Gazing Skyward, Ever-Present

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With all the pollution, haze from chemtrails, and reflected light from our cities, we often fail to recognize the real significance of the SIZE of our VISIBLE universe (it is well possible that there is more out there, and that light has not yet reached us, 13.7 Billion Light Years away!).  Instead, we are left, often with barely a handful of stars and planets that are visible in the night sky.

Seeing only these, it becomes very easy to imagine ourselves the chosen creation of whatever god you wish to call upon.  It becomes easy to think ourselves unique and somehow important, relative to all we see around us.  We say to ourselves, “Behold my divine heritage!  I am to have dominion over all things of the earth!”  And as we run rampant, harvesting, extracting, and destroying, we content ourselves in the thought that somehow, all this will be magically renewed when Jesus, or whomever returns to make things all better.  As if the world were some magnificent “Dixie Cup” that is somehow recyclable.

This is why astronomy matters.  Why science matters.  It allows us to set aside our personal myths for a better reality, a bigger reality.  Why be contained within the smallness of human imagination and frailty.  Why allow ourselves to be restrained by implacable dogma?  Is it not better to consider that we are literally made of the stuff of the stars?  That within each of us, there resides eternity?  Have you not considered the implication of why we can only remember the past, and think on the future, but the present is ever present, and the only reality under which we can function with even a fraction of assurance that what we are experiencing is actually “real.”   In fact, the brain is unable to distinguish the difference between imagination, dreams, thoughts, or memories.  These abstractions exist only in the mind, and we learn to value them, often in place of valuing the present.

Gazing toward the stars we see a reflection of ourselves, the Truth of our existence.  For regardless of one’s religious myth or scientific tenant, it is undeniable that you are made of the stuff of the stars; and this grants to you citizenship within the cosmos as a living, breathing, (hopefully) thinking human being.  It means that you are also intrinsically related to everything around you.  You are not a separate creation, independent or superior, but a frail representation of cognitive emergence, chemically tied and molecularly bound to everything you can see, taste, hear, smell, and feel.  Yes feel.  From the ground under your feet to the air against your skin or the blazing sun in the sky, you are materially a part of, created by, and sustained by all of this, moment to moment.

THIS is your connection.  And it is every present.  In fact, it is so very important and so very overwhelming, that the mind is unable to do more than imagine anything either before or after this moment, the Present.  It is all we ever can know, and all we shall ever truly know.  It is the reality before our eyes that we regularly deny.

It is a subtle irony that in gazing into the heavens, we see things not as they are, but as they were.  Their past is our present, and were we to draw nearer to them, our perception — locked in the ever-present — would witness the slow progression of aeons pass from their past into their future, and finally our collective present; as stand upon a distant sandy shore gazing skyward along the starry path we have come.

Take a moment and review this brief video presentation.  Consider the relative impact of our dim understanding of the true, mind blowing magnitude of our cosmos.  Then ask yourself, with all that is going on about you, what is most important?  Then ask yourself, who told you that was important.  If you want to really know what is most important to you, you have only to consider what you spend most of your time doing.  Without question, that is what is most important to you.  Perhaps you should take some more time to look skyward, meditate upon all to which you are bound and connected, and then reflect on what is most important.  You may find the answer that comes to your mind refreshing.

Gazing Skyward, Ever-Present
Article By: Aubrey Forest

THE HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE:  DEEP FIELD IMAGERY

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50 thoughts on “Gazing Skyward, Ever-Present

  1. This photo is amazing and post is too!

  2. I’m surprised, but glad, posts like this are being Freshly Pressed lately. Very well said and I agree.

    And have fun dealing with the Bible quoters that will inevitably respond ;)

    Although from your previous post you seem quite apt to deal with them.

  3. hmblanc says:

    Reblogged this on The Big Big TANGENT and commented:
    Interesting stuff from “The Faustian Apprentice”

  4. halfbakedlog says:

    Stretching my mind to grasp these ideas is the most exercise I can ever do.

  5. What a beautiful, relevant, and necessary post. We often turn a cold shoulder to the beauty and meaning of life. This post serves as a fantastic reminder of the gift of life. I am quite intrigued to read more of your blog, thank you Freshly Pressed!

  6. “This is why astronomy matters. Why science matters. It allows us to set aside our personal myths for a better reality, a bigger reality.”

    I *heart* this. A lot! Thank you for this fascinating post…
    :)

  7. I prefer to think my faith is showing me how best to interact with the rest of the world, not how special I am. But I digress; it’s true that we are only a small part of the universe, one that we are a part of and made of, and maybe if we focused on that…perhaps we could stop bickering for once and work for something better than what we have.

  8. Aurora says:

    some debatable points but great post!!

  9. srucara says:

    Beautiful insights and what a refreshing post! Thank you with all my heart!

  10. talkearth says:

    Thanks! Interesting ‘perspectives’.

  11. starlight says:

    video is awesome.. gave me goosebumps! we’re all stardusts.. a tiny part of the universe!

