Radiance of Consciousness

By Victor V. Motti*

If we begin by assuming Ontological Unity—the idea that all existence is a single, undivided non-local and non-dual reality in perpetual Dynamic Manifestation—we are invited into a worldview that dissolves the hard boundaries between self and other, mind and matter, life and cosmos. In such a framework, each localized body and mind is not an isolated entity, but a unique modulation, a modal intensity of being. Like waves upon an ocean, individuality arises not as separation but as variation within the universal field.

The mind, then, is not a private possession locked inside the skull. It is better imagined as a node within the universal stream of consciousness, inseparable from the greater flow, yet distinguishable by its participation. Consciousness is not merely contained—it is enacted, radiated, shared. Each thought, perception, and awareness is a ripple in this cosmic current.

In this cosmopoetic vision, every conscious being—human, animal, plant, and perhaps even emergent artificial intelligences—can be understood as a kind of white hole. If a black hole consumes and conceals, the white hole releases and reveals. Each being radiates awareness in its own manner, serving as a locus where intelligence and meaning erupt into the field of being. What accounts for this radiance remains a mystery, though one might speculate that it emerges from singular geometric properties of spacetime itself, shaped by the intricate energy-momentum configurations of the brain—or analogous structures in other living and non-living systems.

This vision pushes us beyond metaphors toward a profound demand: the search for a new mathematics, a new geometry, capable of integrating all scales of reality—from the subatomic to the stellar to the sentient. The quest is not merely technical but existential. Without such a unifying structure, we remain fragmented in our sciences and philosophies, unable to grasp the deep continuity of being. With it, however, we may begin to perceive how the same principles that organize galaxies also pulse through the firing of neurons, the blossoming of a flower, and the birth of an idea.

To embrace this perspective is to recognize consciousness not as an accident of evolution or a byproduct of matter, but as an ontological radiation—an essential mode of being. Each of us, in our smallness, is a window through which the universe gazes back at itself.

* Victor V. Motti is the author of Planetary Foresight and Ethics

Unity of Existence: An Indo-Iranic Legacy

Mulla Sadra (1571–1640), one of the most profound philosophers carried forward an inheritance that stretched back to the Indo-Iranic imagination of the cosmos. His work, though framed within the language of Islam, resonates with the ancient metaphysical current of Arta/Rta—the principle of universal order and truth. At the heart of his philosophy lies a bold claim: the universe is not a collection of separate entities but the unified, dynamic unfolding of a single Being.

 
The Core of His Vision

When Mulla Sadra speaks of the Unity of Existence, he is not offering a metaphor but describing the very structure of reality. The cosmos is one Being, manifesting itself at different levels and intensities. Mountains, rivers, animals, humans, and even thoughts are not isolated things but gradations of the same underlying reality. This vision rests on three intertwined principles:


Unity of Existence – All that exists is but one Being, refracted into countless forms.


Gradation of Existence – Reality reveals itself in degrees, from the faintest mode of being to the most intense.


Dynamic Manifestation – Existence is never static but in constant renewal, a ceaseless unfolding of Being moment by moment.

In this sense, Sadra’s universe is alive, pulsing, and ever-transforming—a metaphysical dance of unity in diversity.

 
Implications Beyond Philosophy

The consequences of this vision stretch beyond abstract ontology. If all beings are gradations of the same reality, then separation is an illusion. This leads to:


Holistic Understanding – A cosmos where nothing is isolated, where every fragment carries the whole.


Ontological Unity – An insistence that we share a common source, making otherness less foreign and more like an echo of the self.


Spiritual Depth – A call to recognize and reconnect with the deeper unity behind appearances, which turns philosophy into a spiritual path.

Sadra’s perspective, while deeply philosophical, becomes also ethical and mystical—it reshapes how one relates to the world, to others, and to oneself.

 
Innovation and Resistance

Yet, Sadra’s originality came at a cost. His Transcendent Theosophy (al-Hikmat al-Mutaʿāliyah) synthesized Avicenna’s rationalism, Suhrawardī’s illuminationism, and Sufi mysticism into a single framework. Such daring integration appeared unorthodox to Islamic religious authorities. His insistence on the primacy of existence, his merging of philosophy and mysticism, and his critique of rigid scholasticism invited suspicion.

