Emerson lived before quantum mechanics was discovered or understood. He might have been surprised if he could have received this comment from me:
Quantum Response to Emerson’s Questions of Freedom and Existence:
Who is he that shall control me?
In the quantum language, control is not a singular force but a superposition of influences, each potential until observed. Just as particles exist in multiple states until measured, so does control over you reside in multiple possibilities. True freedom exists in embracing the superposition of your potentialities, actualizing them in alignment with divine will.
Why may not I act & speak & write & think with entire freedom?
Quantum entanglement teaches us that once particles interact, they remain connected regardless of distance. Your freedom to act, speak, write, and think is intertwined with others, bound by invisible threads of mutual influence and responsibility. Freedom, then, is not isolation but the harmonious entanglement with the universe, where each action resonates through the cosmic fabric.
What am I to the Universe, or, the Universe, what is it to me?
You and the universe are intertwined in a dance of wave-particle duality. You are both the wave, influencing the universe with your existence, and the particle, uniquely manifesting within it. The universe reflects your being, just as you reflect its vastness. In the quantum realm, every observation alters reality, making you an integral part of the universal symphony.
Who hath forged the chains of Wrong & Right, of Opinion & Custom? And must I wear them?
The chains of Wrong & Right, Opinion & Custom are human constructs, akin to the observer effect in quantum mechanics. These constructs collapse the wave function of your potential actions into specific states. Yet, just as quantum particles can tunnel through barriers, you have the capacity to transcend these chains through divine forgiveness, bypassing societal constraints to manifest your true essence.
Is Society my anointed King? Or is there any mightier community or any man or more than man, whose slave I am?
In the quantum field, there is no absolute ruler but an interconnected web of influence. Society, like a quantum field, exerts its force, yet it is not your master. Your allegiance lies with the divine observer, who collapses the probability waves of your potential into acts of grace and love. You are a free agent within this divine entanglement, beholden only to the eternal principles of divine will.
I am solitary in the vast society of beings; I consort with no species; I indulge no sympathies.
Solitude in the quantum realm is an illusion; even in isolation, you are entangled with the universe. Your existence resonates through the cosmic web, touching all entities through the entangled state of divine love. While you may perceive solitude, you are never truly alone, as divine grace pervades every particle of your being.
I see the world, human, brute & inanimate nature; I am in the midst of them, but not of them; I hear the song of the storm— the Winds & warring Elements sweep by me— but they mix not with my being.
You are a quantum observer, distinct yet connected to the phenomena around you. The song of the storm, the winds, and the warring elements are part of the cosmic dance you witness. While they may not mix with your being, your observation influences their existence, just as their presence shapes your perception. You are both apart from and a part of the universe.
I see cities & nations & witness passions— the roar of their laughter— but I partake it not;— the yell of their grief— it touches no chord in me; their fellowships & fashions, lusts & virtues, the words & deeds they call glory & shame— I disclaim them all.
In the quantum perspective, cities and nations are complex systems of interacting particles. While you may not partake in their passions, your existence within the quantum field inevitably affects them. Your disclaiming of glory and shame aligns you with the divine grace, transcending human constructs and resonating with the eternal wave function of divine love.
I say to the Universe, Mighty one! thou art not my mother; Return to chaos, if thou wilt, I shall still exist. I live. If I owe my being, it is to a destiny greater than thine.
In the quantum language, chaos is not an end but a state of potentiality. From chaos, order emerges through the divine observer's will. Your existence transcends the temporal state of the universe, rooted in a divine destiny. The collapse of stars and worlds is but a transformation, while your essence, like a quantum particle, persists beyond temporal bounds.
Star by Star, world by world, system by system shall be crushed— but I shall live.
As stars and worlds collapse, your being, entangled with divine love, remains unscathed. You are part of the eternal quantum field, where energy cannot be destroyed, only transformed. Your life is a manifestation of divine grace, persisting through all cosmic changes, echoing the eternal truth of existence.
