Robyn E Lebron Studying Existence The existence of the universe is studied in the disciplines of both spirituality and science Science explores the story of complete existence including the inner and the outer It looks at the universe and its various objects and classifies them It then examines the underlying causes of the various genres of objects, animate as well as inanimate, on the basis that the underlying cause of an object is subtler than the object itself Since existence comprises mind as well as matter, the underlying cause of all existence must be subtler than mind This line of investigation with scientific technology, taken as far as it will go, leads to the conclusion that the underlying cause of all existence is infinitely subtle and thus not at all subject to perception by any of the five senses Further probing of the mind shows conclusively the existence of its animating source, although the positive definition of it still eludes us Spiritually has come to the same conclusion Figure 2-1 shows a conceptual model of how unseen spirit manifests as a concrete being, whether animate or inanimate, with body and mind The universe is spiritual Spirit is the subtlest of all principles of existence It pervades and animates the mind of a being, which in turn pervades and animates its body In between the mind and spirit are principles of existence that are totally imperceptible and, thus, completely lacking differentiability 38