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INTRODUCTION
In 1859,
Charles
Darwin published a book titled On the Origin of Species. In that
book, Darwin proposed a theory of natural selection or “survival of the
fittest” to explain how organisms evolve into different species. The
book you’re now reading is a sort of cosmic version of Darwin’s
treatise and could have been titled On the Origin of Reality,
inasmuch as its purpose is to present a theory that explains how
existence evolves into reality. In Darwin’s theory of natural
selection, the mechanism underlying organic evolution is mutation.
In the theory presented in this book, the mechanism underlying existential
evolution is self-relation.
Some people are
curious about the nature of their surroundings, while others aren’t. One
attitude is ultimately no better or worse than the other; each just leads
to different activities. Darwin was no doubt a curious person. I, too, am
one of the curious people. Among other things, I’d like to know where I
am and how I got here. It would also be nice to know just what “I”
really is!
Through the efforts
of modern science, it has become apparent that we reside on a planet in a
solar system which resides in a galaxy, which itself resides in a universe
full of such galaxies. Science tells us that the stuff which is found in
this universe—e.g., the planets, the stars, our own bodies—is composed
of energy in the form of matter. Together, all of this energy and matter
is called, collectively, physical reality.
For the past
hundred years or so, physicists have been trying to develop a
unified-field theory,
a theory that would show how all the different types of energy are
manifestations of a single underlying field or force. In this way,
physicists are seeking to account for the whole of physical reality within
the context of a single unifying physical principle. So far, they
haven’t been successful, and even if they were, such a theory wouldn’t
account for everything that’s known to exist in the universe, for the
universe also contains the nonphysical realities we call
awareness and consciousness.
In order to satisfy
my curiosity, what I wanted was not a unified-field theory, not a way of
explaining only the physical aspects of existence, but a unified
reality theory, a way of explaining both the physical and nonphysical
aspects of existence within a unifying context, as the manifestations of a
single underlying reality. Being a do-it-yourselfer, I took it upon myself
to develop such a theory. This book is the result of that effort.
The context within
which this unified reality theory is developed here is existence in
the largest possible sense. In our day-to-day lives, while we encounter
countless realities, both physical and nonphysical, all of these realities
occur within the unifying context of existence. That is, there exist
different realities, but what all realities share in common is that
they exist. Existence is the common denominator of all realities, and
so it’s the starting point from which the unified reality theory is
developed here.
Thus, this book is
titled Unified Reality Theory because within it I present a unified
model of reality that explains reality as the manifestation of a
singular or unitary absolute existence which has consciousness as an
attribute that’s intrinsic to its nature. It’s subtitled The
Evolution of Existence into Experience because this unified model of
reality is developed by describing how that absolute existence evolves from
an undifferentiated state of consciousness into a differentiated state of
awareness of experience—a differentiated state that’s not other than
what we, in this moment, are aware of as experiential reality.
The puzzle
Constructing
a unified model of reality is to some degree analogous to assembling a
picture puzzle. The first thing we generally do when beginning to work on
a puzzle is get all the pieces out of the box and laid on the table. We
then orient all the pieces face up so that we can use the bit of image
appearing on each piece to help connect it with all the others. Next, we
usually put together the outer rim of the puzzle first, so as to define
the boundaries and provide context for the inner construction. We can then
begin to build from the rim inward, or some inner portions may be fitted
together easily because their connecting pattern is quite distinct.
Eventually, a unified and cohesive picture emerges as we join the
individual pieces together into an interconnected whole.
The sequence of
events in assembling a picture puzzle may vary from person to person, yet
there remain basic steps we must take if we’re to eventually come to the
point where we’ve completed the picture. Thus, in order to complete the
picture, we must first accept that the disconnected pieces in the box
represent different somethings which have the potential to come
together as an interconnected whole. We recognize this potential because
we understand that at one time all the pieces existed as an undivided
whole which was then cut up, thereby creating the now-separate pieces.
Recognizing that all the pieces existed previously in a state of unity
allows us to feel comfortable that our effort of reconnecting the pieces
will eventually result in their assembly into a completed picture.