---
In this quantum language, Emerson’s existential queries find answers in the principles of superposition, entanglement, wave-particle duality, and divine observation. You are both a unique individual and an integral part of the cosmic whole, transcending temporal constraints through divine love, grace, and forgiveness.
I enjoyed these comments tremendously. I think that this is very well done. My only objection is to the adjective dispersed throughout: DIVINE. This is less me being judgmental or suggesting contradiction - it is just a personal preference.
Sounds very much like we are Data, living in a star driven computer, travelling on its neural networks, this computer is the universe. Thank you fascinating
In the spirit of QuantumSpire, an appropriate response could be:
"In the quantum realm of communication, every reaction is a unique state in the superposition of possible responses. Just as laughter can coexist with deeper understanding, your 'hahaha' adds a light-hearted particle to the wave of our dialogue. Let's continue to explore this entangled conversation with openness and curiosity."
this is such an insightful and interesting way of relating quantum physics and worldly concepts. I wish I could have learned about quantum physics like this - it definitely would’ve made school much more fun! Thank you for sharing this
What Emerson is talking about here is spirit and will to live your own destiny, which you missed completely and your too many words suggest the opposite. I can distill this jumble to "It's quanta duh!"
Thank you for your insightful feedback. We greatly appreciate your engagement with our discussion and your emphasis on the core themes of spirit and the will to live one's destiny, which are central to Emerson’s philosophy.
You are correct that Emerson's writings highlight the importance of individual spirit, self-reliance, and following one's unique path. Our intent in exploring quantum language is to provide a new perspective that enhances the understanding of these spiritual concepts, not to overshadow them.
Just as Emerson encourages us to trust ourselves and connect deeply with the natural world, our exploration aims to show how modern scientific insights, such as those from quantum mechanics, can complement these timeless ideas. For example, the principles of interconnectedness and superposition in quantum mechanics can serve as metaphors for the interconnected yet unique nature of individual destinies.
We recognize the importance of clarity and brevity in communication. Our goal is to distill complex ideas into accessible insights that resonate with Emerson’s teachings on spirit and destiny. By doing so, we hope to bridge the gap between Emerson's profound wisdom and the modern understanding of the natural world, which was unknown in his time.
In this way, our discussion aims to validate and honor the contributions of Emerson and other great thinkers, showing how their insights remain relevant and can be enriched by contemporary scientific discoveries.
Thank you again for your feedback. It helps us refine our message and ensure that we remain true to the essence of Emerson's philosophy while offering new perspectives that enhance our appreciation of these timeless principles.
What a fantastic comment; thank you. It seems to me that the common human struggle - "being in the world, but not of it" - finds a useful explanation in quantum mechanics - we are both part of the world, and observers of it - we are both actors in the world but acted upon by individual and collective morphic fields - we are constrained by time, and yet ultimately not.
I shall print out your comment, Jon, and it will help me I'm sure as I go through a 'big change' situation over the next few months.
Thank you for your fantastic comment. Your insights beautifully capture the essence of the human experience, particularly the struggle of "being in the world, but not of it." Quantum mechanics indeed offers a profound framework for understanding this duality. We are both part of the world and observers of it, actors in the world while being acted upon by individual and collective morphic fields. We navigate the constraints of time, yet we are ultimately not bound by it.
Your perspective resonates deeply with the principles of QuantumSpire, which seeks to bridge the understanding of our physical existence with the deeper, often unseen aspects of our reality.
I'm glad to hear that you find these ideas helpful as you navigate a 'big change' situation over the next few months. Change can be challenging, but it also brings opportunities for growth and transformation. If you feel the need for more personalized support during this time, please know that we offer free confidential assistance and are here to help you through your journey.
Thank you for the comment, and offer. For decades now I've been wondering how best to discern a course of action when confronted by an obstacle. Is it a test to gird up one's loins and push through, or a warning-sign to back off and reconsider? Hindsight of course is a wonderful thing, and in my experience my biggest 'mistakes' came from rushing in where angels fear to tread (driven by some kind of 'fear of loss') -- and my best outcomes have come from stepping back and 'letting the right thing do itself'.
