All Roads Lead to Oz

In my eclectic studies of many different subjects I have run across an interesting common denominator. Nearly every major discipline in search of knowledge about the world we live in, or for explanation of the mysteries of the universe run up against an obstacle unless they assume or propose one principle. That is the concept of extra dimensions.

First, lets look at physics. Classical mechanics was going along fine, and Newtonian physics had a pretty complete grasp of physical phenomena while Maxwell pretty well had electro-magnetic phenomena all wrapped up. In fact, some prominent scientists toward the end of the 19th Century made statements like they had physics all wrapped up and could explain and understand everything in the physical universe except for a few minor details. Well, little did they know how wrong they could be. One of the problems had to do with light and some experimental results that couldn't be accounted for. Researchers kept pulling the string on these problems and eventually ended up with a elephant standing in their living room. Einstein ultimately came up with a new theory, Relativity, that involved an extra dimension to solve the problem.

And if this wasn't enough, Newtonian mechanics also broke down when it came to explaining what went on with sub-atomic particles. According to the existing model, electrons spinning around the nucleus, and giving off light, should gradually fall toward the nucleus and collapse. Of course this didn't happen. Einstein again led the way, along with Planck, and Bohr and developed a new version of mechanics called Quantum Mechanics. Quantum Mechanics eventually led scientists to the position that either particles could be in many places at once, or that there were infinite multiple universes existing simultaneously. Particles could 'transition' from one place to another instantly. These kinds of phenomena, though guised with different names and explanations, imply some sort of extra dimensions we are not normally aware of.

String Theory, Brane Theory, and M-Theory, are the latest and greatest theories to be espoused by the most brilliant minds in the area of theoretical physics, and they all postulate extra dimensions. Up to 11 or more in some cases. Also, theories about the nature of Gravity cannot seem to be complete without extra dimensions. It seems that there is just no possible way, by whatever theory is evolved, to explain all the know from experimental data without coming to the conclusion that there are extra dimensions.

What is equally interesting, on the other side of the world from scientific exploration, is the metaphysical, religious and spiritual realms. It seems that from a completely different angle of approach that much the same concepts have been evolved.

Most Western religions, such as Christianity, Islam, Judaism, conceive that man 'has' a soul, or spirit. This soul or spirit goes to Heaven or some Divine realm when the soul departs the body, or this worldly existence. Well, first of all there seems to be a confusion about whether the soul or spirit is the same as the individual himself, or it something he possesses, or is some hidden other aspect of himself. Putting this confusion aside, the inherent implication is that there is some other realm to which the soul goes, or naturally abides, which is not of this 3D physical universe. This is almost by definition has to be in another dimension, although it is not named as such. Even if it is considered some kind of parallel universe, the fact that parallel universes exist implies more dimensions than our normal three.

Eastern religions such as Buddhism are less confused about identity, in that they believe they are the spirit or soul, but they also believe through enlightenment that they rise to a higher plane or dimension. From this enlightened viewpoint they are able to see our 3D physical universe from an exterior perspective and viewpoint, i.e. another dimension.

Mystics are known for having visions and experiences that are not normal for people sensing only the physical 3D universe. That's why they are different. They might see things in the past or future or from a perspective of enlightenment that reveals more that would normal be visible. If these experience are real they again would point to extra dimensions.

Our course psychics are psychic because they presumably do things that can not be explained by the normal physics of a 3D mechanical universe. Although researchers such as Rhine, who did a lifetime of scientific work to prove that paranormal phenomena exists, are routinely ignored because, either the physical scientists just can't believe the data despite it being proven through scientific method, or they don't know what to do with it. However, there are a few scientist popping up here and there who are trying to tie together the implications of extra dimensions in physics with such things as paranormal experiences.

And then of course the students of UFO phenomena will often talk about multi-dimensional space craft, and even aliens who are multi-dimensional beings who shift in and out of our reality zone. And even ancient histories of peoples around the globe contain stories of multi-dimensional creatures such as shape-shifting reptiles, and stories of fairies and elves who seem to have extra dimensional aspects.

But despite all these paths leading toward the same destination it seem remarkable in some ways that the concept of extra dimensions play such a little role, at least knowingly, in our everyday lives. But that is perhaps just the same as the fate of those who lived in FlatLand, never guessing that there was a third dimension.