| Concept | Wholeness |
| Relevance | Central preoccupation across diverse belief systems and disciplines |
| Influence on | Esoteric and occult traditions • Art • Architecture • Natural sciences |
| Key principles | Harmony • Unity • Interconnection |
| Historical origins | Ancient Greek • Neoplatonism |
| Philosophical and spiritual significance | Integration • Balance • Completeness • Cosmic unity |
The concept of "wholeness" has been a central and enduring theme across many philosophical, spiritual, and scientific traditions in this timeline. At its core, wholeness represents an ideal state of integration, balance, and completeness - both for the individual and the cosmos as a whole. This holistic view of reality has deep roots in ancient Greek philosophy and later Neoplatonist thought, and continues to shape diverse belief systems and fields of study to this day.
The notion of wholeness, or "holon" (ὅλος), first emerged prominently in the writings of ancient Greek philosophers like Pythagoras, Plato, and Plotinus. These thinkers saw the universe as an interconnected, harmonious system governed by sacred mathematical principles and a unifying, divine essence.
For Pythagoreans, the concept of wholeness was intimately tied to sacred geometry and numerology. They believed that the fundamental building blocks of reality, including numbers, shapes, and musical intervals, were expressions of a deeper, holistic order. The tetractys, an equilateral triangle with 10 points, was seen as a symbolic representation of this all-encompassing wholeness.
Plato elaborated on these ideas, positing that true reality lay not in the physical world of flux and change, but in an eternal, perfect realm of Forms or Ideas. The Forms, including the Form of the Good, embodied the harmonious, integrated principles underlying all existence. Wholeness for Plato was the ultimate metaphysical reality, the Source from which all emanated.
These Hellenic ideas were later synthesized and expanded upon by Neoplatonist thinkers like Plotinus, who saw the cosmos as radiating outward from a single, transcendent principle of the One. Wholeness, or "The All", was equated with the divine Ground of Being - the unitary source, sustainer, and ultimate goal of all existence.
The Neoplatonist conception of wholeness went on to deeply influence a variety of esoteric, occult, and mystical belief systems that gained prominence in this timeline. In these traditions, the pursuit of wholeness became a central spiritual and philosophical aim.
Within Hermeticism, Alchemy, and other Western esoteric currents, wholeness was understood as the ultimate state of integration - a reunification of the fragmented self with the divine unity underlying all things. Alchemical symbolism, such as the ouroboros (a serpent devouring its own tail), represented this continuous cycle of dissolution and regeneration.
In Gnosticism, the divine Pleroma, or "Fullness", was equated with the totality of spiritual existence - the primal, undifferentiated source from which all emanated. The Gnostic aim was to rediscover one's essential unity with this cosmic wholeness, transcending the material world of division and imperfection.
Similarly, in Kabbalah, the Sefirot (divine emanations) were understood as aspects of a greater, unitary Ein Sof ("Infinite"). Kabbalistic teachings emphasized the individual's journey towards integration with this infinite, divine wholeness.
The concept of wholeness has also profoundly shaped various artistic, architectural, and scientific fields in this alternate timeline. Artists and designers have long sought to imbue their works with a sense of harmony, balance, and interconnectedness inspired by holistic principles.
In architecture, the idea of wholeness manifested in the use of sacred geometry, symmetry, and numerical ratios to create structures seen as embodiments of cosmic order. Gaudí's organic, nature-inspired buildings and the harmonious proportions of classical Greek temples are prominent examples.
In music, traditions like Pythagorean tuning and the Doctrine of Affections were premised on the notion that musical intervals and compositions could reflect and evoke a sense of wholeness and universal harmony.
Within the natural sciences, thinkers have long grappled with finding unifying theories and principles that could describe the interconnected nature of reality. Alchemy, Hermeticism, and other esoteric traditions played a key role in the development of early modern scientific thought, with figures like Paracelsus and Newton incorporating holistic, alchemical concepts.
Even in contemporary times, the pursuit of wholeness continues to inspire new scientific paradigms, from general systems theory to the study of complexity and emergence. The enduring appeal of this concept across disciplines attests to its power and significance in this alternate timeline.
Whether in philosophical, spiritual, artistic, or scientific realms, the ideal of wholeness has been a constant preoccupation, representing an ultimate state of integration, balance, and harmony. Its significance extends beyond any single tradition or field - wholeness embodies a fundamental human drive to perceive, express, and align with the deeper, interconnected fabric of existence.
As our understanding of the world evolves, the concept of wholeness continues to be reinterpreted and reimagined, contributing to our ongoing search for meaning, purpose, and a sense of unity within the vast, intricate tapestry of the cosmos. The journey towards wholeness remains a central pursuit in this alternate timeline, one that has indelibly shaped the course of human thought, creativity, and discovery.
