A New Cosmic Story

As presented in a previous blog, The Foundations of Reality, our cosmic story plays a foundational role in the way we perceive and interact with everything that exists in our material world.  At present, those cultural and individual stories are amazingly diverse; however, as long as we are able to respect one another’s right to hold an alternative view, this cornucopia of beliefs poses no hindrance to peaceful coexistence.  Unfortunately, too often we observe the hostility that can result when beliefs are sustained through inflexibility and intolerance.

What shifts in our thinking would need to take place to nurture a more harmonious global culture?  Is there a story that could be embraced by the majority of the citizens of our planet?  If so, the task of promoting an inclusive international identity could become achievable. 

Traditional cosmic stories have had thousands of years to develop and convey their doctrines, mythologies, and icons.  These competing tales were born from speculation, contemplation, personal revelation, or visions and have lacked cross-cultural acceptance.  However, a new scientific understanding is emerging that is based on verifiable observations.  As this new empirical knowledge permeates various societies, it has the potential to influence these traditional stories and bring us to a common understanding of our human destiny.

In light of the numerous conflicts currently underway around the world, this may sound like mere wishful thinking.  However, we need to keep in mind that this new cosmological view is incredibly young and has not had adequate time to exercise significant influence on our global community.  Many of our most profound discoveries have either taken place or been confirmed within the last twenty-five years. The launch of the Hubble telescope opened the window on the universe, and what we are beginning to see is extraordinary.

Of course, what is being revealed is not really a new story at all.  It has been going on since the initial expansion began approximately  14 billion years ago.  What is new is our understanding of the cosmology involved in the production of our universe and the subatomic structure of matter.  Our natural senses are limited and do not accurately reflect the reality of the physical realm.  Consequently, most of our previous beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors have primarily been based upon primitive perceptions that are incredibly incomplete.

Traditionally, our observations and conclusions have been founded on a centrist point of reference; egocentric, kin-centered, clan-centered, ethnocentric, nationalistic, anthropocentric, and geocentric.  This perspective is reflected in our daily lives.  We still refer to the appearance and disappearance of the sun as sunrise and sunset, as though the earth is standing still while the sun courses across the sky.  I’m not suggesting any campaign to alter our language, but the event would be more accurately referred to as the morning and evening rotation.

Consider the term “outer space.”  What does that mean?  Again, it is a geocentric expression that implies that space is something that exists out there somewhere, as though we are not part of it.  Although our presence is rather insignificant, we are in fact an integral part of the universe.  During the lunar landings in the late 60s and early 70s, the truth of that reality became quite evident as we began seeing photographs of our planet silhouetted against the blackness of space.

 

We Are Expressions of the Universe

Both individually and collectively we are expressions of the universe.  It is easy for us to view galaxies, stars, planets and moons as such, but we do not typically think of ourselves in these terms.  Perhaps it is time to do so.  In the documentary Journey of the Universe, Brian Swimme presents the profound observation cited below. It succinctly highlights the reality that we are each an aspect of this universal process.

“Over the course of fourteen billion years, hydrogen gas

transformed itself into mountains, butterflies, the music of Bach, and you and me.”

--Brian Thomas Swimme

This is a relatively new understanding based on rational thought and empirical observations.  However, intuitively we have known this for thousands of years as evidenced by the numerous religious traditions and scriptures alluding to our connection with the heavens.  Until now, our intellect had to be transcended because our natural observations were incapable of affirming this reality. 

In western culture our sense of cosmic connection has been sustained by denying our natural reason and expressing faith in an omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent, invisible, and transcendent deity that created heaven and earth.  In all of the Abrahamic religions, we find sacred texts that affirm that God dwells in the heavens along with his angels.  Furthermore, Christians, Muslims, and some Jews anticipate an afterlife in some spiritual heavenly realm.

Eastern philosophy simply declared that our dualistic perceptions are illusions.  Through deep meditation, devotees were able to achieve “enlightenment” and experience a revelatory awareness that “all is one.”  Originating in the Vedic teachings of the Hindu faith around 1,500 BCE, it extended through Buddhism, Taoism, and many of the eastern philosophies.

During the fourth century BCE, atomism emerged as an explanation of the natural world simultaneously in Greece and India.  It was the belief that all matter is comprised of tiny particles that vary in size and shape and form bonds in infinite combinations.   The Greek philosophers, Leucippus and Democritus, coined the term atom, which simply referred to tiny particles that were irreducible.

Atomism played a key role in Epicurean philosophy.  Around 50 BCE, an Epicurean named Lucretius wrote On the Nature of Things, an epic scientific discourse in the form of a poem that presented amazing insights pertaining to the role of atoms in the cosmos.  Some of the assertions are as follows:

-          There is nothing in the universe other than atoms and void.

