Cosmology and Mindfulness Can Chart a Journey of Care

Awe and fascination. Understanding and compassion.

Cosmological Awe and Fascination

Some people want to go into space, forgetting that we are already in space. We humans are part of spaceship Earth traveling in a solar system within the Milky Way galaxy (photo above) within a string of galaxies within an expanding cosmos. May we demonstrate that we can care for all beings and ecosystems here before trying to settle on other planets. I personally have no desire to leave Mother Earth.

I have infinite gratitude for living in a Goldilocks’ zone, the habitable zone around a star where the temperature is just right - not too hot and not too cold - for liquid water to exist on a planet which is essential for life as we know it.

I recently saw a picture of the Earth that jolted my awareness. The picture was in an article about the Earth’s axis changing due to the melting of ice because of climate chaos. It suddenly struck me, as it has before, how weird human life is. Here we are, animals with a tiny lifespan, living on a spinning rock that rotates around a star which encircles the center of a galaxy of stars. And what are we doing here?

You and I are integral, conscious manifestations of the cosmos, the Milky Way galaxy, the solar system, and planet Earth. We are family. We are home. We are meant to be here. And, we are a perfect manifestation. Enjoy manifesting your innate understanding and compassion moment by moment.

The other night, I awoke and saw the Earth-moon reflecting light from the Sun-star, and contemplated the sublime mystery of being a conscious cosmic creature composed of trillions of atoms in a universe of trillions of galaxies evolving for 13.8 billion years. We humans can wake up in awe and gratitude for the sheer gift of existence and mindfulness.

We did not create the universe, or the Earth, but we have created human society over and over and over. And we can recreate it at anytime we so decide. Is it not time to do so once more?

We can let go of ignorance, greed, fear, hatred, and violence. We can embrace interbeing and impermanence and dedicate our living to caring for all beings everywhere in compassionate actions in the here and in the now, breathing in, and breathing out. May it be so.

Mindful Practices of Understanding and Compassion

What would it take to wake us humans up to a life of caring for all people, all life forms, and all ecosystems and of creating an ecological, compassionate civilization community by community? Or is it even a possibility?

What do you and I do now to care for our families and ourselves? Do we create a home food-forest? Do we drive an electric car? Do we get solar panels on our roof? All of that costs money and takes time. And what about all of us who can’t afford those things? And how do we prepare for increasing fires and floods and social and economic disruption from climate change and authoritarianism? And how do we live in gratitude, happiness, and kindness moment by moment?

There is only change, and it is time for me to change again, to grow, to morph into a new manifestation. Why does it feel so hard, uncertain, threatening, and uncomfortable? All that you and I have ever known is change. We were infants, then toddlers, then kids, then young adults, then adults, and some of us are now elders.

For me, I have experienced many changes, from trying to renew the church, to doing community development, to organizational and leadership development, to giving decentralized governance policy advice, to teaching innovative leadership, to consulting, to making speeches on the climate emergency, and now, to being an author and activist. But I feel that another change is coming. I feel that I am growing a new awareness and being called to develop new skills and embark on some new initiatives as an elder Earthling.

What is bringing about these current changes? Two years ago, I experienced an assault on who I am, and it hurt. Something that I was working on didn’t play out as I had hoped. I learned things about myself that I wanted to change. I was faced with the perennial questions of who am I, and what do I? Some illusions burst, and new life beckoned. Old patterns were called into question, and I opened to new possibilities. Spiritual growth was called forth. I said to my hurt “Hello there. I will take good care of you.”

I find that it still helps me to smile. To slow down. To stop. To breathe. To be grateful. To let go. To focus on how those around me are suffering and what they need. To discern where I am being called to care for others. To allow myself to be myself in this moment of trying on new roles, tasks, images, and objectives. Who do I need to forgive? Who do I need to ask for forgiveness? How can I listen to others more deeply? How can I pause before speaking and speak to another person’s deep needs? So many questions and challenges.

As we experience our democracy under assault and frequent climate disasters, this one is experiencing some challenges of old age related to maintaining balance while walking. May we each let go of the desire for control and live in awe and gratitude. At the same time, may we do everything in our power to care for all beings everywhere including our own body-mind. And may we live this moment of transformation as a perfect manifestation of Earth and cosmos.

May you and I continue to change as do the clouds in the sky.

These days we must take special care of ourselves and tens of millions who are suffering from political stress syndrome (PSS). Daily we are being bombarded with lies, cruelty, confusion, double-talk, immorality, greed, egomania, and danger. We must not let it make us sick physically or mentally. We must continue to be grateful for our lives and to be inspired activists promoting sustainability and justice. Onward!

Remember that in all of history you are the world-expert in being, realizing, and giving yourself on behalf of all that is, was, and ever shall be.

There is so much suffering in this world. Can I along with others help relieve even a little of it through my deeds and words? Can I along with many others help catalyze a compassionate, ecological local community and planetary civilization? I don't know. Nevertheless, onward I go in mystery, love, and gratitude. Shall we go together, dear friend?

Have you noticed that kindness gives rise to happiness which produces kindness which generates happiness, and so it goes and goes. Or does happiness begin it all? Or are they not one and the same?

There is a lot of talk about being binary or non-binary. But human beings can fall in love with and care for anyone or anything – forests, humans, cats, stars, mountains, cars, dogs, flowers, ideas, social justice, money, food, mystery, organizations, oceans, projects, music, computers, art, science, writing, and on and on and on. We humans are lovers not of this or that but of infinity. What do you say?

In spite of all that is unjust and unsustainable, I am often struck with wonder at how well human society functions because of the diversity of interests and engagements. I am grateful that there are sister and fellow humans who care for almost every aspect of social function.

Even though my passions are ideas, words, methods, and creating a better world for all beings, there are people who keep electricity flowing, cure the sick, grow crops, invent vaccines, make cars, teach school, manage cities, report news, count votes, channel water to houses, make music, manage businesses, and on and on and on. Gratitude. And, we can create even better societies that care for all of the people and all of the planet.

Shall we do this together, dear friend?