Kamal Ghorui
Time is not what it appears to be. It is not a river carrying reality forward, but a structural framework within which reality already exists. This is a scientific statement. Here reality means matter and philosophically it is material reality.
In Part 1, we stated that we would explore time in a scientific manner. Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity provides a useful direction for reflecting on time. It states:
E = mc²
Where:
E = Energy (in joules)
m = Mass (in kilograms)
c = Speed of light in vacuum (≈ 3 × 10⁸ m/s)
This equation establishes that mass is a condensed form of energy. The proportionality constant c² is extraordinarily large, implying that even a small amount of mass corresponds to an enormous amount of energy. This forms the theoretical basis for phenomena such as nuclear fission, fusion, and particle–antiparticle annihilation.
To illustrate this simplistically, let us return to our earlier diagram (Fig. 3). When a particle possessing mass (in our world, W1) moves at high speed, it transitions from T1/W1 towards the periphery. In this process, mass is converted into energy, and time slows down for the particle. This raises a critical question: in which direction does the particle move?
It cannot move towards the centre, as such movement would imply lower energy. According to the equation, mass converts into energy, resulting in an increase in energy and a decrease in mass. This aligns well with our diagram. However, the equation itself is direction-independent, which complicates the analysis. To address this, we must consider the full relativistic energy equation:
E² = (pc)² + (mc²)²
Where:
E = Total energy
p = Relativistic momentum
m = Rest mass
c = Speed of light
Here, our focus shifts to momentum. In a head-on collision, the momentum vectors are equal and opposite (pᵢ and −pᵢ). In contrast, in an oblique collision, particles distribute momentum across both magnitude and direction.
This brings us back to the question of direction. Any meaningful discussion of direction requires consideration of dimensions. At any point in three-dimensional space, there exist infinitely many possible directions. If one could plot the sum total of all possible directions from all coordinates in 3D space, one may conceptualize it as a “dimension of direction.”
When we refer to movement from W1/T1 to W0/T0, we are describing motion within this dimension of direction. In our diagram, this movement makes Time a variable scale but the basic unit of time remains the same. This movement allows for oscillations between different worlds. This dimension is uniformly available from the centre of the system to its farthest extent. It resembles a gravitational field spread across all space and matter, structured almost like a universal grid. In this sense, all dimensions may be understood similarly.
Let us now consider the example of sound. According to current scientific understanding, sound is a wave. When a person speaks, the sound wave propagates through a medium and is received by another person within a limited range. Beyond a certain distance, the sound becomes inaudible. However, through technological systems such as telephones or televisions, the same sound can be transmitted across vast distances.
This raises an important question: what happens to a sound wave after it travels beyond the distance at which it can be heard? Does it vanish entirely, or is it somehow stored in the atmosphere? Further, if it is stored, can such storage occur in space, where there is no air? Can it persist in a vacuum?
According to current science, the wave continues to propagate until its energy dissipates into randomness. This leads to another question: can this randomness be reconstructed into the original words? In scientific terms, this process is referred to as quantum scrambling. Current research suggests that information is never truly destroyed, even in extreme environments such as blackholes.
Now consider the act of recording sound. A sound wave that would otherwise dissipate into randomness is instead preserved in a structured and recognizable form. This leads to a deeper question: does nature possess a mechanism to store all sounds ever produced? If such a mechanism exists, then the totality of all sound may be conceptualized as a “sound dimension.”
Ancient Indian sages proposed that the primordial sumtotal of all sound is ‘OM’. This ‘OM’ is not merely symbolic but represents a continuous and dynamic repository of sound. It stores all sounds as packets of information across time, regardless of scale. The aggregate of these ‘OM packets’ is referred to as ‘Sabda Brahma’.
Extending this idea further, similar principles may apply to thought, emotion, love, hate, pain, joy, and happiness. Earlier, we described time as a “TIME CAPSULE.” Within this capsule, all such dimensions coexist. Every material phenomenon is linked to time—thinking at a given moment, feeling at a given moment, and sound at a given moment. These are created in time, stored in time, and arguably persist within time.
Returning to scientific perspectives, Aristotle proposed that time exists because change occurs. Without change, time would not exist. Isaac Newton later argued that time is absolute—a continuous flow that exists independently of events. Albert Einstein, however, reconceptualized time as a relative dimension of spacetime, not an absolute flow. In his framework, what we perceive as the passage of time is not a fundamental feature of reality.
Time, therefore, is:
- Relative
- Influenced by motion and gravity
- Interwoven with space
Recent developments in the study of gravity introduce an even more intriguing perspective. In certain mathematical formulations of gravitational fields, time does not explicitly appear as a variable. In some cases, it effectively cancels out, as if it does not exist. Yet, earlier models required time to move both forward and backward for equations to remain functional. Without this flexibility, the equations fail.
Another important consideration is the speed of gravity. In Newtonian physics, gravitational interaction is instantaneous, implying infinite speed. In contrast, Einstein’s framework establishes that nothing can exceed the speed of light. If something were to do so, it would violate causality—the fundamental principle that causes precede effects.
Modern understanding suggests that gravity propagates at the speed of light. Gravity is uniform and is present everywhere, suggesting that the universe is a single unified whole. This is a profound implication, as it challenges the perception that the universe is made up of separate fragments.
Albert Einstein’s assertion that “passing time” is not a fundamental feature of reality aligns meaningfully with this view. If the universe is indeed a unified whole, then the experience of fragmented existence and flowing time may not be fundamental, but emergent.
This perspective resonates with ancient Indian philosophical thought, which holds that reality is unified and that perceived separations are manifestations of Maya—illusion.
At this stage, it is necessary to reflect on the role of science itself. Science, as currently practiced, seeks to understand the functioning of nature through logical frameworks supported by empirical validation. However, this approach is inherently limited, as it primarily addresses matter and its interactions.
To move beyond this limitation, one may need to explore what can be termed “parascience”—domains of understanding that extend beyond material analysis. Such exploration often requires experiential engagement, which remains inaccessible to many due to a lack of corresponding practices.
As long as inquiry remains confined to matter—even when employing advanced quantum frameworks—our understanding of life, and particularly time, remains incomplete.
Because matter is the central focus, it is not surprising that in advanced gravitational models, time appears to vanish. Based on current scientific and mathematical frameworks, one is tempted to conclude:
Time may well be the greatest traitor—and the biggest lie.
END OF ARTICLE
