The UNIVERSAL ANALOG

Analogies are important tools of learning; they reveal the likenesses and connections of things. By way of analogies we come to enlightenment. By understanding likenesses and connections, knowledge enlarges in content and amplifies generally in others. [The word “analog” is used here as a specific natural phenomenon which occurs from the very beginning and recurs (iterates) in many varied forms in the course of cosmic unfolding (evolution).] The “universal analog” is a universal connecting phenomenon by which we come to be, are sustained and brought to fullness.

Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (Jesuit priest and paleontologist) deftly melds the analogies of quantum science, cosmic evolution (metaphysics) and philosophy/theology. His great contribution of correlating science and religion is a quantum leap in linking the mutuality of science and religion to universal understanding and accountability.

“… [Chardin’s] thought can be interpreted in this sense: that at different levels of existence we find analogies which reveal certain resemblance. Teilhard thus isolates some general laws of life; the law of complexification, the law of evolution, the law of personalization, the law of socialization. The laws can be verified at all levels. They therefore enable us to think in terms of totality, to establish links. Metaphysics is precisely this. [There is] no metaphysics without analogy. Now modern thought too often fails to recognize the value of analogies for gaining knowledge. (J. Daniélou)

[Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, HUMAN ENERGY, translated by J.M. Cohen, 1969, William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd, London, Introduction, pg 14]

The question compelling Chardin’s pursuit of world unity is this: “How can the two realms of experience, those of the outer and inner world, be brought to a unity within the framework of an evolutionary universe?” (ID: 11)  His answer to the question doesn’t look to philosophy, it looks to science. The coming together of the “within”, the energy of matter and the “without”, the material of the world, is in the evolution of complexity/consciousness, by which the cosmos becomes intelligible to understanding, and by which human understanding represents cosmic intelligence.

Chardin constructs a rationale for the unity of cosmic consciousness and the sense of “primary intuition”, the universal ocean of insight in which all life swims and from which self-aware identification derives. Chardin develops his philosophy/science/theology on the Einsteinian wave/energy principle, namely, on the energetic (psychic) precondition underlying all energy/matter qualification.

The evolved complexity of nature (life) preserves the analog characteristic of first cosmic qualifications. The potential of the cosmos was preconditioned in the “cosmic egg”, a densely weighted core of energetic potential highly compacted and centrally gravitated. The “hatching” of the cosmic egg occurred when the compacted inner density was super saturated causing the gravitational coherence to blow apart.

If we apply the analogy of electrical potential, we realize that the cosmic egg is an energetic concentrate of mono-polarity, of “plus-charged” potential. From experience with electromagnetism it is known that like-charges repel while unlike-charges attract. The big bang dispersal of egg energy was nearly instantaneous in its spread of positive potential into the vast negative void surrounding it.

The primal force potential available for cosmic evolution/formation was (is) the expanding electrical field of positive/negative potential. Set in motion then and continuing even now is energy distribution in outwardly expanding waves. The wave/energy potential available to evolution is in three phases: divergent (the opposition force of like-charges); convergent (the attraction force of like-unlike charges); emergent (the compositional force of harmonic correlations of opposing/attracting forces).

With the original big bang dispersion of egg-density, the potential of cosmic evolution was originally set in motion and continues even now to characterize all aspects of cosmic evolution. Wave/energy is characterized in the field-dispersion of electromagnetism. All substance is characterized in wave/energy disposition and interaction. Communication (egg-potential interpenetrating void-potential) initiated cosmic evolution and continues the evolution of wave/particle qualification. The dual poles of electrical potential are continuing bases of communication.

If we are to approach the central understanding of all existence, of all creativity and our own selves, we must return to the primordial instant of creation in order to understand the underlying analog that reveals the “why” of how everything is even now disposed and ordered. In the wave/particle analog we come to understand the resonance of trimorphic processing in natural divergence, convergence and emergence.

The UNIVERSAL ANALOG is the electromagnetic nature of energy, qualified and quantified in wave/particle construct. Communication is electromagnetic; consciousness is electromagnetic; conscience is electromagnetic. We derive from and belong essentially to the continuum of the quantum-electric universe.

The dominant question of our time may well be: “How can the universal analog enlighten understanding so as to deter humankind from its destructive and mindless exploitation?” The Call of Consciousness is to be mindful, and to act intentionally. Willfulness is ambivalent, it can opt darkness or light. Intentionality can persuade willfulness; purpose, the intention of fulfillment, sustainably chooses light, while mindlessness chases madly, chaotically in the abyss of darkness.

The Analogies of Wisdom discern the assemblies of Light;

Alienation aimlessly chases about in the abyss of night;

The chaos of darkness is the choosing of sin;

The virtues of Light are choices of grace. Choose Light. Choose life.

The patterns of light, of cosmic evolution and of life are iterations of analogies, variations on the original cosmic theme and invitations to creativity, to transformation, to self-fulfillment.