Thread: If there was a beginning... is there an end?

Stephen Wolfram is a mathematician who is currently attempting to reduce the concept of a universe to its simplest form: connected points, without dimensions of space or time. He has had remarkable success in showing that such points can manifest the qualities of universes with multiple spacial and temporal dimensions, with relationships between the two that have the form of relativity. If our universe is like this, it would be nothing more than a mathematical entity, a collection of points with simple rules that determine how they are connected and how they change in relation to each other. In such a scenario, it is meaningless to say the universe 'began' because time is part of the universe, not outside of it. Space would also be a quality of the universe, so there would be no 'outside' in the traditional sense.

Indeed. Most people are drawing away from the point that I'm curious about and are concerned with the extent of how far space goes or what happened in the beginning. I simply would like to know if there is end (or a repetitive beginning) and if so, why? Who is to say we haven't discussed this on this board infinite times in the past and will infinite times in the future?

Much like said here. ^ However, this is my question: What exactly IS nirvana? Permanently join with nirvana? It's as if we sacrifice our own individuality and become one with everyone. What is the point of that when life would be pointless at that point? We would all be a collective consciousness and just sit there forever enjoying eternal peace at the highest state of consciousness? This is the question that I desire answering. I have no intention of merging myself with another being only so that we can sit there forever OR existence can recreate itself. I want my individuality. That is what makes me unique. I was born with it for a reason and I am going to keep it for a reason.