On the Cusp of Forever... or Infinity?

"It does not necessarily follow that, if you love someone 'forever' you must love them infinitely. I love many people 'forever' and, yet, I love very few of them infinitely."

Consider, if you will, the following definitions:

for·ev·er/fəˈrevər/
adverb1.for all future time; for always.
"she would love him forever"
2.continually.
"she was forever pushing her hair out of her eyes"
synonyms: continually, continuously, constantly, perpetually, incessantly, endlessly, persistently, repeatedly, regularly; More
adjective1.lasting or permanent.
"these puppies need a forever home"

in·fin·i·ty/inˈfinədē/
noun1.  the state or quality of being infinite.
"the infinity of space"
synonyms: endlessness, infinitude, infiniteness, boundlessness, limitlessness, unlimitedness, extensiveness, vastness, immensity; infinite distance
"she stared out into the infinity of space"
2.  MATHEMATICS
a number greater than any assignable quantity or countable number (symbol ∞).

I have found myself in a quandary, not for the first time and it certainly won't be the last.  I had to give a name to that place which I find myself when I think, meditate, or dream; that place which causes me to wax philosophical or poetic, to contemplate those things beyond my understanding, and to lose myself in a meditative realm which I cannot adequately describe in words.  It is a place I use as the muse for my writing when all else fails me.  The best way I've described it is to be standing on the edge of an abyss and staring across it to the cusp of what I could only describe as "forever," and herein lies my quandary.

"In the tenth and final dimension, we arrive at the point in which everything possible and imaginable is covered. Beyond this, nothing can be imagined by us lowly mortals, which makes it the natural limitation of what we can conceive in terms of dimensions."

-- Matt Williams, Universe Today, writer, author

I can't call it the "Cusp of Forever" if I believe, as I do, that time doesn't exist as anything but a human construct created to give our reality structure.  To call this the Cusp of Forever would be calling it the edge of time, and you can see how this simply won't do.  Infinity, on the other hand, is more about something "greater than any assignable quantity or countable number."  The "Cusp of Infinity" would, therefore, describe being on the edge of everything, the infinite vastness of the universe and beyond limitless possibilities.  I think I can define my "Cusp of Infinity" as the threshold to that theoretical realm which quantum physicists refer to as the 10th Dimension. 

10th Dimension: Infinite potentiality, everything that is possible exists in some form or another, worlds obey differential and infinite arrays of physical laws and attributes, including the depths of the metaphysical level, think true infinity on a universal scale. The 10th dimension is the epitome of the multiverse theory and survives today through the endless research and pursuit from quantum physicists and scientists all attempting to compose a tome or scripture commonly referred to in the scientific community as the ‘theory of everything.’

-- M. Duvall, philosopher, blogger: The Existential Elevator

Editor's Note

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider an alternate viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion, in an arena of mutual respect, concerning those opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience, and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with the premier, world renowned, Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research. Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, and wages his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteers as lead Chaplain and Chaplain Program Liaison, at the regional medical center.