The Universe’s Plan

Musings

By Dr Rajagopal Soondron

As scientists and physicists plough ahead to decipher what subatomic particles are really all about, many are experiencing the uneasiness of hitting against some armoured, solid wall — and have to admit that a matter particle is not a definite particle as conceived by most of us.

Those physicists are talking of a fuzzy, vibrating point of energy — all of it occurring in an inevitable field, like the one we have come to think of as the electromagnetic field. It seems that such particles as a quark cannot be separated from their field; and as the weird discoveries of quantum mechanics become confirmed by experiments, we slowly find those physicists being dragged, in spite of themselves, from pure physics into the forbidden realm of metaphysics. After all, no one knows what a particle of matter is really all about. And recently, those very scientists have been talking of quantum foam — an ephemeral mixture of subatomic fuzziness.

Still, that’s the basis of the universe at the very beginning — where everything was in an ill-defined flux of space, time, matter and energy.

The Non-Scientists

Meanwhile, some highly respected philosophers are wondering whether proto-consciousness and intelligence were, after all, very much present in that ephemeral universe from the beginning of time.

Not far behind are some religious people who are ready to extrapolate their exaltation in the face of the physicists’ confusion, and are only too happy to capitalise on it by anthropomorphising our universe — believing that it has cunningly camouflaged the essence of proto-consciousness and intelligence within the very quantum foam being talked about. There is an expectation that our universe is patiently waiting for that proto-consciousness to reveal itself one day or another, as if it were its ultimate and sacred duty to liberate those cryptic qualities incubating under its wings.

The universe pondered that dilemma — but for a long time it did not know how to go about it. It went round wondering and telling itself — it had invented physics, chemistry and even mathematical rules as the stepping stones; and lo! These forces, coded in the anthropic principle, seemed to be inadequate to bring about a consciousness blossom. Yet to be revealed.

Conscious beings

At the beginning, the universe toiled day and night, trying all sorts of alchemy, but nothing materialized really. It spouted out all sorts of worlds and bubble universes of different sizes and with different forces — still, it did not work its way; some of the worlds did prosper for some time, but then out they went; the laws therein did not favour any progress towards conscious beings. Most of these universes rose and fell because their physical constants, present within them, did not stand the test of time.

Then, in one particular form, the mega-universe fathered one bubble-daughter universe where, conditions being more stable, trillions of stars and planets made their appearance — and still the mother universe went on hoping. No emergence of consciousness could be noticed. Yet the universe did not despair until one day it got news that, in a small, insignificant galaxy, there was a region called the solar system where there might be some hope and good news.

It summoned the Sun for a report, but the only message the latter could provide was that one of its planets seemed to have been well gifted with the right properties and conditions: sufficiently protected from harmful cosmic rays and endowed with the right electromagnetic field and gravity, so much so that there was hope that the blue marble might give signs of going green.

The mother universe was all excitement and demanded that the Sun expedite matters. For billions of years again, nothing intelligent emerged from that planet. And the Sun sent a message back to its boss — it seemed that conditions were still not ripe for that mysterious consciousness.

Intelligent organism

Gradually, it became clear that chemistry, physical and mathematical laws were too basic, sterile, dry and too finely tuned to produce anything that could be relied upon to generate some form of intelligent organism. What was needed more? — enquired the universe. Maybe some form of living matter, said the Sun. And how do we get to that stage? pondered the universe.

And so, both universe and Sun waited on their toes. The universe supplied the right amount of water, oxygen and the right organic molecules to trigger the emergence of living matter in the primordial soup, with the right double helix. And this could not happen overnight; finally, the mega-universe waited patiently for biological evolution to kick-start. And after millions of years, gradually, the viruses and then the unicellular organisms emerged. Concurrently, after geosynthesis and photosynthesis started, there was a long stretch of time before some form of thinking beings made their appearance.

The universe was all excited — but soon discovered that the beings engendered on this blue planet started to evolve very slowly — too slowly for its liking. Eons later, some species emerged — called Homo sapiens. But still no sign of that great, pure supra-consciousness. And everyone waited patiently, wondering and asking itself — is it possible that that consciousness could blossom out by magic?

No, it did not; in fact, it needed to thrive on setbacks, on adverse conditions, on experience to stimulate the grey cells of these Homo sapiens — who could only then react to these blockbusters — so as to finally trigger, cultivate and sharpen consciousness out of its dormant proto-stage.

A billion-year slumber

Sure enough, it did emerge slowly out of a billion-year slumber and became a subject of interest and curiosity even to those Sapiens. Some of those species began to sing the praises of their ephemeral, mysterious quality and even wonder whether it was a universal phenomenon. With some humility, these new species reflected and conceded, with some shame, that this state of consciousness was acquired after they had gone rampant and indulged in murderous behaviour now and then.

Maybe these very adverse behaviours do trigger and contribute to elevating that consciousness to a still higher level; and the more some Homo sapiens sing its praise and value it, the more there is that feeling and urge to realise and identify their own self-awareness and themselves with a universal agenda. Some have even started to talk of universal brotherhood — while others justify their ultimate search for Sanatana Dharma.

The Sun raised its eyebrows in disbelief while the universe sort of gave a satisfied chuckle — feeling it had gone through a really long wait to see its billion-year-old baby proto-consciousness, with some degree of perfection, all out and too willing to reflect, salute and bow to itself. As if consciousness and self-awareness were the raison d’être of the Universe.

Mauritius Times ePaper Friday 28 August 2026