We’re all part of something much bigger

April 30, 2013 · 0 Comments

Mark Pavilons

We all search for answers at one point in our lives.
But what do you do when late night talk shows, infomercials and self-help books provide little in the way of direction?
Most of us average types work to get by – to provide for our families, purchase necessities, be good citizens and parents and try to save the planet by being green. We also try to avoid hitting those lost squirrels that cross our path on our way to buy our lottery tickets!
But that’s not enough, not by a long shot.
Serious questions prevail. Are we fulfilling our purpose on earth? Is our journey here pre-ordained? Are we making a positive contribution to society, and therefore, the very fabric of the cosmos?
From the stranglehold the oil and pharmaceutical industries have on us, to the polluting vehicles we drive and poisonous foods we consume, it can be argued that our earth-bound existence is rather lackluster, mundane and ineffectual in fact. Tell me it isn’t so!
“Plan A” is basically stick to what you know and follow your heart, mind and soul. That, coupled with a good education and decent career choice should provide you with the necessities. If you’re lucky to meet the right person, marry and have children, the macaroni-framed picture-perfect life is pretty much set.
Some of us have “Plan B,” where we inject all those secret ingredients that were left out of our “Plan A.”
Dare I say it, but how many of us have created Plans C through Z?
At times, trying to solve life’s problems gets me down and I feel sad, like facing the summer with TV reruns and new reality shows.
Are we improving, progressing and evolving as a species?
Aren’t we better armed to face all of life’s uncertainties? Aren’t we more intelligent, well read and all-knowing than our previous generations? Don’t we have spirituality, metaphysics and electromagnetic energy on our side?
As mere mortals, can we be so well attuned, so connected, to come up with the meaning of life, the universe and everything?
Here’s what I came up with.
We are all part of something much bigger. Regardless of your religious beliefs, a “supreme being” or “higher purpose” permeates most trains of thought. Our goal, it is written, should be to add to the whole, to learn, advance and improve the human condition.
Sounds great! I try to follow this on a daily basis – to give rather than take; to add to, not diminish. Am I in the minority? Are the bulk of my fellow human beings more apt to follow selfish desires, greed and the pursuit of the all-evil dollar?
How about this:
Once we’ve served our time on earth and shed our human bodies, perhaps our knowledge lives on and is added to the huge, cosmic mix. This magical recipe goes way beyond anything we could ever imagine. To make it all worthwhile, it only makes sense that we retain this information as we become part of the universal “think tank” that strives to further human existence.
Wow!
But, does the essence of who we were, and the love we experienced, go with us in our next form? Most would say “yes.”
Again, is this faith or just wishful thinking?
Almost every organized religion has something to say about everlasting life. Interestingly, eternal life was only mentioned once in the Old Testament, but frequently in the New Testament:

“… whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
“Enoch walked with God …
“And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die …
“… but the gift of God gives us everlasting life by Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Christianity aside, perhaps the draw of the metaphysical realm pertains to the very questions we ponder. There’s much more to the human spirit and soul than meets the eye. In fact, it’s all one big magical mystery tour.
Are there spirits, ghosts, apparitions, beings from another dimension? Are they friends or foes? Do we know some of them?
As the aboriginal peoples across the globe attest, are we directly connected to Mother Earth in all respects?
Why have the perfect ingredients for life emerged on our tiny planet in this neck of the universe? Are we alone?
NASA recently discovered two planets that seem ideal for life. Termed “Goldilocks” planets, they are “just right.”
The reason this is newsworthy is we’ve been scanning the skies for decades in search of planets suitable for life and most don’t fit the bill.
Apparently, very few orbit the “habitable zone” of their sun – a location where it’s not too hot or too cold.
The new duo, named Kepler-62-e and Kepler-62-f circle the same orange dwarf star. The pair is 1,200 light years away, or almost 10 trillion kilometres.
Until we invent faster-than-light propulsion, we won’t be holidaying there anytime soon.
More questions.
One of the most optimistic and hopeful ideas of all is simply that this can’t be all there is to human existence.
When I look into my children’s eyes and give them a hug at bed time, I know I can’t possibly be responsible for this beauty. It must go way beyond simple biology.
Whether it’s cosmic forces at work, or ample sprinklings of sugar, spice and puppy dog tails, some powerful force has a hand in all of this.
The beauty that is the human heart and soul can’t be reduced to atoms, DNA or proteins. It’s much bigger than we realize.