Mada is the fifth primal vibration, arising when the natural sense of “I” becomes overly assertive and intoxicated with its own importance. Ahaṅkāra simply gives the feeling of existence — “I exist” — and Kartṛtva allows action by saying, “I act.” But when these healthy functions are misunderstood as personal greatness or absolute control, they turn into Mada. Mada is the state where the self forgets its limits and begins to feel, “I alone matter,” mistaking participation in action for superiority over all else.
Just as Kāma gives the desire to connect, Krodha gives the force to fight for what we feel is right, Lobha makes us want to keep things, and Moha clouds our understanding, Mada is the ego that tries to take ownership of all these actions. It is the inner voice that says, “This is mine. I did this. I deserve this.”
In simple scientific terms, Mada is like the moment when a nearly uniform field develops an exaggerated imbalance. A small, functional asymmetry gives rise to direction, spin, and orientation, but when this imbalance becomes dominant, it defines everything around it as “up” and “down.” In the same way, ego (ahaṅkāra) gives the mind a personal point of view, allowing experience and action. Mada arises when this point of view becomes intoxicated with importance. Before ego, everything feels one and equal; after ego, there is “me” and “others.” When ego hardens into Mada, this difference turns into superiority, ownership, and blind self-assertion.
Quantum Spin Orientation
Growth requires the ability to move freely between “higher” and “lower” modes as situations demand. Even a person of higher understanding must sometimes act simply or humbly, just as a particle with spin must be able to flip when interaction requires it. A spin stuck permanently in the “up” state cannot respond properly in situations that demand a “down” orientation. In the same way, remaining fixed in pride blocks learning and growth. Letting go of this rigidity—coming down when needed—is the dissolution of Mada, and it is essential for maturity. Yet there are moments when an “up” mode is required for leadership or action. Expressing this without inner intoxication is a skill: outward firmness with inward awareness. Quantum particles adopt the spin state required for interaction without emotional attachment or superiority. Likewise, a mature mind can act with authority when needed while remaining inwardly balanced, flexible, and free from pride.
Symmetry Breaking
In physics, the universe began in a state of perfect symmetry where everything was equal and undivided. When this symmetry broke, different forces and particles emerged, giving rise to complexity. In the same way, the pure Self begins without boundaries, but eventually experiences a divide between “me” and “others.” This is the start of Mada, the feeling of being a distinct individual. At its healthy level, it is the natural joy of becoming unique — a playful expression of the divine. But when one forgets the original unity behind this individuality, pride turns into separation, and the ego loses its balance.
In the quantum world, some particles have greater influence and stronger interactions, while others play smaller roles. Each particle carries a different strength, and this natural difference in qualities contains the seed of pride at the level of individuality. Yet particles do not become intoxicated by their importance. Whether acting in a major or minor role, they remain balanced because they never lose their connection to the undivided whole, existing simultaneously as waves within a single field. Pride arises only when this unity is forgotten. For human beings, maintaining both individuality and unity at the same time is more difficult. However, through moments of relaxation and inner reflection, one can repeatedly return to the awareness of nonduality. Contemplative approaches such as quantum darshan help the mind remember this deeper unity, allowing action in the world without losing inner balance. Just as the entire creation, made up of quantum particles, can exhibit both particle and wave nature at the same time, similarly a human being can live in both dual and non-dual awareness together through their contemplation.
