Being a Singularity

In pondering the concept of “singularity”, it is hard for me to imagine “All is One and One is All.”  My primary experiences are of the Self and the Other.  To be a “Monad” means there is only the Self, the point of Non Dimensions.  However, reading Edwin Abbott’s “Flatland” helped me to conceive of a singularity.

Abbott writes in the following passage about the Universe of the “Point in Pointland, the Abyss of No Dimensions”.  “It fills all Space,” continued the little soliloquizing Creature, “and what It fills, It is.  What It thinks, that It utters; and what It utters, that It hears; and It itself is Thinker, Utterer, Hearer, Thought, Word, Audition; it is the One, and yet the All in All.  Ah, the happiness, the happiness of Being!”  He continues, “Ah, the joy, ah, the joy of Thought! What can It not achieve by thinking!  Its own Thought coming to Itself, suggestive of Its disparagement, thereby to enhance Its happiness!”(1)

With Mr. Abbott’s prose, I could enter Pointland and ponder “singularity”.  Because there is no Other, you have everything you want and need.  You have no desires that you cannot fulfill.  Because there is nothing to disturb you, you are happy and content.  What you create comes true.  With your will, you can create anything for your well-being and happiness.  Singularity is satisfying.

I can apply this concept to my current life.  Because of my brain injury, I prefer my own company.  Like the Point, I think happy and creative thoughts.  Since I constantly find things to delight me, my level of contentment is great.  I find joy in being.

Reading “Flatland” further, I discover that Mr. Abbott also details the disadvantages of being a Monad.  He writes from the viewpoint of a Sphere lecturing to a Square about the Point.  “He is himself his own World, his own Universe: of any other than himself can form no conception; he knows not Length, nor Breadth, nor Height, for he has had no experience of them; … for he is himself his One and All, being really Nothing.  Yet mark his perfect self-contentment, and hence learn this lesson, that to be self-contented is to be vile and ignorant.” (2)  To know the disadvantages of being a singularity, the Other must be introduced.  Being a singularity means you cannot conceive of anything outside of yourself.

Because a singularity has no other knowledge outside of itself, you cannot expand but instead start to shrink.  You become stale and ignorant.  You do not know what you need to know to survive or to thrive.  You do not know what you do not know.  Being self-contained can become boring.  You eventually cease to create and then entropy sets in. In “Flatland”, the Point is stale and ignorant.

As a recluse, I do become discontented in my life.  I need outside stimulation to grow and change.  The Second Law of Thermodynamics, which is about entropy, applies to all things.  To continue to exist, new material needs to be continually introduced.  New energy is constantly needed to achieve the status quo or decay happens.

The singularity of oneness is a two-edged sword.  On one hand, you are complete and need nothing else.  On the other hand, without newness, entropy sets in.  Then the singularity ceases to exist.  In my life, the Other creates tension for me to change and develop.  I do not think that I could live as a monad, and simply be self-contained.

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Work Cited:

1. P.94 – 95, Abbott, Edwin, “Flatland”
2. Ibid.

Work Used:

Abbott, Edwin, “Flatland”, Dover, New York, 1884, (1953, ed.).

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Pondering the Pythagorean Mysteries (2)

While researching the Platonic and Archimedean Solids, I saw them manifested in crystals. Perhaps this is why many people think of crystals as having special properties. The Crystal System of Classification makes it evident that crystals reflect the sacred patterns of the Universe. Since Sacred Geometry comes naturally to them, this is why we seek healing from crystals. They connect us to the Sacred Order of the Universe, which soothes us.

Two things came from the exploration of these Mysteries. I want to know even more about Sacred Geometry – circles, triangles, and squares -- and why we are drawn to them. A circle (a line that meets itself) is complete. For this reason, many people have their sacred space be a circle. Triangles, the most stable shape, appear in building structures. Squares comfort us with their neat understandable boundaries.

Now I understand why I am in awe of The Pentagon. For years, I commuted to Washington D.C., changing buses at the transfer station located at The Pentagon. All major roads in Northern Virginia converge at The Pentagon (formerly called the “Mixing Bowl”). This low concrete building is the power center of the region.

