Cosmogentic Principle - Thomas Berry

Cosmogentic Principle

            Cosmogentic principles referred to the governing themes and basal intentionality of all existence. I will explain cosmogenetic principle of the mother earth in these three terms: Autopoiesis, differentiation and communion.

            Mother earth has a self-organizing power within it. This self-organizing power is the inner dimension of the mother earth. It posses within it whatever that can change it. It is self-manifested. It is only the mother earth that posses the qualities of the mother earth. No other mode of expression in the universe has these qualities other than mother earth. Scientific findings have tried to explain the mother earth in terms of experiences over the years, yet they have not been able to fully explain the inner dimension of the mother earth. Natural happens such as earth-quakes, volcanoes, tsunamis etc, cannot be fully determined. If scientists or ecologists can say with all certainty when an earth-quake will occur then, we can say that they have fully understood the inner dimension of the mother earth. This inner complexity of the mother earth that exceeds our human understanding made us to be aware of our own inner dimension too that we can never fully comprehend. This inner dimension is what is called autopoiesis.

            The mother earth is not isolated from other creatures. In fact, the mother earth is in communion with each and every other creature. For example, when the heaven pour forth rain, the mother earth receives it. In turn, it brings forth new life, in connection with other focus in the Mickey Way galaxies, such as grass; tree, animals drink to its fullest and humans feed themselves from its abundance. And when all the living creatures have completed their circle, they return to the mother earth that first gave then life. The mother earth creates a deep consciousness around us and within us. This deep consciousness helps us to be appreciative of our communion with other mode of expressions in the universe.

            Mother earth is different and distinctly unique from other mode of expressions. Its roles are irreplaceable. For instance, if the mother earth fails to perfume its role, such as accommodating other creatures, feeding them and housing them, what else in the universe will fulfill this role?

            Every creature in the universe shares many things in common. At the same time, they have different role, which differentiate them form one another. Their different inner dimensions make them unique and allow every creature to live in community, so that what is lacking in one creature can be fulfilled in the other.