“Nothing’s gonna change my world…” This line from the John Lennon song, “Across the Universe,” suddenly had new meaning when I was listening to it the other day with a friend who told me it was written after the Beatles met with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and had some spiritual experiences. Experiencing “nothing”–meaning the void, emptiness, silence–is going to change his world. This brings me to the topic for the week–nothing.

I saw a video recently of a talk by David Tong, a theoretical physicist at Cambridge University. As I understand it, previously, scientists were searching for a fundamental particle that is the basic building block of everything. But at one point, they came to realize there is no fundamental particle. The basic thing that underlies everything in the Universe is not a thing—it is nothing. But that nothing is not really nothing—it is fields or ‘oceans’ of energy throughout the Universe. When these fields interact with each other, particles are formed that temporarily come into and out of existence.

A vacuum appears empty, but the movement of energy—the motion of the fields—in the vacuum, can be measured. These fields in nothing produce everything. We’re living inside these fields. Nothing is constantly creating things, which are really expressions of the energy fields that exist throughout the Universe. Thoughts, feelings, anything in the inner and outer world are all made of these fields interacting, according to this theory.

Physicists have validated this model of the Universe both through experiments as well as mathematical equations. Our whole understanding of the Universe has been completely updated, yet we are still living as if the old, outdated model still applies.

All is not as it appears. For example, the Earth appears to be flat, yet we know it is round. And we have long known that the Earth is not the center of the Universe, as was previously thought. This updated knowledge has made all the difference in how we live and what we know is possible. Less than 100 years ago, scientists believed the Universe consisted of only one galaxy—the Milky Way. Now we know there are limitless galaxies, each with billions of stars. And beyond that—scientists have postulated the idea of multiverses.

This expanded view of the Universe and beyond results in expanded consciousness. Thinking in terms of particles, which are bound by space and time, is limiting. We are now seeing there are no boundaries to what is possible. When our awareness extends beyond particle thinking, our lives–our power, knowledge, and presence–become unlimited.

The Sages of India tell us there is one underlying value that is the basis of everything. As my spiritual mentor, Stuart Mooney expressed it, “There is only one cause, one substance, expressing itself as everything.” There is a fundamental oneness uniting everything, even though it appears that everything is separate, discreet. As long as we live with the mistaken belief that we are disconnected from everything else, including each other, how can we possibly coexist in harmony? It is imperative that we recognize the oneness of all existence if we want to survive. And to realize oneness requires that we grow in consciousness. These truths are not something we can wrap our minds around. For example, Stu once said that everything “neither exists nor doesn’t exist.” The mind cannot possibly understand a paradox like this. I don’t believe most physicists totally grasp these things; they are simply uncovering the laws that govern our lives.

Not only is science backing up the knowledge of the Sages, but when we take time to go within, we can begin to validate these truths for ourselves. Like all spiritual principles, we must experience oneness for ourselves; otherwise it remains just a concept—a beautiful one, but not our lived experience. The purpose of the spiritual path is to realize these truths, to live them for ourselves.

Note to self: Update your view of yourself and the Universe to live in harmony with Life.