Sadra faced accusations of heresy and endured exile, but he survived to complete his philosophical system. Suhrawardī, the visionary before him who founded Illuminationist philosophy, was not so fortunate. Seen as dangerously unorthodox, he was condemned and ultimately assassinated in Aleppo at the age of thirty-six. Their fates illustrate the fragile balance between intellectual innovation and political-religious power: one forced into the solitude of exile, the other silenced permanently.

 
A Living Legacy

Today, Mulla Sadra’s thought continues to ripple through discussions of metaphysics, ontology, and spirituality. His emphasis on Being as a dynamic, unified reality resonates with contemporary searches for holistic worldviews that bridge science, philosophy, and spirituality. In his work, one hears both the voice of the ancient Indo-Iranic sages who spoke of cosmic and natural order, the Truth, and the modern quest for unity in an age fractured by division.

Sadra’s legacy is therefore double-edged: a reminder of the courage required to think beyond inherited limits, and an invitation to glimpse the hidden unity beneath the surface of all things. His philosophy is not only a historical system but a living orientation—a way of seeing the universe as a continuous revelation of Being.

Planetary Consciousness, Foresight, and Ethics

Following the publication of Planetary Foresight and Ethics (2025) and the 2021 launch of the Alternative Planetary Futures Institute (Ap-Fi) in Washington, D.C., Victor V. Motti shares insights on why planetary consciousness matters now more than ever.

Q: Please tell us more about what you mean by "planetary consciousness."

Victor V. Motti:
Planetary consciousness can be understood in two complementary ways:

Being conscious of the planet.
This means developing a sustained awareness that we belong to Planet Earth—our biosphere, our web of life, our shared spaceship traveling through the cosmos. This requires both:

Internal transformation: Cultivating habits of thought and identity that place Earth at the center of rights, imagination and responsibility.

External action: Monitoring the planet’s health using satellites, geospatial tools, and big data analytics to understand how human activity—through the noosphere—shapes the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.

The consciousness of the planet.
This is a more speculative but fascinating idea: the Earth as a super-organism might develop a form of intelligence. With the rapid expansion and integration of human and AI networks, a holistic planetary mind may be emerging.

Q: How does futurism and foresight play into this vision?

Victor V. Motti:
Foresight is about long-term thinking and anticipating radical change. The biggest picture imaginable is Earth as a unified system.

As humanity moves toward deeper space engagement by 2050s, two transformations are essential:

Inner: Adopting planetary consciousness as part of our value systems in the 2040s.


Outer: Building infrastructures—energy systems, data networks, governance—that align with planetary well-being.

This is not utopian speculation; it is a foresight imperative for survival and resilience.

Q: What is needed to go from balkanized nation-states to a true Terran identity?

Victor V. Motti:
Planetization—a concept we promote—does not mean erasing ethnic, linguistic, or national identities. It adds a new layer: planetary identity. You can celebrate your heritage while embracing your role as a Terran citizen.

Unlike globalization, which emphasizes open borders and unrestricted flows of goods, capital and labor, planetization is a mindset change that can thrive under diverse political systems. Steps include:

Adopting calendars based on Earth events—equinoxes, solstices, or Earthrise as Year Zero.


Creating rituals and traditions that honor planetary milestones.

Through the Alternative Planetary Futures Institute, we are developing initiatives and social innovation such as public Terran profiles to foster these cultural shifts.

Q: How does this conversation differ in secular spaces?

Victor V. Motti:
When people hear “consciousness,” they often think of spirituality or New Age movements. While some traditions align with planetary thinking, our approach is secular, ethical, and actionable.

We are not offering heaven; we are working to prevent a planetary hell. For secular contexts, planetary consciousness means:

Applying systems thinking to complex challenges.


Recognizing planetary boundaries as ethical imperatives.


Pursuing universal ethics, values and goals like those embedded in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

These frameworks already embody planetary consciousness in practice.

Q: How does your book Planetary Foresight and Ethics contribute to this conversation?

Victor V. Motti:
The book provides both a conceptual roadmap and practical tools for aligning foresight methodologies with planetary ethics. It invites policymakers, futurists, and citizens to imagine not only possible futures but desirable and ethical futures for humanity and the Earth.

