Do We Have Another Dimension?
Are we missing something?
Has Everything Been Accounted For?
When speaking of human existence and trying to judge whether the physical is the only dimension there is, it is critical that we account for all that matters; i.e., analyse all aspects of human existence before proceeding with this judgement.
Bearing a material form, the physical dimension naturally springs up at first glance, but that is not to say that this is the only dimension there is. A cursory observation will reveal there is at least another dimension in existence, owing to other experiences that we have, such as emotional and transcendent experiences1.
The crucial point here is that these experiences are very real and are an integral part of our existence, yet they have not been accounted for!
The Necessity of Logical Presumption
In the realm of science we presume the existence of something that may not be observable to us, by seeing its effects. Gravity is a case in point. The actual force of gravity has never been observed by anyone, yet, since we can see the effects of gravity, we presume its existence nevertheless.
Another example is the Big Bang (a theory more seen as a fact now). It was the discovery of constant expansion of space that led astronomers to believe that there must have been a point of singularity at some stage that resulted in the Big Bang that brought about the universe as we know it.
Consequently we can conclude that though a certain phenomenon may not be immediately observable, yet since its effects are seen or felt by us, we must presume its existence regardless. This is what can also be referred to as ‘logical presumption’.
Based on the above principle, it would certainly be necessary to presume a dimension to our existence too where the above-mentioned experiences (such as transcendent and emotional) could legitimately belong.
Conflating the Two Dimensions
Physical science is, no doubt, a blessing for mankind and a great tool for making progress in the material world; however it is not the role of science to account for immaterial aspects, as it is beyond its realm and reach. Physical science does not even register these issues on its radar, let alone attempting to explain their realities and address their problems.
Those who are accustomed to seeing from the materialist perspective only would readily ignore this issue altogether, if they have no way of associating such aspects with the physical realm. But things do not go away by ignoring them. The issue remains as to where these experiences emanate from, and this needs to be dealt with if we are to be truthful to ourselves.
Can Incorporeal Experiences be Linked to the Physical Realm?
Some may attempt to associate these experiences with certain parts of the physical body. This may be possible with some, such as ‘mental experiences’; however, other experiences like ‘emotional’, have no known location within the physical body.
The question that also arises here is whether abstract and incorporeal experiences (including mental) can arise from material bodies. What needs to be remembered is that the physical is just as material as a cloth or a brick; and these are concrete entities that do not carry incorporeal concepts like consciousness, and transcendent and emotional experiences. However we know that we all have such experiences, and we have them in a very real and substantive manner. They are clearly identifiable and recognisable, yet we do not have the locus for these experiences. As physical attributes require physical loci, of necessity, abstract attributes should require abstract loci too.
What Can This Internal Dimension Be?
This subtle and abstract dimension, in essence, is what we refer to as the spiritual dimension, or the Soul!
The soul can be defined as the immaterial part of a person which constitutes the essence of a person's being. It is the intangible part of us that contains our personality, our consciousness, and our essence.
More than anything else, the concept of soul is linked mainly to the idea of consciousness, which is the ability to be aware of one's surroundings and have a sense of self. The existence of a soul has been linked to the question of whether human beings are more than just physical beings or whether they are spiritual beings as well.
In fact, if all our experiences are truly considered, it seems that we are actually spiritual beings with the physical body as the temporary vehicle that transports us across this worldly life.
These include experiences that go beyond the ordinary everyday ones and include those such as awe, wonder, spirituality, or the feeling of being connected to something greater than oneself.