The Involved Universe: An Ancient Continuity

This article explores the concept of the universe’s innate knowledge of our needs, a belief shared across ancient cultures and spiritual traditions. It traces how these ideas were preserved and transmitted through the Catholic Church, connecting ancient fertility goddesses, Christian theology, and the mystical nature of the cosmos. It then ties these ancient beliefs to modern theories, suggesting a convergence between spirituality and quantum mechanics. For a comprehensive exploration of these ideas and their historical and spiritual significance, please visit the site, Zeno Holisticus Index Page.

9 September 2024
Eben van Tonder

Table of Contents

Introduction

This exploration stems from my work on the link between ancient fertility goddesses, the Virgin Mary, and how the Catholic Church acts as a “carrier” or preserver of ancient spirituality. Ancient cultures observed a universe deeply involved in human lives, and this perception was integrated into early religious beliefs. The Catholic Church preserved many of these spiritual elements, framing them within Christian theology. This study seeks to reveal how the concept of an interconnected universe is a thread woven through human history, philosophy, and spirituality, culminating in both spiritual and quantum mechanical understandings.

Early Religious Contexts

The earliest religious traditions depict a universe that interacts with humanity in profound ways. This idea is seen in ancient Egyptian, Mesopotamian, and Vedic texts, where the divine order is understood as maintaining balance and harmony. Many of these beliefs are undoubtedly rooted in even older oral traditions, reflecting humanity’s long-standing view of a universe that is deeply interwoven with daily life. These early beliefs laid the foundation for later philosophical and religious traditions, which continued to explore the idea of an interconnected cosmos.

Egyptian Pyramid Texts (c. 2400–2300 BC)

“Pyramid Text 2133: ‘I have given my command to the imperishable stars…'”

The statement by Pharao. It suggests the Pharaoh’s unity with the divine cosmos, implying an interconnected existence where the cosmos is in harmony with the ruler’s will.

Epic of Gilgamesh (c. 2100 BC)

“Tablet VII: ‘The dreams of great gods in council, what they do brings life, what they do brings death.'”

A simple truth which many will agree with, but it is foundational to our understanding of the development of thought. It implies a divine order governing life and death, indicating a cosmic awareness and involvement in human destiny.

Hymn to Amun-Ra (c. 1550 BC)

“You are the one who has made all that is, the lone creator who created humanity… you give life to the one who is in the egg.”

This suggests a god involved in creation, sustaining life and being aware of the needs of every being.

Vedic Texts (Rigveda, c. 1500–1200 BC)

“Rigveda 10.121.10: ‘He who by his might looked even over the water-clouds, as lord of the vast water, he alone is the God above all gods.'”

This suggests a divine force that governs and knows all aspects of existence. Another statement that may seem obvious to many but is essential in the progression of thought.

Greek Philosophical Context

Greek philosophy continued this line of thought, proposing that the universe is governed by a rational order. Philosophers like Heraclitus and Plato argued for an underlying harmony and intelligence in the cosmos. Their ideas were influential in shaping early Christian theology, as they provided a philosophical framework for understanding the divine nature of the universe.

Heraclitus (c. 535–475 BC)

“All things come into being by conflict of opposites, and the sum of things flows like a stream.”

This points to a universal Logos, suggesting an underlying order to existence that involves and directs all things.

Plato, Timaeus (c. 360 BC)

“This world is indeed a living being endowed with a soul and intelligence… a single visible living entity containing all other living entities, which by their nature are all related.”

Plato’s vision of a living, intelligent cosmos influenced early Christian theologians, promoting the idea of a universe that supports and sustains life in all its forms.

Stoic Philosophy

The Stoics expanded on Greek philosophical traditions, emphasizing an interconnected cosmos in which everything is interdependent. They argued for a rational universe that aligns with human existence, an idea that later resonated with early Christian teachings about divine providence and the unity of creation.

