If you know me well, you will know that I believe the universe is alive, aware, and One.
The reasons I give aren't powerful.
I thought of a way to explain this better.
Think of an organism's body. Bodies are composed of cells, blood, etc. Cells are also alive, but doubt that they have a consciousness.
To the organism, it hardly notices these cells existence. It may know about them, but almost never interacts with them directly.
We are composed of living things. Things that aren't exactly conscious in the way we are - but are aware to the extent of reactions to the things that effects them. Instinct-based reactions.
The organism is one being made of many beings. Lesser beings work to make one being. They probably don't know that's why they're doing it, they just act.
Much like the universe. Everything in it - living and non-living - are lesser beings that bring life to this one being: the universe. We're never separate from the universe, and never will be. The only thing that separates us is illusion, caused by perception. To the being sitting at a table, it might seem as if the objects or people are around her are not part of her.
She is correct in her mind. From this level, they are apart.
What is this level? Well, this level is where our being-ness resides. Whatever meat suit this being-ness follows, that will be its level.
It is entrapped in this body, and thus entrapped in the mind that the body naturally creates it. Mind is nothing but illusion, but there's no escape.
As I was saying, the beingness is limited to the imperfect physical conditions, and the illusional mind. It'll always stay in perspective. Sort of like a prison.
Anyways, the universe beyond illusion is simply oneness. Except we don't "return" to God (universe), because we are always a part of him. You are the universe incarnate.
The universe therefore could be thought of as a higher being than us. A consciousness far more complex than our own.
Thoughts?
