Jintao

by Jack Phillip Hall

  “The Chinese Central Science Committee should be blacklisted,” said Lotus.

  Quan knew that having scientists validate the discovery would open up a chain of events. The discovery of other dimensions was disruptive and, just as the Flat Earth Society clung to their beliefs for decades, there would be diehards who would continue to attempt to discredit the discovery.

  “The best defence is a strong offence. To preempt more false stories we should go on air with factual disclosures of what we’ve found. Lotus, this job is custom made for you. You’ll be our social media manager. There’s no one better to evaluate the media channels. Find us an honest broadcaster, someone with integrity, and we’ll tell the world.”

  Back at the Research Center, Lotus went to work. Watching vidi casts of several investigative journalists, it wasn’t long before she made her selection: Liz Monahan, a popular prime-time news anchor. Liz promised to provide an unbiased platform, and the venue was set for the presidential suite of the Landmark Resort in Monterey Bay, California --- fifty-six kilometers north of the Research Center.

  Liz Monahan was an attractive young woman, a centimeter taller than Quan, wearing a chic rust-colored business suit. Her chestnut hair streaked with blond was cut in a perfectly geometric shape, short in back, brushed forward to points near her chin. Quan sat next to her in one of a pair of high-backed chairs set in front of double doors open to the expansive greens of the resort. He was calm in his gray suit. Cameras were set and fill lights lit. Next to him, Monahan took a sip of water and asked, “Ready?”

  “Yes,” said Quan.

  A crew member counted down from five and the interview began.

  Monohan: “We’re here today with Dr. Quan Jintao. He’s the founder of the Brane Research Center for Quantum Physics and author of the much-talked-about LÓNG website. Theories abound regarding his work and his organization: what it stands for, what it does, and why. Today on News Net we hope to answer these questions and more. We’re excited to welcome you for the first time, Dr. Jintao. Thank you for joining us.”

  Jintao: “Thank you, Liz. It’s a pleasure to be here.”

  Monahan: “You were a presenter at the International Conference on Quantum Physics in Paris last week and your paper created quite an uproar. Give us a summary of what your work is about.”

  Jintao: “We’re working on proof of the Krakinov theory, which suggests the existence of other dimensions.”

  Monahan: “Other dimensions. What do you mean? Can you explain?”

  Jintao: “We believe we’ve discovered one of the other dimensions and we’ve started experimenting to better understand it.”

  Monahan: “You found another dimension. What is it? And how did you find it?”

  Jintao: “We use some highly developed equipment, just like a biologist might use a microscope, or an astronomer might use a telescope.”

  Monahan: “So you use technical equipment. Tell us, what does the equipment do?”

  Jintao: “I don’t want to get into specifics at this time. To really understand what I’m talking about, you’d need to see it firsthand.”

  Monahan: “That’s enticing, I must say. I’d like to see that. Maybe we’ll schedule another segment at your facility. Now, there are critics who say that what you are doing is not scientific at all and your claims have been called a hoax. I’m sure you’ve heard the accusations. Some have called you a charlatan. How do you respond to those remarks?”

  Jintao: “The research was begun by my father and it evolved. The equipment we use is extremely sophisticated, and the Brane Research Center employs professionals who are the best in their fields. What we do is definitely not a sham. I suppose, because what we’ve accomplished is so unconventional, there were bound to be critics.”

  Monahan: “Now you also have a website and there is considerable controversy surrounding that, as well. Please tell us . . . what is the LÓNG website about? It doesn’t appear to be connected to your research.”

  Jintao: “The word LÓNG comes from Chinese mythology. It describes a creature that changes form as it moves through the world—a dragon. It’s a metaphor for what we’re studying.”

  Monahan: “So the LÓNG website is more of a philosophy?”

  Jintao: “The short answer is yes. The discovery of other dimensions has profound implications for all of us. It asks the question, What are we? The website I put together is a different way of looking at the science. It’s an attempt to explore the nature of our existence.”

  Monahan: “Can you break it down for us? How do you define existence?”

  Jintao: “In this multidimensional world we live in, things that seem real—physical, tangible things—are actually an illusion. The quantum stuff things are made of is constantly churning between this world and another that we can’t see. We perceive matter as solid but we only see four percent of what is actually there. And, going one step further, since we evolved in this multidimensional world, we are more than just physical beings.”

  Monahan: “This is fascinating and I’m sure our viewers want to know more. We’re going to take a short break, and when we return, more with the founder of the Brane Center, Quan Jintao.”

  Waving her hand at the cameraman, she said, “Pause it there.” She turned to Quan. “You’re doing fine. I’d encourage you, though, to tell it all . . . reach out to the audience . . . convince them of what you believe.”

  “Understood,” said Quan.

  Monahan motioned to the man behind the camera. “All right, give us a count.”

  Cameraman: “We’re back in three . . . two . . . one.”

  Monahan: “Dr. Quan Jintao, founder of the Brane Research Center and author of the LÓNG website, is my guest today on News Net. We’re talking about ontology—the study of existence. So, tell us how your research into other dimensions led you to a philosophy about existence. Have you studied ontology? What credentials do you have?”

