In the deeps are the violence and terror of which psychology has warned us. But if you ride these monsters deeper down, if you drop with them farther over the world's rim, you find what our sciences cannot locate or name, the substrate, the ocean or matrix or ether which buoys the rest, which gives goodness its power for good, and evil its power for evil, the unified field: our complex and inexplicable caring for each other, and for our life together here. This is given. It is not learned.
In her work, Annie Dillard explores the depths of human experience, suggesting that while psychology often warns us of the underlying violence and fear within, there exists a profound layer beneath it all. By confronting and diving deeper into these darker aspects, one can uncover a deeper truth that transcends scientific understanding—an essence that supports all existence. This foundation, described as a matrix or unified field, reveals the interconnectedness of life and our compassionate nature towards one another.
Dillard emphasizes that this unified field is innate and not something we acquire through learning. It serves as the source of both goodness and evil, highlighting the complexities of human relationships and our collective journey. Her reflections remind us that beneath the surface struggles, there lies a profound capacity for care and community, which binds us all together in our shared existence.