-          All material objects are comprised of atoms including the heavenly bodies.

-          Stars are neither gods nor mystical.  They are suns just like ours, composed of atoms and orbited by satellites that are inhabited by living creatures in the same way our planet is.  They appear tiny because we are merely observing them from a great distance. 

What is amazing is the fact that all of this intuitive knowledge came through nothing more than natural observation, meditation, contemplation, and logic.  They had no telescope or knowledge of the actual events that formed the material universe.  They were not aware of nuclear physics or the fundamental aspects of quantum mechanics.  Yet they sensed a cosmic unity that is completely compatible with our current understanding of field singularity and the emerging concepts of string theory. 

The source of these incredible insights is expressed in the Tao Te Ching, “How do I know this?  I look inside myself.”  As this ancient wisdom is affirmed through the scientific method, our rational and intuitive minds are free to integrate and establish a state of harmonious understanding as we collectively write our new unfolding cosmic story.

Reflections:

As you mindfully contemplate this unfolding cosmic story, what implications arise regarding the following issues?

-          Your sense of meaning and purpose as a unique element within an evolving universe;

-          Your perception of the moon, stars, and other galaxies as traveling companions; and

-          Your theology.

Honoring the Old Stories

I have developed a deep respect for our ancient forbearers.  Often when I thought of homosapiens who lived 200,000 years ago, the tendency was to think of them as separate from myself.  However, we are directly descendant from them.  We may not be able to use Ancestry.com to trace the lineage all the way back, but our DNA is nearly identical. 

It is impossible for us to comprehend the intellectual challenges that faced them.  As language was just emerging, they were trying to make sense of a world void of knowledge and information.  In many ways, it was like trying to put a 50,000-piece jigsaw puzzle together with no idea what it was supposed to look like.

In our age, we are so proud of ourselves because large sections of the puzzle are finally starting to be assembled.  The more we understand, the faster we can locate the missing pieces; however, they had just been given everything in a brown paper bag with no picture and didn’t even know what they were supposed to do with it. 

Perhaps we should treat their errors gently and at least give them credit for the groundwork they laid for us.  With no concept of the age of the universe or an awareness of the creative nature of evolution, it is completely understandable that they would have attributed the material world to the handiwork of a superior being.  The form and function of living organisms, the rhythm of the tides and seasons, the predictable paths of the heavenly bodies all seemed to reflect the design of an omniscient intellect.

Initially, everything that was unknown or mysterious was attributed to God.  Progressively we have discovered the natural explanations for storms, plagues, eclipses, and countless other phenomena that perplexed our ancestors.  In doing so, we have diminished both the relevance of divinity and the validity of ancient scriptures.

For several years, I simply disregarded ancient writings.   To me they were based on superstition and ignorance.  More recently, however, I have recognized that error and truth can coexist within the same source.  Newton and Kepler are prime examples.  Both were outstanding mathematicians, advanced our knowledge of motion and optics, and used the Bible to meticulously calculate the date of creation.  Certainly no one would suggest that we dismiss their contributions to science simply because they still viewed the Bible as a valid historical resource.

When we overlook the myths, and embrace the metaphors and archetypes in those old texts, we discover an incredible wealth of wisdom regarding human interaction and harmony.  For several hundred thousand years, our forefathers lived in hunter-gatherer bands.  There, they recognized their interdependence and need for cooperation.  Much of what was learned in these egalitarian societies has been preserved through oral and then written tradition.

This awareness offers a new appreciation for many of the admonitions contained in sacred texts.  As children, we are subject to the household rules and values set forth and enforced by our parents.  When we reach adulthood, we establish our own homes free from that authority.  Nevertheless, we typically continue to observe many of the precepts from our childhood, not due to fear of punishment, but because we recognize the validity of the guiding principles.

In a similar fashion, a large segment of our modern age has declared its independence from the dictates of religion.  Unfortunately, there is currently no alternative widely accepted contemporary social institution that is focused primarily on personal character development and cultural solidarity.  Consequently, we are like children who have lost their parents.  Some are mature enough to appreciate the traditional values.  However, others seem to exhibit an adolescent preoccupation with their own interests and generally disregard the welfare of the rest of the family.

It is little wonder that the world seems to overflow with conflict and severe inequities.  In light of this reality, can we afford to overlook the wisdom of people who understood how to live together in peace?  Perhaps it is time for some social maturity that allows us to openly embrace the values presented in scriptures without a need to affirm deity or fear the reproach of sceptics.

