Meredith Sprunger's Synopsis of The Urantia Book
Synopsis of Paper 42
ENERGY -- MIND AND MATTER
1. The foundation of the universe is material in the sense that energy is the basis of all existence, and pure energy is controlled by the Universal Father...all force‑energy is under the ultimate control of a personal God resident at the center of all things... The foundation of the universe is material, but the essence of life is spirit.
2. There is innate in matter and present in universal space a form of energy not known on Urantia. When this discovery is finally made, then will physicists feel that they have solved, almost at least, the mystery of matter ...Subsequent to even still greater progress and further discoveries ...forever will scientists be powerless to create one atom of matter or to originate one flash of energy or ever to add to matter that which we call life. The creation of energy and the bestowal of life are the prerogatives of the Universal Father and his associate Creator personalities.
3. The force organizers initiate those changes and institute those modifications of space-force which eventuate in energy; the power directors transmute energy into matter; thus the material worlds are born. The Life Carriers initiate those processes in dead matter which we call life, material life. The Morontia Power Supervisors likewise perform throughout the transition realms between the material and the spiritual worlds. The higher spirit Creators inaugurate similar processes in divine forms of energy, and there ensue the higher spirit forms of intelligent life.
4. Force‑energy is imperishable, indestructible; these manifestations of the Infinite may be subject to unlimited transmutation, endless transformation, and eternal metamorphosis; but in no sense or degree, not even to the slightest imaginable extent, could they or ever shall they suffer extinction.
5. Energy is eternal but not infinite ...Forever force and energy go on; having gone out from Paradise, they must return thereto ...All laws, organizations, administrations, and the testimony of universe explorers—everything points to the existence of an infinite God but, as yet, a finite universe, a circularity of endless existence, well‑nigh limitless but, nevertheless, finite in contrast with infinity.
6. I will...endeavor to lessen conceptual confusion by suggesting the advisability of adopting the following classification for...physical energy:
1. Space potency. This is the unquestioned free space presence of the Unqualified Absolute... ABSOLUTA.
2. Primordial force... Passive and potential force becomes active and primordial in response to the resistance afforded by the space presence of the Primary Eventuated Master Force Organizers... SEGREGATA.
3. Emergent energies ...Primordial force is destined to pass through two distinct phases of transmutation in the realms of energy manifestation before appearing as universe power. These two levels of emerging energy are:
a. Puissant energy. This is the powerful‑directional...gigantic energy systems set in motion by the activities of the primary force organizers.
b. Gravity energy ...This secondary or gravity energy is the product of the energy elaboration... set up by the Associate Transcendental Master Force Organizers ...Puissant and gravity energies, when regarded collectively, are spoken of on Uversa as ULTIMATA.
4. Universe power. Space‑force has been changed into space‑energy and thence into the energy of gravity control...This work is carried on by the versatile directors, centers, and controllers of physical energy in the grand universe ...On Uversa we refer to the realm of universe power as GRAVITA.
5. Havona energy ...energy‑power now seems to begin to swing back towards force, but force of a nature very unlike that of space potency and primordial force. Havona energy systems are not dual; they are triune ...TRIATA.
6. Transcendental energy. This energy system operates on and from the upper level of Paradise and only in connection with the absonite peoples. On Uversa it is denominated TRANOSTA.
7. Monota. Energy is close of kin to divinity when it is Paradise energy. We incline to the belief that monota is the living, nonspirit energy of Paradise...We cannot differentiate the nature of Paradise spirit and Paradise monota; they are apparently alike.
7. In the varied suns, planets, and space bodies there are ten grand divisions of matter:
1. Ultimatonic matter ...2. Subelectronic matter ..,3. Electronic matter ...4. Subatomic matter ...5. Shattered atoms ...6. Ionized matter ...7. Atomic matter ...8. The molecular stage of matter ...9. Radioactive matter...l0. Collapsed matter ...
The foregoing classification of matter pertains to its organization rather than to the forms of it's appearance to created beings.
8. Light, heat, electricity, magnetism, chemism, energy, and matter are—in origin, nature, and destiny—one and the same thing ...We do not fully comprehend the almost endless changes to which physical energy may be subject.
