Compassion - Bridging Practice and Science - page 171

Merely observing a particle influences its behavior. Thus, the world of subatomic particles, which is
the foundation of our world, exists only within a network of relationships, both near and far. The
notion of them existing in an isolated way, cut off from everything else, is narrow-minded and out of
date. This hints at the theory of quantum entanglement, which was scoffed at by Albert Einstein,
who called it
spukhafte Fernwirkung
, or “spooky action at a distance.”
Entanglement is a term
that Erwin Schrodinger used when translating the term
Verschrankung
in a letter written to
Einstein. It describes the mutual relationship that remains between two particles that interact after
they separate, even at large distances. This relationship between two particles, close together and
far apart, becomes the jumping off point from classical to quantum mechanics.
There are many similarities between the world of quantum mechanics and the world of the self.
The ego also only exists in mutual dependence, primarily with the body and mind
Of course
there are social relationships and relationships with the world. The ego is not separate from the
body and the mind, but exists as a network of relationships, primarily with the body and mind.
Being a nexus of relationships, the ego cannot be a solitary, independent entity. Rather, it is only a
network of dynamic interconnections. Without the body and the mind there would be no ego. And
without the ego, there would be no body and no mind. Thus, the ego exists as a relationship and
cannot be an independent entity. It must be relative. Thinking that our ego is independent,
unchanging, solitary and cut off from others and the world doesn’t make sense, just as it doesn’t
make sense on the subatomic level. Yet this is how the ego appears and feels. This is how we
mistakenly perceive our self. Unknowingly, we live shrouded in deception.
An independent and unchanging ego would be inert as if it existed in a timeless, frozen, glacier-like
world, cut off from everything else. Thus, our perception must be false. Based on this error of
perception and thinking, we artificially divide the world into two solid, three-dimensional camps of
friends and enemies. Our world becomes one of conflict, pitting us against them. We frame the
world into those who are kind to us and those who appear as threats. Based on this
misunderstanding, we create a world of conflict. This leads to fear and suspicion, which in turn
leads to mistrust. Yet this world of conflict is simply fabricated by our mind. None of it is real. Our
perceived ego is like an image in a dream when we wake up. It is like the water in a mirage when
we approach closer. It is like a reflection of a face in the mirror that looks so real until we check
behind the mirror.
Barry Kerzin
"Guided Death of the Ego Meditation"
9:28 min
Interdependence
To truly possess wisdom, one must have the knowledge of interdependence There are several
levels of subtlety. Primarily it means that our own happiness is tied to others. Thus, caring for
others becomes an important method of caring for ourselves. Interdependence is also a significant
characteristic governing our world, as we have mentioned before. This is seen in many fields. In
global finance and economics, interdependence is very important. In this age of globalization, with
the world getting smaller and more dependent, interdependence plays a pivotal role. In the natural
world, interdependence is the means for things to change. Evolution of species is highly dependent
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