When we lay aside the issue of the divinity of Jesus, we recognize that he is the personification of our human aspirations.  He is the fulfillment of who we want to be; who we ought to be; who we can become when we place our faith in the possibility of our ultimate potential.  Over the years, many have suggested that the world would be a better place if people simply lived more like Jesus.  When we consider him or other spiritual leaders as role models, it becomes apparent that their formulas for personal salvation are secondary to the redemptive potential these spiritual paths could have for all of humanity.

Is there better advice than what Jesus is credited with saying in the Sermon on the Mount?  “Blessed are the peacemakers … love your enemies … pray for them who spitefully use you … turn the other cheek … go the second mile….”  The message of sacrificing oneself for others is captured in the Gospel of John where Jesus is quoted as saying, “No greater love has any man than this, than he lay down his life for his friends.” 

Is there a better description of love than what is attributed to the apostle Paul in the 13^th chapter of first Corinthians?

If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have {the gift of} prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.  And if I give all my possessions to feed {the poor,} and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.  Love is patient, love is kind {and} is not jealous; love does not brag {and} is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong {suffered,} does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  Love never fails...." (I Corinthians 13:1-8 N.A.S.B.)

Over several centuries following Buddha’s death, the oral traditions preserving his teachings were compiled into a book known as the Dhammapada.  Like the Bible, several versions currently exist.  Nevertheless, they contain similar affirmations that convey the core message of Buddhism; the importance of attaining enlightenment, right thinking, right living, loving kindness towards all creatures, and a commitment to communal harmony.

The Dhammapada is not a narrative intended to be read extensively at a single sitting.  Instead, more than 400 verses convey simple, easily understood precepts for contemplation and meditation.  Many of the affirmations present deep truths using colorful imagery.

Consider the following:

1.      All that we are is the result of what we have thought.  It is founded on our thoughts. It is made up of our thoughts.  If a man speaks or acts with an evil thought, pain follows him, as the wheel follows the foot of the ox that draws the carriage.

2.      All that we are is the result of what we have thought.  It is founded on our thoughts. It is made up of our thoughts.  If a man speaks or acts with a pure thought, happiness follows him like a shadow that never leaves him.

13. As rain breaks through an ill-thatched house, passion will break through an unreflecting mind.

14. As rain does not break through a well-thatched house, passion will not break through a well-reflecting mind.

145. Irrigators regulate the waters, fletchers straighten arrow shafts, carpenters shape wood, and the good control themselves.

162. Just as a single creeper strangles the tree on which it grows, even so, a man who is exceedingly depraved harms himself as only an enemy might wish.

While Buddhism was spreading throughout India, Confucianism and Taoism were emerging in China.  I have found philosophical Taoism to be compatible with my personal cosmic views.  Lao Tzu, the father of Taoism, is credited with authoring the Tao Te Ching, a revered text among Taoists.  It is rather short and concise, yet incredibly profound.  Its brevity may be due in part to one of its observations, “Those who know don’t speak.  Those who speak don’t know.”

In a world that is currently embroiled in armed conflict in numerous locations and a nation that experiences more than 30,000 firearm homicides annually, is there a more pertinent view than what was offered by Lau Tzu 2,500 years ago?

31

Weapons are the tools of violence;

all decent men detest them.

Weapons are the tools of fear;

a decent man will avoid them

except in the direst necessity

and, if compelled, will use them

only with the utmost restraint.

Peace is his highest value.

If the peace has been shattered,

how can he be content?

His enemies are not demons,

but human beings like himself.

He doesn't wish them personal harm.

Nor does he rejoice in victory.

How could he rejoice in victory

and delight in the slaughter of men?

He enters a battle gravely,

with sorrow and with great compassion,

as if he were attending a funeral.

There is no direct English translation of the word “Tao.”  Generally, it means “the way,” but a more accurate understanding might be the natural way things occur in the universe.  Consider this definition and the impact it would have on our national politics if applied to the following passage from the Tao Te Ching:

61

When a country obtains great power,

it becomes like the sea:

all streams run downward into it.

The more powerful it grows,

the greater the need for humility.

Humility means trusting the Tao,

thus never needing to be defensive.

A great nation is like a great man:

When he makes a mistake, he realizes it.

Having realized it, he admits it.

Having admitted it, he corrects it.

He considers those who point out his faults

as his most benevolent teachers.

He thinks of his enemy

as the shadow that he himself casts.

If a nation is centered in the Tao,

if it nourishes its own people

and doesn't meddle in the affairs of others,

it will be a light to all nations in the world.

