Innate Matter and Universal Matter

The contrast between innate matter, that is, matter that expresses innate intelligence, and universal matter, which we ordinarily consider to be non-living, is that the former, we say, is structured matter, the latter is matter that is organized on the atomic level. Of course, the latter would include all matter, hence our major premise which says “a universal intelligence is in all matter…” The accompanying diagram may be helpful in explaining or fixing in our minds the contrast between the two.
Innate matter, being “structura”l, has the ability to reorganize itself or be reorganized by the principle of innate intelligence, what Palmer often described as “the law of life.” We arbitrarily describe cells, tissues, organs and systems and the body as levels of matter. They all express 100% innate intelligence and hence, innate life. The only difference is the degree of coordinated activity, that is, the amount of reorganization (a single cell has less coordinated activity than the 25-30 quadrillion cells that make up the body). Stability (ability to adapt) of the matter is also a factor. The greater the ability of the matter to reorganize itself (technically, to be reorganized by innate intelligence), the greater the stability. It must be kept in mind that we are not talking about the size or the number of cells but rather the inborn ability of those cells to interact. The ability, to a great degree, establishes the means of the organism to adapt to its environment which we describe as the third sign of life-adaptability. The ability of a one-celled organism to adapt is much more limited than a multi-celled organism because there will be organs and systems in the latter giving it a greater range of adaptation. The amoeba has a much more limited ability than does a human being. Stick a pin in an amoeba and while it tries to adapt, it will likely die. Stick a pin in a human being and it will be barely noticed. The human being has perhaps the greatest ability to adapt, not because it is larger than other animals but because the organs, tissues, and cells are able to act in a coordinated manner, especially the organ called the “educated brain.” The ability to withstand the destructive forces of the universe decrease as we reach the simpler forms of innate matter. While the innate intelligence is the same in the amoeba as in the elephant, the matter is different and the potential for adaptation lessons.
At some point, the matter no longer expresses innate intelligence. It ceases to manifest an innate wisdom and it becomes universal matter. We must keep in mind that these definitions are arbitrary, for all matter has universal intelligence because universal matter is synonomous with existence. All matter has universal life or existence. Unfortunately, the Developer of our chiropractic philosophy left us with the handicap of two terms that can be confusing. All matter has universal life, only living matter has innate life (innate intelligence being expressed through innate matter). Unlike innate matter, matter that does not express innate intelligence has greater stability as it reaches its simplest state. The forces of the universe will be destructive toward structural matter that no longer expresses innate intelligence. As we stated, the more complex the innate matter, the greater stability it has because of the greater amount of matter that can act in an coordinated manner. That is the key. It is not the amount of matter; it is whether it can act in a coordinated manner or not. I once saw a football game in which the defense had too many men on the field… one more than the offense and yet the offense still managed to score a touchdown on the play. Less matter, yet greater coordination of that matter. That is why the chiropractor is not concerned about the matter, which he cannot improve, but the ability of that matter to act in a coordinated way.
Universal matter moves from its most unstable state to its most stable state, just the opposite of innate matter. Of course, the most unstable state of universal matter is just after it is no longer innate matter, as a dead organism. Decomposition occurs. The greater stability occurs as the matter moves through the molecular, the elemental, and lastly to the atomic state which is the most stable state of matter as well as the least-structured state.