Quantum Measurement (Observer Effect)
In quantum physics, a system exists as many possibilities until an observation brings one possibility into experience. This is often described as the observer effect, where a wave of potential appears as a definite particle. It is as if the wave is asked, “Who are you?” and the reply comes, “I am this particular form.” The human ego behaves in a similar way. Through constant interaction with the world, the mind feels compelled to answer, “I am the one who acts, decides, and creates outcomes.” This repeated identification becomes the root of pride. Pride shows itself outwardly in action, but Mada forms inwardly in the mind as the belief of personal authorship, and this is more harmful. The deeper truth is that consciousness is only the witness, not the personal doer. Just as the wave remains as unchanged field while particles appear and interact within it, awareness allows experiences to arise without itself acting. Pride arises when this witnessing power is mistakenly claimed by the mind, as if the wave were to say, “I have become the separate particle and done all this.” In reality, the wave never becomes the particle; the particle only appears within the wave as a temporary expression, not as a true transformation. The wave itself remains unchanged. In the same way, the pure Self never becomes the mind or its experiences. Thoughts, actions, and identities merely appear in awareness like waves, even though they seem real and separate from awareness through illusion. Awareness itself does not claim these appearances as its own truth. Just as a wave does not claim to be the particle itself, the true Self does not identify with the mind. Confusion and pride (mada) arise only when the observing awareness forgets this distinction and begins to identify with its own instruments—thoughts, roles, achievements, and personality. The real question, then, is this: if the wave does not take ownership of the particle’s actions, why does the human Self take ownership of the mind’s movements?
Higgs Field and Mass Acquisition
In physics, particles gain mass when they interact with the Higgs field, which acts like a gentle cosmic resistance. This interaction slows them down and makes them feel like a “somebody” with weight and presence. Something similar happens in the human mind. As the ego repeatedly says, “This is mine,” or “I am important,” it gathers heaviness in the form of titles, achievements, roles, and possessions. This heaviness is Mada — consciousness taking on mass. In spiritual terms, enlightenment is the moment when this drag loosens, the ego-lightens, and the mind becomes free to move with the effortless speed and clarity of pure awareness again.
The heaviness carried by titles, responsibility, or authority is not given freely; it is earned by struggling with problems. Problems act like a dense field through which one must pass. In physics, the Higgs field gives particles mass, making them heavier, slower-moving, and more capable of meaningful interaction. In a similar way, the field of challenges and knowledge gives weight to the human mind. Those who create or manage these challenges—teachers, bosses, or gurus—are like Higgs bosons emerging from this heavy field of knowlege, experience and art. By imparting knowledge, discipline, and direction, they add weight to the mind, making it steadier, slower in reaction, and more grounded in action. Such a mind moves carefully rather than impulsively, becoming more practical, interactive, and result-oriented. This is not weakness but maturity. Just as heavier particles interact more strongly, a seasoned mind engages life more effectively. This is why the old saying holds true: slow and steady wins the race.
There is no doubt that inner “heaviness” or stature can give rise to Mada, but this does not mean that knowledgeable or high-level people should avoid interaction with those who are lighter, less educated, or socially lower placed. Without interaction, mutual growth is impossible. In the quantum world, heavy particles such as electrons interact freely and abundantly with light particles like photons. Photons, being fast and mobile, give motion and energy to electrons, while electrons provide structure and stability in return. Neither can create or sustain the world alone. In the same way, people of higher understanding receive movement, support, and practical assistance from those at lower levels, while offering guidance, stability, and meaningful company in return. If high-status individuals isolate themselves out of superiority-based Mada, or if so called lower-level individuals withdraw due to inferiority-based Mada, interaction breaks down and society cannot function. Quantum particles preserve their identity, yet they do not refuse interaction; their Mada is balanced and controlled. Humans, too, must learn this balance—maintaining individuality without isolation. Through the contemplation of quantum darshan, Mada can be kept in check, allowing cooperation, humility, and harmony while preserving one’s unique role in the larger whole.
Singularity at the Center of a Black Hole
In physics, a black hole has a point at its center called the singularity, where density becomes infinite and all directions, distances, and perspectives collapse into a single point. Something similar happens in the human mind when ego becomes extreme. Everything is pulled into the center of “I, me, and mine,” creating a kind of spiritual singularity where no other viewpoint can exist. But when awareness cuts through this false center, the ego collapses, and the deeper truth emerges: Aham Brahmāsmi — “I am That.” The small, personal “I” dissolves, and the original, boundless Self becomes visible again.
