From the Ego to the Infinite
The sequence 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64 etc is known as a geometric progression—a pattern where each term after the first is found by multiplying the previous one by a fixed, non-zero number. Each number is doubled in this case, creating an exponential growth that is not just a mathematical concept but a fundamental principle found throughout nature. This sequence is critical because it represents how small beginnings can lead to vast, expansive outcomes, demonstrating the power of exponential transformation. The same principle that drives population growth, the branching of trees, and the spiralling of shells can also be seen as a metaphor for the process of spiritual awakening. Just as nature uses geometric progression to unfold complexity and beauty, so too might our spiritual experiences expand as the mind transcends from the small “I” or ego into the vastness of collective consciousness, and ultimately into Consciousness itself.
At the outset, the mind identifies with the number 1. It is the small “I,” the ego, the center of an individual’s universe. This singular identity believes itself to be separate, and distinct from the world around it. The self sees itself as the subject in a world of objects, the thinker in a sea of thoughts, and the doer in a realm of actions. The ego stands alone, encapsulated within its boundaries, perceiving the world through a lens of duality.
But, as with the sequence, there comes a moment when the ego perceives something beyond its singular existence. It doubles into 2. This is the first awakening—a recognition that there is more to existence than just the self. The mind begins to sense its connection to others, the threads of interdependence that weave through the fabric of life. This is the initial glimpse into the collective consciousness.
As the mind continues to expand—4, 8—it begins to transcend the confines of the ego. The boundaries that once seemed so solid start to dissolve. The self no longer sees itself as merely an individual but as part of a larger whole, an integral part of the collective consciousness. This is the stage where the mind starts to perceive the unity underlying all diversity, recognizing that the separation it once clung to was an illusion.
The sequence continues—16, 32, 64—each step representing a deeper level of awareness, a more profound surrender to the truth of existence. The mind begins to transcend even the collective consciousness, moving towards the infinite, the realm of pure Consciousness. Here, the small “I” completely dissolves, and what remains is the recognition of being one with the entire universe, with the very essence of life itself.
This final stage of the sequence symbolizes the ultimate spiritual awakening. The mind has moved beyond the personal and the collective, into the boundless expanse of pure Consciousness. It is here that the true nature of reality is revealed—that there is no separation, no division, only the infinite play of Consciousness experiencing itself in myriad forms.
The journey from ego to infinite Consciousness is not just one of linear progression but of exponential transformation. Each doubling in the sequence represents a quantum leap in awareness, a step closer to the ultimate realization of nonduality. And just as the sequence could continue indefinitely, so too does the journey of spiritual awakening, for Consciousness is limitless, ever-expanding, and eternally evolving.
In reflecting upon this natural and spiritual process, we are reminded that the same patterns that govern the physical world may also govern our inner worlds. As nature grows and evolves, so too do we, propelled by the same forces of expansion, ever moving toward greater complexity, unity, and understanding. In this sense, the pattern found in the sequence 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64 is not just a mathematical curiosity but a universal truth, guiding us on our journey from the limited self to the infinite.
Morgan O. Smith
Yinnergy Meditation, Spiritual Life Coaching & My Book, Bodhi in the Brain…Available Now!
Morgan O. Smith 