487. Seen from such a perspective it is easier for the reader to understand that "matter" is alive, that everything is life, and that life can only manifest itself through life. "Matter" is thus in reality only life seen from different cosmic distances, i.e. different cosmic conditions of perspective. These assessments will be specifically analysed in "Livets Bog" in connection with the principle of perspective and the sensory faculties. These problems have just been touched on here owing to their connection with thought-climates.
      If, as mentioned above, every kind of matter is movement and movement is creation and creation is the display of consciousness and this itself constitutes manifestation of thought, then all existing matter or kinds of matter are resolved into thought-climates, into atmosphere. Thus, all of us not only find ourselves in a physical atmosphere, but also in a cosmic atmosphere. That this is actually so cannot be refuted. The existence of all matter or substances is indeed a fact. And as long as it remains a fact it will also be a fact that all movement or display of energy in existence – right from a speck of dust to beyond the galaxies – is a demonstration or manifestation of logic, which again is the same as a demonstration of mentality. And a demonstration of mental activity can only be an expression of life, it can only be an indication of the wishes and desires of a living being. All existing matter surrounding the living being, all the details both nearby and in the most distant horizon, are all without exception indications of wishes and desires. A closer cosmic analysis of the effects resulting from matter shows that they form one enormous release, or creation, of sympathy directed towards living beings. This is not a question of one single substance. In itself it may indeed manifest as a colossal energy of destruction. But the reaction of a single energy or a single substance does not express the final result. This can only happen through its interplay with the other energies and its consequent final reaction which affects the living being in question. Here it will always exhibit total sympathy which again is the same as love. Substances are thus a means by which a culminating love towards living beings is revealed.
      As substances are loving thoughts and these can only be a characteristic of a living being, then on making a cosmic analysis of substances, the fact emerges that underlying them there exists a living, thinking being. What we call Providence is thus, in reality, a genuine living being, who, moreover, embraces us one and all and everything alive with a culminating love.