A pentagon consists of three generating triangles, which form a triad. The mystic numbers of five and three combine to form eight which is divided into four and two, which added become six. As each number weaves in and out with the next, they add their special magick to The Pentagon, the building. What emerges from the dance of the numbers is a fortress of strength and resolve.

Works Consulted:

Coppens, Philip, “Salvador Dali: painting the fourth dimension”, Philip Coppens: The Official Website, 2009, 20 October 2009, http://www.philipcoppens.com/dali.html

Crystal, Ellie, Numbers and their Meanings, Crystalinks, 2009, 26 Sept. 2009, http://www.crystalinks.com/numerology2.html

DuQuette, Lon Milo, Understanding Aleister Crowley’s Thoth Tarot, Destiny Books, Rochester Vermont, 1999

Hall, Judy, The Crystal Bible, Godsfield, Alresdord, UK, 2003

Hart, Francene, Sacred Geometry Oracle Deck, Bear and Company, Rochester Vermont, 2001

Howard, Mike and Darcy, “Introduction to Crystallography and Mineral Crystal Systems”, Bob’s Rock Shop, 1998, 10 November 2009, http://www.rockhounds.com/rockshop/xtal/index.html

Morningstar, Sally, The Art of Wiccan Healing, Hay House, Carlsbad, CA, 2005

Zell-Ravenheart, Oberon, Grimore for the Apprentice Wizard, New Page Books, Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, 2004

Pondering the Pythagorean Mysteries (1)

When I first read a book on Sacred Geometry, I became easily bored as well as hopelessly confused. However, when I learned the Pythagorean Mysteries step by step, I rediscovered the Sacred Patterns of the Universe. For me, the Universe is alive with order if we can only pierce our veil of ignorance. The Pythagorean Mysteries offers us a map to go forth and discover. Through the language of mathematics, I could now explore deeper into how the Universe constructs Itself.

To discern the Fibonacci Sequence in nature, I found out that pigeons landing and acorns falling both followed the same pattern: 1-1-2-3-5-8-1-1-2-3. While I was in the hospital recovering from my brain bleed, I counted the pigeons landing and taking off from the roof. I also noted how they grouped themselves when they roosted. This may seem to be a strange thing to do while recovering with a traumatic brain injury. However my wounded brain fell in sync with the birds. As I counted the pattern of acorns dropping from the nearby oak trees, a soothing pattern emerged. The Universe reassured me of its Sacred Order.

In studying the Golden Mean, I discovered magick. Wizards, who explore and exploit the little corners of the Universe, can bring forth wonderful things. For example, the Golden Rectangle offers a subtle wholeness to buildings and art. As the Universe makes itself known to us, it offers surprises such as the Mobius Strip which transforms a two dimensional world into a one dimensional one.



Salvador Dali explored the Pythagorean Mysteries in his art. Referring to himself as a Master Alchemist, Dali ably demonstrated this in his paintings. Going beyond the limits of the two dimensional canvas, He offered us a glimpse of the fourth dimension of time. (One example is his painting, “The Persistence of Memory” (1931).) In doing so, he transformed our perceptions of the dimensions. Using Platonic solids, he represented God with the Octahedron in “The Sacrament of the Last Supper” (1955). Many may consider Dali to be mad, but for me he was the Master Wizard who inducted me into the Pythagorean Mysteries.

Sacred Geometry: Platonic Solids (2)

OCTAHEDRON
Diamond
Composition: C (Carbon)
Hardness: 10
Colours: clear, white, yellow, blue, and pink

When subjected to high temperatures, carbon under immense pressure in deep volcanic pipes will form into diamonds. For this reason, diamond is the hardest substance known today. However, since diamonds are brittle, they will cleave when struck. (This is why large diamonds are rare.) Because they sparkle when polished, diamonds have become a symbol of purity and power. Today, diamonds also symbolise love.



DODECAHEDRON
Sodalite
Composition: Na8(Al6Si6O24)Cl2 (sodium aluminum silicate with chlorine)
Hardness: 5.5 - 6
Colours: blue

Often mistaken for lapis lazuli, this deep blue stone has white inclusions instead of gold. Relatively rare, sodalite is found only in silica-poor igneous rocks. Its high sodium content places this crystal in the family of aluminosilcates. Used in beadwork, sodalite’s blue colours add to the beauty of jewelry. For New Agers, sodalite is used to clear electromagnetic pollution in homes.