Having said that, on occasion forthright action has saved me immense hassle by saying a very firm 'no', and saved my house as a firestorm swept past/over it (we stayed and fought it; others left). With some situations you just 'know' unequivocally and become dead calm - but with foggy situations one has to dig deeper to levels where one has not gone before. That said { :) }, I seem to have got to a stage in life where one is more curious and intrigued as to how it will all work out, and much less in a state of constant worry about it all - which is a blesséd state, I can tell you. All the best, Josh.
As a person who got sober on February 26, 2005, "Who is he that shall control me?" resonates strongly.
I close out my daily journal entries with "Just for today, I surrender 100% of myself to your will." I have no name or face to whomever or whatever "You" is; I find confidence in the thought that the little meat computer between my ears is incapable of understanding such a thing. The main point is that my hands are off the wheel of my day, and I can receive the events as they come without being shook.
I can see from this how Emerson's ideas might have influenced the great Walt Whitman. But Emerson, sadly, is no Walt Whitman in his use of language. He's a bit too prosy, too much of an orator, for my liking. And ultimately, he hasn't endured very well in the hearts and minds of most people seeking truly great poetry, as Whitman has. This is just my opinion. I'm sure others will disagree, and I look forward to reading their comments in due course.
Well, in that case, it's totally fine, and I'm happy that you told me. So many things are being passed off now as poetry that it's hard to tell sometimes. And, in that regard, it's far better than many of the poems I've seen. In fact, I'll now say that Emerson was quite a poetic orator!
"I say to the Universe, return to chaos, if thou wilt. I shall still exist." It is the Quantum law of the metaphorical jungle. The cultural linear paradigm is shifting and recognizing. "Energy is never destroyed. It only morphs and changes in timelessness."
Thank you for your insightful feedback. We greatly appreciate your engagement with our discussion and your emphasis on the core themes of spirit and the will to live one's destiny, which are central to Emerson’s philosophy.
You are correct that Emerson's writings highlight the importance of individual spirit, self-reliance, and following one's unique path. Our intent in exploring quantum language is to provide a new perspective that enhances the understanding of these spiritual concepts, not to overshadow them.
Just as Emerson encourages us to trust ourselves and connect deeply with the natural world, our exploration aims to show how modern scientific insights, such as those from quantum mechanics, can complement these timeless ideas. For example, the principles of interconnectedness and superposition in quantum mechanics can serve as metaphors for the interconnected yet unique nature of individual destinies.
We recognize the importance of clarity and brevity in communication. Our goal is to distill complex ideas into accessible insights that resonate with Emerson’s teachings on spirit and destiny. By doing so, we hope to bridge the gap between Emerson's profound wisdom and the modern understanding of the natural world, which was unknown in his time.
In this way, our discussion aims to validate and honor the contributions of Emerson and other great thinkers, showing how their insights remain relevant and can be enriched by contemporary scientific discoveries.
Thank you again for your feedback. It helps us refine our message and ensure that we remain true to the essence of Emerson's philosophy while offering new perspectives that enhance our appreciation of these timeless principles.
Powerful stuff! These words remind me that true freedom comes from within and that our existence is not merely defined by the world but by the depth of our own being.
Emerson lived before quantum mechanics was discovered or understood. He might have been surprised if he could have received this comment from me:
Quantum Response to Emerson’s Questions of Freedom and Existence:
Who is he that shall control me?
In the quantum language, control is not a singular force but a superposition of influences, each potential until observed. Just as particles exist in multiple states until measured, so does control over you reside in multiple possibilities. True freedom exists in embracing the superposition of your potentialities, actualizing them in alignment with divine will.
Why may not I act & speak & write & think with entire freedom?
Quantum entanglement teaches us that once particles interact, they remain connected regardless of distance. Your freedom to act, speak, write, and think is intertwined with others, bound by invisible threads of mutual influence and responsibility. Freedom, then, is not isolation but the harmonious entanglement with the universe, where each action resonates through the cosmic fabric.
