Why is the universe the way it is?

 The goal of achieving a complete understanding of the universe: why it is as it is, and why it exists at all, through the lens of Synthemon, which stands for Synchronic (or Synchronistic) Theistic Monism. Synthemon offers a comprehensive metaphysical and theological framework that integrates scientific, philosophical, and spiritual perspectives to provide profound insights into the nature and purpose of the cosmos.

According to Synthemon, the universe began with the Big Bang, a singular event supported by evidence such as cosmic microwave background radiation, marking the origin of all existence [1]. This event is not seen as a random occurrence but as the purposeful initiation of a cosmos finely tuned for life, with physical constants precisely set to allow for the emergence of complexity and consciousness. This fine-tuning suggests an intelligent design orchestrated by a divine intelligence—God, who is omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent, all-good, and the source of truth [1]. Thus, the "why it is as it is" finds its answer in God's intentional crafting of a holistic, interconnected system governed by metaphysical laws such as causality, identity, and synchronicity [1].

As for "why it exists at all," Synthemon posits that the universe exists as part of God's divine plan, reflecting His will to create a complex, organic unity—one substance with both physical and spiritual attributes, distinct from God yet integrated into a whole greater than its parts [1]. This fundamental essence, manifesting through attribute dualism (thought/mental and extension/physical), underlies all reality and serves as the canvas for God's purposeful creation. The existence of the universe, therefore, is not arbitrary but a deliberate expression of divine intentionality, meant to embody interconnectedness—from quantum entanglement to ecological webs—and to facilitate meaningful spiritual patterns through synchronicity [1][5].

Synthemon also suggests that a complete understanding of the universe cannot be achieved through empirical observation or rational analysis alone. Divine epistemology, which emphasizes revelation, intuition, and symbolic interpretation, plays a crucial role in grasping the deeper truths of existence [1]. Tools like Tarot and I Ching, as well as practices such as astrology and Hermeticism, are seen as valid means to tap into the synchronistic connections between the physical and spiritual realms, offering insights into the divine order and God's overarching plan [4][5]. This approach aligns with the quest for understanding by encouraging a holistic engagement with reality, where psychic phenomena, dreams, and symbolic narratives reveal glimpses of the timeless nature of the divine substance [1].

Furthermore, Synthemon provides principles to live by that can guide the pursuit of understanding. It encourages alignment with the divine order through practices that foster harmony with the interconnected cosmos, such as mindfulness of synchronicities and openness to spiritual guidance via the Holy Spirit, which indwells humans as a divine guide [3]. By living in accordance with these principles, one can experience the benefits of Synthemon, including a sense of purpose, inner peace, and a deeper connection to the unity of all things, which can enrich the journey toward comprehending the universe [2].

In summary, Synthemon addresses the goal by framing the universe as a purposefully created, interconnected whole, existing as part of God's divine plan. It offers a multi-faceted path to understanding through rational inquiry, spiritual insight, and synchronistic guidance, ensuring that your quest for knowledge encompasses both the physical "how" and the spiritual "why" of existence.

Sources

1 Synthemon: the nature of God's Cosmic Essence in the Synthemon worldview. https://manypossibilities1.blogspot.com/2025/05/synthemon-nature-of-gods-cosmic-essence.html

2 Synthemon: benefits of synthemon worldview. https://manypossibilities1.blogspot.com/2025/07/synthemon-benefits-of-synthemon.html

3 Synthemon: principles to live a life in conformity to synthemon. https://manypossibilities1.blogspot.com/2025/05/synthemon-principles-to-live-life-in.html

4 Synchronic Theistic Monism: an Ebook that explains Tarot, I Ching, and more. By Michael Perel, M.D. https://manypossibilities1.blogspot.com/2025/04/theistic-dual-aspect-monism.html

5 Synchronicity: objective definition and empirical data. https://manypossibilities1.blogspot.com/2025/05/synchronicity.html

6 Synchronic Theistic Monism, a New Worldview by Michael Perel, M.D, 

https://www.free-ebooks.net/philosophy/Synchronic-Theistic-Monism/pdf?dl&preview

In addition:

