Geomancy was prevalent in both the Oriental and Occidental worlds. The development of the yin-yang theory may have been related to the discovery of magnetism, which is central to one of the oldest of all Chinese arts, geomancy or feng shui. They next created the Eight Trigrams, representing eight binary“gradations” of yin and yang, one pure yin, one pure yang, and six combinations that are either predominantly yin or yang.įigure 1: Taiji (Grand Ultimate), the origin and motive force behind all reality, referred to in the I Ching as 'the source and union of the two primary features of the cosmos, yang (active) and yin (passive).' The sages codified the cosmic binaries with a broken line for yin and an unbroken line for yang. Some 3,000 years ago, the anonymous author(s) of the I Ching concluded that the universe is based on a binary structure that consists of mutually complementary opposites: dark and light, negative and positive, attraction and repulsion, Heaven (the universe) and Earth. The ancient sages said:“When the yin and the yang, initially united, separated forever, the mountains poured forth water.” Water pouring from a mountain is a manifestation of“Tao in operation.” The Chinese view of Creation gives us a first clue.

Fortunately, the Tao is easier to understand than quantum physics. Others complained that Capra had neglected the latest developments in quantum physics, the convoluted debate about the standard atomic model and Einstein's Relativity Theory.ĭespite decades of intense efforts, the two models have resisted integration. Some argued that Capra used vague accidental similarities of language to show deeper connections between quantum physics and Eastern mystical thought. His book also raised awareness of the fact that quantum-physics pioneers like Bohr, Schrodinger and Heisenberg were fascinated by Eastern spiritual traditions.īut Capra was also criticized by members of the quantum-physics community. Capra described the parallels between the ancient Chinese notion of Tao and the subatomic world of particles revealed by quantum physics.Ĭapra's book opened the door to both quantum physics and Eastern mysticism for millions of people. In 1975, the American physicist Fitjof Capra published the first edition of his best-selling book The Tao of Physics.

Science does not need mysticism and mysticism does not need science, but man needs both.

The tao of physics book