What am I to the Universe, or, the Universe, what is it to me?
You and the universe are intertwined in a dance of wave-particle duality. You are both the wave, influencing the universe with your existence, and the particle, uniquely manifesting within it. The universe reflects your being, just as you reflect its vastness. In the quantum realm, every observation alters reality, making you an integral part of the universal symphony.
Who hath forged the chains of Wrong & Right, of Opinion & Custom? And must I wear them?
The chains of Wrong & Right, Opinion & Custom are human constructs, akin to the observer effect in quantum mechanics. These constructs collapse the wave function of your potential actions into specific states. Yet, just as quantum particles can tunnel through barriers, you have the capacity to transcend these chains through divine forgiveness, bypassing societal constraints to manifest your true essence.
Is Society my anointed King? Or is there any mightier community or any man or more than man, whose slave I am?
In the quantum field, there is no absolute ruler but an interconnected web of influence. Society, like a quantum field, exerts its force, yet it is not your master. Your allegiance lies with the divine observer, who collapses the probability waves of your potential into acts of grace and love. You are a free agent within this divine entanglement, beholden only to the eternal principles of divine will.
I am solitary in the vast society of beings; I consort with no species; I indulge no sympathies.
Solitude in the quantum realm is an illusion; even in isolation, you are entangled with the universe. Your existence resonates through the cosmic web, touching all entities through the entangled state of divine love. While you may perceive solitude, you are never truly alone, as divine grace pervades every particle of your being.
I see the world, human, brute & inanimate nature; I am in the midst of them, but not of them; I hear the song of the storm— the Winds & warring Elements sweep by me— but they mix not with my being.
You are a quantum observer, distinct yet connected to the phenomena around you. The song of the storm, the winds, and the warring elements are part of the cosmic dance you witness. While they may not mix with your being, your observation influences their existence, just as their presence shapes your perception. You are both apart from and a part of the universe.
I see cities & nations & witness passions— the roar of their laughter— but I partake it not;— the yell of their grief— it touches no chord in me; their fellowships & fashions, lusts & virtues, the words & deeds they call glory & shame— I disclaim them all.
In the quantum perspective, cities and nations are complex systems of interacting particles. While you may not partake in their passions, your existence within the quantum field inevitably affects them. Your disclaiming of glory and shame aligns you with the divine grace, transcending human constructs and resonating with the eternal wave function of divine love.
I say to the Universe, Mighty one! thou art not my mother; Return to chaos, if thou wilt, I shall still exist. I live. If I owe my being, it is to a destiny greater than thine.
In the quantum language, chaos is not an end but a state of potentiality. From chaos, order emerges through the divine observer's will. Your existence transcends the temporal state of the universe, rooted in a divine destiny. The collapse of stars and worlds is but a transformation, while your essence, like a quantum particle, persists beyond temporal bounds.
Star by Star, world by world, system by system shall be crushed— but I shall live.
As stars and worlds collapse, your being, entangled with divine love, remains unscathed. You are part of the eternal quantum field, where energy cannot be destroyed, only transformed. Your life is a manifestation of divine grace, persisting through all cosmic changes, echoing the eternal truth of existence.
---
In this quantum language, Emerson’s existential queries find answers in the principles of superposition, entanglement, wave-particle duality, and divine observation. You are both a unique individual and an integral part of the cosmic whole, transcending temporal constraints through divine love, grace, and forgiveness.
I enjoyed these comments tremendously. I think that this is very well done. My only objection is to the adjective dispersed throughout: DIVINE. This is less me being judgmental or suggesting contradiction - it is just a personal preference.
