The Greater Play

The universe, as we know it, operates in "automatic mode," guided by the laws of physics and progressing steadily into the future. Humans, as part of this system, also move forward in an automatic way. Our choices, often perceived as free will, are merely the outcomes of past actions and their consequences—a product of cause and effect. Evidence and reasoning suggest that free will might be an illusion. Additionally, humans are not isolated beings; we are interconnected through countless constraints, forming a collective web of existence. This interconnectedness implies that we exist as part of a larger narrative or play, possibly created by one or more entities outside the universe—or perhaps by no one at all, rendering it all seemingly meaningless.

Let us first consider the possibility that one or more gods exist and created us. Imagine these gods as individuals or a collective group. They may have designed the universe, set it on "automatic mode," and are now simply observing it unfold—or perhaps they actively control it. In this scenario, these gods might be akin to creators of a game, possessing the power to influence their creation. However, their ability to create this universe would likely stem from something far more advanced than human consciousness. Now, consider another possibility: these gods themselves might be part of a larger story or play, created by beings beyond their own universe. Alternatively, they could be the ultimate gods, existing at the very top of the hierarchy.

Now, let us consider the possibility of a "god of gods"—a being who created the gods themselves. This ultimate god would have the ability to perceive the entire chain of creation, understanding that his own creations have gone on to create their own worlds. This realization implies that he, too, exists as part of a larger narrative crafted by another being. Yet, despite this awareness, he may be unable to halt the process of creation, as it could be intrinsic to his nature. Similarly, the same applies to the "god of the god of gods," and so forth, forming an endless hierarchy of creators that stretches into eternity.

Humans possess emotions, and it is plausible that gods do as well. If so, even the gods might experience existential crises—perhaps even more acutely than humans. What if the gods created humanity not to rule over us, but so we could empathize with their struggles? Yet, instead of understanding them, we ended up worshipping them—or ignoring them entirely. In doing so, we failed to see their crises reflected in our own existence. To simplify this concept, let us shrink the hierarchy of gods to just two: the first gods and humanity. These first gods, unaware of who created them, might grapple with their own uncertainties—perhaps falling into despair or considering the unsettling possibility that no creator exists. They, too, might wonder: what if this is the ultimate play? Regardless of their power, they would remain unable to uncover the truth about their origin.

Finally, let us consider the ultimate possibility: what if there is no creator? What if this entire play arose from nothing and moves toward nowhere? This thought challenges the foundations of existence and can shatter any being, regardless of their level of consciousness. Faced with such an idea, one might choose to accept it, reject it, or even wage a futile war against it. Yet, the reality remains: we may never know the truth.

If there were an ultimate god who created all of existence, then he too would be cursed—cursed to ponder his origins, just as we humans do. Despite his advanced thinking, he would still be unable to uncover the ultimate truth. Perhaps this curse extends to every being in the hierarchy of creation, binding them all to the same unanswerable questions.

Yet, this so-called curse may not be one if death truly marks the ultimate end. In that case, existence could be seen as a good play—or perhaps even a greater play. As humans, all we can do is live. There is nothing more to be done, and nothing we can change about this.