Physics . . . the world defined by measurement . . . takes it out of those quantum probability clouds. Objectified. Outer meanings.

Other approaches here . . .

Form and energy . . . Physics.

Intent and figure/ground . . . Psychology.

What is the “shape of Matter, Space?” The energetics? What is going on here?

Life worlds within the greater world.

Outer form and inner meanings. Seeing the inner image directly with the inner eye. The essence of things.

The world is more than just inert matter, a physical world; its alive.

“This was understood by the ancient philosophers and the alchemists who referred to the spiritual essence of the world as the anima mundi, the “Soul of the World.” They regarded the World Soul as a pure ethereal spirit diffused throughout all nature, the divine essence that embraces and energizes all life in the universe.”

“While this tradition was carried on by the Gnostics and later the alchemists, the Church fathers imaged a world that was neither divine nor sacred. A transcendent divinity was the source of all creation, and humanity lived in exile from heaven in a state of sin. This doctrine created a split between matter and spirit, causing the world to be seen as separate from its creator.”

“In the last century Carl Jung rediscovered the wisdom of the alchemical opus and showed how alchemical symbols image the process of inner transformation that can release this hidden light. Jung differentiated between two forms of spiritual light: lumen dei, the light proceeding from the spiritual realm of a transcendent God, and lumen naturae, the light hidden in matter and the forces of nature. The Divine Light may be experienced through revelation and spiritual practices that give us access to our transcendent self. The Light of Nature needs to be released through inner alchemy so that it can work creatively in the world.”

“Once we make the simple acknowledgement that we are a part of the whole, then a connection is made between our light and the world. We make this connection with our consciousness and with our imagination; then through this connection our light begins to flow. In this way we begin to redeem the work of the whole. These connections create pathways of light that find their way through the darkness of the collective psyche. Just as in our personal psyche, there are blocks and places of resistance to this flow of light; and there are also places of power, creativity, and unexpected qualities.”

“The light of the World Soul is waiting to be used to connect us with the inner powers that belong to matter and to life itself. The real world is an enchanted place, full of magical powers waiting to be used. And, as the alchemists understood, the anima mundi is a creative force: “it is the artist, the craftsperson, the ‘inner Vision’ which shapes and differentiates the prime matter, giving it form.””

Anima Mundi: Awakening the Soul of the World

– September 2005 by Llewellyn Vaughn-Lee

-Published in Sufi Journal

The figure/ground . . . the prima materia and the anima mundi?

The Life World within the Greater World.

The alchemy . . . turning lead into gold . . . the Philosopher’s Stone.