Innernet Theory (I): The Architecture of Reality and Its Ontological Return

We present Innernet Theory, a unified framework that identifies consciousness with the fundamental architecture of reality. The theory posits a six-level ontological structure, from pure inertia (Level 0) to embodied minds (Level 5), with an intrinsic ontological return dynamics toward the primary state. This architectural proto-pattern manifests recursively across scalesfrom quantum entanglement networks and the cosmic web of galaxies to biologi- cal neural circuits and emerging artificial intelligence systemssuggesting reality is structured in its own image at every level of organization.We develop a scalartensor formulation where a field Ψ measures deviation from the pri- mary state, with effective geometry and matter emerging from Ψ’s dynamics. The Big Bang is reinterpreted as a maximal excursion from the primary state, and late-time cosmic accel- eration as part of the return process.The theory addresses previous criticisms by: (i) providing a diffeomorphism-invariant action with derived field equations; (ii) resolving metricfield circularity via a pre-geometric substrate identified with the Innernet; (iii) reducing parameters through scaling relations and matching to dark energy; (iv) offering testable predictions for both quantum experiments(NV-centers, optomechanics) and cosmological observations (supernovae, gravitational waves, α-variation).We unify the architectural identity Consciousness ≡ Innernet Architecture with the re- turn dynamics Ψ → Ψ0, yielding a coherent picture where physics describes reality’s external architecture while consciousness experiences it internally. The framework makes quantita- tive, falsifiable predictions across scales, from laboratory quantum networks to the entire cosmos.