A star symbolizes a simple and creative form of ahaṁkāra (ego). It increases its mass by gathering matter and energy, yet it does not forget the importance of others beyond itself. Whatever it collects, it uses meaningfully: it shines, radiates light like knowledge, and distributes energy outward. In doing so, it manufactures a wide variety of elements that later become resources for planets, enabling them to form, stabilize, and eventually support life. Thus, a star grows while simultaneously nourishing the universe. A black hole, in contrast, represents blind ego or mada. It recognizes only its own importance and denies the value of everything else. It keeps grabbing endlessly, absorbing matter and energy without transforming them into anything useful for the world. This behavior has a clear human parallel. Many people behave like stars—creating, sharing, beautifying, and contributing—and therefore shine meaningfully for a long time. But a few behave like black holes, endlessly accumulating wealth, land, and resources while giving nothing back to society. Vast plots remain unused with only bushes growing, no flowers, no gardens, no beauty to soothe the eyes. Buildings are raised only for display, heaps of bricks and sand piled up merely to show possession, while such people proudly claim they are generating employment in cement, sand, and brick industries. What they fail to see is how much future employment and life itself will be destroyed when the planet becomes unlivable due to pollution, carbon emissions, and environmental collapse. Large companies and corporations often behave in the same way: the harm caused by their pollutants, packaging waste, and emissions far exceeds the benefit of the material products they sell. This is like a black hole determined to erase signs of life around it. Today is a time when development must be fully sustainable and planet-friendly.
Practical nonduality
Only a few aware individuals live in practical nonduality, where every particle is treated as equal to oneself, and life is lived with full awareness and responsibility toward the planet. At today’s critical stage, theoretical nonduality alone is not sufficient. While it may deepen spirituality for an individual practitioner, it cannot ensure nonduality for future generations. If life itself does not survive on Earth, then nonduality has no ground to manifest upon. Therefore, nonduality must move from theory to lived, ecological, and collective responsibility.
I heard of a student from a yoga or philosophy-oriented university at New Delhi whose nondual awareness was so mature that he used to be often seen speaking with everything as a friend—his comb, mirror, oil, soap, clothes, wall, doors, air, water, space, darkness, and light. This was not fantasy but an extreme form of lived nonduality. Such awareness does not arise from mathematical formulas or formal quantum physics education, yet it stands at a level even higher than them. Still, it is perfectly aligned with quantum truth. Scriptures have already declared that just as the mind is a wave arising on pure awareness, the external world is also a wave on the same pure awareness. The only difference is that mental waves are subtle and short-lived, while external waves are more frozen, denser, and longer-lasting—though they too dissolve one day. This is simple basic thinking based on experience, there’s nothing any science or quantum mechanics in it. If this is so, then nothing is truly separate, and everything is equal in essence. Everything can reflect and “communicate” with everything else because all are expressions of the same awareness. The same quantum particles that form the human body—where countless complex interactions occur every moment—exist everywhere in the cosmos. These interactions are often even much more advanced and intricate than visible human behavior as shown in the sharirvigyan darshan. This means that, along with contemplation of Quantum Darshan, there should also be a small, supportive contemplation of Sharir Vigyan Darshan to make it more effective. These lively interactions are very basic nature of the quantum world. This means that every quantum particle carries the full potential of life and consciousness or simply saying every particle expresses full human life. Therefore, seeing oneself in every particle is not merely poetic or philosophical; it is logically, scientifically, and spiritually consistent. True nonduality is not just a concept—it is the recognition and living of this universal wave-nature in everyday life. The intelligence that appears in large cosmic structures is naturally present within every quantum particle. Through this unique Quantum Darshan, we reveal the science behind ages long spiritual experience that all attributes of life are already inherent in each and every quantum particle. Through consistent development, quantum particles evolve to human being full of all emotions because they themselves have all those emotions.
