Entropy Yoga – A Yoga for Engineers
Yoga is a term that most of us in the modern world are familiar with. It is a general term used for a variety of exercises and procedures used for self-development or spiritual development. The precise meaning of the term is union. In Eastern philosophy it is held that the individual consciousness, intelligence, and soul have emerged from and continue to be a part of a unified Infinite Source (God). We do not see this unity due to our own individual desires, ego, and the exercise of our free will (along with the consequences it brings in the form of retribution or karma).
However, if we reduce the very things that cause us to perceive ourselves as separate, we become closer to the universal spirit that pervades the universe and thus also become more evolved. In the ultimate state, which is rare but feasible, an individual soul loses its identity and merges with infinity. Yoga means this union and a yogic practice is one that brings one closer to this reunion of the finite consciousness with the infinite consciousness. Yoga can also be considered as a practice that accelerates our evolution towards higher states.
The various yoga practices that are propagated in Eastern philosophy are numerous. Some involve physical exercises. Many are connected with breathing methodologies (Pranayama). The most advanced ones are connected with thought control through concentration, chanting or prayer. Some forms of yoga deal with lifestyle disciplines. Now we will talk about a yoga that engineers can understand but that anyone can practice. Here it has been called the yoga of entropy.
Thermodynamics is a fundamental science studied by engineers. Classical thermodynamics deals with the laws of thermodynamics along with their implications and applications. Many modern machines, such as automobiles and thermal plants, are designed with the help of the principles of thermodynamics. The second law of thermodynamics deals with the principle of entropy. According to this law, every process that takes place in the universe serves to increase the entropy of the universe. In general, when the entropy increase is large, mechanical devices, such as a car engine, are less efficient compared to the situation where the entropy increase is small.
Everything that has happened in the physical universe since it began has increased its entropy. Entropy is also a measure of disorder. Higher entropies imply a higher degree of disorder. One may wonder what would happen to the universe if the entropy increases beyond sustainable levels. It would lead to the destruction of the universe as we know it.
Only a being that is beyond the laws of the physical universe can reverse this change. By definition, God is one of those beings. The process of creating something from nothing itself involves a process in which entropy can be reduced. If we all have a component of this infinite power in ourselves, then we also have the ability to decrease the entropy of the universe. Any habit or systematic practice that we adopt to increase order and reduce disorder leads to a reduction in entropy and, in that sense, is a form of yoga. Let’s call this yoga entropy.
If you organize things in your room in an orderly way, then you are practicing entropy yoga. If you do that throughout your house, the entropy is further reduced and if you do it on a larger scale in the city or the country, then one becomes the agent of substantial change and possibly substantial spiritual evolution. From this point of view, cities and countries that are more orderly are more spiritually evolved compared to others that are disorderly.
Entropy yoga can be practiced with all of our activities. If one walks on predefined paths and routes, then he is practicing this yoga. If one wanders where he pleases, then this yoga is not being practiced. When driving, if you drive strictly in your own lane keeping the prescribed distances from the vehicle in front, you are practicing the yoga of entropy. In short, disciplined behavior that helps maintain order is entropy yoga, while undisciplined behavior is not.
A person who carries out fundamental things like eating and sleeping according to pre-established schedules is also practicing entropy yoga. If you set aside weekly scheduled times to organize your personal belongings and other activities, then you are practicing a more powerful form of entropy yoga where order is affected in both space and time.
When we speak truthfully and thoughtfully, we practice an advanced form of entropy yoga in relation to our speech because truthful and thoughtful speech is a high degree of order compared to single words or lies. In every situation there may be a million lies but only one true statement.
Intelligent beings like humans can consciously practice the yoga of entropy, while animals cannot. Entropy yoga leads to spiritual evolution and increases the abilities to achieve goals. However, although individuals can play their part in reducing entropy, not all processes in the world are under their control. In general, the entropy of the universe is constantly increasing. There is only one other quantity that moves in one direction like that and that is time. Carrying out a process where entropy does not increase is to stop time and carrying out another that slows down the entropy increase is to reduce the flow of time for the individual who carries it out. Therefore, individuals who act in an orderly and disciplined manner will achieve more than others who behave in a disorderly manner, even though they spend a lot of time and energy in their efforts. The practice of punctuality combines the introduction of order in time, space and thought. People who are intentionally and habitually late in that regard practice the opposite of yoga or play the part of the devil, so to speak.
The greatest amount of clutter that we humans create is perhaps at the level of thought. They are generally turbulent. The more emotional we are, the more disordered our thoughts are. Spiritualists have recommended quieting thoughts by constantly repeating a name. That is called Jap yoga or chanting. However, if we focus on whatever we are doing at any given moment with full concentration, preventing our thoughts from wandering, we can achieve the same effect.
A person who is well-ordered and disciplined in his thoughts, actions, and deeds and promotes order in the world and conserves his energies. When your motivations are simultaneously to evolve or achieve greater oneness with the Infinite consciousness of the universe rather than personal gain, then it can be a much more effective form of spiritual evolution than prayer or meditation at a few fixed times during the day. A person can feel the spiritual gain immediately from the feeling of joy and happiness that arises from such nearly isentropic actions (where entropy does not increase) compared to selfish or disorderly actions that produce tiredness, unhappiness, or disgust and possibly even depression combined with sinking. at lower levels of evolution.
Note: The yoga concept of entropy arose as a result of discussions between the author and a fellow engineer, KHC Prabhu.