​The Unseen Embrace

A Process Theology of Gravity
​

The Eternal urge of Desire
​

He is the lure for feeling, the eternal urge of desire. His particular relevance to each creative act, as it arises from its own conditioned standpoint in the world, constitutes him the initial ‘object of desire’ establishing the initial phase of each subjective aim.

Whitehead, Alfred North. Process and Reality (Gifford Lectures Delivered in the University of Edinburgh During the Session 1927-28) (p. 344). Free Press. Kindle Edition. 

​
​Gravity the Quiet Lover

Physicists say that "gravity" is the weakest of the four fundamental forces, It is less powerful than electromagnetism, the weak nuclear force, and the strong nuclear force. 

Have they ever fallen in love? Have they ever felt the pull of an apple to the earth, a moon to its planet, or a planet to its star, that quiet insistence of belonging? Weak, they call it, but tell that to the tides, to the mountains leaning into the curvature of space, to the galaxies swirling like dancers held in an unseen embrace.

Weak is only a word we use when we don’t understand the kind of strength that doesn’t shout. Gravity doesn’t need to boast—it tugs gently at your shoelaces, whispers to your coffee cup as it drops, coaxes the oceans to move like the brushstrokes of a slow, patient artist. It doesn’t fight or spark or roar; it merely exists, as certain as a promise kept.

​Gravity is the poet of forces, the introvert of infinity. It doesn’t seek to burn or to bind, but to hold. And isn’t that the strongest thing of all? To hold, no matter the distance, no matter the resistance. It is the quiet lover who never lets go, the soft touch that shapes the universe without ever asking for thanks.
​
So, call it weak if you like, but gravity knows better. It has no need to compete, no need to flex its cosmic muscles. It is the pull of a baby toward its mother’s arms, the arc of a star falling toward the center of a black hole, the quiet way the earth calls us home. And it has three forms: physical, emotional, and divine

​Three Kinds of Gravity

physical, emotional, and divine
​

1. Physical Gravity: The Force That Grounds Us

Physical gravity is the unseen yet undeniable force that binds the material universe, holding planets in orbit and keeping us grounded on Earth. It provides stability and cohesion, shaping the cosmic dance of matter. Similarly, belief in divine gravity, whether personal or transpersonal, may serve as a grounding principle for understanding life's coherence, offering a metaphysical anchoring for existence.

2. Emotional Gravity: The Force That Draws Hearts Together

Emotional gravity operates in the realm of relationships, pulling people into connection through love, care, and shared experience. It is a relational force that parallels the personal dimension of divine gravity, which emphasizes intimacy and companionship between the sacred and the world. In contrast, the transpersonal view might see emotional gravity as an emergent property of the universe's interconnectedness, part of the cosmic tendency toward relational depth.

3. Divine Gravity: The Force That Lures Us Toward Wholeness

Divine gravity, whether personal or transpersonal, operates as the sacred pull toward creativity, beauty, and fulfillment. It is inside each creature as its own innermost lure toward satisfaction relative to the situation at hand, and, at least within human life, as a lure toward wisdom, compassion, and creativity - toward wholeness. For those who embrace a personal God, divine gravity is the indwelling presence of a cosmic soul—a relational God who invites beings into co-creative partnership. For others, divine gravity is an impersonal principle, akin to a cosmic flow or dynamic energy, inherent in the universe and guiding it toward greater complexity and harmony.

4. The Personal Dimension of Divine Gravity

In the personal view, divine gravity is rooted in relationship. It is the pull of a cosmic soul—a living, conscious presence that seeks connection, understanding, and love. This God is not distant or detached but intimately involved in the world, feeling its joys and sorrows and offering companionship. This perspective emphasizes a God who participates in the unfolding of life, guiding creation toward wholeness in partnership with its creatures.

