When Energy met Consciousness
Deep in the recesses of the burgeoning Cosmos, nebulous gases swirl around like magic, pulling particles to form celestial bodies. They collide and merge over millions of years to form the rocky planets, including the earth and the solar system.
Though the ‘hows’ and the ‘whys’ of the Universe, still confound mankind, there is a certainty which suggests order in chaos. The first question that looms in my mind is ‘What propelled the Universe to seek alignment through the commotion?’
Does the Universe, then, also have a consciousness? Or is it driven by the collective consciousness of all its entities?
I would like to define consciousness as an awareness of self, through which an entity can identify its composition and functioning, and those of its surroundings. For a human, the ability to feel through the senses is the most vital link to being conscious.
The question that arises now is, can consciousness alone sustain the universe? There must be a hidden force to reckon, which powers the entire cosmic extravaganza, much like a battery is fueled by chemicals and electrolytes. This idea pushes my thought towards the origins of life on earth, as we know it. The battery, in question, is analogous to the living cell, which alone is insufficient to perform any action. It needs to be ignited through the elements of Nature, thus empowering creation on earth. Here’s where ‘Energy’ makes its spectacular entry. Energy is the spark which lights up Consciousness and enables life from the minuscule cell to the macrocosmic universe.
Whether a living cell can be considered as a conscious entity is a topic of intense debate, both by scientists and philosophers. From our definition of consciousness, to be able to feel and make decisions are pertinent characteristics of a conscious being. A cell alone, is genetically wired to behave in a certain way. Therefore its ‘consciousness’ may be linked to the blueprint of life that we term as the DNA. The energy that a cell needs for its growth, sustenance and multiplication, are derived from its environment. So, the union of Energy and Consciousness, makes life possible, and is perhaps the central idea behind creation.
In Hindu Mythology, Shiva is the embodiment of the supreme consciousness, while his consort, Shakti, is worshipped as the divine form of Nature. This seems to me, a very scientific approach which again substantiates the thought that the union of Man (Shiva) and Shakti (Nature) resulted in the creation of Humankind. Here, Shiva and Shakti are analogous to Consciousness and Energy, respectively.
Thus, I would like to believe that when Energy met Consciousness, the masculine force united with the feminine power to create the miracle called ‘Life’.