The Universal One

1. The Universe is One: Mind, Light, and Matter Intertwined

There is but One universe, One Mind, One force, One substance.

Monistic View. The core tenet of Russell's philosophy is the fundamental unity of all existence. God, Mind, the universe, light, and matter are not separate entities but different expressions of a single, underlying substance. This monistic view challenges traditional dualistic notions of a spiritual realm distinct from the physical world.

Light as Substance. Russell identifies light as the tangible substance of Mind, the very fabric of reality. All created things, visible and invisible, are ultimately composed of light in varying states of motion. This concept blurs the lines between spirit and matter, suggesting that both are simply different manifestations of the same fundamental essence.

Implications of Oneness. Recognizing the interconnectedness of all things has profound implications for human understanding and action. It implies that every individual is an integral part of the universal Mind, possessing the potential for omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence. This awareness fosters a sense of responsibility and interconnectedness with all of creation.

2. Life is Eternal: A Vitalizing Property of All Matter

All life is immortal life. There is no mortal life.

Inherent Vitality. Russell rejects the conventional view of life as a property separate from matter, instead asserting that life is an inherent characteristic of all existence. Inorganic matter is not lifeless but imbued with the same vitalizing principle as organic beings. This perspective challenges the traditional distinction between living and non-living entities.

Motion as Life's Expression. Life, according to Russell, is the registration of Mind's thinking process in matter. The sequence of alternating electromagnetic pulsations that constitute thought manifests as the orderly, periodic phenomenon we call growth. All matter is evolving, growing, and living, reflecting the continuous activity of the universal Mind.

Beyond Duality. The concept of eternal life transcends the conventional duality of life and death. Death is not an ending but a transition, a return to the state of motion-in-inertia before a new cycle of expression begins. The One substance of the universe cannot be de-energized, and life is merely the registration of states of motion of thinking Mind.

3. Thinking Mind: The Architect of Reality

Thinking is the cause of motion and the periodicities, or states of motion, caused by thinking Mind are registered in light which man calls “matter.”

Mind as the Prime Mover. Russell posits that the dynamic action of thinking is the sole cause of all motion in the universe. This thinking is not random but an orderly, evolutionary, and periodic process with absolute limitations. The universe is a product of Mind's continuous, rhythmic, and varied thinking.

Registration in Matter. The process of thinking leaves evidence behind, registering its effects in matter. This registration occurs through the creation of rotating particles of the One substance, which record the thinking of Mind. These particles, or light units, form the basis of all material existence.

Thinking in Light. To truly comprehend the universe, man must learn to "think in light," to understand the electromagnetic periodicities that measure all motion. This involves recognizing that matter is light and that all knowledge exists within man, accessible through the electromagnetic process of thinking Mind.

4. Sex: The Driving Force of Creation and Continuity

Sex is the motive power behind force and motion.

Beyond Biological Function. Russell elevates sex beyond its conventional association with reproduction, presenting it as a fundamental principle governing all aspects of creation. Sex is the active desire of Mind for division into opposites and its reactive desire for unity, driving the continuous process of thinking and creation.

Electro-Magnetic Equalizer. Sex is the apparent division of the One force into electricity and magnetism, two opposite forces that are, in reality, pulsations of the same energy. This division manifests as male and female principles, evolutionary in all things, from the elements to complex organisms.

Continuity of Existence. The sex force is essential for the continuity of existence, ensuring that one impulse of thinking leads to the next. Without the desire for both separation and union, the creation and reproduction of idea would cease, and matter would lose its appearance of existence.

5. Energy Transmission: Reproduction, Not Travel

Light does not travel. It reproduces itself.

Challenging Conventional Wisdom. Russell challenges the traditional scientific view that energy travels through space, proposing instead that energy is reproduced. Light, heat, and other forms of energy do not move from one location to another but are regenerated at each point in space.

Regenerative Impact. Energy transmission occurs through a process of regenerative impact, where expanding states of motion are reversed by encountering inertial planes of higher potential. This impact transforms radiative energy into generative energy, creating a continuous cycle of reproduction.

Universal Interconnectedness. The principle of energy transmission underscores the interconnectedness of all things. Every point in the universe is both a source and a receiver of energy, constantly exchanging and reproducing states of motion. This universality ensures that all idea is reproduced throughout the entirety of Mind.

