I share the same sentiments, and when reading this, I feel a faint reminiscence of Biocentrism.. or perhaps your ideas struck the same chord as Biocentrism, but opposite? Biocentrism asserts that the objective universe bound by the laws of physics, and life being bound by the laws of chemistry- are relative to and are direct products of biological phenomena from organisms, such as ourselves, namely our neural processes. Basically, biology before chemistry and physics.
"We are no better than the universe, nor worse, nor 'other than' the universe, by all evidence".. with the assumption that the universe indeed functions as a --conscious entity-as we as organic beings do-- it's like an upgraded Biocentrism where the actual matter within the universe, not necessarily biological in nature, possesses some form of consciousness/spirit. And it is sort of opposite in the sense that while Biocentrism asserts that our perceivable universe is a direct construct of our organic conscience, the script is flipped when you say that the universe itself, has it's own conscience and that we are merely a part of that conscience, or even a mere product of it.
Thanks for sharing your view. I also agree with the idea that what laypersons call "God", experts who probe around the edges of our objective understanding, attempting to define scientifically "life and spirit", may call it "reality" or what have you, BUT--> I'd venture to say that it is unlikely that they wouldn't be struck with the same sense of "Awe" and wonder that those who believe in a God experience.
When all is said and done, sometimes I wonder: Are we ultimately just arguing about names? What to call this reality, based upon our level of technical understanding?
EDIT: @ Iggy - I believe the topic of Biocentrism, at some level, addresses the inquiry of "can you mix science with God"?