by eric_b » Sun 14 Jan 2007, 10:54:35
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('seahorse', '
')
However, a more basic question I have is, why do atoms form anything? In the billions of atoms that comprise me, why are they all working together, in me, constantly taking on new atoms and shedding old ones? Why would they have any need or desire to "survive", when atoms have no life expectancy? The atoms in my body, are as old as the known universe, yet for some reason, they have formed this person I call me, and will attempt to pass on my traits to other atoms in a code we call DNA. I ask this question for all atoms, not just ones that form people, but trees, any form.
You raise an excellent question, one that I've often wondered myself. It does seem there are some organizing principles the sciences have not yet discovered when it comes to life. It does seem that the unfolding of life is inevitable if conditions are right.
Since I'm in an exceptionally weird mood this morning please allow me to offer these excerpts from 'The Holy Science' by Swami Sri Yukteswar. I was going through my old books and came across this. I don't really know what to make of this book one way or another. Consider it food for thought. This book was originally published in 1894 (I think)
{pages 23-24}
The Word, Amen (Aum), is the beginning of the creation. The manifestation of Omnipotent Force (the Repulsion and its complimentary expression, Omniscient Feeling or Love, the Attraction) is vibration, which appears as a peculiar sound: the Word,
Amen,
Aum. In its different aspects Aum presents the idea of change, which is time,
Kala, in the Ever-Unchangeable; and the idea of division, which is space,
Desa, in the Ever-Indivisible.
The four ideas, the Word, Time, Space and the Atom. The ensuing effect is the idea of particles- the innumerable atoms,
patra or
anu. These four- the Word, Time, Space, and the Atom- are therefore one and the same, and substantially nothing but mere ideas.
(...)
{pages 36-38}
Action of Love. The action of Repulsion, the manifestation of the Omnipotent Energy, being thus completed {Early big bang??} the action of Attraction (the Omnipotent Love in the core of the heart) begins to be manifested. Under the influence of this Omniscient Love, The Attraction, the Atoms, being attracted towards one another {gravity??}, come nearer and nearer, taking ethereal, gaseous, fiery, liquid and solid forms.
Inanimate Kingdom Thus this visible world becomes adorned with suns, planets, and moons, which we call the inanimate kingdom of the creation.
Vegetable kingdom In this manner, when the action of Divine Love becomes well developed, the evolution of
avidya, Ignorance (the particle of Darkness,
Maya, the Omnipotent Energy manifested), begins to be withdrawn.
Annamaya Kosha, the Atom's outer coating of gross matter being thus withdrawn,
Pranamaya Kosha (the sheath composed of
Karmendriyas, the organs of action) begins to operate. In this organic state the Atoms, embracing each other more closely to their heart, appear as the vegetable kingdom in the creation.
Animal kingdom When the
Pranamaya Kosha becomes withdrawn, the
Manomaya Kosha (the sheath composed of
jnanendriyas, the organs of sense) comes to light. The Atoms then perceive the nature of the external world and, attracting other Atoms of different nature, form bodies as necessary for enjoyment, and thus the animal kingdom appears in the creation.
Mankind When
Manomaya Kosha becomes withdrawn,
Jnanamaya Kosha (the body of Intelligence composed of electricities) becomes perceptible. The Atom, acquiring the power of determining right and wrong, becomes man, the rational being in the creation.
Devata or Angel When man, cultivating the Divine Spirit or Omniscient Love within his heart, is able to withdrawl this
Jnanamaya Kosha, then the innermost sheath, Chitta, the Heart (composed of four
ideas) becomes manifest. Man is then called
Devata or Angel in the creation.
Free, Sannyasi When the Heart or innermost sheath is also withdrawn, there is no longer anything to keep man in bondage to this creation of darkness,
Maya. He then becomes free,
Sannyasi, The Son of God, and enters into the creation of light
(...)
So it would appear the Swami agrees with your thesis. Perhaps there is an innate memory, or order, within the atoms themselves which unfolds when conditions are so.