Even modern scientists are speculating that quantum particles are nothing but space itself warped into spherical shapes. Ancient seers had already speculated this long ago on the basis of their direct experience. Just as they intuited the wave nature of the world, they also observed that, in pure awareness, the world appears much like the visual artifacts seen in the sky when one lies on the back with eyes partially closed, where the eyebrows create bubble-like patterns in the sky. In the same way, the world manifests in the sky of pure consciousness as bubbles or virtual artifacts appearing within awareness itself. Waves in the ocean mean that every wave and the ocean are the same and united; separation is only an illusion. Similarly, seeing the world as waves in pure consciousness means that everything in the world is nothing other than pure self-awareness itself. Perceiving anything other than the Self is merely an illusion.
Summary
This chapter uses ideas from quantum physics to explain Mada, the force of ego or pride. In nature, every system develops a center from which it relates to the rest of the world. A reference point is created to measure the entire outer world relative to it. Without a reference point, nothing can be measured. If there were no Earth as a reference point, how could we measure gravity, direction, or orientation? In the same way, Mada functions as a reference point that helps in measuring the world around it. However, by giving excessive importance to itself, it constantly tries to assert and grab more, often by downgrading or discouraging others—and this becomes harmful. Similarly, ego creates an inner center that defines identity and says, “I am this.” When symmetry breaks in the universe, distinct forms arise; in the same way, ego is born when the Self begins to experience separation from others. In quantum measurement, one possibility becomes fixed out of many, and ego mirrors this process by believing, “I am the doer; I make things happen.” As particles gain mass through interaction with the Higgs field, ego gains weight through roles, titles, possessions, and a sense of importance. In its extreme form, ego resembles a black hole, where everything collapses into “me,” leaving no space for other perspectives or shared reality. Seeing these parallels helps us understand how pride forms, how it strengthens over time, and how it can ultimately dissolve into deeper awareness.
Thus, Mada is the ego-force that defines individuality within the infinite field, but in a distorted form. While ego can be constructive and necessary for identity and function, Mada goes further by seeing itself as superior to others, and therefore turns negative in its effect.
Without ego there is no experience, but when ego hardens into Mada and grows excessive, it becomes bondage.
Philosophical Synthesis
In the larger cosmic design, each emotion represents a specific movement of energy and plays a unique role in creation. Kāma moves outward and gives rise to creation, reflecting the creative power of Brahma. Krodha explodes outward and clears what must be removed, echoing the destructive force of Rudra. Lobha pulls energy inward to preserve and protect, aligning with the sustaining nature of Vishnu. Moha bends and curves perception, hiding truth through the veiling power of Mahāmāyā. Mada, however, is rotational — it turns energy around the axis of the self, forming identity and self-assertion. This is the domain of Īśvara or Ahaṁkara-Shakti, the principle that gives every being its sense of “I.” Through these five movements, the universe expresses its creativity, balance, concealment, and individuality, weaving together the entire drama of existence.
Transmutation of Mada
Mada, or ego, evolves through different stages as awareness grows. In its ignorant form, it appears as arrogance and a sense of superiority, which only creates separation and inner loneliness. When a person becomes more conscious, Mada softens into aware ego, expressed as healthy confidence and a clear sense of individuality. This stage supports growth rather than blocking it. At the highest level, Mada transforms completely into enlightened identity, where the small personal “I” is replaced by the recognition of the universal Self — the state of Aham Brahmāsmi, “I am That.” Here, ego is not destroyed but expanded, merging seamlessly with the cosmic identity.
Quantum-Spiritual Quintet Summary
These five emotions can be understood as five different movements of energy within both the human mind and the cosmos. Kāma pulls energy together like the attraction between electrons and protons, and in its pure form becomes love and creation. Krodha pushes energy outward like repelling electrons, giving rise to strength and focused will when purified. Lobha gathers and holds energy, much like gravity gathering matter, and becomes care and preservation at its highest level. Moha bends and distorts perception, similar to the strange dual nature of waves and particles, yet in its refined form it reveals the playful movement of Māyā and deep awareness behind it. Mada turns energy around a center, just as spin and symmetry breaking define individuality in physics; when transformed, it becomes divine self-recognition — the sense of the universal Self shining through the individual. Together, these five form a complete map of human emotion and cosmic process.
Demystifying Kundalini 