Theory of Envelopes

I want to know how God created this world. I am not interested in this or that phenomenon, in the spectrum of this or that element. I want to know His thoughts; the rest are details. -Albert Einstein

There have been many formulations of the theory of everything (TOE), mostly by scientists, but as yet none has been able to stand up to experimental scrutiny. There is difficulty in getting any theory to produce experimentally testable and universally acceptable results.

The primary problem in producing a theory of everything is the non-compatibility of the theories of quantum mechanics and general relativity that propose radically different descriptions of the reality of universe. Quantum theory deals with the small scale world of atoms and particles.  The theory of relativity covers the large-scale structure of the universe. The micro world of quanta and particles in the quantum theory has shown wave/particle duality of reality at sub-atomic level. This does not fit into the macro level reality of planets, stars and galaxies. Scientists are searching for a complete and consistent theory that unifies quantum and relativity theories.

Another problem for scientists’ theory of everything is the limitation in their interpretation of reality. Their approach is not comprehensive and integral. Only manifest reality capable of being tested through experiments is examined and all other forms of non-manifest reality, such as consciousness, are ignored. The current quantum theory has proved the existence of wave/particle duality at sub-atomic level that suggests the relevance of waves or non-material phenomenon in understanding the reality. Scientists are now inclined to accept the existence of consciousness. Roger Penrose, famous mathematician and physicist, has remarked:

“…a physical ‘theory of everything' should at least contain the seeds of an explanation of the phenomenon of consciousness… It must be of such sophistication that the brain is enabled to dig more deeply into the fundamental workings of the Universe than are more commonplace physical systems.”

The area of non-manifest reality, such as consciousness, has so far been left to the non-scientists! In this respect, the following observations of Stephen Hawking, are of interest:

Up to now, most scientists have been too occupied with the development of new theories that describe what the universe is to ask the question why. On the other hand, the people whose business it is to ask why, the philosophers, have not been able to keep up with the advance of scientific theories. In the eighteenth century, philosophers considered the whole of human knowledge, including science, to be their field and discussed questions such as: did the universe have a beginning? However, in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, science became too technical and mathematical for the philosophers, or anyone else except a few specialists. Philosophers reduced the scope of their inquiries so much that Wittgenstein, the most famous philosopher of this century, said, "The sole remaining task for philosophy is the analysis of language." What a comedown from the great tradition of philosophy from Aristotle to Kant!

However, if we do discover a complete theory, it should in time be understandable in broad principle by everyone, not just a few scientists. Then we shall all, philosophers, scientists, and just ordinary people, be able to take part in the discussion of the question of why it is that we and the universe exist. If we find the answer to that, it would be the ultimate triumph of human reason - for then we would know the mind of God.

In view of these observations of a well known scientist, it should not be surprising if a person, who is neither a philosopher nor a scientist, makes some intrusion into the complex yet tantalizing domain of the theory of everything.

Theory of envelopes makes easy to understand the origin, evolution and nature of the universe. It accepts the basic concept of the event of Big Bang and evolution thereafter till the present times. Scientists call it the Standard Model. It, however, does not attempt to explain the intricacies of physical transformations or mathematical formulas.

Theory of envelopes incorporates the five basic elements of reality, namely, matter, energy, gravity, information and consciousness. The physical ideas projected in this theory are based on scientific discoveries of physical and non-physical reality from the smallest to the largest forms. The envelopes referred in the Theory, are symbolic entities that emerge in the process of evolution. They are similar to the information gathering and utilization system (IGUS) developed by physicists James Hartle and Gell-Mann.

According to the Envelope Theory, there is acceptance of consciousness and a supreme power responsible for the creation and evolution of the universe. The reality includes the manifest and non-manifest parts of creation and evolution. Theory of envelopes combines the scientific interpretation of physical reality with the thoughts of philosophers and mystics about non-physical reality. Open minded thinkers have advocated balance between energy/science and consciousness/spirituality. In this respect, Teilhard de Chardin has said:

“What matters is that in the interacting development of these two basic trends upon which mankind is continuing to build itself, technical organization and the growth of reflective consciousness, the second should acquire an ever greater predominance and degree of autonomy.” (The Future of Man)

The theory of envelopes covers both aspects both the manifest and non-manifest aspects of reality. Its approach is holistic and comprehensive. Science, spirituality and mysticism that deal with matter, consciousness and God respectively, are all integrated in it. In a true sense, it is the Theory of Everything.

