Human purpose and the Universe

Human purpose and the Universe

By Jimmy Henderson (Hons BA (Phil) , MA (Psychology)

The (second order) systems approach in psychology may provide an (abstract) explanation for the fundamental question relating to mankind’s purpose and existence. 

For instance, the operations of the human mind and the complex, dynamic interacting scenarios which frame the actions of living things suggest that we may be existing within a larger, meta- or universal system (of mind) in which all of life and reality are inextricably connected. In terms of this framework, human experience and action would represent an ongoing process of inner communication, movement, structuring, change and expansion taking place in the 'communities' of sub-structures that exist within this universal singularity, in which human beings can be seen as archetypal sub-personalities or forms. 

   

Evolution and mental advancement would be linked to interactions taking place between the different archetypal forms, as well to adaptations to challenges produced by the natural internal dynamics of the Meta-system. On the level of human experience, these exchanges and challenges would be experienced as a series of interactions, situations and events occurring in the life of each individual which would be designed to promote growth and development and ultimately contribute to the content, structure and development of the whole. In fact, in terms of this approach, all the different levels and sub-systems within the Meta-system would, as a result of sustained interaction and activity, naturally shift and tend towards greater levels of complexity. 

A suitable metaphor for the unfolding of the individual human mind and consciousness within this Meta-system would be the image of a burning coal being placed in the middle of a paper ball comprised of many rolled-up sheets. The heat of the hot coal will slowly burn its way from the inside out until it reaches the outer layers of the (paper) structure. 

Applying this to human history, this would imply that we, as individual archetypes of this Meta-system (of mind), also play our part in mediating the passage of consciousness to the outermost levels of Being. 

Jimmy Henderson is a philosopher, metaphysican and cognitive specialist and the author of a number of books and articles on self-development. His books ‘Multi-Dimensional Thinking’ (2007) and ‘Multi-dimensional Perception’ (2010) are available on Amazon.com and Kalahari.com and can also be ordered via his website www.jimmyhendersonbooks.com