Spiral Universe
To visualise the structure of existence, one might imagine the cosmos as adopting a spiral configuration — a conceptual model in which countless interconnected universes are nested within one another. While not intended as a literal or scientific assertion, this spiral form offers a compelling framework for contemplating the layered, recursive nature of consciousness and reality, resonating with notions found in fractal geometry (Mandelbrot, 1982) and holographic cosmology (’t Hooft, 1993; Susskind, 1995).
In each infinitesimal moment, an enduring replica of all existence persists eternally. This replication remains anchored within that specific temporal plank until it attains consciousness and progresses forward in the continuum of time. This concept bears philosophical resemblance to Julian Barbour’s timeless physics, which posits that every configuration of the universe exists eternally as a distinct “Now” (Barbour, 1999).
Within this model, every action, motion, spoken word, or silent thought bears the potential to unfold into its own autonomous reality. Individual consciousness, echoing across temporal layers, may generate a succession of divergent selves — each capable of manifesting its own distinct universe. This interpretation parallels the Many-Worlds Interpretation of quantum mechanics, which suggests all possible outcomes of every decision or interaction are realised in branching universes (Everett, 1957; Tegmark, 2003).
Although the spiral configuration was first introduced here as a metaphor for consciousness, it also provides a symbolic representation of cosmic nesting and dimensional recursion. In this framework, each of us embodies a microcosm of the greater whole. Every system, organ, cell, and atom may represent a self-contained universe, mirroring concepts in panpsychism (Goff, 2019) and ancient Hermetic thought — as above, so below.
Understanding the spiral model of consciousness may be aided by visualising it through a numerical progression. The sequence from 0 to 9 marks the span of development within a single universe. The transition to 10 — a double-digit realm — signifies the birth of a new cosmic tier. Progressing to 100, a three-digit domain, marks yet another emergent universe. These transitions symbolise evolutionary thresholds — akin to phase transitions in physics or complexity jumps in systems theory (Kauffman, 1993).
In our reality, numerous dimensional universes may coexist, occupying the same spatial field yet eluding direct perception. This echoes modern string theory and brane cosmology, in which multiple universes may exist within higher-dimensional membranes overlapping within a shared space (Randall & Sundrum, 1999). Though hidden from ordinary awareness, elevated states of consciousness might possess the ability to perceive or even interact with such parallel domains — an idea paralleled in mystical traditions and increasingly explored in consciousness research.
References
Barbour, J. (1999). The End of Time: The Next Revolution in Physics. Oxford University Press.
Everett, H. (1957). "Relative State" Formulation of Quantum Mechanics. Reviews of Modern Physics, 29(3), 454–462.
Goff, P. (2019). Galileo’s Error: Foundations for a New Science of Consciousness. Pantheon.
Kauffman, S. (1993). The Origins of Order: Self-Organization and Selection in Evolution. Oxford University Press.
Mandelbrot, B. B. (1982). The Fractal Geometry of Nature. W.H. Freeman.
Randall, L., & Sundrum, R. (1999). An Alternative to Compactification. Physical Review Letters, 83(23), 4690–4693.
Susskind, L. (1995). The World as a Hologram. Journal of Mathematical Physics, 36(11), 6377–6396.
Tegmark, M. (2003). Parallel Universes. Scientific American, May 2003.
’t Hooft, G. (1993). Dimensional Reduction in Quantum Gravity. arXiv:gr-qc/9310026