Envelope Theory simplifies the understanding of human creativity and natural processes. It accepts the scientific discoveries as well as the commonly accepted ideas of philosophers and mystics not yet refuted by science. According to this theory, evolution is divided into nine states of emergence of physical and metaphysical forms of reality. These nine states are: quantum state, particle state, atom state, molecule state, matter state, life state, sense state, intelligence state, and human (creative) state. The envelopes of the theory symbolize the transformations that have taken place from quantum to human level. At each stage, the physical reality of energy/matter is packed in a consciousness and gravity envelope (CAGE).

An envelope usually contains information on the outer cover about the sender/receiver of the envelope, nature of its contents and the way it is to be processed. The consciousness and gravity envelope (CAGE) of Envelope Theory also contains information or code for its processing. This code covers nature of the contents of the CAGE and also suggests the way of processing that information. While the information as such could be regarded manifest aspect of reality testable through the scientific instruments, the coding and decoding process is non-manifest and requires consciousness for its comprehension.

Envelope Theory makes it simple to understand the mysteries of creation and evolution of the universe and make it comprehensible. The simplicity of the theory should not undermine its efficacy in grasping the reality at different levels. According to the scientist J. A. wheeler, “Everything important is, at bottom, utterly simple.” Albert Einstein had also said, “I have deep faith that the principle of the universe will be beautiful and simple.”

Quantum Envelope

Before the Big Bang, there was no space, no time, and no causation. There was only the potency to create the universe. We may call it zero to infinite potency to create everything (ZIPCE). Scientists call it singularity and religions call it God.

Evolution of the universe started when ZIPCE conceived itself as the consciousness and gravity envelope (CAGE) containing the minutest form of reality, quantum. While gravity and consciousness as outer cover of the envelope are the uniting forces, energy in the inner part constitutes the moving parts of the universe. The code of quantum envelope covers information of the cosmic origin of the CAGE also suggests the way of processing that information.

The universe evolved from one envelope to many that may be compared to the evolution of human being from one cell to many in the human womb. Space and time emerged as a result of this multiplication of quantum envelope. Quantum size and speed (the light speed) as well as the code of information was marked on every quantum envelope that became the prime mover of the universe.

The universe of quantum envelopes had perfect symmetry. While it had a large number of quanta, the force of gravity that glued all the envelopes was one. Consciousness that accompanied the gravity was also one. There was the universe of gravity and consciousness containing the packets of energy in the form of quanta and the information/code. The outer part of all the envelopes was united as one cosmic gravity and cosmic consciousness. This confirms the existence of wave aspect of gravity/consciousness and particle aspect of energy discovered at the minutest level through the quantum theory.

Particle Envelope

The duration of the universe of quantum envelopes was, however, very short. Expansion due to the movement of quanta at light speed reduced the temperature. The symmetry was broken and the quanta collected to form the particles. Particle envelope contained the quanta envelopes inside it. With the coming together of quanta in form of particles, the universe took the form of clouds of particles. The clouds were made of sub-atomic particles from quarks to photons.

Atom envelope

With the passage of time, the particles in the clouds cooled to form atoms. A large collection of atoms formed a star and the cloud of particles now became the galaxies of atomic stars. Sun was one of the stars formed in the galaxy called the Milky Way. Like other stars, sun underwent transformations due to the changes in the atoms in it. Each atom contained a nucleus of particles known as protons and neutrons and one or more electrons moving around the nucleus in the field of the atom.

Molecule Envelope

With the passage of time, cooling of atoms led to their coming together through to form molecules. For example, two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen united to make the molecule of water. Scientists call this unification of atoms as covalent bond. As the star cooled, heavy atoms moved to the surface to form the molecules or molecule envelopes. This caused disequilibrium and led to explosion of the star. This explosion is known as supernova through which the outer part of the star is thrown away to form planets and other bodies.

