One of the basic concepts of Geometry is the existence of the point. A point is not a thing; but a location. Each point has no length nor width - it is literally dimension-less. And moreover, there are an infinity of points, no matter how you limit the space in which you look. Inside a proton, or the entire Universe...you will find an infinity of points. In essence, a Universe of points.
Each point, though dimension-less, is an entity entirely separate from all other points. Therefore, each point lies some measurable distance from all other points. This distance is most easily measured by a straight line. I can take any two points and create a line. Thus, I now can define this line by its length - and describe the first dimension. And thus, since there is a Universe of points, we can say there is a linear, one-dimension Universe as well.
Now, I can take any three points and create a plane - a completely flat, limitless surface. It has no height (or thickness, if you wish), which is important. A creature who existed on such a plane would be able define his (or her) existence by two dimensions - length, and width. There theoretically exists an entire Universe of only length and width, comprised of a Linear and point Universes.
Think back to Algebra; we learned how to locate any point on a piece of paper, which is as close as we can approximate a plane. On a plane every point has a location (x,y). That just means go over x, and up y. If you asked me how to get to the store, I would give you some variation of these directions.
But the second dimension is too limited for our existence. Everything in our Universe is defined by three dimensions - length, width and height. And our Universe is again comprised of a planar Universe, a linear Universe, and a point Universe.
Now consider this: any creature who existed on the point dimension would have no ability to conceive of the existence - or even the possibility of - a life on the line which connects his point to another creature living on a separate point.
Furthermore, a creature on the line world could not be equipped intellectually to understand that there is a completely different world outside of his one-dimension world.
Continuing in that vein, a creature living on the two-dimensional surface world could not comprehend life here in the third-dimension. To him, as we pass through his second dimension, he could only recognize that a point appeared from nowhere, grew in size, diminished in size and finally disappears - with no notice. To his conception, we were created, existed, and then suddenly "died". Which of course isn't true; our existence in the third dimension is independent of - and higher than - a two-dimensional creature's ability to grasp. But that doesn't change his perception - we died in his world.
A creature on the first dimension could create a shadow, which could darken the point Universe along its entire length, though the point creatures would have no concept of why their existence has mysteriously darkened. And a creature on a plane would cast a shadow as he moved through the linear Universe - again, leaving the linear creatures baffled by the sudden appearance/disappearance in their existence.
On a sunny day, you can stand outside and create a shadows on a piece of paper. Any planar creatures would be terrified and in awe. Yet, they couldn't explain it no matter how hard they tried - they simply aren't capable.
Which brings me to this point - what reason do we have to think that our Universe is the final in this series? Science has tried so hard to explain our existence by using three dimensional facts, yet really, most of what we take as scientific fact studiously tries to discount any possibility of some One greater than ourselves, that we simply can't comprehend. And it must be said that theology has a history of silencing any considerations that take corrupt worldly power from the equation. See Copernicus...
Yet, without a doubt in my mind there simply is more; it is actually silly to think otherwise. Look at what science tells us; our 3D Universe simply popped into existence - like the 3D creature passing through a plane. We are born, become aware that we exist, then suddenly and inexplicably disappear. Where to? And why? I would think that science would be excited to inquire about such a possibility.
Is it possible that we are only shadows of another higher life - a Being on a higher dimension? And if so, what is wrong with acknowledging that life as God?
My wife lost a friend today; and though we can be sad that she has popped out of existence here, I myself am comforted by the fact that there is a Universe, possibly an Infinity of Universes, that I can't conceive. And in which all we see as temporal is, in fact, eternal.
Ma salama, Doli!