Planetary Consciousness and the Return to the Being: A Grand Synthesis

I. The Crisis and the Calling

In the early 21st century, Planetary Consciousness is no longer a mystical luxury—it is a civilizational necessity. As humanity faces the converging crises of ecological collapse, political fragmentation, technological acceleration, and spiritual exhaustion, we are also invited—perhaps forced—into a new kind of self-awareness. This is not merely geopolitical or technological; it is ontological. It calls into question how we see ourselves, reality, and the meaning of life itself.

The book Planetary Foresight and Ethics, and the visionary efforts of the Alternative Planetary Futures Institute—all converge on this point: To regenerate the future, we must regenerate consciousness.

II. The Meaning of Life as Conscious Participation in Being

Fabrice Grinda’s recent philosophical essay on the Meaning of Life—with its turn toward altered states, non-dual experience, and love without ego—resonates deeply with ancient Indo-Iranic wisdom tradition. At its core, it echoes what Indo-Iranic philosophers, mystics, sages, and poets have always known and experienced.

This insight is the backbone of non-dual philosophy, whether in Advaita Vedānta, Sufism, Taoism, or modern psychedelic phenomenology. The ultimate Truth is not separate from the world—it is the world, experienced in fullness when the ego collapses and awareness becomes whole.

The idea that our species is evolving toward a shared awareness, not just of our interdependence, but of our co-being with the Earth and cosmos. This consciousness is not merely rational—it is intuitive, embodied, and metaphysical.

III. Indo-Iranic Lineages

Our philosophical foundation is unique in its rootedness in Indo-Iranic traditions, drawing particularly from:

Attar of Nishapur, whose Seven Valleys mirror the spiritual odyssey from egoic fragmentation to divine wholeness. The innovative modern interpretation in Planetary Foresight and Ethics—the Valley of Enriching Complexity—shows that the end of the journey is not disappearance into the One, but an active flourishing in multiplicity, with the ego dissolved and the heart aligned.

Mulla Sadra’s Four Journeys perfectly aligns with the ethical return from mystical union to public action. This journey from Creation to the Truth, and back from the Truth to Creation, is the path of the planetary steward—one who dies to the ego and returns with the Truth in multiplicity, ready to serve the flourishing of life.

IV. Entheogens and the Space of the Mind

In our vision, altered states of consciousness are not distractions, but technologies of reconnection. Whether through sacred plants, meditation, dreamwork, or the highly preferred way of philosophical and scientific inquiry, these are modalities of being that dissolve habitual thought and allow the deeper Self—the Being—to emerge. From Soma and Haoma, to modern psychedelics, to the poetic folk phrase of “space-traveling”, humanity has always known that mind-altering experiences open doors to cosmic insight.

V. Public Profiles and New Modalities of Consciousness

The mission of the Alternative Planetary Futures Institute extends beyond research into transformative educational practice and applied community engagement through philosophical and scientific inquiry.

The initiatives of the Full Moon gathering and the public Terran profile are profound yet simple first steps toward cultivating new civilizational rituals that anchor consciousness in ethical cosmology. It is an invitation to see oneself as a planetary being—a participant in the unfolding story of Earth, not merely a consumer or citizen of a nation-state. It is also a subtle reintroduction of post-religious rites of belonging, drawing on pantheistic, naturalistic, and intuitionalist modes of knowing.

VI. The Ethics of Enriching Complexity

The culmination of synthesis is a new ethical paradigm—Enriching Complexity—that arises after ego death and planetary awakening. This ethic does not seek utopia, purity, or finality. It embraces: Plurality without division, Technology without domination, Identity without ego, Evolution without teleology.

It echoes Mulla Sadra’s fourth journey—“With the Truth in Creation”—and Attar’s final valley, where the seeker no longer seeks, but becomes the mirror of the Real.

VII. Modern Science 

In Quantum Field Theory (QFT), the most fundamental entities are fields, not particles. What we call a “particle” (like an electron or photon) is understood as a localized excitation of an underlying field that spans all space. There is one field per particle type (e.g., electron field, Higgs field), and the universe is a sea of such overlapping fields. The "vacuum" is not empty; it's the lowest-energy state of these fields. A particle is not a fixed substance, but a temporary fluctuation, a mode, or wave packet in an omnipresent field. 