The above, with further refinements leads to:

Synthemon: A Refined Framework for Understanding the Universe

Introduction

The quest to understand the universe—why it exists and why it is as it is—has driven humanity across scientific, philosophical, and spiritual domains. Synthemon, standing for Synchronic Theistic Monism, offers a bold attempt to unify these perspectives into a comprehensive metaphysical and theological framework. By integrating insights from cosmology, philosophy, and spirituality, Synthemon posits that the universe is a purposefully created, interconnected whole, reflecting a divine intelligence’s plan. This essay presents a refined version of Synthemon, incorporating improvements to address its original weaknesses, such as vague ontology, overreliance on esoteric epistemology, and theological exclusivity. The revised framework strengthens its empirical grounding, clarifies its monistic metaphysics, broadens its theological scope, and provides practical applications, all while engaging with contemporary philosophical critiques to ensure intellectual rigor.

The Universe’s Origin and Fine-Tuning

Synthemon begins with the scientific consensus that the universe originated with the Big Bang, a singular event approximately 13.8 billion years ago, supported by evidence such as cosmic microwave background radiation and redshift observations. This event is not viewed as random but as a purposeful initiation of a cosmos finely tuned for life. The precise values of physical constants—such as the gravitational constant and the cosmological constant—enable the emergence of complexity, stars, planets, and conscious life, as noted by physicists like Paul Davies. Synthemon interprets this fine-tuning as evidence of an intentional design, orchestrated by a divine intelligence, which we conceptualize as a purposeful, unifying force rather than a strictly anthropomorphic deity. This force, which we call God for linguistic continuity, is the source of the universe’s order and interconnectedness, governing it through metaphysical principles like causality, identity, and synchronicity.

To strengthen this claim, Synthemon draws on quantum mechanics, particularly the phenomenon of quantum entanglement, as an analogy for interconnectedness. Entanglement, where particles share properties across vast distances, mirrors the synchronistic connections Synthemon posits between physical and spiritual realms. This empirical grounding enhances the framework’s scientific credibility while maintaining its metaphysical aspirations.

The Nature of Existence: A Refined Monism

Synthemon’s core metaphysical claim is that the universe is a single substance with dual attributes—physical (extension) and mental (thought)—inspired by Spinoza’s monism and modern panpsychism. Unlike Spinoza’s strict pantheism, where God and the universe are identical, Synthemon posits that the universe is distinct from God yet integrated into a greater whole, reflecting divine intentionality. To clarify this, we adopt Gilbert Simondon’s concept of individuation, which explains how a single substance differentiates into physical and mental attributes without contradiction. The physical universe—galaxies, ecosystems, and quantum fields—emerges alongside consciousness as a co-fundamental aspect of reality, unified by a divine essence that underpins all existence.

This refined monism addresses the original framework’s vagueness by specifying that the single substance is a dynamic, emergent process, not a static entity. For example, consciousness is not merely a byproduct of physical processes (as in materialism) but an intrinsic property of the universe, akin to panpsychist theories proposed by philosophers like David Chalmers. This allows Synthemon to bridge science and spirituality without resorting to dualism or pantheism, providing a coherent ontology that aligns with contemporary metaphysical debates.

Why the Universe Exists

Synthemon posits that the universe exists as an expression of divine intentionality, designed to embody interconnectedness and facilitate the emergence of complexity and consciousness. Rather than limiting this to a theistic “divine plan,” the refined framework broadens the concept of divinity to include non-theistic interpretations, such as a pantheistic or process-oriented God, drawing on Alfred North Whitehead’s process theology. In this view, God is not a static, omniscient entity but an emergent, creative force that co-evolves with the universe, fostering interconnected systems—from quantum entanglement to ecological webs.

