The Shadows of Nature

21. A Song of Grace

You must read 'A Lore' before this chapter. Links do not work here but just in case: https://my.w.tt/mZyeyDWnHV

It can be found on my profile. It has 7 parts.

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"She is so unfamiliar and yet, a future self of mine, perhaps, knows her? Understands her?"

Zindel was confused.

"How does one understand time? Is it simply a measure, or does it flow? Does time exist?"

Zindel's presence was absolutely still, as if time had paused.

"I face the same dilemma as you. I have no consciousness and yet the information of the 'future' lies in my head. Perhaps when we exit this space it will disappear, but why can I perceive it now? What is time?"

Silence in the thoughts, it was all that provided any comfort. That they could remain silent in that moment, not having to answer to anything since time did not pass. But then, was it a moment? Information in the world was as it was and could never be destroyed no matter where it fell; a black hole, a tear in the universe, a pocket universe, perhaps all because of the dimension. But where was time? What was existence and living, even?

Zindel's thoughts emerged, though he was unsure where they led.

"Time is relative, but perhaps it is a relative concept. A measure, a way of understanding existence.

"Time gives existence, but time also does exist. Beyond and out of spacetime there is something that equals nothing, and spacetime is also something that equals nothing. Nothing is a difficult concept to grasp; it is anything with no 'meaning', perhaps to be put in simple words. But that itself has some meaning...

"The dimension, that singularity really is like a cloud connected to all of existence but it really holds in all of existence. Souls are non-dimensional and can this be in spacetime or in the Shadow Dimension. They are beyond physics because they aren't in existence. Everything in existence can be understood and defined by the laws of physics. But not all is in existence. It is hard to convey through words, but know my thoughts.

"Some living things believe that Time didn't exist before the universe, some think that Time is merely a concept, some that Time is nothing but a tendency to change, some that Time is beyond understanding. Time is complex in places but in terms of information, the Shadow Dimension does undergo changes. It's energy is zero and all emotions and information are within that blanket of energy; it is constant, it is what is, but when a specific universe looks at it, at the 'information', it seems to be changing simply because of perception. That is why this dimension's concept exists in a universe; so that it can be on par with time as all things in existence need time to fathom anything. Causality is the only way these beings can ever learn anything; information is only ever accumulated.

"Time is relative to matter and to the consciousness. Measurable time, as in that which makes the spacetime continuum to matter, and the concept to consciousness. Everyone and everything answers to their thoughts and actions with time. Species like humans are a mix of 'good' and 'bad' because of their karm. They, as a species, will answer nature with time, too. Life thrives, sustains and learns, till it ends."

The permittivity of that space was strong and absent; it was bittersweet, it was as a sensation.

"Life. Living Things rely so much on their senses... their sense of sight, of touch, of feeling, of virtue, of hearing and especially of time. No one is afraid of death, of something so true; it's the notion of ending, of losing all of these senses that is daunting. Losing a sense of what passes, to look forward to something and to keep memories - it all remains no more. Some like to be in the moment, but they do not understand removing the moment to just be. I do not see why that scares them but well, my perception is from the opposite side; living and these moments can frighten me. I have no consciousness, no emotions and neither a soul; borrowing those senses from two entities makes it hard for me to fathom the essence of existence. I can only understand emotions because I am one, but it doesn't mean I can control these borrowed emotions. With time they evolve, and I become more living just like you Shadows, do.

"In the time we currently are aware of if you take away all senses of the Shadow-Trappers they will not be afraid; their consciousness does not require such perception. But I fear that they will fear in the future. That is only a part of it."

"The Shadows are still souls, despite their vessels and the fact that they developed a subconsciousness. Yes they were absolutely and eternally conscious before, but that will come again.

"Time doesn't pass for a soul. When someone dies their soul escapes, and Time doesn't pass; they are conscious of all and one forever. However, to not enter existence again they must each enlightenment. Once they come into existence time begins, and the previous life affects the vessel of the present life.

"Time doesn't pass in the Shadow Dimension; it is a singularity. However, when someone in existence goes there it becomes infinite and time only passes for that someone, that consciousness, not for the dimension. The fabric of the dimension is a story so that the beings can picture the being of energy, similar to how humans have to picture god. What actually happened, happened in the network of all universes' connection; this infinite singularity, but in the 'mind of nature'. Time passes there and affects the state of the dimension; if entropy exceeds there than the equilibrium of the dimension breaks and that becomes its eternal state.

"After a certain time in the big bang, another similar bang happened from the origin that wiped out existence, going back to a state of nothing. The more the entropy the faster existence expands. That's why the entropy had to be reduced; so that this will eventually be over.

"Things can exist within that singularity since it is infinite, but there is a duality - the zero and infinite duality. Time doesn't pass in that dimension as it is a cloud connecting all points of existence, but when a consciousness goes there time does pass, since that consciousness needs time to fathom what is. There is in actuality no time and no concept, but the consciousness still has it. It isn't spacetime, nothing has a world line and thus nothing occurs. In nothing, beyond that illusionary singularity there is no concept of time, but being and occurring are different.

"One is eternal. It doesn't change and thus it is nothing, and everything. It simply is "

The being felt gratitude but at the same time, something grew strong within him. A sense of duty, perhaps. A sense of respect for Truth and Time, but Rage was always there.

Always.

"Thank you. I think I've begun to understand, and I know what I have to do in that future. Or I will know... it's only a notion of instinct.

"Thank you."

Such curiosity, such compassion was in that Shadow. Truly one of Grace.

"You are always welcome, Vlad."