6. Finite Universe: Comprehensible and Measurable

This is a boundless, eternal, dimensionless universe of definite limitations both as to all cause and to all effects of cause.

Limitations of Mind. Russell asserts that the universe, while eternal and boundless, is finite and limited in its scope. Mind, the source of all creation, is itself limited in its power, knowledge, and creative force. This limitation implies that all effects of cause are measurable and comprehensible to man.

Rejection of Infinity. The concept of a finite universe challenges the traditional notion of an infinite God and an infinite creation. Russell argues that a limited, measurable universe cannot be infinite, and a Divinity limited in its range of cause cannot be infinite.

Implications for Comprehension. The finiteness of the universe brings cause and effect within the realm of human comprehension. By understanding the measurable cause, man can comprehend and measure all effects, gaining absolute control over matter and the power to create within the same limitations as God.

7. Dimensionless Reality: Beyond Appearances

The universe of Mind is a dimensionless universe.

Illusion of Dimension. Russell emphasizes that dimension is merely an appearance, an effect of motion, and not an inherent attribute of the One substance. Concepts like space, time, and mass are illusions created by the dynamic action of thinking Mind.

Thinking in Light. To grasp the true nature of reality, man must transcend objective thinking and embrace subjective, dimensionless thinking. This involves shifting from the low-speed, objective thinking of the outer mind to the high-speed, inner thinking of the inner Mind.

The Real and the Unreal. The substance of matter is eternal, but its illusions of dimension are fleeting. By recognizing the unrealities of dimension, man can access the reality of light, the universal language in which the Divine Concept is plainly written.

8. The Formula of Locked Potentials: Universal Order

The numerals of this formula are the hours of the cosmic clock. They are in the relative positions of the atoms of the elements and in the order of their respective varying dimensions.

Cosmic Clock. Russell introduces the "formula of locked potentials" as a means of measuring all dimensions of the universe. This formula, based on the orderly periodicity of motion, provides a framework for understanding the relationships between the elements and their varying dimensions.

Octave Periodicity. With two exceptions (mass and tone), all dimensions of motion follow the same orderly octave periodicity. This periodicity is measurable and comprehensible, allowing man to understand the complex effects of thinking Mind.

Practical Application. By understanding the formula of locked potentials, man can gain the power to transmute elements, synthesize new substances, and control the energies of the universe. This knowledge will revolutionize science and industry, ushering in a new age of material progress.

9. Omnipresence, Omnipotence, Omniscience: Man's Divine Inheritance

Man is Mind. Man is matter. Mind and matter are One. God is Mind.

Inherent Divinity. Russell emphasizes that man is not separate from God but an integral part of the universal Mind. As such, man possesses the same attributes as God: omnipresence, omnipotence, and omniscience. This is not a claim of individual superiority but a recognition of the inherent divinity within all beings.

Reclaiming Our Birthright. Man's limitations stem from his ignorance of his own omnipotence. By recognizing his true nature as Mind, man can overcome these limitations and gain absolute control over matter, creating even as God creates.

Love as the Guiding Principle. The dawning Cosmic Age is being peopled with God-loving men who understand that love is the essence of God-nature and the motivating force of the physical universe. By embracing the Law of Love, which is rhythmic balanced interchange, man can bring into being a Life Triumphant for all peoples everywhere.

10. The Cycle of Creation: Integration, Disintegration, Reintegration

This universe of form is a universe of INTEGRATION, DISINTEGRATION AND REINTEGRATION.

Eternal Recurrence. Russell describes creation as a continuous cycle of integration, disintegration, and reintegration. Form emerges through the contractive, gravitative force of thinking, dissolves through the expansive, radiative force, and is reborn through the regenerative union of both.

The Cosmic Pendulum. This cycle is likened to the swing of a cosmic pendulum, forever oscillating between inertia and energy, appearance and disappearance. The One substance of Mind undergoes periodic changes of state, but its essence remains constant.

Understanding the Cycle. By understanding the cyclical nature of creation, man can gain a deeper appreciation for the interconnectedness of all things. He can recognize that death is not an ending but a necessary part of the process, leading to new beginnings and the perpetual renewal of the universe.

Last updated: May 7, 2025