Downtown

55” x 80” Mixed media on canvas 2015

“A human being is a part of the whole, called by us ‘Universe,’ a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separate from the rest—a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness.”

Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein (March 14, 1879 to April 18, 1955) was a German mathematician and physicist who developed the special and general theories of relativity. His work is also known for its influence on the philosophy of science. In 1921, he won the Nobel Prize for physics for his explanation of the photoelectric effect. In the following decade, he immigrated to the United States. In his later years, Einstein focused on unified field theory. With his passion for inquiry, Einstein is generally considered the most influential physicist of the 20th century.

As a physicist, Einstein had many discoveries, but he is perhaps best known for his theory of relativity and the equation E = mc2 . Einstein first proposed a special theory of relativity in 1905 in his paper, “On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies,” taking physics in an electrifying new direction. By November 1915, Einstein completed the general theory of relativity. Einstein considered this theory the culmination of his life research.

He was convinced of the merits of general relativity because it allowed for a more accurate prediction of planetary orbits around the sun, which fell short in Isaac Newton’s theory, and for a more expansive, nuanced explanation of how gravitational forces worked. Einstein's assertions were affirmed via observations and measurements by British astronomers Sir Frank Dyson and Sir Arthur Eddington during the 1919 solar eclipse, and thus a global science icon was born.

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I started working on this week's blog about this painting, “Downtown” with Einstein’s quote when I was inspired to read my previous three blogs to get an overview and I quickly realized that I am saying the same thing over and over again. Yes, truth is true and it is that which I write about. It’s all about consciousness; it’s all about unity and wholeness, and a shift in who we think we are. I began to question the need to say anything more on my blogs. I think the quotes and paintings say what is mostly needed. So this will be my last scheduled weekly blog, but if at some point, though, I feel something needs to be said, well then I will post another blog.

Here is what I had written for this week’s blog: When Einstein mentions the human being experiences himself “as something separate from the rest—a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness,” I know what he is talking about. I live it every day—this feeling of being unique, special, and very, very “separate.” Yes, I know it well—we all know it well—too well. We are mesmerized by it and walk about in a trance, asleep to the glory and the divine nature of our true Self.

Then Einstein mentions we are part of a whole, now, that is something very different. My attention turns in the direction of consciousness. It’s not a self-referential consciousness of the body, but a vast, spacious consciousness. And if I focus on it long enough, my awareness is lifted into this living field of wholeness. Soon I experience it as holding and permeating everything. It seems to be vast and endless. Its reality becomes much more alive and powerful than the physical dimension, yet I am still aware of the physical world and my body in it, though it is less predominant. It has faded slightly into the “background,” though the light of awareness shines on it too. And another shift often happens at his point. The boundaries of my body and sense of self grow “softer” and a unity—a oneness with others and with all things starts to dawn.

So I start to notice a divided attention growing, as I hold in awareness both, this vast field of unified, changeless consciousness, and my body in this physical time/space dimension of forms. Can life get any fuller than this?—two very distinct and different realities—under completely different laws coming together—dancing intimately together. How utterly miraculous, divine, and beyond comprehension!

Don’t forget about the free download of my award-winning illustrated book, “Tobe and the River Is.” It is a loving gift for you. And it may just give you something you have been looking for—waiting for.

Thank you for your time and attention.

Micah