Breathing the same oxygen molecules Jesus and Buddha breathed – by Byungil Kim

 

Many years ago, Dr. Jaesool Kwon, a professor of physics at the Korea National University of Education, introduced a compelling idea which he called “the mystery of the Avogadro number.” He began his essay by urging his readers to visualize one of their favorite saints or deities, such as Jesus, Buddha or Muhammad. Then he asked, “Could it be possible that oxygen molecules inhaled by Jesus over two thousand years ago are the very oxygen molecules that I just exhaled? The Avogadro number is 6X10²³, which is the exact number of molecules in 22.4 liters of gas at room temperature. Dr. Kwon assumed we breathe fifteen times a minute, and that our lung capacity is four liters. After taking other factors into account, Dr. Kwon came to the conclusion that every time we breathe we inhale about 5×109 oxygen molecules that were once inhaled by Jesus. And since Buddha lived longer than Jesus, we inhale even more of the oxygen molecules that Buddha exhaled. Based on this conclusion, we can also assert that oxygen molecules we just breath now and water molecules we just drink now were the very molecules that our neighbors have once exhaled and drunk. Dr. Kwon proved that we are, at least physically, inter-related and mutually connected. Dr. Kwon claims that we can come to know we are inter-connected in ‘oneness’ simply by recalling the mystery of Avogadro. This mysterious power of connection is common in all religious wisdom. Christianity, Buddhism, Islam and other religions emphasize the importance of staying connected with God and our neighbors and living in a harmonious climate. When we are feeling more connected with people around us, we become more confident with the relationship we have with our individual inner parts which often demand psychological or spiritual care. Feeling connected and maintaining good relationships with others helps us grow in confidence that we are beings worthy of care. This sense of connectedness prevents us from feeling drained, hopeless or trivialized. And with this reinforced sense of connection it is easier to overcome the difficulties the COVID-19 pandemic brings, such as isolation and loneliness. It’s a challenge, during this pandemic, to stay resilient and motivated. Many of us have to do our job or schooling from home. It can be harder to get exercise or see friends. Many feel the increased stress and may find themselves more anxious or irritable, even about trivial things that hadn’t bothered them in the past. When we lose our emotional resilience and patience we can feel more devastated and debilitated. Many are looking for new resources to boost mind and physical energy, such as taking up new hobbies, paying more attention to spiritual practices, or sharpening up self-care patterns. All of which are worthy and respectable responses. Today I hope we can take comfort in knowing we are all connected to each other – even when we can’t get together physically. – Byungil Kim

Byungil Kim

2nd Year Resident

Associate Professional Clinical Counselor #6594
University of Rochester, MS in Mental Health Counseling
Drew University, MA in Psychology and theology
Methodist Theological University, Mdiv in Psychology and Theology
Yonsei University, BSc in Physics

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