Written on the 17th of February, 2011
It can be argued that the numbers 0, 1 & 2 are the three most important and fundamental numbers to understand life. If we understand these quantities for what they are in relation to the natural world, we see that these three are sufficient in explaining our physical (and perhaps even metaphysical) world. Why? Let’s examine what these numbers mean: 0 is the first integer or whole number, it signifies the quantity of nothing. The number 0 is not divisible, it has no parts, it is the very essence of the concept of whole. In some ways, it is the most “powerful” number if we can call it that, because its properties are not affected by other numbers yet it can negate any number. Zero cannot be multiplied either because it is singular reality. When added or subtracted with other numbers, it blends in perfectly with the number, almost as if it wasn’t there and yet it can swallow whole any number that tries to multiply or divide it, this is its “strength.” It is also a “negative reality” for we can only verify its existence through the absence of a minimum (1). In other words, if a thing (1) is not there, then we can say there is nothing or (0). Zero in-of-itself is technically the most whole and largest number if we consider that it has no spacial dimension and no definition were we to graph the quantity visually; it can be as small or large as infinity. In other words, it cannot be confined to a point, it exists beyond the three dimensions of reality; or rather, it is an element of reality that helps define other variables. This can also be said of the number 1, however, 0 cannot be a graphed spacial quantity the way that number 1 can be represented as a single point on a graph with X, Y, & Z three-dimensional coordinates.
The number 1 is the property of existents, where every existent being can be represented by it and it is also the locus of relationship which begins with the duplication of 1 (that is the number 2.) The number 1 has the property of verification that all existents have (i.e- is it real or not?) If we see a thing, we know it is there and can verify that in some basic physical form it exists. This is the reality of 1. This is also referred to as ‘positive reality.’ 1 is also the primary number of any form of duplicity/multiplicity. If there are four entities, there are four singular loci of relationships; four points on a graph, 1 + 1 + 1 +1. This makes the number 1 the focal point of experience and relationship in all existent beings, for it is by our locus that we engage with another locus, point, or thing. It is the medium through which all interactions take place.
The number 2 is the beginning of all spacial relationships between two existent entities. It signifies duplicity and this we see occurring everywhere in the natural world. If there are two loci of experience it is true that there can always be some form of relationship between the two, just as on a graph there can always be a line connecting the two points. Once the initial connection is there it exists on some plane forever, even if the two points themselves no longer exist physically, it can always be stated that “at such-and-such point in time, this kind of relationship existed between these two.” It is important to note that the term ‘spacial relationship’ is not limited to the physical three-dimensional world and it extends onto the spiritual plane where the points or physical loci of manifestation may have moved or no longer exist but the connection between them is still existent. Once something is connected in some way it can never be unconnected. If I know Sally it means I’ve connected with her entity on some level, even if we move far apart or have never met physically, my locus of experience (i.e- my ‘self’) has interacted with her existence and a connection becomes established. Were I to die, it can always be stated “Shawn knew Sally.” And just as any number of shapes can be made to connect these two entities, there are a virtually infinite array of possible relationships (1) can have with another (1). So we see that these three numbers explain the three-dimensional plane we experience in the natural world. The number 0 explains the concept of infinity or limitless-ness, it signifies non-existence and the unverifiable existents as none-things that still have a reality ( it’s something) that’s why we call the number 0 an integer because it designates a quantity (even if we don’t know what that quantity is.) In short, 0 signifies the world of ‘negative reality.’ The number 1 signifies existent reality or ‘positive reality,’ existents that can be verified by the five senses. It also introduces the concept of multiplicity and the smallest form of that is in the dyad (1) + (1). This is precisely the significance of the number 2, in that it introduces duplicity and the beginning of all relationships. None-existence (negative) existence (positive,) and duplicity; 0,1,& 2 account for the three-dimensions.
If we look at life, we see that the most basic observations to be made in life are the verifications of reality or truths, “does it exist/does it not exist?” Whenever we encounter anything in the physical world the instantaneous report we receive from our brain and senses is – “it exists.” When we know something exists, we know we can interact with it in some way; we can approach it, engage it with our senses or simply ponder some aspect of it. That is really the meaning of life – the relationships between truths. The statement, “I am here” and “you are here” doesn’t mean much but the relationship between the two existents “I” and “you” is where all the meaning lies. This is where a discussion of shapes becomes useful. If we say that life is the verification of truths, we can also say these truths are loci or points on a graph that exist in time and space. If we say that the graph is the natural world, then the graph quickly begins filling up of points on varying dimensions ad infinitum. But what’s missing is the connections between these truths. This is where we “connect the dots” and give meaning to the relationships between entities; for example, what is their distance? We said earlier that any relationship starts between two points and this is true of all shapes as well. We can make any shape by joining two line segments and complex ones at that. If I am engaged in conversation between two others, we become three. Graphically, we can be shaped as a triangle on the same plane or our three points can exist on three different planes. But whatever the case may be, each point is connected to the other two by a line segment; in other words, it is an engagement of two or duplicity. This is why any form of multiplicity is essentially dealing with 2 at a time. Whether we speak of tens, hundreds, or thousands of people, graphically these are all points with line segments joining them in whatever fashion. The total (n) quantity of points itself is insignificant, what is significant is that any interaction is always duplicity at work because that is the basic structure of any relationship – a line segment, and how the two points connect.