The planets and other bodies around the sun emerged after such supernova or supernovas. Our earth is one of the eight planets and numerous other bodies spinning and revolving around the sun. Everything on the earth, including the human beings, was once part of the sun and is called the star dust.

The molecule envelope contains the atom envelopes and carries the information about formation of molecules with those atoms.

Matter (organic and inorganic) envelopes

As the temperature on planet earth reduced, molecules joined to form matter of two types – inorganic and organic. Inorganic matter comprised molecules other than carbon based molecules and followed the process of physical evolution under the well known impact of entropy. Carbon based molecules formed matter called organic matter. They had the capability to resist the impact of entropy and maintain stability for some time. They absorbed energy from external sources to enable them counter the decay.

Some components of the organic matter started reversal of the process of entropy. There was no difference in the physical form of molecules that were the constituents of the organic and inorganic matter. It must be some non–physical constituents such as consciousness and life that was responsible for the difference. Scientists ignored the non-physical part and considered it to be some property of the matter itself ot yet known to them.

Life Envelope

Some organic matter developed the capacity to duplicate itself. This was through the emergence of cells that could live through the continued existence of their duplicates. These cells also developed functions that enabled them to maximize their capacity to maintain stability in a hostile environment.

Initially, the living beings comprised water based plants and creatures. Gradually life spread to areas that had abundant water supply. The capacity of living beings to absorb light energy of sun’s rays made them grow bigger and stronger. Their life span also increased.

Life envelope introduced new element of functioning of the molecules through cells for which no physical explanation could be given. The process of entropy inherent in the physical matter was reversed.

Sense Envelope

Cellular reproductive life introduced new capabilities through the senses of action and perception that produced a large variety of creatures in water and on earth.

The senses required higher level of processing of information compared to the processing of information contained in the life envelopes of the previous level. The functions related to the senses provided the living beings some skills to avoid carbon dioxide consumed by plants and use oxygen to support their survival. These oxygen consuming beings became animals and information about their behavior based on senses was a main change in the processing of information.

In the animal category, the process of evolution from one to many cells underwent change from mitosis (single cell dividing itself and passing the same characteristics to the divided cells) to meiosis (two parent cells dividing and half of each joining to form one cell with unique features). This could not be accidental as it contained the process of evolution that culminated in the emergence of intelligence and creativity of human beings.

Intelligence Envelope

The element of intelligence emerged from the senses through which some animals started doing things that made them better adapted to the living conditions on earth. This included living together in herds, finding better place to protect from the vagaries of nature and threats from other animals. These activities were regulated by instincts and imitation.

The intelligence factor made a big difference in the evolution of brain of animals. Some animals had more intelligent than others. The size and complexity of the brains of the intelligent animals grew faster than others.

The brain of these intelligent animals had the advanced capability to comprehend the code for processing the information contained in the sense envelopes.

Human (creative) Envelope

The last stage in the process of evolution came with the emergence of human beings that had the creative capacity to process information contained in all the previous envelopes.

The processing of information at human level is not just physical but it is also metaphysical. The following features of human mind and consciousness support this:

·         Creativity

·         Language

·         Intentionality

·         intelligence

·         Awareness

With these features, human brain-mind became the most complex system of creation. It had the capability to penetrate into the original Quantum Envelope and ask questions about the Creator, creation and the nature of reality. The Big Bang could not be a thoughtless event. The possibility of evolution of intelligent and creative beings must have been envisaged by God or ZIPCE at the time of creation of the universe. This remained dormant for billions of years till the appearance of human beings having the capacity to think and penetrate the sub-atomic reality as is evident from the quantum theory developed by human beings in the past century.

Envelope Theory shows how the ultimate evolution of human beings, having the capacity to think about the biggest and the smallest form of reality, were conceived at the time of creation of the universe. This type of thinking is not unprecedented. Such ideas appear in many mystical traditions. This is also present in the philosophy of Henri Bergson, who believed that the whole purpose of the evolutionary process was God’s undertaking to create the creators. Envelope Theory shows how the brain-mind of human beings has developed the capacity to comprehend the mysteries of the Creator as well as the creation.