When I was a teenager, my reading matter of choice was science fiction. Back then 'science' covered the broad scope of adventure, space travel, other worlds and other beings. Today, it struggles to assimilate an unimaginably broader range; of quanta, bottom quarks, Higgs boson fields, neutral kaon, and countless other terms whose meaning often escapes me.
Because I'm a Bahai I believe in the unity of science and religion which are both studies of the same one reality. Recently, I chose to reacquaint myself with 'modern science'. I say modern because it sure doesn't look like my 'school days' science any more, back when there was not a quark or kaon in sight.
Today's science uses many words found in the Bahai scriptures, like magnetism, energy, matrix, and resonance, which are important concepts in the teachings of the Baha'i Faith
In the year before my birth, scientists found a previously unseen particle, now termed a neutral kaon, which led to the discovery of elementary particles known as quarks, and ultimately to the establishment of the standard model of particle physics where, more than just being waves of energy, particles of matter have actual mass, 'body' or substance.
Today, pupils can learn about quantum physics; the study of matter and energy at its most fundamental level. A central tenet of quantum physics is that energy comes in indivisible packets called quanta. Quanta behave very differently to macroscopic matter: particles can behave like waves, and waves behave as though they are particles. That's where my understanding ends.
So science has moved far beyond the solitary atom, and astrophysics is much more comprehensive than the 9 planetary bodies we studied at school, circling around a fixed sun.
In The Divine Matrix - or heaven as we used to term it - authors like Gregg Braden speak of the 'field'; an electric and magnetic field like space, in which a kind of 'soup' or atmosphere contains all existence, where feelings create energy, and this energy is produced by the heart.
In this theory we are all made of quantum energy, living in a 'field' that is electric and magnetic, in which even our feelings create energy.
This was proven to me by means of a deceptively small Biofeedback Machine. What I learned as a consequence saved my life.
A dear friend had offered me his own machine to use, back when my nervous system began being attacked by killer plaques, resulting in loss of nerve function in diverse parts of my body; limbs, vision, breathing etc. The disease was diagnosed as MS and predicted to be terminal.
This simple biofeedback machine - which measured my body's electrical activity by means of a connection to my finger - showed me how my thoughts and feelings created movement in that attached meter.
At first it would scream and wave wildly, but as I became more proficient in focusing on my thoughts and daily prayer and meditation - practices observed by all Baha'is - I learned to 'calm' the meter until it could remain motionless for long periods. In this way I became extremely aware of my inner thoughts and emotions and, as I peacefully controlled them, my health began to improve.
However, it is no magic wand. Having lived with a serious disease for the majority of my life, I have to be protective about the major damage previously done by fatigue, stress and anxiety.
But I have learned the power of my thoughts. When free of distraction I can sooth my nervous system to the point where I need less or no medication. Music is especially helpful, carrying waves of energy to my ears.
Our bodies are magnetic and electrical fields that powerfully respond to our thoughts and beliefs. Whilst they can be damaged by negative thoughts and beliefs, they can also be healed when these are positive. These types of healing are not physical in nature, but respond to the waves of energy that we produce.
How we direct our energies and capacity is the result of our individual will, volition, action, and choice. This is empowered by use of our imagination, thought, comprehension, and memory which together can significantly intensify the benefit. This can also be fostered by music, prayer, and other sensory modalities.
The attainment of any object is conditioned upon knowledge, volition and action. Unless these three conditions are forthcoming, there is no execution or accomplishment. ---'Abdu'l-Baha, Promulgation of Universal Peace
The outward powers are five: the power of sight, of hearing, of taste, of smell, and of touch. The inward powers are also five: the common faculty and the powers of imagination, thought, comprehension, and memory. ---"Abdu'l-Baha, Some Answered Questions
The reality of man is his thought, not his material body. The thought force and the animal force are partners.---"Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks
Spiritual feelings have a surprising effect on healing nervous ailments. '--- Abdu'l-Baha. 131. Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha. 210.