Beyond Need

Astronomers have just reported to the New York Times that there may be as many as 40 billion inhabitable “earth sized” planets in our galaxy alone and it is estimated that there are roughly 100 to 200 billion galaxies in the universe. About one in five “sun-like” stars has a planet orbiting in the so called “goldilocks zone”- not to hot and not too cold. Reading this information catalyzed my thoughts towards the implications of these findings.

The optimists will think, “Awesome, well, if we trash this planet we can just move on.” Except the closest one is 12 light years away. Even if we were to find a way move beyond our little island home here what would happen when we trashed the next planet. Will our human legacy be one of destruction? I hope that this is not the case.

Humans are the only beings in nature who take more resources than needed for survival. A lion will not kill unless it requires food. A tree will not continuously send forth roots for the sake of taking up more and more space to the point of over extending itself and eventual self-destruction. So, what piece of the puzzle are humans missing? I believe it is a connection to the divine. We all experience that in different ways; monotheism, polytheism, pantheism, even atheism. The rich diversity of spirituality takes innumerable forms. I think what unifies them all together in a beautiful way is this; honoring that all things are indeed connected in some way or another. With this attitude how can we take more than we need?

So, the next time you think that you cannot live without that new gadget or addition to your home, ponder whether or not you’re indeed trying to fill a void in your spiritual life.

Peace, Love, and Laughter,

Emily