9. Throughout all organized space there are gravity‑responding energy currents, power circuits, and ultimatonic activities, as well as organizing electronic energies ...The most nearly empty space known in Nebadon would yield about one hundred ultimatons—the equivalent of one electron—in each cubic inch.
10. Temperature—heat and cold—is secondary only to gravity in the realms of energy and matter evolution. Ultimatons are humbly obedient to temperature extremes. Low temperatures favor certain forms of electronic construction and atomic assembly, while high temperatures facilitate all sorts of atomic breakup and material disintegration.
11. In the superuniverse of Orvonton there are one hundred octaves of wave energy. Of these one hundred groups of energy manifestations, sixty‑four are wholly or partially recognized on Urantia...Wavelike energy manifestations—from the standpoint of twentieth‑century Urantia scientific enlightenment—may be classified into the following ten groups:
1. Infraultimatonic rays ...2. Ultimatonic rays ...3. The short space rays...4. The electronic stage...5. Gamma rays...6. The X‑ray group ...7. The ultraviolet ...9. The white light ...9. Infrared rays ...l0. Hertzian waves...
Of all these ten phases of wavelike energy activity, the human eye can react to just one octave, the whole light of ordinary sunlight.
12. The ultimatons, unknown on Urantia, slow down through many phases of physical activity before they attain the revolutionary‑energy prerequisites to electronic organization... Mutual attraction holds one hundred ultimatons together in the constitution of the electron ...The entire segregation and grouping of electronic matter, together with the electric differentiation of negative and positive bodies of energy‑matter, result from these various functions of the component ultimatonic interassociation.
13. Each atom is a trifle over 1/000,000,000th of an inch in diameter, while an electron weighs a little less than 1/2,000th of the smallest atom, hydrogen... If the mass of matter should be magnified until that of an electron equaled one tenth of an ounce, then were size to be proportionately magnified, the volume of such an electron would become as large as that of the earth.
14. The formation of all matter is on the order of the solar system...Within the atom the electrons revolve about the central proton with about the same comparative room the planets have as they revolve about the sun in the space of the solar system.
15. The local universes are of decimal construction. There are just one hundred distinguishable atomic materializations of space‑energy in a dual universe; that is the maximum possible organization of matter in Nebadon. These one hundred forms of matter consist of a regular series in which from one to one hundred electrons revolve around a central and relatively compact nucleus.
16. While atoms may contain from one to one hundred orbital electrons, only the outer ten electrons of the larger atoms revolve about the central nucleus as distinct and discrete bodies ...The nearer the nucleus, the less there is of electronic individuality ...The first twenty‑seven atoms ...are more easy of comprehension than the rest...Atoms...are similar to persons as to predictability. Statisticians may announce laws governing a large number of either atoms or persons but not for a single individual atom or person.
17. While gravity is one of several factors concerned in holding together a tiny atomic energy system, there is also present in and among these basic physical units a powerful and unknown energy, the secret of their basic constitution and ultimate behavior, a force which remains to be discovered on Urantia. This universal influence permeates all the space embraced within this tiny energy organization.
18. The charged protons and the uncharged neutrons of the nucleus of the atom are held together by the reciprocating function of the mesotron, a particle of matter 180 times a heavy as the electron. Without this arrangement the electric charge carried by the protons would be disruptive of the atomic nucleus ...The mesotron explains certain cohesive properties of the atomic nucleus, but it does not account for the cohesion of proton to proton nor for the adhesion of neutron to neutron. The paradoxical and powerful force of atomic cohesive integrity is a form of energy as yet undiscovered on Urantia.
19. There is in all the physical universes of time and space, notwithstanding the universal manifestation of the decimal constitution of energy, the ever‑present reminder of the reality of the sevenfold electronic organization of prematter...This sevenfold persistence of creative constitution is exhibited in the chemical domains as a recurrence of similar physical and chemical properties in segregated periods of seven when the basic elements are arranged in the order of their atomic weights...that is, the eighth chemically active element resembles the first, the ninth the second, and so on...Man should also note that there are seven colors in the natural spectrum.
