Reading guide: The I·V·O model uses symbols, operators and formulas — but not to calculate anything. The formulas are conceptual, not numerical. This is a structural language, not a mathematical theory. They describe relationships between phenomena that are observable, but not quantifiable. Read more →
The four elements of experience
I — The Lens
I is the observer: the consciousness that looks. Just as a lens determines sharpness, perspective and focus, so I determines what is seen and how. In the visual language this is the vertical line – a reference point that does not move: I, the consciousness that sees.
Example: You noticing that your breath is shallow during a conversation.
V — The Light Beam
V is not just a direction — it is a spectrum. Just as a light beam can be narrow or wide, intense or diffuse, so V varies in focus, intensity and colour. A coherent beam (like a laser) gives clarity and flow. A scattered beam creates noise and confusion. V carries intention, choice and the quality of inner movement.
Example: The conversation suddenly tilts from tension to openness.
O — The Space
O is the field in which light spreads: the space that determines how the beam bends, breaks, reflects or absorbs. It represents context, potential and resonance — the ground in which I and V can work together.
Example: The atmosphere in the room feels "dense" at first and then becomes more spacious and lighter.
M — The Surface
M (manifestation) is where light becomes visible: the surface on which pattern appears. This is matter, body, behaviour, event — the place where consciousness dynamics (I·V·O) take tangible form.
Example: Someone relaxes their shoulders, says "oh, now I understand", and shifts their posture.
Together, I, V, O and M form the process flow of experience. The formula is not a multiplication, but a movement: observer → direction → field → manifestation = experience.
The process flow of experience
E = I · V · O · M
Experience (E) is the result of a flow, not a calculation. The formula describes a process sequence:
- I (observer) looks
- → V (light beam) directs
- → O (field) responds
- → M (manifestation) forms
- = E (experience) appears
The old formula E = M × (I · V · O) suggested that matter multiplies consciousness —
as if substance were the primary factor. But this model works exactly the other way around:
consciousness orders matter, not the reverse.
The new sequence I · V · O · M is phenomenologically pure: it follows experience as it unfolds. Consciousness → direction → field → manifestation → experience.
Example: You leave the conversation with a feeling of relief and clarity — that is E, the total experience of the whole process.
Coherence & Decoherence
We distinguish between a tuned, coherent variant and a tense variant of I, V and O. The subscripts indicate:
- r = resonance (aligned, in phase)
- s = stress (under pressure, out of phase)
C = Ir · Vr · Or
C (coherence) describes how well observer, direction and field are aligned. The higher C, the more flow, clarity and carrying capacity we experience.
Example: You feel: "we are working on the same thing together", the conversation flows and takes little effort.
D = Is · Vs · Os
D (decoherence) describes the tension variant: where I, V and O fall out of phase and the underlying order breaks down. This is where noise, friction and dysregulation appear.
Example: You want to connect, but the other person closes off, the atmosphere becomes stiff and misunderstanding arises.
Dis = 1 / C
Dis (dysregulation) increases as coherence decreases: the lower C becomes, the more unstable the experience.
Observer, attention & field
ΔO = f(I)
The observer effect: a change in the field (ΔO) is a function of I. Consciousness is not a passive spectator, but actively influences the field in which it looks.
Example: Just by breathing more calmly, the conversation becomes softer and more open.
A = I → O
A (attention) is I moving towards O in a directed way. The arrow (→) indicates that the observer touches the field with directed attention – and colours experience through that contact.
Example: You feel irritation, but choose to really listen to the other person; this changes the atmosphere between you.
Field space, tension & freedom
Φ = O / tension
Φ (field space) is the effective space of possibilities. The lower the tension in the system, the greater the available field space for new experience.
Example: In a relaxed team meeting there is space for new ideas; in an argument everything feels stuck and cramped.
Cd = (I · O) / noise
Cd (consciousness density) indicates how much consciousness (I·O) is effectively available per unit of noise. More noise lowers the effective density of consciousness in experience.
Entanglement & relation
Ent = (I₁ × I₂) · Os
Ent (entanglement) describes the coupling between two observers I₁ and I₂ within one shared field. Os is the tension state of the shared field — the context in which both observers find themselves. Entanglement explains why experiences of different people can influence each other, even without direct physical interaction.
Example: You get angry, the other person immediately becomes defensive, you both fall into a familiar pattern.
Flow & stability of experience
Flow = Ir · Vr · Or – tension
Flow arises when the coherent component (Ir, Vr, Or) is stronger than the tension present in the system. This is where we experience ease, creativity and a sense of timelessness in what we do. This is a conceptual relationship, not a numerical calculation.
Example: There is pressure (time, difficult content), but it still feels effortless and creative.
Se = M / (I · V)
Se (stability of experience) indicates how long an experience remains anchored in the system. The more material embedding (M) relative to I and V, the more stable and persistent the experience becomes. O is implicit in M here — situations with high material embedding typically have a stable field configuration.
Example: An intense argument with many concrete consequences (words, decisions, body tension) can keep reverberating for days, even when you have "moved on" in your head.
I · V · O · M — Consciousness structure as process flow