(Translations by Stephen Mitchell)

Most diamonds are mined from deep within the earth.  To the untrained eye, they appear to be nothing more than common rocks.  However, when they have been cut and polished, their true value becomes apparent.  In a similar fashion, reflecting on texts from antiquity may require sorting through outdated concepts of the origin of the cosmos, descriptions of the afterlife, and doctrines regarding the proper way to access the “right” path, but in the midst of this surrounding material lie precious gems of universal wisdom.

When we mindfully consider the spiritual and philosophical writings of previous generations, their music and art, it becomes evident that these are expressions from minds and hearts that spent countless hours in silent contemplation prayer, and meditation.  Undistracted by the din of modern electronic media, they were able to explore the depths of their inner being and bring forth treasures that are still capable of inspiring us today. 

Shifting Foundations

For centuries, many viewing a map of the Atlantic Ocean have observed the manner in which the coastlines of the western and eastern hemispheres appear ideally suited to fit together like puzzle pieces.  Of course this was dismissed as mere coincidence.  After all, everyone knew that land could not move.  So, the idea was seen as insignificant.

That all began to change in the twentieth century as the theory of plate tectonics was developed and later confirmed.  We gradually realized that the solid immovable earth beneath our feet was not as stable as it appears.  Armed with this new understanding of continental drift, scientists  have discovered evidence of this phenomenon all around the world.  In fact, we now know that throughout the ages some, and at times all, of the continents have converged into a super continent and then dispersed.

Most of the time, the movement is so slow that it occurs without notice.  However, when pressures build along convergent lines, the sudden release of tension can result in earthquakes tsunamis and volcanic eruptions.    Entire mountain ranges are attributable to the compression and upheaval of regions of our planet’s surface.

What is true of tectonic plates is equally evident in our cultural development.  We tend to think of our sense of reality as a static perception.  Nonetheless, subtle shifts in our collective perspectives are continually occurring. Frequently these transpire without our conscious awareness.  Yet, there are times when the tension between opposing views generates open turmoil.  

Consider the issue of slavery.  For eons people accepted it as a normal aspect of social structure.  Often the spoils of war included the enslavement of defeated warriors and their families.  Though historical records demonstrate that periodically individuals spoke out against the practice, the concentrated effort to end slavery did not begin in earnest until about 300 years ago.  Now the idea is viewed as absolutely abhorrent and there is an international effort to end all forms of illegal human trafficking

Consider the Significant transformation of social attitudes that have occurred over the past one hundred years.  Public opinion regarding women’s rights, child labor laws, same-sex marriage, drunk driving, and smoking in public places have all undergone significant transformations and established new cultural norms.  Clearly ideas are as subject to quantum shifts as any form of matter.

So much of the hostility we witness around the world is due to fear of the changes that are transpiring.  ISIS is a clear example of the fear fundamentalists of all religions are experiencing as they watch modern scientific information and contemporary culture erode their antiquated conceptions of reality.  The strong conservative political effort demonstrated in the recent presidential election depended heavily on fear about the cultural changes that are taking place in our nation.  Although the fearful may be engaging in valent efforts to stem the tide of modernity, eventually rational knowledge will prevail over ignorance.

What new ideological transformations lie in our future?  How would our world be different if the accumulation of extreme wealth was viewed as a crime against society instead of being admired?  What will happen when the demographics of our nation change over the next fifty years and white privilege is no longer a reality?

Yes, change is inevitable, and numerous   questions face us. How peaceful will those transitions be.  Are we willing to participate in the process?  What will be the consequences of allowing others to direct our global future?

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.

Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

-Margaret Mead

The Foundations of Reality

If our perception of the natural world is imperfect, the enormous diversity we observe regarding human values, morality, social relationships, sense of meaning, and religion should not be surprising.  Though these perceptions vary widely from one person to another, the process through which they are established and maintained is universal.  The simple truth is that our concepts of the essential aspects of human experience are shaped by the stories we hear, modify, create, internalize, and share with others.

There is no way to overstate the role stories play in this process.  They can inspire us, inform us, frighten us, or fill us with courage. They are such an integral part of our lives that we often fail to recognize their prevalence in our daily experience.  Frequently we think we are merely sharing information, but typically it takes the form of storytelling. 

Stories are so fundamental to our communication because they incorporate key elements of our thought processes.  The very way that we think is referred to as symbolic consciousness.  Thinking is really a matter of stringing symbols together.  Typically, our thoughts consist of words, visual images, auditory memories, feelings and other sensory perceptions.  As we attempt to convey these thoughts to others, the story provides a logical format for presenting all of these symbols in a meaningful way.

