True learning?

Hi Tom, I agree with what you are saying about black holes and gravity, but what about the atom? I mean does any chemist (or whoever) out there truly understand how an atom works or is that all based on certain assumptions? I am at crossroads with my university course (environmental engineering) because at the moment it doesn't feel like true learning to me. Since having a spiritual awakening, I just want to really UNDERSTAND what it is that I am learning rather than just refer to models etc. There is alot of chemistry in my course and if I or my lecturers cannot even understand what an atom really is, then everything else we are learning is purely based on assumptions and models. I guess models can be okay for a very primitive understanding, but what about the reality?! Therefore what I am learning musn't really be true learning! Maybe all this stuff I am learning in chemistry is just misleading me from ever finding the truth. Maybe the whole scientific establishment is completely wrong or inaccurate!! I just don't know if what we 'learn' at schools is true learning, Tom, it seems more like memorising stuff and even if you do sort of understand something at the time, (like maths or science) you have to use it alot or you will FORGET it. I have established that I want to TRULY UNDERSTAND, but now it's the question of HOW can I understand (especially maths and sciences)? I am soooooo confused! With Love

Jacky

Conclusions are only as good as assumptions adopted in reaching them.

It is quite beneficial to study what other people have done and what they achieved. To maximize the benefit, you should try to become aware and understand what assumptions lead to what consequences. Only then you will be able to improve assumptions and consider new ideas.

Models of atoms (or reality) necessarily have limited applicability, but it doesn't mean we should not use them. Just consider that they represent the "current" state of understanding. Note that complaining about limitations of any model is a waste of time if you do not propose a better alternative.

As for mathematics, consider it a LANGUAGE, that enables to draw conclusions and make predictions on the basis of a given set of assumptions. This language is VERY useful if you know it well.

My view is that the MAIN thing our sciences are missing is the Purpose of our Conscious existence. If you want to make up for it - just study your Self.

"Whoever doesn't know Self - doesn't know anything, but whoever knows Self has already acquired the Knowledge about the depth of the Universe" [2].

Tom

Hi Tom, I have read all your works and tried very hard to understand them. But I seemed to have missed this point on how to study the self. Is this achieved through meditation? I am so confused about this!

A.J.

A wise man @2000 years ago explained this as follows:

...examine yourself and understand
who you are
how you live
and what will become of you.

If you need translation of the above into plain English - please read the Freedom of Choice book again. Its all about figuring out WHY and HOW you live and what is your FINAL GOAL.

Tom