  12. [...] #2: Check out the following post and video from a fellow WordPress blogger: (http://thefaustianapprentice.wordpress.com/2012/08/05/gazing-skyward-ever-present/). If your answer to my quirky question is no after watching this video, then I don’t know [...]

  13. laurabajana says:

    Reblogged this on WriteMeBlog and commented:
    Reading…

  14. cartoonmick says:

    Awesome !!

    Kinda makes you feel sorry for ants, doesn’t it.

  15. rizalID says:

    read your article , sob

  16. Vn-Japan says:

    This photo is very cool :(

  17. evsumrosanto says:

    Reblogged this on Gifts All Around and commented:
    Amazing :)

  18. absolutely fantastic post! the photos of all those galaxies….and those are just the ones we can see…what about those we havent seen yet! and yes, i agree, we are part of the universe…but another question arises…where were we BEFORE the universe…..! no answer to that one…no religion, no scientist can answer that…

  19. Inigo says:

    Beautiful post, and I needed this reminder this morning :D

  20. santhini says:

    Isn’t it better to live and believe in God than to die and find out that Jesus was and is a reality? Seek the truth.. If u did, God will reveal the truth to you.

  21. Linnake says:

    Awesome article! Made me feel better

  22. odiousghost says:

    This stuff really blows your mind eh? Plus, I guess it helps but all the every day minor irritations life throws your way into perspective! Great post!

  23. jumeirajames says:

    When you think that looking at stars is really looking into the the past, then you realise the size of the universe. By the time the light of a star reaches your eyes it may not exist any more.

  24. if you want to see “god” go out into the desert and look up…………surly that is”god”.

  25. Beautiful post, truly fabulous

  26. You write very beautifully. I can almost see the ‘Verse through your eyes. And no, I’m not here to argue religion or lack thereof. Congrats on being Freshly Pressed :)

  27. Tony says:

    To take this one step further, I believe our use of myth and religion helps us to deal with our fears related to the present, which is a naturally selected response to the Struggle of Existence, to use Darwin’s term. We do not see the present because losing oneself in the moment can mean death, while remembering experiences from the past and looking forward to the future is more successful in ensuring our survival in the present moment.

  28. Thank you for a thoughtful post! It’s amazing what stopping int he middle of your routine to THINK about what’s important. Sometimes we forget to do this, it’s always great to have a reminder every once in a while! So Thank You!

  29. arketta says:

    Great! No matter how ‘far’ away something may be, the space between us also connects us.

  30. Such a scary thing to think about. But extremely interesting.

    Katie
    MontrealDSL
    Business Blog

  31. conniewalden says:

    When I lift up my eyes to the sky,
    I see God’s creation arrayed on high.

    The stars and the moon and the sun,
    all made by God, each and every one.

    What else do my eyes see
    when I look through the galaxy?

    That God does exist, and He is all wise.
    This is revealed to my eyes.

    Constance Walden
    http://7thandvine.wordpress.com/

  32. the_lunatic says:

    Nice! Very thoughtful post

  33. You have a great writing style! The philosophical underpinnings of your piece intrigues me. Every time I ponder what it means to be made of the same material as stars, I suddenly feel so small, so insignificant, but at the same time, connected.

  34. annewhitaker says:

    Reblogged this on Writing from the twelfth house and commented:
    I know I said I was taking a break until September. But on WordPress’ Freshly Pressed section tonight I found this brilliant post, featuring a totallly awe-inspiring clip of the Hubble Deep Field. Watch – and marvel……

  35. This reminds me of this picture of Earth taken by Voyager, it’s called the pale blue dot or earth to you and me!

  36. There is a wonderful Creator behind all the galaxies, stars, etc, I am always in awe looking at the night sky and it’s so relaxing.

  37. I agree. We all are connected. Read my post at avcrystalsdesigns. It has some of the similar ideas.

  38. Reblogged this on expressingmyownthoughts and commented:
    Another proof of God’s amazing work

  39. Spacin'jason says:

    Sweet ! I’m feeling the push, pull, action of this quantum entanglement! Have you ever heard of John Boswell, aka melodysheep? You’d dig it fer sure, Carl Sagan mixed with all original music. Here’s one of my favs-
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGK84Poeynk&feature=youtube_gdata_player

    Here’s a mixtape I made of the vastness of space and losing yer mind to cabin fever! Be well.
    http://jasperjonesradio.wordpress.com/2011/11/12/moons-of-jupiter/

  40. Spacin'jason says:

    Reblogged this on SpacinJason and commented:
    Recently pictures from spaced showed a galaxy with millions of suns! How exciting! We are all connected! [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGK84Poeynk&w=420&h=315%5D

  41. Reblogged this on and commented:
    This is an amazing post! We highly recommend reading all of the very insightful writings of The Faustian Apprentice.

  42. Reblogged this on The Pantheist Daily and commented:
    ”It is all we ever can know, and all we shall ever truly know. It is the reality before our eyes that we regularly deny.” – Aubrey Forest

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