In our endless quest to understand existence, we encounter mysteries that stretch from the microscopic interactions of our daily lives to the cosmic forces shaping the universe itself. Central to this exploration is the idea of a trinity—a deep, structural insight that suggests we need to view any phenomenon from three interconnected perspectives to truly grasp it. Here, I’ll break those down into space, compression, and explosion.
At first glance, these elements might seem isolated and unrelated, but when we look closer, they reveal a deeper connection that reflects both the universe’s structure and our own human experience. The number three, which shows up repeatedly across cultures, spiritual traditions, and even science, offers us a key to unlocking some of the larger truths about both the world around us and our place in it.
In this article, I’ll explore how these three elements—space, compression, and explosion—work together to form the very foundation of existence. By drawing on both macro- and microscopic levels of reality, I’ll use the analogy between the universe’s large-scale cycles and the personal cycles in our own lives to illustrate a familiar pattern. We see it in theories like the Big Bang and Big Crunch and in those personal moments of dramatic change and growth.
Let’s take a journey through these cycles and discover how space, compression, and explosion aren’t just limited to physical phenomena—they are intricately woven into how we perceive life, growth, and transformation.
Part 1: Space in the Universe and Human Life
Space Before the Big Bang
Before the universe, as we know it, began with the Big Bang, there had to be some kind of “space”—a pre-cosmic stage that set the conditions for the birth of the universe. This conceptual “space” is hard to wrap our minds around because it stretches beyond our usual ideas of time and space, which only kicked in with the Big Bang itself. Theories involving quantum fluctuations or multiverses suggest that the origin of our universe might have been part of a much larger cosmic landscape. This “space” wasn’t just physical but also full of potential—a reservoir of energy and possibility that ultimately exploded into what we know as the Big Bang.
Human Space: Pre-Existence
Parallel to the universe’s pre-cosmic space, we find the idea of human pre-existence, or the “space” of the soul before incarnation. In many spiritual traditions, the belief is that the soul exists before physical manifestation, choosing a life to experience, learn, and grow. This soul space is fundamental to how we understand human life; much like the universe’s space, it sets the stage for individual existence.
Just as the universe’s space is filled with potential energy, the soul’s pre-existence is filled with lessons, relationships, and experiences. Each soul carries memories and wisdom from past lives, which act as a collection of experiences that shape the conditions and challenges we face in our current life.
Bridging Universal and Personal Pre-Existence
By exploring both universal and human space, we see how both scenarios mirror a deeper truth about existence: anything that exists in a manifested form—whether it’s a universe or a human life—begins in a space of infinite potential. This understanding invites us to reflect on the connections that bind the cosmic to the personal, offering a metaphorical bridge between large-scale cosmic theory and intimate, personal spiritual journeys.
By recognizing that our own existence, like the universe’s, starts from a space of hidden potential, we open up a richer understanding of both our place in the universe and our personal spiritual journey through life.
Part 2: Compression in the Universe and Human Life
Compression in the Universe
Compression is one of the most intriguing phenomena in the universe, hinting at cycles of expansion and contraction. According to cosmology, after the universe’s expansive phase—dominated by the explosive force of the Big Bang—it might eventually enter a phase of compression, known as the Big Crunch. This scenario suggests that all matter, energy, and even space-time itself could eventually reverse direction, collapsing into an incredibly dense and hot state, much like it was before the Big Bang.
This idea of cosmic compression represents a cyclical understanding of the universe’s life, where expansion and compression alternate like the universe’s breathing. It shows that the universe is a dynamic, living system constantly undergoing transformations—a continuous dance of creation and dissolution.
Compression in Human Life
In human life, compression is more metaphorical, but no less real. Each of us goes through life gathering experiences, lessons, and emotions, which all get compressed into the core of who we are. In a way, this compression process in life parallels the physical compression in the universe—it’s an inner process where everything we go through becomes the essence of our being.
