In the beginning . .

Not the beginning of time, we have to get away from the flat or linear concept. Rather, the conditions that simply are. I am convinced, to the extent that I know, that the universe is finite. Infinity is just a mathematical symbol, an expression of 1/0, where zero really is zero in context.

Similarly, there can be no real nothing, from the evidence that we are here and we can see a universe with properties at the minutest level everywhere. However, the sum total of the universe must be zero. The term "sum" being defined as the process to add everything there is resulting in the answer zero. Yes it is a circular argument and illogical, but where to start is a fundamental part of the problem, it is what we are trying to find.

Whatever there is, is the reconciliation of two intractable and contradictory conditions, namely (a) the sum of everything is nothing, and (b) there can't be nothing. And what we see with our developing intelligence, scientific data and analysis, is a universe which is pretty much all positive (where is the antimatter?), with a significant part comprising the same stuff as us (hadrons) but a greater proportion is dark and non-hadron. Its matter is stuck together by a few fundamental forces, the weakest of which (gravity) amounts to a constant acceleration imparted to all matter, which I can only explain by assuming that the medium is spinning. This forces matter to clump together in masses which get so hot and dense that they spontaneously combust in a continuous hydrogen bomb, and lead to creation of other elements, and emission of energy which eventually allows life, and intelligence. Through us the universe becomes aware of itself.

Don't know where to go next, but sometimes you just have to summarise the story so far.