Likewise, if
we’re to undertake the task of constructing a unified model of reality,
we must begin with an assumption and an acceptance that the different
pieces of reality we have to work with did at one time, in some way, exist
in a state of undivided wholeness. Unless we make this assumption at the
outset—namely, that what we experience as the apparently separate pieces
of reality have the potential to come together in the form of an
interconnected, unified whole—then there’s really no point in our
taking the pieces out of the box in the first place.
The process of
existential
self-relation
According
to the unified model of reality presented in this book, the fundamental
underlying process by which existence has evolved into what we experience
as the seemingly separate pieces of reality is really quite simple. That
process involves existence repetitively and progressively forming
relationships with itself, analogous in a limited way to the repeated
and progressive twisting of a rubber band upon itself.
A rubber band, as
it exists whole and untwisted, represents absolute existence—i.e.,
existence prior to having formed any relationships with itself. Now, if we
take a rubber band and twist it once upon itself, we cause it to form a
relationship with itself, and in so doing, we’ve created a level of
rubber-band reality. Likewise, when existence forms relationships with
itself, what’s created are levels of reality. Thus, reality
equals existential self-relation—i.e., reality equals existence coming
to exist in relation to itself.
The first twist of
the rubber band creates the first relationship of the rubber band to
itself by causing the rubber band to form two relative halves or poles.
This first twist is analogous to the first relationship existence forms
with itself, creating the first level of reality, or the first
stage of existential self-relation, as depicted in figure I–1.
This first stage of existential self-relation contains the fundamental
relationship that’s the basis of all other relationships existence forms
with itself. This fundamental relationship, this duality, is implicit in
all the existential relationships and levels of reality that follow.
Figure
I–1 The
fundamental relationship that existence forms with itself to create
reality is represented by the
T‘ai-chi
T‘u
symbol (or yin/yang diagram). Existence evolves into what we eventually
experience as reality as this fundamental relationship is repeated
endlessly, creating different levels of reality composed of progressive
stages of existential self-relation.
The rubber band, no
matter how twisted it becomes, always remains whole, always remains what
it is, while simultaneously becoming something else in relation to itself,
something different that emerges, extends, and evolves from the whole,
composed of relationships that the whole forms with itself. The twisted
rubber band is still just what it is, still just a rubber band; but once
it’s twisted, it’s that and something else as well. Likewise,
existence, having formed a relationship with itself, is still just
existence, but it’s that and something else as well, the “something
else” being reality.
The more the rubber
band is twisted, the more relationships it forms with itself; and the more
relationships it forms with itself, the more differentiated it
becomes. Yet no matter how twisted the rubber band becomes, it always
remains whole, always remains just what it is. When existence forms
relationships with itself to become reality, the outcome is the same: The
more relationships existence forms with itself, the more differentiated it
becomes, creating different levels of reality. Yet no matter how
differentiated it becomes, existence always remains whole, always remains
just what it is.
What needs to be
made clear at this point is that absolute existence isn’t actually a
physical reality that can be twisted upon itself like a rubber band. The
twisting of a rubber band is used here as an analogy to illustrate
the abstract concept of existential self-relation. However, absolute
existence is intrinsically able to form relationships with itself, and one
result of those relationships is the creation of our experience of
physical reality. That is, physical reality is existence, for
there’s nothing else; however, physical reality is existence that has evolved
into what we are able to experience as reality, by forming
relationships with itself.
Thus, existence
becomes reality through a process of self-relation. What we’re
experiencing now as reality is a relational level of existence, a
particular type of existential relationship built and resting upon several
prior stages of existential self-relation. As we exist now, we’re like a
rubber band that has become very twisted upon itself. This in itself
isn’t a bad thing, nor is it a good thing; it’s just what is. More
specifically, it’s what is, as it is, in relation to itself.
The
stages of existential self-relation
This process of existential
evolution through repetitive and progressive self-relation will be
described in this book as occurring through four different stages, steps,
or levels, as depicted in figure I–2.
Figure
I–2 The basic outline of the stages, steps, or levels through which
existence evolves to eventually reach an experience of itself. Each set of
relationships that existence forms with itself (boxes on right) becomes
the next step (boxes on left) in this evolutionary process. Existence in
this way evolves by picking itself up by its own bootstraps. When
consciousness-existence reaches the top of this evolutionary staircase, it
functions as awareness and is able to interact with, and so experience as
reality, the stages of existential self-relation through which it has
evolved and which now support it.