5. The Transpersonal Dimension of Divine Gravity

In the transpersonal view, divine gravity is not the action of a personal being but an intrinsic principle of reality. It is the cosmos itself expressing a tendency toward growth, novelty, and interconnectedness. This perspective resonates with those who find the sacred not in a deity but in the processes and potentials of existence—the emergence of life from nonlife, the creativity of evolution, and the harmonies that arise from diversity.

6. Integrating Perspectives

Whether divine gravity is seen as personal or transpersonal, it offers a way to conceptualize the sacred pull toward what is good, true, and beautiful. The personal view provides the warmth of relationship, while the transpersonal view highlights the universal, impartial nature of this sacred force. Together, they invite believers and non-believers alike to recognize the ways in which life is drawn toward deeper connection, richer experience, and greater harmony.

7. Expanding Belief

To believe in God as divine gravity, whether personal or transpersonal, is to trust in the ongoing possibility of transformation and creativity. It is to acknowledge that, amidst life's chaos and complexity, there exists a sacred pull toward wholeness—a pull that transcends individual belief systems and invites all of creation into the adventure of becoming. For atheists, this might mean affirming a sacred energy within the cosmos. For theists, it might mean deepening their relationship with a loving and participatory God. In either case, divine gravity becomes a shared language for exploring the sacred in a world where belief and disbelief coexist.

8. The Intertwining of the Three Forms of Gravity

While physical, emotional, and divine gravity can be conceptually separated, their deepest significance lies in their intertwining. These forces do not operate in isolation but rather in a seamless dance, each influencing and amplifying the others. Together, they form a triadic unity that holds the cosmos, human relationships, and spiritual aspirations in dynamic tension. This unity invites reflection on how these forms of gravity shape our lives and the world around us, offering a holistic view of existence.

9. Physical Gravity and the Relational Universe

Physical gravity is often understood as a cold, impersonal force—a mathematical certainty. Yet, its effects are profoundly relational. It binds stars into galaxies, planets into solar systems, and us to the Earth beneath our feet. In this way, physical gravity is a metaphor for interconnectedness. It reminds us that no entity exists in isolation; everything is part of a larger whole.

The intertwining with emotional and divine gravity becomes evident when we consider that our experiences of grounding and stability—provided by physical gravity—are necessary for emotional and spiritual flourishing. Without the anchoring presence of physical gravity, relationships and aspirations would lack a foundation. This grounding force is what allows us to experience the pull of emotional connection and divine possibility.

10. Emotional Gravity as a Bridge Between Matter and Spirit

Emotional gravity operates in the space where the physical and the divine meet. It is the force that draws us into relationships, creating bonds that hold families, communities, and societies together. This force echoes the relational dimension of the cosmos, where attraction and connection are not limited to material objects but extend to human hearts and spirits.

The intertwining of emotional and divine gravity reveals itself in moments of profound love or connection. These experiences often feel both deeply personal and transcendent, as if they point beyond the immediate relationship to something greater. Similarly, emotional gravity cannot be separated from physical gravity; the warmth of a hug, the touch of a hand, or the presence of another person grounds relational experiences in the material world. Emotional gravity, then, serves as a bridge, integrating the physical pull of matter with the sacred pull toward wholeness.

11. Divine Gravity and the Cosmic Web

Divine gravity, whether seen as personal or transpersonal, permeates the physical and emotional dimensions of existence. It is not a force external to the cosmos but one that operates through its very fabric. The cosmic lure described by Alfred North Whitehead—drawing all beings toward beauty, creativity, and harmony—is not separate from the forces that bind stars or the love that binds families. Instead, divine gravity works through them, weaving the sacred into the material and relational dimensions of life.

This intertwining becomes clear in the moments when physical and emotional gravity seem to carry a sacred resonance. Consider the awe inspired by the vastness of the night sky, a physical experience that often evokes a spiritual response. Or the way a deep emotional bond can feel like a manifestation of something transcendent—a pull toward goodness, truth, or beauty that seems larger than the relationship itself. In these moments, divine gravity reveals itself as the unifying thread that ties the physical and emotional dimensions into a sacred whole.