Stories come to us in a variety of constructs.  They can be casual exchanges  or, very formal such as books, poems, music, theater, movies, magazines, and so on.  The format may vary, but the result is the same; ideas and feelings are being communicated, not merely information.

Leaders seeking to establish common beliefs and values within groups recognize the important role stories play in social cohesion.  Religion has utilized story-telling for thousands of years to convey their unique cosmology, values, and behavioral expectations for their religious community.  Nations generate stories about their greatness, moral purity, and superiority over other nations.  Political parties tell tall tales that extol their virtues and demonize their opponents.

The stories that we hear from outside sources play a vital role in our interaction with others.  However, the most important tales in our lives are the ones that we are constantly telling ourselves.  Those stories lie just below our conscious awareness and function much like an operating system in a computer.  They influence our perceptions, likes and dislikes, our decisions, attitudes, actions and reactions.

I believe that there are actually three core stories that are continually engaged in unconscious interaction.  The significance we attach to each one determines its influence on the composition of the others.  Together they comprise our understanding of who we are and where we fit into the universe.

1.      The Cosmic Story

Where did we come from?  Was the universe created by an omniscient and omnipotent divine being?  If so, does that being still play an active role in the universe?  If so, is He merciful and compassionate, or demanding and wrathful?  Does life extend beyond the physical death of humans?  Is there a natural unifying force that produces order in the cosmos?  If so, am I able to harmonize with that force in a way that will influence events in my life?  Perhaps it doesn’t matter what I believe about the cosmos.  Maybe all of this is nothing more than a random occurrence, and life is merely an accidental arrangement of inert atoms.

  2.      The Global Story

What kind of world do we live in?  Is it generally peaceful and safe, or is it harsh and dangerous?  Are the people loving and honest or hateful and untrustworthy?  Are all living organisms completely separate and distinct, or is everything somehow interconnected?  Should we all work together for our common good, or should we each just look out for our own wellbeing?  Are there certain universal truths that apply to our interaction with one another or should everyone merely develop their own value system?  Should humans be concerned about preserving the resources of the planet for future generations, or is the planet and everything on it merely resources to be enjoyed and consumed for our own pleasure and entertainment?

3.      The personal story

Who am I?  Am I loveable, or does everyone hate me and treat me wrong?  Am I intelligent, attractive, and talented, or am I a complete loser?  Am I in control of my life, or am I always the victim of other people and circumstances?  Do I enjoy relationships with others, or is human interaction always uncomfortable and frequently painful?  Do I get a great satisfaction out of helping others, or should people take care of themselves and just leave me alone?   Do I enjoy being alive, or is it just one endless drudgery?

Too frequently the evening news reports accounts of religious terrorists who have committed horrible acts of violence.  However, using the model presented here, it is actually possible to understand what could motivate an individual to strap on an explosive device, walk into a crowded market place and detonate it with the full knowledge that they and all those around them will be killed or injured?  Clearly the suicide bomber has embraced cosmic and global stories that have created a harsh perception of reality.  Undoubtedly spiritual leaders and fellow believers have helped to cultivate their personal story that extols the virtues of martyrdom.  In the light of these perceptions, the actions of these “martyrs” are completely logical.

For this individual, God is very demanding and must be obeyed.  Because unbelievers are violating His authority, it becomes the responsibility of each true believer to do whatever they need to in order to bring about changes in the world that will enhance God’s influence.  What we are observing are individuals who are so committed to this view of reality that their own lives are insignificant when compared to the ultimate goal of achieving complete worldwide theocracy.

Though we may never share a particular perspective, taking time to consider the foundations of and individual’s reality can frequently bring perplexing behaviors into focus.  Understanding another’s point of reference can be informative.  Understanding our own can be transformative.

Thankfully, none of our core stories are etched in stone.  In fact, they are extremely dynamic and subject to change.  Exposure to a new experience or new information can produce subtle or even profound alterations in the tales we tell ourselves.  Some changes occur because people are easily persuaded.  Other changes are the result of an individual’s willingness to examine the validity of their current stories and modify them based on new understandings. 

Socrates is credited with having said, “An unexamined life is not worth living.”  What stories are we telling ourselves?  What is their source?  Are they true, or merely familiar and comfortable? What changes could we bring about in our lives if we updated our internal dialogue?

In a world that frequently seems to be out of control, Einstein’s observation is quite pertinent: “No problem can be fixed from the same level of consciousness that created it.”  Clearly, humanity needs to awaken to a common concept of reality that will nurture a global culture of mutuality.  Although science is continually expanding our understanding of our common origin, no new story has been articulated yet that can inspire this level of unity. 

Laying the groundwork for a shared foundational sense of reality   is our challenge.  Building upon it will be the task of future generations.