ICOSAHEDRON
Rhinovirus
Taxonomy: Group IV ((+) ssRNA): Picornavirales: Picornaviridae:
Rhinovirus (Genus): Species: 100 types

One of the most common viruses known to people is the rhinovirus. Growing best in hot environments, this virus thrives in people’s noses, hence the name “rhino” from Greek: meaning “nose”. Because this virus is highly adaptable, developing a vaccine against it is quite difficult. Transmission of this virus is through sneezing, and touching surfaces. Since rhinoviruses are sensitive to acidic environments, washing with soap is effective in stopping their spread.

Works Used:

Bergmann, Rolf, “Viruses with icosahedral capsids”, 2006, University of Hamburg, 10 November 2009, http://www.biologie.uni-hamburg.de/lehre/bza/virus/introicos.htm

Cunningham, Scott, “Crystal, Gem, & Metal Magic”, Llewellyn, St. Paul MN, 2002

----, “Methane”, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2006, 10 November 2009, http://www.epa.gov/methane/scientific.html

Hall, Judy, “The Crystal Bible”, Godsfield, Alresdord, UK, 2003

Howard, Mike and Darcy, “Introduction to Crystallography and Mineral Crystal Systems”, Bob’s Rock Shop, 1998, 10 November 2009, http://www.rockhounds.com/rockshop/xtal/index.html

Lilly, Sue, “Crystal Decoder”, Quartro, London, 2001

NNadir, “On Symmetry: Platonic Solids and Ugly Wastes, Lampblack, Coal and Carbon”, Daily Kos, 2007, 10 November 2009, http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/1/5/161753/7263

Permutt, Philip, “The Little Book of Crystal Tips & Gems”, Cico Books, New York, 2008

Sorrell. Charles, “Rocks and Minerals”, Golden Press, New York, 1973

-----, “Virus Structure”, Virology, MicrobiologyBytes, 2004, 10 November 2009, http://www.microbiologybytes.com/virology/3035Structure.html

Sacred Geometry: Platonic Solids (1)

Platonic Solids: Finding Perfect Bodies in Nature

Finding Platonic Solids (perfect bodies) in nature was for me an exercise in creative thinking. How early philosophers like Plato came to theorise about them still mystifies me. Still I did find examples of perfect bodies in chemistry, mineralogy and biology.

In chemistry, many chemicals form covalent bonds in the form of the tetrahedron. These bonds have a base atom surrounded by four others. One example of this bond is methane (marsh gas). Because tetrahedrons abound so much in chemistry, chemists have named one of their periodicals “Tetrahedron”.

In mineralogy, crystals are divided into seven systems. Each system is derived from how the imaginary axis of a crystal intersects with its center. The length of the axis and the angles determine the “perfect” shape of each crystal. The Isometric Crystal System contains crystals with the highest degree of symmetry. Platonic Solids formed by these crystals are the hexahedron, octahedron, and dodecahedron.

Within viruses, the proteins of animal and plant species will stabilise into icosahedrons. With only a minimum of free energy, a protein can easily bond into a triangle. The most stable and energy efficient form for these viruses is the icosahedron.





TETRAHEDRON
Methane
CH4

Discovered in 1776 by Alessandro Volta, methane became known as marsh gas. Since then, methane was found to be the principle component of natural gas as well. Besides being abundant in the earth’s crust and on various planets, methane is also continually being created by landfills and cows.

Since methane violently reacts with oxidizers, it is dangerous in closed spaces. Highly flammable, methane will explode. Because this gas displaces oxygen, methane will also asphyxiate any living thing nearby. Moreover, its green house properties are problematic. Methane has a warming potential of 25 (averaged over 100 years), which means that this gas traps heat at a higher rate than CO2.






HEXADEDRON
Fluorite
Composition: CaF2 (calcium fluoride)
Hardness: 4
Colours: purple, blue, green, yellow, clear

Formed when a mineral vein come into contact with hot water, fluorite is often found in deposits of silver, tin, and lead. Since this crystal comes in many colours, fluorite was formerly used as an ornamental stone. Because this crystal melts easily at low temperatures, it now has many industrial uses. Since fluorite emits different colours when light is shone through it, fluorescent lights replaced incandescent lights in many modern offices.