20. The philosophy of the universe cannot be predicated on the observations of so‑called science. If such a metamorphosis could not be seen, a scientist would be inclined to deny the possibility of developing a butterfly out of a caterpillar ...Nothing less than transcendental wisdom could ever design units of matter which are at the same time so stable and so efficiently flexible.
21. The universal nonspiritual energies are reassociated in the living systems of non‑Creator minds on various levels, certain of which may be depicted as follows:
1. Preadjutant‑spirit minds. This level of mind is nonexperiencing and ...nonteachable.
2. Adjutant‑spirit minds ...On this level material mind is experiencing: as subhuman (animal) intellect in the first five adjutants; as human (moral) intellect in the seven adjutants; as superhuman(midwayer) intellect in the last two adjutants.
3. Evolving morontia minds ...a synthesis of the material and the spiritual which... functions differentially in response to the 570 levels of morontia life.
22. The cosmic mind ...is the sevenfold diversified mind of time and space, one phase of which is ministered by each of the Seven Master Spirits to one of the seven superuniverses... Mind always connotes the presence‑activity of living ministry plus varied energy systems ...Paradise mind is beyond human understanding; it is existential, nonspatial, and nontemporal.
23. In the evaluation and recognition of mind it should be remembered that the universe is neither mechanical nor magical; it is a creation of mind and a mechanism of law... Mechanisms do not absolutely dominate the total creation; the universe of universes in toto is mind planned, mind made, and mind administered.
24. The ability to discern and discover mind in universe mechanisms depends entirely on the ability, scope, and capacity of the investigating mind engaged in such a task of observation. Time‑space minds, organized out of the energies of time and space, are subject to the mechanisms of time and space.
25. The levels of material mind, such as human mind, are responsive to the interactions of universe gravitation, losing this response only in proportion to spirit identification... Linear‑gravity response is a quantitative measure of nonspirit energy.
26. Since mind co‑ordinates the universe, fixity of mechanisms is nonexistent. The phenomenon of progressive evolution associated with cosmic self‑maintenance is universal. The evolutionary capacity of the universe is inexhaustible in the infinity of spontaneity. Progress towards harmonious unity, a growing experiential synthesis superimposed on an ever‑increasing complexity of relationships, could be effected only by a purposive and dominant mind.
27. The evolution of mechanisms implies and indicates the concealed presence and dominance of creative mind ...Mind always reaches out towards:
1. Creation of material mechanisms.
2. Discovery of hidden mysteries.
3. Exploration of remote situations.
4. Formulation of mental systems.
5. Attainment of wisdom goals.
6. Achievement of spirit levels.
7. The accomplishment of divine destinies ...Mind is always creative.
28. The personality form is the pattern aspect of a living being; it connotes the arrangement of energies, and this, plus life and motion, is the mechanism of creature existence. Even spirit beings have form, and these spirit forms (patterns) are real ...Nearly all beings encountered in the seven superuniverses are possessed of forms ...No two morontia forms are any more alike than any two human bodies... And after the morontia life it will be found that spirit forms are equally diverse, personal, and characteristic of their respective spirit‑mind indwellers.
29. On a material world you think of a body as having a spirit, but we regard the spirit as having a body ...The spirit is the architect, the mind is the builder, the body is the material building.
30. Mind universally dominates matter, even as it is in turn responsive to the ultimate overcontrol of spirit. And with mortal man, only that mind which freely submits itself to the spirit direction can hope to survive the mortal time‑space existence as an immortal child of the eternal spirit world of the Supreme, the Ultimate, and the Absolute: the Infinite.
Discussion Questions
1. How does one explain that the ultimatons of time-space have Paradise as their nucleus?
2. What might lead to the discovery of the forms of energy not known to our scientists?
3. Why were we given this Synopsis of Paper describing the complex nature of energy when the supermortal revelators do not fully understand it?
4. Does the transmutational potentials of energy and the reliability of the laws of nature suggest that they were created by intelligence?
5. What does it mean that our minds lose the response to gravity in proportion to spirit identification?
6. What does it mean that personality is the pattern aspect of a living being?
7. What are the implications of the statement: “The spirit is the architect, the mind is the builder, the body is the material building?”
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