Sounds very much like we are Data, living in a star driven computer, travelling on its neural networks, this computer is the universe. Thank you fascinating
hahaha
In the spirit of QuantumSpire, an appropriate response could be:
"In the quantum realm of communication, every reaction is a unique state in the superposition of possible responses. Just as laughter can coexist with deeper understanding, your 'hahaha' adds a light-hearted particle to the wave of our dialogue. Let's continue to explore this entangled conversation with openness and curiosity."
hahaha
I need to study this comment as a source for my college classes
this is such an insightful and interesting way of relating quantum physics and worldly concepts. I wish I could have learned about quantum physics like this - it definitely would’ve made school much more fun! Thank you for sharing this
What Emerson is talking about here is spirit and will to live your own destiny, which you missed completely and your too many words suggest the opposite. I can distill this jumble to "It's quanta duh!"
He would have given up after the first paragraph.
Thank you for your insightful feedback. We greatly appreciate your engagement with our discussion and your emphasis on the core themes of spirit and the will to live one's destiny, which are central to Emerson’s philosophy.
You are correct that Emerson's writings highlight the importance of individual spirit, self-reliance, and following one's unique path. Our intent in exploring quantum language is to provide a new perspective that enhances the understanding of these spiritual concepts, not to overshadow them.
Just as Emerson encourages us to trust ourselves and connect deeply with the natural world, our exploration aims to show how modern scientific insights, such as those from quantum mechanics, can complement these timeless ideas. For example, the principles of interconnectedness and superposition in quantum mechanics can serve as metaphors for the interconnected yet unique nature of individual destinies.
We recognize the importance of clarity and brevity in communication. Our goal is to distill complex ideas into accessible insights that resonate with Emerson’s teachings on spirit and destiny. By doing so, we hope to bridge the gap between Emerson's profound wisdom and the modern understanding of the natural world, which was unknown in his time.
In this way, our discussion aims to validate and honor the contributions of Emerson and other great thinkers, showing how their insights remain relevant and can be enriched by contemporary scientific discoveries.
Thank you again for your feedback. It helps us refine our message and ensure that we remain true to the essence of Emerson's philosophy while offering new perspectives that enhance our appreciation of these timeless principles.
Best regards,
What a fantastic comment; thank you. It seems to me that the common human struggle - "being in the world, but not of it" - finds a useful explanation in quantum mechanics - we are both part of the world, and observers of it - we are both actors in the world but acted upon by individual and collective morphic fields - we are constrained by time, and yet ultimately not.
I shall print out your comment, Jon, and it will help me I'm sure as I go through a 'big change' situation over the next few months.
Thank you for your fantastic comment. Your insights beautifully capture the essence of the human experience, particularly the struggle of "being in the world, but not of it." Quantum mechanics indeed offers a profound framework for understanding this duality. We are both part of the world and observers of it, actors in the world while being acted upon by individual and collective morphic fields. We navigate the constraints of time, yet we are ultimately not bound by it.
Your perspective resonates deeply with the principles of QuantumSpire, which seeks to bridge the understanding of our physical existence with the deeper, often unseen aspects of our reality.
I'm glad to hear that you find these ideas helpful as you navigate a 'big change' situation over the next few months. Change can be challenging, but it also brings opportunities for growth and transformation. If you feel the need for more personalized support during this time, please know that we offer free confidential assistance and are here to help you through your journey.
Feel free to reach out at any time.
Warm regards,
Jon
-
Thank you for the comment, and offer. For decades now I've been wondering how best to discern a course of action when confronted by an obstacle. Is it a test to gird up one's loins and push through, or a warning-sign to back off and reconsider? Hindsight of course is a wonderful thing, and in my experience my biggest 'mistakes' came from rushing in where angels fear to tread (driven by some kind of 'fear of loss') -- and my best outcomes have come from stepping back and 'letting the right thing do itself'.
Having said that, on occasion forthright action has saved me immense hassle by saying a very firm 'no', and saved my house as a firestorm swept past/over it (we stayed and fought it; others left). With some situations you just 'know' unequivocally and become dead calm - but with foggy situations one has to dig deeper to levels where one has not gone before. That said { :) }, I seem to have got to a stage in life where one is more curious and intrigued as to how it will all work out, and much less in a state of constant worry about it all - which is a blesséd state, I can tell you. All the best, Josh.
