In reply to sandy.
I have to challenge the idea that the Universe created a “sentient physical expression of itself.” The Universe needs no such thing. Sentience is merely a human term for qualities humans have but nothing else is allowed to have – just one more way we’ve attempted to place ourselves at the center of the Universe.
It’s certain that plant life is sentient. But no, say humans, plants don’t have brains therefore cannot be sentient. This is pure hubris, nothing more. For all we know everything is sentient – even down to the atomic level. By limiting sentience to humans, we make ourselves unique in all the Universe. And we wonder why the world is so messed up.