1 4 S p i r i t ua l i t y S t u d i e s 3 - 1 S p r i n g 2 0 1 7 as the “Universal Design”, necessitating every creation to inevitably struggle against creation. By stepping out of Eden, Eve thus finds herself in a universe of seemingly separate entities; something strongly alluded to in Genesis as she becomes aware of her nakedness. This, the awakening of her human-self, symbolises the moment she comprehends her mind as a separate entity from the rest of creation – her connection to Eden has been cut. I thus imagine her impending shame not as a consequence of her nakedness, but instead deriving from her comprehension of this “Universal Design”; fostering a modular mindset and making Omniversal Liberty a practical impossibility. Therefore, Eve’s transformation from a spiritual entity into a mortal woman signifies much more than humanity simply becoming a hostage to death, for it represents a metamorphosis of understanding; from an interconnected universe to an irrevocable dislocation of parts. This is not what Eve had envisioned – of unbounded, connected creation – but is instead a wholly modular reality, with the human mind seemingly predisposed to make likewise modular judgements upon it. Indeed, when we observe any creation, we make a modular judgement, whether consciously or unconsciously, as to what that creation may constitute; i.e. that a particular object has a certain shape or possesses a particular style, etc. In so doing, we work to define it; to separate the creation from the rest and place a boundary around it. This method of separating creation into criteria and categories represents “modular thought”; an example of which is that of names. So in stating my name is “Tom” for instance, I inform you that I am something, and around that I create a mental boundary that others cannot enter unless they share it. Thus, in my mind, and in yours, a module is formed into which I place myself (and into which I am placed at birth) – I am something and you are not. This is the “Universal Design” within us, as this created possibility, this creation that I be named “Tom”, works to include some creations and exclude others, while also preventing other names (that is, other creations), from being formed around me. This is the nature of modular thought, with every individual being placed, by either him/herself or by others, into an immeasurable number of modules throughout their lives, though many remain fluid from birth until death. There are huge, sweeping modules of course, such as gender, and there are smaller ones, like names. But we all belong to them (e.g. family, community, nation, etc.), and though each module possesses and creates a countless number of other modules in their own right, each one also imposes their own expectations on the individuals which are judged to belong to it. This also demonstrates the ways in which modular thoughts can come together to create others. When we bake a cake for instance, we use multiple ingredients, each one being independent at the beginning, and we use these to create something which we regard as new and independent – the cake itself. An original set of creations come together to create something new. However, though multiple modules may not always conflict, they inevitably can. The bringing together of those ingredients may make a good cake, but it could also make something wholly inedible. It is the same with each of us. And though we all remain highly elusive to any kind of genuinely solid categorisation, when we meet people, we inevitably use modular thought to force them into a series of categories we construct in our minds. Some of these may conflict with the modules which we belong to, and some may not. However, it is this collection of thoughts which nevertheless gives us an impression of that person. But we can never truly capture someone through this method, and this demonstrates the futility in attempting to confine reality to category, even though we nevertheless attempt to do so. This way of thinking is what I imagine Eve fearing most; that humanity would set a congregation of modules upon creation and that we would ultimately place restrictions upon ourselves, on others, and on the entire cosmos that we are each immersed within. Indeed, modular thought is the Universal Design in action within us; seeking to create, control, eliminate and prevent, as possessing of all creations. But there is a crucial difference here, because through us, the Universal Design (that is, this intrinsic power to create, dominate, and prevent) is granted sentience, and can thus be witnessed, embraced, and inevitably for humanity, “perfected”. The idea of perfection is especially significant for it represents the absolute expression of the Universal Design, requiring all of its powers to be wielded so completely that the
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MzgxMzI=