Discovering Self, or What Is Self? A Journey Through Metaphysics, Consciousness, and Cosmic Yearning

This paper introduces a novel framework redefining the Self as a non-conscious, timeless architecture of cosmic yearnings—abstract potentials that govern interactions across all scales of existence. Moving beyond traditional views of identity in philosophy, neuroscience, and quantum mechanics, it proposes that selfhood emerges not as an intrinsic entity, but as a dynamic fulfillment of yearnings within a structured yet fluid cosmic landscape. By synthesizing Eastern non-dualism, Western process philosophy, complexity theory, and modern physics, the research challenges anthropocentric models of consciousness and proposes a universal principle that governs matter, cognition, and the emergence of decision-making. The study explores three key arguments: Yearnings structure reality non-consciously and timelessly—influencing atomic to societal interactions. Interactions fulfill yearnings dynamically, giving rise to emergent complexity, including intelligence. Consciousness is an epiphenomenon, a tool that organisms use to navigate pre-existing cosmic structures rather than the originator of selfhood. This framework has far-reaching implications for fields like neuroscience, artificial intelligence, ethics, and physics, redefining free will as a form of navigation rather than absolute autonomy. The paper concludes by discussing the potential for empirical validation, its impact on fundamental physics (including quantum field configurations and cosmology), and its relevance for future AI systems that aim to align with human yearning equilibria.