The topic of dimensions in general is one that utterly FASCINATES me and I've wanted to make a thread on it for quite some time, so I'll make one now! Okay, it seems that most people believe we exist in a 3-dimensional universe... but have you ever pondered what that really means? I have. It is common understanding both in the study of geometry and in general knowledge that the 3rd dimension contains within it (or is at least penetrated by) the 1st and 2nd dimensions. We have access to AND understanding of 1st and 2nd dimensional concepts in this 3D universe of ours. Thus, it stands to reason that in the 4th dimension (which may or may NOT be 'time', but we can discuss that later ), perception of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd dimensions would be possible. And in the 5th dimension, the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th dimensions could be perceivable. And so on and so forth. You get the idea (I hope!). I believe that at least a LOT of the phenomena that we call 'paranormal' is in fact a result of this dimension interacting with another. Whether we consciously perceive it or not, I think that the dimensions that comprise this universe (3 dimensions of space and 1 dimension of time, many say) are almost DEFINITELY co-existing with other dimensions. Perhaps the anecdotes many people have given about their experiences with so-called 'shadow people' actually relate to an encounter (however brief it may have seemed) with an extra-dimensional entity due to a 'bleed-through' between our dimension and theirs? In case you don't know, what I mean by 'bleed-through' is perhaps a tear in the fabric of the space-time continuum of this universe... and such a tear may have opened a portal/vortex which could allow more 'direct' interaction between 2 or more dimensions. In our 3D universe, we have three directions of free movement - left/right, back/forward, and up/down. ALL forms of movement in this universe are a combination of these three. It is helpful to see how dimensions increase as we go up in numbers. A simple dot in space is considered to be 0-Dimensional (ie. the 0-Dimension). Now imagine that dot had handles... you could pull on it and form a line, which would then constitute the 1st Dimension. In the 1st dimension, left/right is the only possible form of movement. Furthermore, the only spatial measurement that can be ascribed to the 1st dimension is length. If that same 1-Dimensional line had handles, you could hypothetically pull it out into a square or rectangle, making a 2-Dimensional object. Both left/right and up/down are possible forms of movement in regards to this 2D object. The spatial measurements that would be ascribed to this 2D object would be both length and width. If that square or rectangle had handles, you could pull it out into a 3D square or rectangle, for a 3-Dimensional object. In regards to this 3D object, left/right, up/down and back/forward are all possible forms of movement. The spatial measurements ascribed to this 3D object would be length, width and now depth. An illustration of what I have just said can be seen below this sentence:



So basically, if you are in a 1-Dimensional world, you may be able to detect 2nd or higher-dimensional objects - but in your world they would just appear as ordinary lines. Indeed, a 2D inhabitant might be able to detect an object from a 3D world, but there would be no depth to that object. It would, as absurd as this might seem to some, be a 'cartoon' world. :cool: So it stands to reason that in a 4D world, there must be another direction of motion in which to travel that we in the 3D world are not aware of (simply because we have NO frame of reference... we don't know where to even BEGIN because it is seemingly inconceivable for us to conceptualise a dimension, ANY dimension, other than the ones we are ALREADY familiar with). I am TRULY convinced that dimensions exist other than the ones currently known to us. String Theory (a quantum physics theory, for those who may be unaware) not only postulates that exotic and foreign dimensions EXIST, but that their existence is NECESSARY for our OWN existence (at least in a physical sense)! To me, the notion that other dimensions exist can potentially give credence and reinforcement to stories of many UFO sightings, to anecdotal claims of 'time-shift' experiences and, of course, to personal accounts of near-death and out-of-body experiences (as well as a MULTITUDE of other paranormal phenomenas!). What are YOUR thoughts in regards to the existence of other dimensions?