  Jintao: “It’s natural extension of science to have a philosophy about how it relates to human existence. I have a graduate degree in physics from Oxford University, and my team at the Center includes qualified professionals in quantum theory and quantum physics.”

  Monahan: “Did you study ontology at Oxford?”

  Jintao: “No. I became interested in the nature of existence as a result of the research we’ve been doing. What I’ve tried to convey on the website is a compilation of my thoughts.”

  Monahan: “You are sort of an armchair philosopher, then. Have you actually seen the other dimensions yourself?”

  Jintao: “Several times.”

  Monahan: “And so, having firsthand knowledge of what these other dimensions look like, can you describe them for us?”

  Quan paused for a moment, staring at patterns on the carpet between them. She had done her homework and maybe knew more than she was letting on. He was tempted to show her what he was capable of, but he resisted the urge.

  Jintao: “Words can’t do it justice. The LÓNG website is my attempt to give people the experience; however, I’m afraid it isn’t very effective. It’s a work in progress.”

  Monahan: “All right, I respect that. But tell us about your personal experience. What have you seen?”

  Jintao: “Describing it is difficult. Okay, so imagine you are made of trillions of tiny grains of sand and those grains become engulfed in a mist. The grains are all still there but now there is mist inside and out.”

  Monahan: “And so what have you learned through that experience?”

  Jintao: “I’ve come to believe that life had its origin much longer ago than we previously thought—all the way back to the very beginning of the universe and it’s been evolving ever since. There’s a living oneness that pervades everything.”

  Monahan: “A living oneness? What do you mean by that?”

  Jintao: “There is an underlying life force that pervades all matter.”

  Monahan: “That sounds almost spiritual. I noticed on your website, you have references t
o various religions. I got the impression that you think established religions are flawed? Is that fair to say?”

  Jintao: “Religion is of limited value. It’s thirdhand information—conjecture without direct experience. I believe in teaching only what can be verified.”

  Monahan: “I noticed on your website blog, some of the visitors characterize you as an ‘enlightened master.’ What do you think of that? Are you enlightened?”

  Jintao: “Enlightened master? I don’t know. Finite mind can’t understand infinite mind. To understand infinite mind, a person has to change—has to evolve. Perhaps you have to give up your sense of self in order to understand infinite mind.”

  Monahan: “And do you understand infinite mind?”

  Jintao: “I have some understanding of it.”

  Monahan: “You mean you understand God?”

  Jintao: “In a manner of speaking, yes. I’ve had a direct experience with what one might call God. I believe an awakening is coming and, in time, everyone will see that there is a universal life force pervading all space and time. I just happen to be ahead of the curve.”

  Monahan: “Ahead of the curve? Haven’t some of the religions expressed the same idea?”

  Jintao: “They may have, but they don’t have direct experience . . . that’s the big difference.”

  Monahan: “Are you saying that what you’ve learned is superior to what they teach?”

  Jintao: “Let’s not make this about me. It’s about the work we’re doing. This may be the next step in human evolution.”

  Monahan: “Stay with us. We’ll be back in a moment.”

  The interview continued for another thirty minutes, and Monahan’s questions helped Quan clarify his position on a number of things. He concluded by saying that humanity’s view of existence would change forever as a result of the work they were doing.

  At the end of the interview, Lotus, who’d been standing next to the cameraman, clapped her hands and praised Quan. On their way back to the Center, she told him how remarkably composed and articulate he was. She was sure the interview would be well received.

  Shortly after arriving back at the Research Center, Lotus saw several positive stories on other media channels, based on the interview. There was a tripling of traffic to the website and offers came in from multimedia publishers along with partnership requests from other research labs. There was also an invitation to meet with the Council of American Churches. Quan deferred all of these to a later time.

  In their private quarters, von Ang vented his frustration with Lotus.

  “I don’t understand why we need this publicity. I don’t understand what possible purpose it serves.”

  “They’re interested in what we do,” said Lotus. “It’s good PR, puts us in the same league with CERN and Hadron and FCC.”

  “This isn’t a popularity contest. I’ve never seen a media circus like this after publishing a research paper. We’re doing science here and this kind of attention is a distraction. We need to get on with our work.”

  “If you get just one new idea from one of the visitors, wouldn’t it be worth it?”

  “Highly unlikely,” grumbled von Ang.

  Taking off his lab coat, von Ang made his way across the compound to Quan’s bungalow. He found Quan standing near the great oak tree in his bare feet. The young Jintao seemed somber and pensive, examining something in the palm of his hand. Seeing von Ang, he offered it up so that von Ang could see it: a dead bee.

  “Death,” said Quan.

  “Death is inevitable.”

  “Who knows? Maybe not.”

  Von Ang took a deep breath and began airing his concerns about the visitors, questioning the wisdom of parading people through the laboratory.

  “Keep an open mind,” said Quan. “There’s no downside. We’ll do extreme vetting and, if you like, you can make the final decision on who we invite. I would have thought you’d enjoy the company of other scientists.”

  With that, he discarded the dead bee, walked into his bungalow, and closed the door.

  Von Ang stood there for a moment, registering the change in their relationship.