If we then were to look at our own lives we’d see that our life would graphically look like a center point with line segments extending in all directions to various other points on the grid. Each one of us has formed so many relationships in our lives that it would almost look like a beam of light radiating from a single point in space and stretching in all directions (picture the glare from the sun as a visual.) Since each self is a locus of experience, each one of those existent points itself would have these ‘rays of light’ extending outward to other points, one of which would be connecting to you. Such a brilliant array of relationships would look nothing short of celestial constellations shining in all directions. Such is the story of life that starts from nonexistence (0) and moves unto existence (1) and continues from duplicity (2) and its many degrees of relationships, 3, 4, 5… and so on so forth.
Finally we can discuss the metaphysical world that begins with 0. The number 0 is really like a gateway between the positive and negative realities. Once the body is dead, does that entity continue to exist? Yes, but not in the same way. We speak of historical figures in this way and some existents have passed away thousands of years ago but are still remembered today, they exist for us in some manner and exert influence upon us whether it be their teaching or influence that shapes our perceptions and experience of our life. In other words, they have meaning to us and therefore, relevance. So if we look at a life, let’s refer to it by quantity (1), can we say that once it is no longer physically existent, it becomes (0)? Yes and no. In a mathematical sense of subtraction, yes it becomes zero but the existent does not become “no-thing,” rather they become a none-thing or a negative entity; something which can no longer be
physically verified as a truth or axis, point, or locus of experience. Does this mean that they stop experiencing simply because we can no longer perceive its ability to experience? Not necessarily. Remember, the number 0 is neither small nor large, as paradoxical as it may seem it is both at the same time because we cannot perceive what it really is; so too, are the dead that pass away, for their quality is ambiguous but it can be stated that they are now, after having passed on to the other side, (-1).
Why -1? Because they still exist as an entity on some plane, even if not physically present, their meaning exists and therefore the connection or relationship to us exists – they are some-thing, and a thing we know is a quantity of 1. It is negative because we cannot see it, we cannot count 1,2,3 spirits for example, because we cannot measure negative quantities with our senses. But we know that when they were living they were (1) existent and it is likely they are now (1) existent as well, only negative for having gone beyond the zero. Thought is an example of a negative existence because its something that doesn’t have a positive form, but can we put a quantity on it? In some ways, yes, because we say things like “I had a thought” which is singular or “I was thinking” which we know is a collection of singular thoughts. So if thoughts work like negative numbers, aren’t memories of the same cloth? A memory, afterall, is a thought about a relationship between two entities; so duplicity still exists between the two, only in different states. The deceased is remembered and memories are passed on to future generations and the non-existent remains as (-1). Here we can also say that (-1) +(-1) is the duplicity or relationship between two non-existents (-2) just as two positive entities bonding are (2). We can see that, although non-existent in the positive sense, there is still a quantity to these entities even beyond the physical world and that the elements in this world still apply to the next world. It is how we can say we (1) live in a world of relationships formed through duplicity (2) and when we are subtracted from the world, we pass through (0) and continue relationships on the other side as (-1) & (-2).
One shape that symbolizes the world and its dynamics that hasn't yet been addressed is the circle. If we look at our physical world (the planet) we see it is an ellipsoid, or oblate spheroid technically-speaking, but nonetheless a type of circle or sphere. The characteristic of a sphere is a center point in space that is surrounded on all sides by more or less equal distance from the center point. Without getting so much into geometry, we can see that there is a start and end overlap that can be traced as we travel the distance around the sphere; in other words, there is a revolving nature to it. We find in life there is duality and complimentarity to many things: the sun and the moon, light and dark, male and female, good and evil, Summer and Winter, Spring and Autumn, life and death, movement and quietude, etc. The eastern traditions speak of the Tao as harmony of the cosmic principles of Yin & Yang and Hinduism speaks of the principle of Karma and both Hinduism and Buddhism speak of life as the Samsara (cycle) of birth and death. These traditions note the actions of nature and man are governed by this spherical law; that what goes up must come down, what is left goes right- what is will become its opposite. When we travel around the sphere there is a polar opposite point that supports our position, so when we are good it is because we are not bad, when we are alive its because we're not dead, and when there is light it is because there is no darkness, etc. There is also revolution in life and is evident: the seasons shift in turn, the strong become the weak and the weak become strong, parents raise children then are cared for by their offspring in old age, etc. The complimentarity of nature necessitates the opposites to co-exist and creates duality in the world. Duality and complimentarity suggest that there are polar opposites and polar opposites suggest a sphere and a sphere suggests revolution. This explains why there is a cyclical pattern to life when examining mental and physical worlds.
Life and the afterlife can then be summarized on the number scale of a range of (-2) to (2) where positive and negative relationships continue with the axis of experience (our selves or souls) between the gate of (0) which acts as the mediator of life and death. And all the relationships we form are as numerous as the shapes we can form between various points on a grid. These relationships give us the meaning to our existence and life while life itself is simply the verification of truths which is fashioned by complimentarity and revolution; opposite forces and repetition.