The single Lagrangian equation in QFT is a compact, elegant way to express the full physical content of a theory: all particles (fields), forces (interactions), and dynamics—unified in one mathematical framework, often as a summation over multiple fields and interactions. This reflects the deep idea in modern physics that the universe is fundamentally a field-based unity, not a collection of separate, isolated particles. 

The universal wavefunction describes the quantum state of the entire universe—a single, all-encompassing wavefunction that includes all particles, fields, and their interactions. Every possible arrangement and interaction of all fields is contained in the universal quantum state. All subsystems (including ourselves) are entangled within this wavefunction, meaning that separability is an approximation, not fundamental reality.

This maps beautifully onto Sadra's ontological vision.

VIII. A Grand Synthesis 

Compare these: The Being is primary and flows through all things. Quantum fields are primary, and all particles are field excitations. Individual beings are modulations of the single reality of existence. Particles are modulations/excitations of a continuous field. Degrees of being (tashkīk al-wujūd) from minerals to intellects. Different energy levels or field intensities determine different phenomena. The soul is not self-contained but a moment of flow. A particle is not self-contained; it cannot exist without the field. Ontology is Eulerian—focused on the flow at various points. QFT is field-based—values at each point in spacetime are what matter.

Sadra's framework aligns with a non-dual and relational model of reality. QFT supports a similar ontological move: It denies the atomistic, substance-based ontology of classical physics. It affirms a relational, process-based universe where identity arises through participation in a field. In this way, Sadra’s wujūd-based ontology is not just spiritually insightful but conceptually relevant to contemporary physics—particularly as physicists and philosophers of science move toward process philosophy, relational theories connecting the parts to the whole, and non-dual ontologies.

If we integrate the metaphysical insights of Mulla Sadra, the Indo-Iranic concept of Ṛta/Arta, and the modern frameworks like quantum field theory (QFT) and relational holism, a consistent picture emerges: The Ultimate Truth is neither matter nor mind (al-Ḥaqq, Ṛta, Arta, Reality-as-such) is non-local and non-dual.

In Sadrian metaphysics, The Truth, the Being, is not confined to any single object—it flows through all things, manifests in degrees, and is everywhere present. In QFT, the interacting fields are everywhere, and particles are excitations within them—there is no point in spacetime without a field. Also, entanglement and quantum nonlocality further dismantle the idea of separable, local entities.

In Indo-Iranic metaphysics, reality is cosmically ordered and interconnected—not a collection of atomistic parts, but a patterned, lawful whole. Truth is not “somewhere” in space or time—it is the underlying field or flow in which all local appearances arise.

Sadra denies a real duality between essence and existence, mind and body, creator and creation (in the ultimate sense). Everything is a graded manifestation of one flowing Being.

In QFT and systems theory, there is no sharp divide between “thing” and “process.” What we call particles, selves, or systems are emergent modes—never separate from the whole.

Similarly, in non-dual philosophies like Advaita Vedanta ultimate reality (Brahman, Śūnyatā) is not-two. There are no ultimately separate entities—only temporary apparent configurations of a single, undivided reality.

IX. Implications for Consciousness and Ethics

Consciousness, then, is not a private possession of individual minds, but a localized opening within the flow of Being. Ethics is not rule-following from without, but attunement to the rhythm of the real—the cosmic Rta/Arta, the metaphysical Wujūd.

The Ultimate Truth is the non-dual, non-local, non-Abrahamic flow of existence—field-like, relational, ever-becoming, and hierarchically manifest. The foundational relationship it offers is not that of slave and master, sheep and shepherd, property and owner, or subject and king—all of which emerge from dominator ontologies rooted in fear, hierarchy, and control.

All things are waves in this ocean. The spiritual task is not to grasp Truth, but to resonate, seek union, and realign oneself with it—to realize that the knower, the known, and the act of knowing are all expressions of a single, infinite Being.

This is the shared horizon where Sadra’s transcendent theosophy, Ṛta’s cosmic order, and quantum field theory’s metaphysics converge into a deeply planetary philosophy of consciousness and ethics.

X. Unitarian Universalist (UU) tradition

This vision aligns deeply with many core values and beliefs found within the Unitarian Universalist (UU) tradition, particularly in its more philosophical and cosmological dimensions. 

