Dark Matter, Energy & Deep Wisdom: A Journey from Stars to Self (ICC blog # 104)

Where ancient wisdom meets modern science and your place in it all.

A creative expression

Audio BlogDr Sp Mishra

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It’s heartbreaking to witness the wars, destruction, racism and religion that continue to plague our world. In a time when technology connects us more than ever, we still find ourselves divided by race, religion, borders, and ideologies. What if the seeds of peace and harmony could be sown much earlier? What if children were taught, from a young age, that they are deeply connected to the universe and each other?

Swami Vivekananda believed that such understanding wasn’t just philosophical, it was practical. He envisioned a world where science and spirituality walk hand in hand, where education nurtures not just the mind but the soul. He believed that ancient Indian wisdom, especially Vedanta, could help us see beyond our differences and awaken a sense of unity.

More than a hundred years ago, Vivekananda wrote a letter from New York to his friend Mr. E.T. Sturdy. In it, he shared a bold idea: that concepts like Prāna (life force) and Ākāsha (subtle matter) weren’t just mystical, they could be explored through science. He saw no contradiction between reason and intuition, between the outer cosmos and the inner self.

Today, as scientists uncover the mysteries of dark energy and invisible matter, Vivekananda’s vision feels more relevant than ever.

If you look up at the night sky, you might think the universe is made of stars, planets, and galaxies. But scientists now know that all the stuff we can see everything made of atoms, is just a tiny fraction of what’s out there. Only about five per cent of the universe is made of visible matter. The rest is invisible and mysterious.

There’s something called dark matter, which doesn’t shine or reflect light, but it has gravity. It holds galaxies together, like an invisible glue. Then there’s dark energy, which is even stranger. It seems to be pushing everything apart, making the universe expand faster and faster. Together, dark matter and dark energy make up about 95 per cent of the universe. We don’t know exactly what they are, but we know they’re there, shaping everything.

Vivekananda believed that reality isn’t just what we see. He described the universe as having different layers starting from the physical world we experience every day, moving through subtler layers of thought and energy, and finally reaching a realm of pure consciousness. He said that everything is made of Prāna and Ākāsha, and that these two evolve through these layers. Doesn’t that sound a bit like how scientists now talk about visible matter, dark matter, and dark energy?

He didn’t see science and spirituality as opposites. He believed that religion is a kind of science, a science of inner experience. Just like physics studies the outer world, spiritual seekers study the inner world. Both use observation. Both seek truth. He once said, “The book to learn religion is your mind and heart.” Today, many scientists echo this sentiment. Saul Perlmutter, who helped discover dark energy, once remarked that science without religion is lame, and religion without science is blind.

Recent discoveries suggest that dark energy might not be constant. It may have been stronger in the past and is now weakening. That changes how we think about the future of the universe. Instead of expanding forever, it might slow down or even collapse back in a “Big Crunch.” Vivekananda spoke of cosmic cycles: creation, preservation, and dissolution. In Vedanta, the universe isn’t a one-time event. It’s a rhythm, like breathing.

There’s also talk of “dark stars”, stars powered by dark matter instead of nuclear fusion. These ideas are still being tested, but they show how much we still don’t know and how much ancient wisdom might still have to offer.

You might wonder: what does all this mean for everyday life?

It means that the universe is more mysterious and interconnected than we thought. It means that what we don’t see might be more important than what we do. And it means that our inner world, our thoughts, emotions, and consciousness, might be part of the same cosmic dance as galaxies and stars.

Vivekananda believed that understanding this unity could transform society. It could lead to better education, deeper compassion, and a more meaningful life.

We live in a time when science is advancing rapidly, but many people feel disconnected from nature, from each other, and themselves. Vivekananda’s message reminds us that truth isn’t just in labs and telescopes, it’s also in silence, reflection, and inner clarity.

He dreamed of a world where science and spirituality walk together. Where reason and intuition support each other. Where the mysteries of the cosmos inspire not just curiosity, but wisdom.

In Vedanta, there’s a powerful phrase: Tat Tvam Asi, “Thou art That.” It means that you are not separate from the universe; you are part of it. Not just physically, but spiritually and energetically.

So, the next time you hear about dark energy or look up at the stars, remember: You’re not just looking at the universe. You are the universe, looking at itself.

And if we can help young minds grasp this truth early through stories, science, and reflection, we may yet build a world where peace and harmony are not distant dreams, but everyday realities.