Epictetus, Enchiridion (c. 50-135 AD)

“As you bear things, so shall they bear you. The being of things is what they are, but the concept we have of things is something else.”

Epictetus highlights the deep relationship between individuals and the world, suggesting that the essence of the universe supports and sustains us, often without our awareness.

Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 4.3 (c. 161-180 AD)

“All things are woven together and the common bond is sacred… Everything is harmonious with me, which is harmonious to you, O Universe.”

Aurelius emphasizes the universe’s inherent support for all existence, aligning with Christian beliefs in divine providence.

Biblical Texts and Christian Theology

The New Testament and early Christian writings built upon these philosophical traditions, presenting a vision of a universe actively governed by a divine being. The notion of divine intercession, where God knows and provides for human needs, is a central theme in Christian scripture and reflects a continuity with earlier philosophical and religious beliefs.

Ephesians 3:14-21 (NASB) – 1st Century AD

“14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name… Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us…”

This passage encapsulates the Christian belief in a divine force that knows and acts for us beyond our understanding, resonating with Stoic and Platonic ideas of a rational and purposeful universe.

Romans 8:26-27 (NASB) – 1st Century AD

“In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words…”

Jude 1:24-25 (NASB) – 1st Century AD

“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy…”

These passages emphasize divine intercession, where God knows human needs without explicit requests.

Catholic Preservation and Medieval Thought

The Catholic Church preserved these ideas through its theology and monastic teachings. Early Church Fathers like St. Augustine synthesized Christian theology with Greek philosophy, presenting a universe sustained by divine will. Medieval scholars continued this tradition, embedding these concepts within the framework of Christian doctrine.

St. Augustine, City of God (Early 5th Century AD)

“God is not external to any of his creatures… but all things are held together by him.”

Augustine synthesized Christian theology with Platonic philosophy, affirming that the universe is interconnected through the divine.

Pope Gregory the Great (6th Century AD)

Pope Gregory’s writings reflect the idea that divine understanding transcends human prayer:

“He who created us without our help will not save us without our consent.”

Gregory emphasized God’s active involvement in creation, resonating with Stoic views of an interconnected cosmos.

Eastern Philosophies

Eastern traditions like Taoism echoed similar ideas, presenting a universe that operates effortlessly, maintaining balance and harmony. These philosophies enriched the global understanding of an interconnected universe, influencing religious thought and spiritual practices.

Laozi, Tao Te Ching 37 (c. 6th Century BC)

“The Tao does nothing, but leaves nothing undone.”

Taoism presents a view of the universe that operates effortlessly, maintaining balance and harmony without direct intervention, aligning with Christian ideas of divine providence.

Modern Thought and Psychological Perspectives

In the modern era, thinkers like Carl Jung and discoveries in quantum mechanics have provided new perspectives on the interconnectedness of all things. Jung’s concept of the collective unconscious and quantum physics’ non-locality principle suggests a universe where everything is profoundly interconnected, resonating with ancient spiritual insights.

Carl Jung (20th Century)

Jung proposed the idea of the collective unconscious, suggesting that certain archetypes and ideas are shared across humanity. His theory reflects the notion of a connected universe, where common themes of divine intercession and cosmic involvement recur across different cultures and religions.

Quantum Mechanics

Recent developments in quantum physics suggest a universe where particles are interconnected, exhibiting non-local communication. This interconnectedness echoes ancient spiritual insights, implying a reality where the universe’s “awareness” of itself extends beyond the material realm.

Conclusion

From ancient Egyptian wisdom to early Christian theology and Eastern philosophies, the concept of an interconnected universe that knows and provides for our needs is a recurring theme. The Catholic Church preserved and adapted these ancient spiritual observations, embedding them into Christian doctrine. Later, figures like Carl Jung and insights from quantum mechanics have pointed toward a reality that aligns with this spiritual worldview. Together, these perspectives present a vision of the universe as an inherently supportive force, guiding, sustaining, and interceding on our behalf, often in ways beyond our comprehension.