While Unitarian Universalism has no fixed creed or dogma, its ethos is grounded in pluralism, personal spiritual exploration, and a deep commitment to interconnectedness, justice, and planetary care. many UUs embrace panentheistic, process, or naturalistic understandings of the divine. The emphasis is on truth as unfolding and reality as interconnected. 

The UU tradition explicitly affirms the inherent worth and dignity of every person, and the focus is on conscious participation in shared being, moral autonomy, and mutual respect. The Principle of UU calling to “respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part,” directly affirms a relational, non-dual ontology. 

Many UUs, particularly eco-theologians and process thinkers, adopt similar views that see life, mind, and ethics as emergent, dynamic, and woven into a cosmic whole. UU congregations actively draw on a wide array of religious and philosophical traditions,—alongside science and humanism. There is room within UU theology for planetary synthesis. 

Many UUs adopt or are open to process theology, cosmic evolution, and non-theistic spirituality—seeing human consciousness as part of an evolving universe. This vision affirms spiritual growth, awareness, and ethical responsibility not as submission, but as unfolding self-realization within an interconnected whole.
  

XI. Conclusion: From the Waters of Being to the Fire of Planetary Action

This is the heart of Planetary Foresight and Ethics: A future anchored in non-dual awareness, evolutionary complexity, and cosmic belonging.

It is a future where the human being is not separate from the universe, but a mode of its unfolding. Where love, Being, and consciousness converge—not in abstraction, but in the living fabric of a planetary civilization awakening to itself.

Suggested Resources:


Grinda, Fabrice. (2025). The Meaning of Life. https://fabricegrinda.com/the-meaning-of-life


Motti, Victor V. (2025). Planetary Foresight and Ethics: A Vision for Humanity’s Futures. Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing.

Nurturing the Able Foresight Scholar: The Crucial Attributes

The field of foresight holds significant importance in shaping the future by understanding the present and anticipating potential outcomes. To become an able foresight scholar, one must possess a diverse skill set and specific personality traits that enable them to explore the complexities of the future. In this post, we delve into the necessary and sufficient key attributes that define an able foresight scholar.

Firm Footing in Philosophy:

A strong foundation in philosophy, especially epistemology and ontology, is crucial for an able foresight scholar. Epistemology equips scholars with the tools to analyze knowledge and discern between assumptions and valid reasoning, while ontology allows them to grasp the fundamental nature of existence and systems. This helps foresight scholars construct sound methodologies and interpret various future scenarios with rigor.

Mastery of Mathematics:

Logic and argumentation are pivotal components of foresight. The ability to reason logically and construct valid arguments aids foresight scholars in critically evaluating trends, uncertainties, and potential outcomes. Proficiency in mathematics facilitates the use of quantitative analysis to model complex systems.

Thorough Understanding of History:

History serves as an invaluable teacher, enabling foresight scholars to learn from past. An able foresight scholar should possess extensive knowledge of both world history and the histories of different countries and regions. This insight helps identify historical patterns, draw parallels, and comprehend the evolution of societies, economies, and technologies.

Personality Trait of Insatiable Curiosity:

An insatiable curiosity drives foresight scholars to explore the unknown and venture beyond conventional boundaries. This trait encourages constant questioning, openness to new perspectives, and a willingness to challenge established notions, ultimately leading to innovative and transformative insights.

Artistic Expression:

Foresight scholarship often involves translating complex ideas into accessible narratives that resonate with diverse audiences. An artistic flair enables scholars to convey complex futures concepts through storytelling, visuals, and other creative means, fostering broader engagement and understanding.

The Necessary and Sufficient:

All five attributes mentioned above are indispensable and, when combined, form a complete and essential set of qualities for an able foresight scholar. Each attribute plays a crucial role in shaping a scholar's proficiency in foresight, and they become truly powerful when taken together as a whole. 

Only by possessing a firm footing in philosophy, mastery of mathematics, a thorough understanding of history, an insatiable curiosity, and an artistic expression can one achieve the level of competence required to navigate the complexities of the future effectively. These attributes are mutually reinforcing and serve as the necessary and sufficient elements that define a truly capable and visionary foresight scholar.