  We present a novel solution to the nature and formation of the initial state
of the Universe. It derives from the physics of a generally covariant extension
of Matrix theory. We focus on the dynamical state space of this background
independent quantum theory of gravity and matter, an infinite dimensional,
complex non-linear Grassmannian. When this space is endowed with a
Fubini--Study-like metric, the associated geodesic distance between any two of
its points is zero. This striking mathematical result translates into a
physical description of a hot, zero entropy Big Bang. The latter is then seen
as a far from equilibrium, large fluctuation driven, metastable ordered
transition, a ``freezing by heating'' jamming transition. Moreover, the
subsequent unjamming transition could provide a mechanism for inflation while
rejamming may model a Big Crunch, the final state of gravitational collapse.