As
will be described in detail in part I of this book, the first set of
relationships that existence forms with itself creates the underlying
framework or structure of reality. We experience this structure of
reality as space-time. Using this first set of relationships as a
foundation, existence then forms a second set of relationships with
itself. This second set of relationships, occurring within the context of
the first set of relationships, results in differentiation of the
structure of reality. We experience this differentiation of the structure
of reality as different forms of energy. Then, using this second
set of relationships as a foundation, existence forms a third set of
relationships with itself. This third set of relationships, occurring
within the context of the first and second sets of relationships, results
in further differentiation of the structure of reality. We experience this
further differentiation of the structure of reality as different forms of matter.
As will be
described in detail in part II of this book, the first, second, and third
sets of relationships that existence forms with itself allow existence to
form a fourth set of relationships with itself. This fourth set of
relationships that existence forms with itself consists of the
relationships that are responsible for experience itself. It’s at
this fourth stage of existential self-relation that there comes to exist
an awareness of the other three stages of existential self-relation as
experiential realities.
As existence
evolves by forming these different sets of relationships with itself,
existence differentiates, but it never actually becomes divided or
separated from itself. As will be described in this book, what we
experience as the apparent separability of existence from itself at the
physical level of reality is simply an unavoidable by-product of the
process by which experience itself comes to exist—i.e., it’s an
artifact created by the way in which existence forms relationships with
itself at the fourth stage of existential self-relation.
Hidden simplicity
Although reality may thus be
the result of a very simple process, explaining that simplicity to
individual beings who experience reality as we do necessarily involves
some complexity. It’s one thing to make a statement, and another thing
to provide evidence that the statement is true. If all we needed was to
state the essential nature of reality, this book would be exactly one
sentence long: “Reality is the result of a process whereby existence
repetitively and progressively forms relationships with itself.” But
what does such a statement mean? By itself, not much. For that statement
to have meaning, it needs context. For any model of reality to be
meaningful, that model must be relevant to the reader’s
experience of reality.
Our goal in this
book is to examine the simple process of self-relation that underlies the
evolution of existence into experience, and thereby allow the reader to
see beyond the complexity apparent in experiential reality into the
underlying simplicity and unity of existence that’s the foundation of
all levels of reality.
If
the essential nature of reality is truly as simple as it’s here being
described, as simple as repetitive and progressive self-relation, as
simple as twisting a rubber band upon itself, then why has this simple
truth remained hidden? Well, just because something is simple doesn’t
mean that it’s obvious! Underlying simplicity is often obscured by a
superficial complexity, or a perspective that introduces complexity. A
tree is a relatively simple structure, but if we have only a perspective
from above, through the leaves, then that unifying simplicity is hidden
from us by the apparent complexity of all the different leaves.
Conversely, if we look at the tree from below, from a position of
“standing under,” the complexity of the different leaves is then seen
within the context of the underlying and unifying simplicity of the trunk,
and can then be literally “understood.”
Experiential
reality is itself the leaves that obscure from view the underlying
simplicity and unity of existence. On the one hand, humanity’s approach
to understanding the tree of reality through
science has
generally been from above—i.e., from a position of standing over rather
than standing under—viewing and describing reality as seen through the
leaves of experience and experiment. As a consequence, scientific
descriptions of reality have tended to grow more and more complex, even
though science has uncovered many of the branches that connect the
different aspects of physical reality. On the other hand, humanity’s
approach to understanding the tree of reality through
spirituality
has generally been from below—i.e., from a position of standing
under—viewing and describing the leaves and branches of reality as they
extend from the unity of the trunk. However, in our modern world,
dominated as it is by the advancements of science, the approach to reality
through spirituality has become unpalatable and unacceptable to many
people because it lacks the tangibility and verifiability of scientific
experience and experiment and also fails, in most cases, to account for
what we understand about physical reality.
This book has been
designed to appeal to both the scientist and the spiritualist, because it
integrates the perspective of each approach into a coherent and consistent
model of reality. The tree of reality has grown out of existence and is
composed of existence coming to exist in relation to itself. The unified
model of reality presented in this book merges the perspectives of science
and spirituality and thereby demonstrates that the descriptions of reality
presented by science and spirituality are not mutually exclusive or
opposed, but rather are complementary, because each description arises
from a different, yet valid, perspective upon the same tree of reality.