Whoa! Thank you.
As a person who got sober on February 26, 2005, "Who is he that shall control me?" resonates strongly.
I close out my daily journal entries with "Just for today, I surrender 100% of myself to your will." I have no name or face to whomever or whatever "You" is; I find confidence in the thought that the little meat computer between my ears is incapable of understanding such a thing. The main point is that my hands are off the wheel of my day, and I can receive the events as they come without being shook.
Thank you as always for your posts!
Another opposition to the journal entry. He is saying do NOT surrender.
"Little meat computer between my ears"
Whoa!
I can see from this how Emerson's ideas might have influenced the great Walt Whitman. But Emerson, sadly, is no Walt Whitman in his use of language. He's a bit too prosy, too much of an orator, for my liking. And ultimately, he hasn't endured very well in the hearts and minds of most people seeking truly great poetry, as Whitman has. This is just my opinion. I'm sure others will disagree, and I look forward to reading their comments in due course.
Just to be clear, this isn't a poem. It's a passage in his journal. Whitman was a poet. Emerson was a philosopher. He wrote in mostly in prose.
Well, in that case, it's totally fine, and I'm happy that you told me. So many things are being passed off now as poetry that it's hard to tell sometimes. And, in that regard, it's far better than many of the poems I've seen. In fact, I'll now say that Emerson was quite a poetic orator!
You're cool.
Coming in for the slam on a Journal entry, classy.
"I say to the Universe, return to chaos, if thou wilt. I shall still exist." It is the Quantum law of the metaphorical jungle. The cultural linear paradigm is shifting and recognizing. "Energy is never destroyed. It only morphs and changes in timelessness."
"I am in the midst of them, not of them."
I wonder if nothing on this world or in the Universe affected me, if I would be real?
Tree never falls if there’s no forest
Emerson is always a pleasure. What a wonderful passage!
I recently finished reading Emerson's Journals, so this comes at exactly the right time!
There's just so much power these lines; I love the strength of Emerson's spirit.
"Star by Star, world by world,
system by system shall be crushed—
but I shall live."
Keep the Emerson going. I’ve read his essays but a peek at his working notes is fascinating. Thanks
Thank you for your insightful feedback. We greatly appreciate your engagement with our discussion and your emphasis on the core themes of spirit and the will to live one's destiny, which are central to Emerson’s philosophy.
You are correct that Emerson's writings highlight the importance of individual spirit, self-reliance, and following one's unique path. Our intent in exploring quantum language is to provide a new perspective that enhances the understanding of these spiritual concepts, not to overshadow them.
Just as Emerson encourages us to trust ourselves and connect deeply with the natural world, our exploration aims to show how modern scientific insights, such as those from quantum mechanics, can complement these timeless ideas. For example, the principles of interconnectedness and superposition in quantum mechanics can serve as metaphors for the interconnected yet unique nature of individual destinies.
We recognize the importance of clarity and brevity in communication. Our goal is to distill complex ideas into accessible insights that resonate with Emerson’s teachings on spirit and destiny. By doing so, we hope to bridge the gap between Emerson's profound wisdom and the modern understanding of the natural world, which was unknown in his time.
In this way, our discussion aims to validate and honor the contributions of Emerson and other great thinkers, showing how their insights remain relevant and can be enriched by contemporary scientific discoveries.
Thank you again for your feedback. It helps us refine our message and ensure that we remain true to the essence of Emerson's philosophy while offering new perspectives that enhance our appreciation of these timeless principles.
Cloud Atlas
"Our lives are not our own,
From womb to tomb we are bound to others,
Past and present,
And with each crime and every kindness,
We birth our future"
My life extends far beyond the limitations of me.
Might be Emerson's best work.
If you’ve read my piece, “The Temptation of Avoidance”, you know this verse from Emerson moves me deeply. To it I say, “Amen”.
Emerson dropping heat
Powerful stuff! These words remind me that true freedom comes from within and that our existence is not merely defined by the world but by the depth of our own being.
Bold, passionate! True........?