  42.

  Night came and Quan was alone in his bungalow, talking with Sealy over a secure line. She’d seen the interview and had mixed feelings about it. Quan was changing and it was ever more obvious that he wouldn’t be coming home to China anytime soon. She was lamenting the thought of having their baby without him and he was doing his best to console her, but the conversation ended on a somber note.

  Lying on his back on the floor of his bungalow, his awareness began to expand. He could feel the texture of the carpet underneath him. He felt the cool earth beneath the floor. He felt the construction of the wall and the arrangement of beams inside the ceiling. He could hear insects rummaging in the dirt outside. With his gaze fixed on the dimly lit ceiling his awareness spread throughout the compound. He felt gigantic and powerful, as if he could reach up and toss the moon across the universe with a flick of his wrist.

  What more can I do here? What more do they want? What more can I show them? They want to know how to do what I do. Maybe no one else can. And what of the nay-sayers. Down deep, the unknown frightens them. They’ll take security over knowledge.

  Courage, Knowledge, Honor—my father’s moto. He led me to a higher truth—about the world and about myself. I see through it all now. I’m just a set of reference points in space . . . information in a bottle. The walls of this room define the space, but it’s the space itself that makes the room useful.

  As he lay there, his awareness of himself, the room, the building and the whole compound became one. Then came a knock at the door. Two familiar energies entered, Lotus and von Ang. They came to his side and Lotus sat next to him.

  “I had a feeling you were in here,” she said. “You’re wrestling with something.”

  “Just thinking . . . all this effort . . . in the end, what does it matter? Now that we’ve set things in motion it has a life of it’s own.”

  “Have you seen the traffic to the LÓNG site?” she asked. “Since the interview there are a hundred and eighty million hits. People are going orbital over what you said.”

  “The research will grow exponentially,” he said. “In time the world will come around to accept the new reality. What’s left for us to do?”

  “Knowledge makes the effort worthwhile,” said von Ang. “Why would you ask such a question? We’re learning more every day.”

  Quan sat up and smiled his subtle smile.

  A good man, but he thinks like the frog at the bottom of the well. His view is limited.

  “The discovery is disruptive. What do you think will happen when there is irrefutable evidence that we are all living in an illusion? Sure, at first some will desperately hang on to their beliefs. They’ll be horrified by the idea of being inconsequential—just specks in some gigantic cosmic illusion. But eventually what you discovered will change the world.”

  “I learned a lot about myself by transferring,” said Lotus. “And it doesn’t scare me at all. I think others will feel the same way.”

  “The direct experience is the thing—the path,” said Quan, running his fingers over the top of his head. “And there’s more, much more than you know. I’ve experienced things that are impossible to share. I was asleep but now I’m awake.”

  “You should teach what you’ve learned,” said Lotus.

  “It’s easy for me. I have a passkey to the other side. It’s part of me.” Reaching out and grasping Lotus by the forearm, he said, “I’m different. You know that, don’t you?”

  “I’m not sure what you mean,” said Lotus. “I don’t have your ability, if that’s what you mean.”

  “Right,” said Quan, letting go of her arm and looking up to the ceiling. “You’re not me. No one is. I yo-yo back and forth—selfish to selfless—this set of dimensions and the other. Maybe I’m going the way of my father. It’s like . . .” He trailed off.

  “Your fa
ther was a great man,” said Lotus. “And so are you.”

  Quan looked up at von Ang. “I tried to save him. I reached out to him, but he’s a shadow, a vestige of what he once was.”

  A flush came to von Ang’s neck. A pulse was beating in his eyes. He wasn’t sure what to say.

  Lotus stepped in. “What you’ve done is amazing. I don’t know what’s bothering you. What can we do to help?”

  At the back of his head, a door was open, a gentle breeze from the Braneworld tickling his exposed ganglia. He raised a hand toward the ceiling. “You should prepare. A storm is coming.”

  Lotus and von Ang quietly left the room. Once outside, von Ang looked up at the stars and said, “He’s confused. The weather report for the next ten days is clear.”

  “He’s perturbed about something. I think he wants to be back in China with Sealy.”

  Laying on the floor, shapes form within Quan’s eyes, morphing like a kaleidoscope. He sees three bars floating in the air above him. They join, forming a triangle. The triangle turns and becomes a wheel, spokes in the wheel become a pattern of radiating lines. The lines ripple and distort throughout the room.

  He sees his father as a younger man and himself as a child. His father hands him a reader slate with stories . . . stories about emperors, ancient fortresses, monks, and warriors in battle . . . Chinese legions marching over hills. In his vision, there is deep water all around, sparkling green, and a silver cathedral towering in front of him. Its shape morphs into a silver cross, then disintegrates into swirling particles. The vision clears away. Eyes wide open, he continues to stare at the ceiling . . . a feeling of conflict.

  A voice in his head speaks.

  [Some seek knowledge . . . others seek to destroy.]

  “What?”

  [Both hands.]

  Still on his back, he raises his arms and looks at his hands.

  A Zen Koan pops into his head: What is the sound of one hand clapping?

  One hand clapping makes no sound at all. Two are needed.