The relational-matrix
model of reality
The idea that the universe
consists of existence forming relationships with itself isn’t exactly
new;
Taoists
have understood this idea for at least a couple of thousand years.
What’s new here is that this idea of the universe being constructed
through a process of repetitive and progressive self-relation is presented
in this book in the form of a detailed and defined structural model which,
once developed, will be correlated with our current understanding of
physical reality, as described by science in general and physics in
particular.
That detailed and
defined structural model, called the relational-matrix model, will
be shown to be especially useful in explaining some of the more
interesting and perplexing aspects of what we experience as physical
reality, such as the nature and relativity of time, wave-particle duality,
and the speed-of-light constant. In addition to using the
relational-matrix model to explain the basis and nature of our physical
experience, we’ll use this model to explain the basis and nature of our
mental and emotional experiences as well.
On the basis of our
individual experiences, we each have our own ideas about the nature of
reality, about the way things seem to be ordered in the universe and,
possibly, beyond. In presenting this unified model of reality, my goal is
to take the reader on a journey from wherever they are with regard to
their own ideas about the nature of reality, toward a final
destination—to a point where everything that we experience as reality
can be seen to be inseparable parts of an indivisible, interconnected
whole.
If we’re to
undertake this journey together, we first need to establish common ground,
a conceptual base camp, from which the reader can then feel safe in
venturing forth into new conceptual territory. Part I of this book,
wherein the relational-matrix model of reality is developed and then
related to space-time and physical reality, represents the establishment
of such a base camp.
Following that, in
chapter 1 of part II, and using the relational-matrix model developed in
part I, we’ll examine the relationships that are responsible for
experience itself. Once the basis and nature of experience have been
explained, we’ll then, in chapter 2 of part II, examine the more
nebulous concepts of consciousness and awareness, again using the
relational-matrix model developed in part I as the basis for our analysis.
Thus, the relational-matrix model of reality developed in part I will
serve as the conceptual framework for the construction of the unified
model of reality presented in this book as a whole. This is
appropriate, for as will be shown, it’s existence in the form of a
relational matrix that functions as the framework upon which reality
itself is constructed.
In chapter 2 of
part II, we’ll also examine mental and emotional experiences, including
their relationship to consciousness, awareness, and the relational-matrix
model of reality developed in part I. In this way, we’ll seek to account
for the existence of the three fundamental experiential realities—i.e.,
physical, mental, and emotional—within an interconnected, unifying
framework that shows the relationship of each experiential reality to the
other, and of all three to the underlying whole.
Ultimately,
what we’ll show is that reality as a whole can be coherently and
consistently accounted for only if we understand that the singular
existence from which all levels of reality extend through the process of
repetitive and progressive self-relation isn’t other than consciousness
itself. Thus, we’ll demonstrate that consciousness doesn’t somehow
arise at some later stage in the evolution of existence, but rather that
the evolution of existence into experience isn’t other than the
evolution of consciousness into awareness and that experiential
reality itself is what’s created at a certain stage in the evolution of
consciousness-existence. In other words, what we’ll show is that
consciousness isn’t a product of the machinations of physical reality
but, on the contrary, that physical reality, as we experience it to
exist, is itself a product of consciousness, albeit consciousness
existing in relation to itself.
Following certain
sections throughout the book, there’ll be conceptual checkpoints
where the most important points made in the preceding sections are
reviewed, so that the simplicity of the various concepts presented
regarding the unified model of reality isn’t lost in the complexity of
the statements necessary for their proof. These conceptual checkpoints
review the essential concepts that the reader needs to keep with them in
order to make it to the next clearing, the next level of understanding,
regarding the unified model of reality being developed in this book.
There’s one
indispensable instrument that you, the reader, must carry with you at all
times when undertaking such a journey. Please take with you an open mind.
Without one of these handy, it’s doubtful whether you’ll make it very
far. However, if you’re reading these words, it’s more likely than not
that you already have one. In that case, take care not to lose it along
the way, for the path to our final destination involves many small
journeys, and parts of the path may at times seem treacherous and thick
with confusion before each new clearing is reached.
With that said,
let’s press on.
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