We see this in how we process life experiences, both good and bad. Every event, interaction, and choice adds layers to our inner self, much like matter gets pulled together by the force of gravity. This compression can often feel intense and challenging, especially during periods of significant personal change or stress—just as compression phases in the universe are both dynamic and transformative.
The Connection Between Cosmic and Personal Compression
Drawing parallels between compression in the universe and in human life deepens our understanding of both processes. Just as the universe might undergo a Big Crunch, we can experience moments in life where everything seems to collapse—crisis moments that often precede significant personal growth or change. These moments, while tough, are essential for both cosmic and personal renewal.
Compression, whether at a cosmic or human level, reminds us of the cyclical nature of life and the importance of embracing the fact that growth and transformation often come from the most compressed, pressured states of our existence.
Part 3: The Necessity of Explosion
Big Bang as Explosion
The Big Bang is probably the most iconic example of a cosmic explosion. This theory describes how the universe began from an incredibly hot and dense point, expanding explosively to create the cosmos as we know it today. This explosion wasn’t just a physical manifestation, but a transformative event that initiated the formation of stars, galaxies, and the entire physical universe. The Big Bang represents the ultimate release of energy and matter, bursting forth from a point of nearly infinite compression.
Explosions in Human Life
In human terms, explosions are the major transitions or changes we experience that have the power to fundamentally reshape our lives. These moments can be both liberating and destructive, depending on the context and outcomes. Examples might include a career change, the end of a relationship, moving to a new place, or deep personal revelations that alter how we see ourselves and the world.
These human “explosions” often serve as catalysts for significant personal growth. Just as the Big Bang initiated the expansion of the universe, these transformative events initiate a new phase in our lives, expanding our understanding, relationships, and opportunities. They are crucial for breaking free from old limitations and creating space for new life and patterns to emerge.
The Need for Explosions
Just as the Big Bang was necessary to create our universe, personal explosions are necessary for our individual development. Without these moments of release, both the universe and human lives would remain static, without evolution and without the possibility for renewal. By acknowledging and embracing the role of explosions in our lives, we can better prepare for and navigate through these transformative phases.
Part 4: Universal and Personal Cycles
Universal Truths in Cyclical Processes
The cycles observed in both the universe and human life reflect a fundamental truth about the nature of existence. These cycles—from the Big Bang’s explosive beginning to its potential end in a Big Crunch, and from birth to death in human life—demonstrate a rhythm of creation, existence, and renewal that is embedded in all life and matter.
On a universal scale, these cycles show how the cosmos is constantly changing, moving through phases of expansion and potential contraction, representing an eternal process of regeneration and transformation. This ongoing pattern highlights that nothing in the universe is static; everything is in a constant state of becoming, changing, and returning to its source.
Personal Cycles and Deeper Insight
On a personal level, understanding these cyclical processes gives us deeper insights into our own existence and our place in the world. Each phase of life, from childhood to adulthood to old age, contains elements of growth and decline, of unfolding and retreat. By seeing life as a series of cycles, we can better embrace both the highs and lows as natural and essential parts of our existential journey.
Conclusion
In this article, we’ve explored the fundamental cycles that govern both the universe and human life. We’ve seen how the concepts of space, compression, and explosion aren’t just crucial for understanding cosmic events like the Big Bang but also for our personal life experiences and transformations. By applying the concept of a trinity to these aspects, we’ve highlighted how each is essential for understanding the whole.
Recognizing these cyclical patterns invites us to reflect on our own place within them. How can we use this knowledge to navigate life’s inevitable changes with more wisdom and understanding? How might a deeper awareness of these cycles help us live richer and more meaningful lives?
By embracing the cyclical and three-dimensional nature of existence, we might find ways not only to understand the universe’s great mysteries but also to find clarity and meaning in the labyrinth of our personal experiences.
This article was originally written in Norwegian and first published in April 2024. It has been translated and slightly adapted for The Spiritual Deep to align with its core themes. The original piece, crafted during an exploration of cosmic and personal cycles, mirrors the broader philosophical reflections often shared on this platform.
