E = MC2 (Holistic Interpretation)

Einstein's famous equation demonstrating the equivalence of mass and energy arose out of his reflections on Special Relativity.

So physical energy and matter are intimately related to each other.

From an integral perspective, the question then immediately arises as to the relationship between spiritual energy and (our cognitive experience of) phenomenal form.

As we can see from the physical formula, the square of the speed of light is directly involved, with the speed expressed in two-dimensional terms.

Now if we examine this equation from a holistic perspective, two-dimensional understanding entails the structure corresponding to the two roots of unity i.e. + 1 and - 1 respectively.

The implication here is that for physical energy to be fully released from matter its opposite polarities must cancel each other totally. In physical terms, this can be expressed as the situation where matter (+) and anti-matter (-) annihilate each other.

There is a remarkable complementary explanation available in psychological terms.

Here the actual existence of phenomena requires that they be - literally - posited temporarily in experience (without corresponding negation taking place).

When experience is especially rigid, little spiritual energy i.e. intuition is generated. Put another away little dynamic negation (relating to the holistic contribution of the unconscious) is involved.

As however experience becomes more spiritually refined (through contemplative development), successful dynamic negation occurs to a considerable extent. So as soon as a phenomenon is posited, a rapid switch as between internal and external polarities takes place in experience. So, two linear reference frames are now entailed in the cognition of phenomena i.e. (external) object in relation to - relatively - (internal) perception and vice versa. Then from a dynamic circular perspective these frames are understood in holistic terms as paradoxical, the resolution of which generates spiritual energy. And such energy i.e. intuition is necessary to fuel all cognitive dynamics.

In pure contemplative experience, the dynamic negation of phenomena is so rapid that they do not even seem to arise in experience. Put another way it approximates closely to the total annihilation of psychic matter through interaction with psychic anti-matter.


Fascinatingly this also implies a clear recognition that the very notion of the speed of light itself becomes redundant (in the context of light itself).

In other words the unambiguous notion of light having a speed, only applies in the context where (rigid) phenomena are related to light. Though external and internal polarities necessarily interact, registered speed takes place with respect to each (as independent). However clearly in holistic terms, where both directions are understood as interdependent, the speed of light becomes totally paradoxical. Thus in terms of itself, light does not move (and this is why time does not pass for light).

In complementary fashion when one enters into the spiritual light (through pure contemplation) one is then - by definition - fully at rest (without movement).

So the very notion of movement - ultimately with respect to light itself - is but an illusion (due to a failure to recognise its real polar frames of reference as fully complementary)!


So just as in physical terms, from a psychological perspective phenomenal mass and spiritual energy are but two sides of the same coin.

Once again with especially rigid understanding (where the linear aspect greatly predominates) little spiritual energy will be in evidence.

At the other extreme where pure contemplation is entailed, the linear aspect becomes almost entirely negated with respect to the circular aspect (which in turn requires the continual dynamic negation of the linear).

One can perhaps thereby appreciate how unbalanced conventional science is from the psychological viewpoint.

In formal terms it is based purely on the recognition of the rational (linear) aspect of understanding.

As I have outlined repeatedly however, both linear (rational) and circular (intuitive) aspects are necessarily involved in all experience and the true task is to show how these interact in scientific understanding.


There is another interesting aspect.

Einstein's formula tells us that a great deal of energy can be created from a small amount of matter.

In like manner a great deal of spiritual energy can be created from a small amount of phenomenal matter (in experience).

This perhaps explains the traditional monastic approach to the contemplative life, where severe restrictions were generally placed on the range of phenomenal experience open to participants. Thus by continually using restricted phenomena as a focus for spiritual concentration, radical transformation (with respect to their qualitative nature) could be more easily obtained.

However there is a great danger that the pure contemplative life could thereby become unduly narrow and largely detached from popular concerns.

This is why I would see contemplation as representing but a particular specialisation (with respect to intuitive appreciation) which ultimately should be fully incorporated in a balanced manner with the world of phenomenal form (i.e. through radial activity).