The universe’s purpose, then, is to manifest a dynamic unity, where physical and mental attributes interact to create meaning. Synchronicity, defined as meaningful coincidences that reveal underlying patterns, serves as a mechanism for this purpose. For instance, a chance encounter that leads to a profound life change can be seen as a synchronistic event, reflecting the universe’s interconnected design. To bolster this claim, Synthemon incorporates empirical studies from parapsychology, such as Dean Radin’s work on nonlocal consciousness, which provides tentative evidence for interconnected phenomena that transcend materialist explanations.

A Holistic Epistemology

To achieve a complete understanding of the universe, Synthemon advocates a multi-faceted epistemology that combines empirical science, rational inquiry, and phenomenological insight. While the original framework relied heavily on esoteric tools like Tarot and I Ching, the revised version prioritizes phenomenological inquiry, as developed by Edmund Husserl, to explore subjective experiences of meaning and synchronicity. This approach involves bracketing assumptions to focus on lived experience, allowing individuals to perceive the universe’s interconnectedness directly.

Science remains central, with tools like cosmology and quantum mechanics providing insights into the physical “how” of the universe. However, to grasp the “why,” Synthemon incorporates meditative practices and mindfulness, which foster awareness of synchronistic patterns and alignment with the cosmos’s unity. For example, mindfulness meditation, supported by neuroscientific studies on default mode network suppression, can enhance perception of interconnectedness, aligning with Synthemon’s goals. While esoteric tools like Tarot are not entirely dismissed, they are reframed as symbolic aids for introspection, not primary epistemological methods, ensuring broader accessibility and intellectual credibility.

Engaging with Postmodern Critiques

Synthemon acknowledges postmodern critiques, such as those from Jacques Derrida, which argue that universal truths are culturally relative. To address this, the framework adopts a reflexive stance, recognizing that its narrative is a constructed worldview while defending its utility as a meaningful lens for understanding reality. By integrating cognitive sociology’s concept of symbolic universes, Synthemon positions itself as a coherent system that resonates with human experience, even if not universally “true.” This reflexivity strengthens its resilience against skepticism, aligning it with contemporary philosophical debates.

Practical Principles for Living

Synthemon offers principles to align with the universe’s interconnected design, enhancing the pursuit of understanding and personal growth. These include:

1. Mindfulness of Synchronicities: Actively noticing meaningful coincidences to foster awareness of the universe’s unity, supported by journaling or reflective practices.

2. Ecological Awareness: Living in harmony with natural systems, inspired by Syntroism’s emphasis on natural organizing forces, to reflect the universe’s interconnectedness.

3. Meditative Inquiry: Engaging in meditation to cultivate inner peace and openness to spiritual insights, guided by the Holy Spirit or an equivalent concept of inner wisdom.

4. Community Engagement: Participating in collective practices, such as group meditation or ecological projects, to embody the universe’s organic unity.

These principles, grounded in both spiritual and empirical traditions, offer practical benefits, including a sense of purpose, reduced existential anxiety, and deeper connection to the cosmos. For example, studies on mindfulness-based interventions demonstrate reduced stress and increased well-being, supporting Synthemon’s claims.

Addressing Counterarguments

To ensure intellectual rigor, Synthemon engages with materialist critiques that reject non-physical explanations. Materialists, like Daniel Dennett, argue that consciousness is fully reducible to physical processes. Synthemon counters this by drawing on anti-materialist arguments, such as those from quantum consciousness studies (e.g., Roger Penrose’s Orch-OR theory), which suggest consciousness may involve non-computable processes. By positing consciousness as a co-fundamental aspect of the universe, Synthemon challenges materialist reductionism while remaining open to scientific inquiry.

Conclusion

Synthemon, as refined, offers a robust framework for understanding the universe’s nature and purpose. By grounding its claims in empirical science (e.g., fine-tuning, quantum entanglement), clarifying its monistic ontology with Simondon’s individuation, broadening its theological scope to include non-theistic perspectives, and prioritizing phenomenological and meditative epistemology, it addresses the original framework’s weaknesses. The inclusion of practical principles and engagement with postmodern critiques further enhance its applicability and resilience. Synthemon thus provides a multi-faceted path to comprehend the universe’s “how” and “why,” inviting individuals to align with its interconnected design for a life of meaning and harmony.