12. Intertwining in Everyday Life

In everyday life, the three forms of gravity are inseparable. A simple act like sitting with a loved one under the stars illustrates their interplay. Physical gravity keeps both individuals grounded on the Earth, while emotional gravity draws them into connection, and divine gravity infuses the moment with a sense of meaning and wonder. This intertwining shapes the human experience, reminding us that our lives are held together by forces that are simultaneously material, relational, and sacred.

Even in moments of suffering, the intertwining persists. Physical gravity may feel like a weight that binds us to pain, yet emotional gravity offers the pull of companionship and empathy, and divine gravity provides the lure toward healing and transformation. Together, these forces create the conditions for resilience, reminding us that we are never wholly alone or untethered.

13.  A Unified Vision of Becoming

The intertwining of the three forms of gravity offers a vision of the cosmos as an integrated whole, where the material, relational, and sacred dimensions of life are deeply interconnected. Physical gravity provides the foundation, emotional gravity creates the connections, and divine gravity inspires the journey toward wholeness. This unity reflects the dynamic, evolving nature of existence—a process of becoming where every moment is shaped by the interplay of these forces.
​
This vision invites us to see the cosmos not as a collection of isolated entities but as a web of relationships, where every being is drawn toward deeper connection and greater harmony. It challenges us to recognize the sacred in the ordinary—the divine pull within the forces that hold us to the Earth, to each other, and to the possibilities of the future.

14. Living the Intertwining

To live in awareness of this intertwining is to embrace the fullness of life. It is to honor the grounding of physical gravity, the warmth of emotional gravity, and the inspiration of divine gravity as interconnected aspects of the same cosmic reality. It is to see each moment, each relationship, and each aspiration as part of a larger adventure—a journey into the unfolding mystery of being.

By recognizing the unity of these forces, we can deepen our understanding of the sacred, not as something apart from the world but as something woven into its very fabric. Whether through the pull of the Earth, the love of a friend, or the lure of beauty and truth, the intertwining of gravity in its three forms reminds us that we are always held, always connected, and always called toward becoming.

The Eternal Embrace

I have said that divine gravity is a luring or pulling force, not unlike the moon drawing tides. Yet it differs from the moon in one crucial way: it is resistible. Creatures can turn away from the divine lure, choosing paths that diverge from its pull. But there is another dimension of divine gravity—one most meaningful to the theist—that is utterly irresistible.

This side of divine gravity is not about pulling but about deep empathy, a presence that companions the world in its joys and sufferings. It is like a quiet lover who never lets go, a soft touch that shapes the universe without ever asking for thanks. It resembles the pull of a baby toward its mother’s arms, trusting it will be safe when held. In process theology, this tenderness is known as the consequent nature of God. It is God as the great receiver, whose being is shaped by every event in the universe as and after it happens. God receives these events with, in Whitehead’s words, a “tender care that nothing be lost.”

This aspect of divine gravity cannot be resisted. It is pure grace, pure companionship. It does not coerce or demand but simply is, an eternal embrace of all that unfolds in the ongoing drama of existence.

Transpersonalists, too, might imagine this tenderness of divine gravity. Without necessarily appealing to a personal receiver, they could speak of divine gravity as a profound empathy, a cosmic receptacle whose very nature is love. Even without invoking a "God" who receives, the language of deep connection and care resonates. Yet for the theist, the imagery of a receiver—the divine mother holding the child, the lover cherishing the beloved—flows naturally.
​
In this tenderness, the personal and the transpersonal perspectives may converge. For, as process thought proposes, the receiver is not separate from the act of receiving; the concrescing subject is the very act of concrescence. God is the companionship itself, not a distant figure but the living act of embracing, prehending, and loving each and all.
This is divine gravity in its fullest form: both the gentle lure toward creative possibilities and the infinite tenderness that receives, remembers, and transforms all things into a harmony of love. God, in this sense, is not only the pull toward what might be but the tender presence that ensures all that has been is held forever, cherished and woven into the ongoing tapestry of the universe.