hroughout history, people have searched for ways to understand the structure of reality. Mystics, scientists, and philosophers alike have noticed patterns—layers of existence that shape everything from the universe to personal experience. Two frameworks, the Four Worlds of Kabbalah and the Meta-Framework of Everything (MFoE), describe reality in strikingly similar ways.
The Four Worlds—Atziluth (Emanation), Beriah (Creation), Yetzirah (Formation), and Assiah (Action)—outline a journey from abstract potential to concrete reality. The MFoE, a modern perspective, does something similar by mapping reality through five elements: Void, Observer, Subjects & Objects, Medium, and Blueprint. These also align with the ancient idea of the four classical elements—Fire, Air, Water, and Earth—plus the mysterious “fifth element,” Aether.
This comparison shows that ancient and modern thinkers have been talking about the same thing all along: a universe built on patterns of awareness, relationships, and action. By understanding these connections, we gain new insights into technology, creativity, education, and personal growth.
For centuries, people have sought to understand reality. The Kabbalists saw existence as unfolding through Four Worlds, moving from divine potential to the physical world. Today, thinkers in physics, philosophy, and computer science describe a similar progression: potential becomes information, which is processed by awareness, structured into relationships, and realized in action.
The MFoE provides a contemporary way of looking at this process. Instead of treating reality as a collection of separate objects, it sees everything as part of a larger system. The universe doesn’t just exist—it’s always evolving, shaped by forces of perception, interaction, and transformation.
The classical elements—Fire, Air, Water, Earth, and Aether—have been used for centuries to describe nature. Amazingly, they also match the layers of reality described by both Kabbalah and MFoE. These parallels aren’t just coincidences. They show that different cultures and eras have been pointing at the same fundamental truths. Whether through mysticism or science, people have long recognized that reality isn’t random—it follows a pattern. To bring these ideas together, let’s map them side by side:
Each layer builds upon the one before it. The Void holds unlimited possibilities. The Observer gives those possibilities structure. Subjects & Objects form relationships. The Medium provides the stage where everything happens. The Blueprint ties it all together, ensuring coherence. This mapping can help bridge spiritual, philosophical, and practical perspectives, offering a more unified view of existence.
For example, the Blueprint aligns with Adam Kadmon, the primordial archetype of divine unity. It represents the coherence ensuring that existence follows patterns rather than chaos. Aether, the classical "fifth element," similarly represents the boundless field that links all dimensions of reality.
Void (0) / Atziluth (Emanation) / Fire: The realm of pure potential, the source of all possibilities before differentiation.
Observer (1) / Beriah (Creation) / Air: The emergence of focused awareness, shaping raw potential into meaningful structures.
Subjects & Objects (2) / Yetzirah (Formation) / Water: The relational interplay between entities, where meaning arises through interaction.
Medium (3) / Assiah (Action) / Earth: The environment where interactions unfold, providing the conditions for reality to take form.
Blueprint (∞) / Adam Kadmon / Aether (5th Element): The archetype of unity and coherence, representing the unifying principle that connects all aspects of reality.
Surprisingly, these ancient ideas also apply to modern technology. Computers, networks, and artificial intelligence can be understood in a similar layered structure:
Blueprint: The system architecture, the guiding structure that organizes everything.
Void: The raw data, the blank slate before information is structured.
Observer: The processing unit, making sense of raw data.
Subjects & Objects: The relationships between different data points.
Medium: The infrastructure—the hardware, networks, and software that allow everything to function.
Understanding these layers can help us design better technology—not just efficient, but ethical, sustainable, and aligned with human values.
The way people learn follows a similar pattern:
Potential Domain (Void / Fire): Curiosity sparks new ideas.
Local Domain (Observer / Air): Self-awareness develops independent thought.
Relational Domain (Subjects & Objects / Water): Learning expands through interaction.
Experiential Domain (Medium / Earth): Knowledge becomes action and mastery.
Education should nurture all these layers, moving beyond memorization to a system that encourages creativity, adaptability, and deep understanding.
Great ideas don’t just appear—they move through distinct phases:
Inspiration (Void / Fire): The raw spark of a new idea.
Structuring (Observer / Air): Turning vague inspiration into something real.
Refinement (Subjects & Objects / Water): Developing and strengthening the idea.
Manifestation (Medium / Earth): Bringing the idea into reality.
From scientific breakthroughs to artistic expression, this cycle repeats again and again. Understanding it helps creators refine their process and bring ideas to life more effectively.
On a personal level, these frameworks provide a roadmap for growth:
Recognizing potential (Void / Fire).
Gaining clarity and purpose (Observer / Air).
Building meaningful relationships (Subjects & Objects / Water).
Taking action to create real change (Medium / Earth).
Life isn’t just about reacting to what happens—it’s about shaping reality through awareness, choice, and interaction.
The fact that ancient mysticism, modern science, and even computing share the same deep structure tells us something important: reality follows patterns, and we are part of that structure. Whether we look at Kabbalah’s Four Worlds, the MFoE, or the elements of nature, the message is the same—existence isn’t random; it’s layered, evolving, and deeply interconnected.
By understanding these patterns, we can design better technology, create more meaningful education, refine our creative work, and live with greater awareness. These ideas aren’t just philosophy—they are tools for navigating an ever-changing world.
Ancient wisdom and modern thinking aren’t separate; they are two sides of the same coin. And when we bring them together, we gain a clearer picture of the universe—and our place within it.