoing articles on Magic, the Power of Mantra and other topics, please visit the 'newsletter' page of my website, whyislife.com
Peace and love, Dennis. |
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THE PHYSICS OF MYSTICISM (Part3)
by Dennis Gaumond
- Science and the Dance of Shiva -
Another
concept common to both perspectives is the idea that everything in the universe
is in constant
motion. The mystic writings of ancient Greece and the teachings of
shamans make frequent reference to the liquid, ever-changing nature of reality.
In the Hindu 'Rig Veda', this idea of continual motion is called 'Rita'. In
Buddhism it is called 'samsara'. At the sub-atomic level, the micro-universe as witnessed by
science, is in constant motion. This is also true of the
macro-universe. Every cosmic body is in motion, relative to other bodies.
Countless calculations and observations testify that the universe is
continually expanding. The further a body is from us, the faster it is moving
away. No matter how powerful some future telescope may be, it will never tell us
the true size of the universe. The galaxies furthest away from us are moving
away at the speed of light, so that the light that would indicate their
presence never reaches us.
The
entire concept of a big bang and subsequent big crunch is nothing new to the
ancient Tantric writings. This concept is called 'lila' and the amount of time
required for one cosmic 'breath', one complete cycle of expansion/contraction,
is called a 'kalpa'. When the entire universe is compressed to
the size of a pinprick, this point is called the 'mahabindu' or 'great point'
in the Tantras.
One of the most fundamental laws of
physics is the conservation of energy. It states that the many manifestations
of energy continually change form, but that the total energy in the universe
never changes. No violation of this law has ever been witnessed by science.
When particles collide in the micro-world, the energy of collision forms new
particles of matter, which then become energy once again. A particle can be
described as both an event and a chunk of matter - 'processes' rather than
'solid objects'. Matter and the activity of matter are one and the same thing.
This is also in line with mystical thought and in the ancient language of
Sanskrit, the word 'samskara' means both an object and an event.
Several of the mystical traditions
refer to the idea of a 'cosmic dance' as an analogy to describe one
characteristic of reality. It is the idea that the universe is in a constant
state of creation and destruction - endless cycles of life and death, coming
and going, inhaling and exhaling. In the Hindu tradition, this is the 'Dance of
Shiva'. The observations of modern physics are very reminiscent of these ideas.
We are continually being bombarded with cosmic radiation, streams of particles
that collide with each other and with our earthbound particles. These
collisions result in endless transmutations, with particles being annihilated
while others are being born. At the sub-atomic level, particles are coming and
going continually in a frenzy of activity known as the 'quantum foam'. This constant motion, this 'dance' of microscopic matter, is
very much like the Dance of Shiva.
In the next newsletter, part 4 of The Physics of Mysticism will discuss the concepts of emptiness and form.
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 CELEBRATE THE RETURN OF THE GODDESS with
dennis gaumond and the
BHADRA
COLLECTIVE
featuring: a 9-piece band, chant music, world-beat grooves, exotic instruments, trance/dance.
with special guests:
Sean O'Connor -saxes, flutes and clarinets
Prince Bamidele Bajowa - talking drum
Pam Gerrand, Jane Lewis, Tannis Sliman and Monk Mann
and a performance by
Ishra and the Invoketress Dance Theatre
GUELPH
when: Friday, Oct. 10, doors open at 7:30pm, concert at 8pm
where: The River Run Centre, 35 Woolwich St., Guelph ON.
why: To celebrate the dawning of a new era as feminine energy restores balance to
our world.
cost: $22 - Advance tickets available at the River Run Box Office - 519 763-3000
or toll free - 877 520-2408 - or at the door.
LONDON
when: Friday, Oct. 17, doors open at 7pm, concert at 8pm
where: The Wolf Performance Hall, 251 Dundas St., London ON
(inside the Central Library)- click here for map MAP
why:To celebrate the dawning of a new era of feminine energy.
cost: Advance tickets - $18 - available atticketweb.ca
or $22 at the door
for more info please visit:
bhadra.ca
Future Bhadra Performances:
- Hamilton: November 15
- Waterloo: December 20
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CHANT CLUBS
GUELPH CHANT CLUB
DATE CITY TOPIC VENUE ______________________________________________________________________
WED., OCT. 1/08 Guelph, Guelph Unitarian Church
7:45 to 9:30 pm Ontaro Chant Club
The Unitarian Church is on the corner of
Harris and York Streets in Guelph.
For more Detailed directions, check out guelph-unitarians.com
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A DAY OF SACRED SOUND
A workshop with Dennis Gaumond
The ancients understood that sound has the power to heal and transform. Today more and more people are discovering that the use of sound is a joyful way to affect health, stress levels and mental attitudes. This workshop provides an opportunity for participants to both learn about and experience the transformational power of sound. It will be divided into 2 segments:
DIVINE ENERGY AND THE BIG SHIFT: 10:00 AM TO 12:30 PM
The morning segment will help us to understand why sound has this power. We will learn to see reality in a new way, understanding it in terms of energy and vibration. From this new perspective, many things will start to make more sense, including the healing process and the power of sound. We will begin to see ourselves as electro-magnetic beings whose actions emit a negative or positive charge. We will also get a better understanding of the great changes that are affecting the planet and its inhabitants at this time - a phenomenon sometimes called the Big Shift.
SACRED SOUND WORKSHOP: 1:30 PM TO 5:30 PM.
Spend the afternoon in a beautiful environment, enveloped in Sacred Sound. Learn to use your voice to affect your health, stress levels and mental attitudes. Enjoy this introduction to the ancient art of overtone singing. The soothing tones of the crystal bowls will massage your spirit and carry you into a meditative trance. Simple drumming exercises are relaxing and fun and can help to entrain us to the natural rhythms of the Earth. (drums will be provided or bring your own) Learn about the power of mantra and chanting from a variety of cultural traditions. We will create a frequency of love, peace and gratitude to heal ourselves and to send out to the Universe.
*No previous musical experience is required.
Even if you don't consider yourself a singer or musician you will be delighted at your ability to join with others to create powerful sound through toning and chanting.
GUELPH
Sunday, Oct. 19, from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm
Location: Living Yoga and Health, 105 Wyndham St. N., Guelph ON
For a map click here livingyoga.com
Cost: Morning segment - $30, Afternoon segment - $60 Both segments - $75 (bring a lunch)
(these prices include GST)
Register by phone - 519 763-0004 or by email - dgomo@golden.net
LONDON
Sunday, Oct. 26, from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm
Location: The Lotus Centre, 140 Ann St., London ON
for a map click here lotuscentre.com
Cost: Morning segment -
$30, Afternoon
segment - $70, Both segments - $80 (bring a
lunch)
Register by phone: 519
642-2378 or in person at the Lotus Centre,
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