Chapter 1: The Essence of Origami

Origami transcends mere craftsmanship; it is an expressive art form that illustrates the principle of unity in diversity. By skillfully folding a single sheet of paper, one can unveil the intricate beauty of both variety and togetherness. This practice encourages an exploration of artistic harmony, stemming from the coexistence of various shapes, perspectives, and hues. Emphasizing creativity, balance, and precision, origami offers a distinct medium to examine the interplay between diversity and unity.

Origami, rooted in Japanese tradition, involves crafting shapes from a piece of paper without cutting or gluing, relying solely on folding techniques. While square paper is typically used, rectangular sheets can also serve this purpose. When cutting is integrated with folding, it is referred to as “krigami.”

The Latin phrase “E pluribus unum,” meaning "one from many," was adopted during the formation of a unified nation from the thirteen colonies. This phrase is prominently featured on the Great Seal of the United States and numerous coins, succinctly encapsulating the essence of this narrative.

Reflecting on my childhood, I recall a morning program dedicated to origami, teaching viewers how to create various figures. The joy and pride I felt after crafting each shape are still vivid memories. I would eagerly wake up early to prepare my materials for the show. But what elevates origami beyond my childhood nostalgia?

The true magic of origami lies in its ability to create an array of animate and inanimate forms from just one piece of paper, utilizing various folding techniques. The limit to the shapes one can produce is dictated by their understanding of these techniques and their imagination. By skillfully combining different methods, one can even design entirely unique forms.

What connection does origami have with the concept of “Oneness in Diversity”? To delve deeper into this, it is essential to clarify the notion of uniqueness within multiplicity.

Philosophies from ancient India, China, and Japan, alongside Hermetic teachings, Kabbalah, and Sufism, articulate this idea in various ways. They suggest that a singular divine entity created all that exists, and everything emanates from and ultimately returns to this source.

In Sufism, this is encapsulated in the concept of “vahdet-i vücud,” or the unity of existence. The term "vahdet" signifies unity, which differs from Spinoza’s pantheistic interpretation. Instead, it aligns with the pan-entheistic view articulated by the mystic Muhyiddin Ibn Arabi, who lived in Andalusia, Spain. This perspective posits that while the universe emerges from the divine, it is not equivalent to it.

The Quran reinforces this idea, stating, “Ve lam yekun lehu kufuven eHad” (meaning “No creature could match Him”), affirming that all creation is derived from the divine.

The philosophies of pantheism and pan-entheism share similarities yet maintain distinct differences. Pantheism posits that the universe and all its components are divine and interconnected, with no distinct personal deity. Conversely, pan-entheism recognizes both the immanence of divinity within the universe and the existence of a transcendent God, suggesting a dynamic relationship between the divine and creation.

An illustrative analogy for the concept of Unity of Beings is that of a drop of water leaving the ocean, only to dissolve back into it. The drop may forget its origin but yearns to return to the wholeness it once knew. Though it lacks the ocean's power, it appreciates its existence and, upon returning, merges once again.

Modern physics has evolved significantly since the early 20th century, moving away from Newtonian determinism toward a probabilistic understanding, notably through Einstein's Theory of Relativity and Quantum Theory. However, until the advent of Super Symmetry Theory in the 1970s, Quantum Physics and Relativity remained separate.

The emergence of Super String Theory in 1984 proposed that all matter is composed of vibrating strings at a Planck length scale. This discovery was akin to finding the elusive "materia prima" sought by alchemists.

In 1995, M Theory consolidated five variations of Super String Theory, defining our universe as membranes existing within an eleven-dimensional space. These advancements in physics bring us closer to identifying the fundamental particles that constitute everything in existence.

In essence, everything is formed from four fundamental forces resulting from these particles—similar to how origami utilizes paper to create diverse shapes. Once such theories translate into everyday technology, we might witness the rise of etheric printers capable of manifesting ideas from nothingness, leveraging the core principles of origami.

However, this potential technology raises ethical concerns, as it could amplify human arrogance and pride. The dangers of such hubris are reminiscent of the original sin, urging us to remain humble as we navigate our evolution both on Earth and beyond.

With love, Kenan

Read my sci-fi book about artificial consciousness and the future of the world.

Chapter 2: Exploring the Depths of Origami

The first video, "Unfolding My Passion By Folding Origami" by Abhichart Krissanaprasit, explores the transformative power of origami and its ability to inspire creativity and self-expression.

The second video, "Unfolding the Mystery of Curved-Crease Sculpture with Origami Theorists from MIT," dives into advanced origami techniques and their applications in modern design and engineering.