Science & Passion 1: Origin of Energy – The Equation of Life

Origin of Energy – The Equation of Life

What could be more instinctive to represent life than the breath itself? Our metabolism depends on it, and through this simple yet fundamental process, we access the very essence of energy. We need energy to fuel our brain, to move, to exist, and we produce it with every breath we take.

1.    The Equation of Life

Let’s begin with the foundation of it all: the equation of cellular respiration.

C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂   --->   6CO₂ + 6H₂O + ATP

A simple equation we all know. We inhale oxygen, exhale carbon dioxide—but what about the rest? First, glucose. “You are what you eat.” The quality of our food directly impacts our energy levels. But even more fascinating, our cells transform this glucose into ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate), the universal energy currency of life. This energy fuels everything: our ability to move, work, create, digest, heal, and simply be.

Now, take a moment. Every breath you take fuels millions of tiny batteries, your mitochondria, powering your entire being. At a molecular level, life itself is a constant cycle of energy transformation. And where does this oxygen and glucose come from? The trees. The entire plant kingdom exhales what we inhale. Their fruits, vegetables, cereals, and nuts provide the glucose that fuels us. It’s a perfect, intimate exchange between species of different realms (fauna – flora).

Take a deep breath. Visualize the oxygen molecules drifting from the leaves last night, entering your lungs, infusing your blood, and fueling your cells. Now exhale—next morning the trees will inhale your carbon dioxide in return. A constant, rhythmic, molecular connection and energetic exchange.

Even more mesmerizing? Photosynthesis is the exact reverse of cellular respiration. Only difference, the nature of the energy. Plants harvest energy from the sun and store it as glucose. We release that stored energy when we breathe and move. It’s a closed-loop system, a perfect cycle, a silent yet profound collaboration and direct symbiosis.

6CO₂ + 6H₂O + sun energy ---> C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂

Yet, instead of recognizing this intelligent, harmonious technology designed by nature, we manufacture photovoltaic panels that exploit Earth's resources, humans, and create toxic waste. Why do we not question this? Why do we resist bowing to nature’s wisdom?

This equation—so simple, yet so fundamental—reminds us of our place in this grand, interconnected system. It humbles us. It calls us to recognize the brilliance of an intelligence much older and wiser than our own. Ready to dive in this fascination of Nature?

1.    What About “Energy” Itself?

Ancient traditions understood energy as more than just a biochemical process. Taoism and Ayurveda call it Qi (Chi) and Pranah—the vital force that governs all life.

Let us look at the pictogram for Qi, it consists of two parts—air and rice. Oxygen and glucose. A coincidence? I leave that to your awareness. Modern equations and ancient wisdom align, speaking the same truth in different languages. One calls it ATP, the other Vital Energy. And yet, modern science still hardly recognize and promote to acknowledge energy in its full essence and fundamental importance.

Instead of accepting our limited understanding, we label what we cannot grasp as "dark matter" or "dark energy.” But we clearly admitting not knowing neither understanding more than 1% of the universe, as 99% is qualified as “dark”. A convenient way to dismiss the invisible forces shaping our reality. But isn’t a scientist’s duty to question, to doubt, to rebuild understanding from the ground up when necessary? Especially when we perfectly know the existence of the high density of space, we just simply decided not to consider it in our equations since decades even centuries.

We resist change because of funding, politics, the need for results. But sooner or later, we will have to dismantle our old frameworks and face the truth: the universe is full of energy, alive, and deeply intelligent. This energy is free, abundant and accessible to all. Not too far from Divine actually… as it is the essence of all things, it is omnipresent, such an united field which connects the whole cosmos.

2.    Now What to Do With this Energy

Trees are the original energy harvesters, at their own pace. One day one breath, daytime to inhale and night time to exhale. They transform sunlight into glucose, anchoring themselves with roots to draw water from the earth. Their fallen leaves are broken down by fungi, returning nutrients to the soil—completing yet another vital cycle. Another beautiful symbiosis between realms, fungi and flora.

At each breath, our well-being is intimately tied to the health of the forests. The oxygen we inhale, the food we eat. It all originates from them. Flip the equation, and we find the essence of our own cellular respiration. Now, consider the human body. Our neuronal pathways resemble root systems. Just as fungi facilitate communication between trees, our nervous system transmits signals, information, and energy throughout our body.

But unlike trees, we have no roots. This means we have an excess of energy, energy that goes beyond mere survival. And what do we do with it?

We create.

We explore.

We move.

We dance.

We heal.

We care.

When we realize how much energy we generate at each breath, it shifts our entire perspective. It opens the door to self-healing, to deeper connection, to endless possibilities. We are walking powerhouses. But to truly harness this, we must learn to work with our energy and to take care of our natural electromagnetic field. An authentic first step to consciousness and pure presence.

4. A Bit of Qi-Gong

Ancient wisdom offers us tools to align and balance this energy. Taoism speaks of the Three Treasures, 3 energy centers:

Jing – The essence energy, creation, sensuality, sensibility, emotions (sacral chakra).

Qi – The energy of action, movement, daily vitality and work (solar plexus).

Shen – The energy of thought, perception, intuition, imagination (third eye).

Qi-Gong literally means “energy work.” It is the practice of aligning these three treasures, much like tuning an instrument. In my Qi-Gong classes, we systematically start by slowing down the breath, followed by the brain, a very accessible technic. Then a simple movement, repeated 3, 10 or 20 times, gradually shifts our state:

First getting the mechanism of the movement focusing on oxygenating the blood, brain, and heart. Then, using movement to transmute negative emotions into positive ones. Finally, reaching deeper layers—releasing stored tension, balancing emotions, and realigning our energetic field. It’s a form of gentle self-hypnosis. A fusion of movement, breath, and visualization.

Science confirms what ancient wisdom has known for millennia: mental imagery shapes our physical reality. Imagine yourself as an eagle soaring through the sky. A warrior drawing back the bowstring of an arrow. Feel your feet firmly rooted in the earth, while your crown chakra opens to the sky.

Visualize the energy rising from the earth into your body with each inhale, flowing back down to your roots with each exhale. Just visualize yourself at the best. Once you take control over your own body and mind possibilities are infinite.

The Dance of Energy

From the sun’s light to our breath, from trees to mitochondria, from ATP to Qi, energy is the silent architect of life. The more we acknowledge, respect, and consciously engage with this energy, the more we reclaim our innate power to heal, create, and thrive in pure awareness. So, take a breath. Feel the molecules that once traveled through ancient forests and the vast ocean winds. Inhale deeply and recognize your place in this grand equation of life.

Because you are the equation. Simple. Yet profoundly powerful.

Breath is rhythm.

Breath is life.

Breath is energy.

Slow it down. Align it. And you align with Life itself.