ENERGY, ENTROPY AND LIFE
Dialogue 26D: The other day we discussed God. We also discussed energy, and you spoke of
human energy and cosmic energy. I will state the scientific position. Scientists
have measured energy and have arrived at an equation: E=MC^2 , a fantastic
figure. This is material energy. Biologists have also proved that life-energy is
anti-entropic, which means that while material energy dissipates itself, life-
energy does not. So this movement of anti-entropy is against the material flow of
energy which dissipates and ends in dead uniformity. The human being generally
moves with entropic energy and, therefore, decays. Scientists have measured
even the time span of this energy. The problem therefore is: How can man, being
aware of this, be part of the movement of energy that is anti-entropic?
K: One can see quite simply that that which is mechanical wears itself out, given
a certain time.
D: What is measurable can be manipulated by the mind of man. An instance of
this is the atom bomb. This energy, this movement of entropy, dominates the
world today. How do we get out of its grip?
P: This is a very important point. If there is a movement of energy which does
not dissipate itself, which does not end, decay then, from the point of view of
science as well as man, it is probably the answer to all the problems of the world.
K: So what are you asking? How is the movement of this mechanical decay in
which man is caught to be brought to an end? Is there a contrary movement?
D: And, what is the nature of that contrary movement?
K: Let us put that question again simply. Man is caught in material energy, in
mechanical energy; he is caught by technology, by the movement of thought. Do
you get the key to it?
D: No.
K: There is the whole field of technological knowledge and the movement in that
knowledge; that is the field in which man lives. It has tremendous influence on
him; it is really taking him over, absorbing him. Scientists have measured the
energy of that movement, and that energy is an energy of decay, an energy of
waste. Scientists also say that there is a contrary movement of energy in the
opposite direction which is creative energy. Real human energy is non-
mechanical, non-technological. Now, what is the question?