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Matter and Energy

Energy is free to flow. In fact, in its free form such as electromagnetic waves, energy flows at a speed of almost 3,00,000 Km/second and that is a great speed. On the other hand, matter is caught in the matrix of space and time. If a human being is made to travel at almost the speed of light (which is practically almost impossible), he would age significantly less as compared to fellow human beings on earth. That shows when matter moves at a significant speed comparable to light, matter probably sets free of the limitations in a time and space matrix. 

The matter has a huge energy and we have been able to use (or misuse) this energy in the past with the invention of nuclear reactors and atom bombs. However, generally, this energy stays in a latent form inside the atom of the matter. The latest research on the Higgs field tells us that all the fundamental particles of matter and energy, fermions and bosons, take birth from the Higgs field. Since both fermions and bosons have the same origin, it seems that matter too has the same properties as energy, however, it is somewhere trapped. 

The entire life is just an interplay of matter and energy. They both take form from the same field that we call consciousness. Matter and energy have their distinct functions. While matter is tied to time and space, energy is free to flow. Probably, human beings too have the interplay of both matter and energy inside them. "Ego" represents the matter. Body and mind are its tools of operation in this world. It tries to trap us in a given time and space. "Ego" operates with a primary motive to protect the body. We associate so many things in our mind with the protection of the body such as money, security, social validation, powers, relationships, knowledge, and self-image. 

As we live life, the "Ego" keeps growing like a black hole to gulp almost everything which comes in its contact. However, as the "Ego" grows, we get more and more fixated on time and space. A significant portion of our attention is taken over by the "Ego" and we lose awareness of the "Energy" that is free to move at the speed of light. Black-hole gulps even the rays of light. The energy within us seeks to flow with the universe. The same energy fills us with the willingness to explore. During childhood, since the "Ego" is not strong, the same energy helps us explore the world and we learn to walk, talk, and make friends so easily. We explore whatever comes our way. Our imagination knows no limits. However, as we grow as an adult, the "Ego" takes over our attention and leaves very little room for the energy to flow.

There is no doubt that the satisfaction of the "Ego" and the accumulation of its associates such as money, security, social validation, powers, relationships, knowledge, and self-image gives us pleasure. However, This pleasure has a few limitations. First, it is like a black hole attracting the entire attention towards it. When the entire attention is captured by the "Ego" driven activities, there is very little scope left for exploration. Life becomes unidimensional. Second, since life has become unidimensional, there is so much dependency on the associates of the "Ego". Every loss of money, any insecurity, distress in a relationship, a health issue of self or a close relative, loss of power, a dent in the self-image, etc, shakes our existence. We become stressed and fearful. If these disturbances continue for a long time, we get to develop psychological disorders such as depression, jealousy, and aggression. 

Third, we miss the purpose of life. The purpose of any tool can not be just to protect and preserve the tool. If we do not use the car, it gets rusted. If we do not use the laptop, its software gets outdated. Similarly, our body too has a limited life. Yes, so long as we use the car or laptop, we need to get them regularly serviced and updated. The same applies to our body. We need good maintenance of the body by eating healthy food and doing physical and mental exercises. We need to practice Asanas, Pranayama, and meditation for a healthy body and mind. However, the taste of the pudding lies in eating. The use of the body and brain lies in using. 

Life is what we make out of it. If our attention gets constrained to just attend the call of the "Ego", we will spend all our time and energy just to please our "Ego". It may give us pleasure and comfort, but it will never ever give us fulfillment. Fulfillment is a function of energy and not matter. The more our attention is freed from the clutches of the "Ego", the more it flows with the energy. The more we become aware of nature and its secrets. We explore different fields of operation of nature such as the cosmos, the oceans, the wind, birds, animals, and different expressions in the form of art, paintings, sculptures, the functioning of the human body and brain, astrology, sociology, and every other possible expression of the energy. We no longer remain unidimensional, insecure creatures with fragile "Egos" and evolve to become free souls, keen to explore different expressions of nature.

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