We Are the Stars

A wonderful video (on Vimeo.com) featuring astrophysicist Dr. Neil DeGrasse came my way recently. Dr. DeGrasse was asked the following question in a Time interview. What is the most astounding fact about the universe? Dr. DeGrasse's answer was that life on Earth began in the stars.

Dr. DeGrasse's observation is that the same atoms comprising life on Earth are traceable to gas clouds formed from exploding stars. The guts of these stars hold carbon, hydrogen and other of life's building blocks. Because the atoms came from the stars, our universe not only surrounds us, it is within us.

Yep, we are the universe we see. Shines a new light on our existence, doesn't it? Now we have another view of the oneness of life. A different way to understand that all humans are connected, whether we look alike or not. Mystics and shamans have long stated “We Are One.” Now, NASA provides scientific proof.

Humans aren't just connected to each other. If all of Earth's life forms have atoms originating in the stars as Dr. DeGrasse posits, then at some level, we are also connected to beings who are four-legged, finned and/or feathered. Let's not exclude trees, plants, stones and life-giving water. Do these beings speak a language recognizable to humans? Not really. Does that make them less sentient? Hmm.

Consider the giant apes, who have been communicating with humans for decades using sign language. Or how about the monkeys who use I-pads to speak to each other between zoos across the country? I wonder what they're really saying! Crows have an intricate language and ants can put human weavers and builders to shame. This list could go on for pages.

It's not just words, either. Humans aren't the only beings with emotions. Elephants pay homage to their ancestors. Plants show fear when threatened. Interact with an abused animal and you'll feel their distress. This is not anthropomorphic idealization. Researchers regularly report new
findings about the natural world and our part in it.

Scientific investigation shows life has intelligence, creativity and emotion, regardless of the form it takes. The knowledge that our life-giving atoms came from the stars and are the same for all beings on this beautiful planet we inhabit begs the question: how can we mistreat any part of Mother Earth, including other beings? I'll let you answer that query for yourself.

We are star beings living and dying on Earth. At our core, we all are One with the universe, though many of our actions wouldn't prove that. So did we forget our Oneness or never know the truth?

I'll pose another idea for your consideration. As beings with our origins in the stars, wouldn't it follow that any extra-terrestrial life form is also related to us? If true, E.T.s could be our “distant cousins.” I'd like ET or Yoda in my family tree, but I'm no so sure about some of the Star Wars
characters. Especially the ones in the bar scene.

Okay, so now I'll return to Earth to ask, what is your life view? How does it differ from mine? Do you see a star-filled sky as overwhelming or as exciting, even friendly? Let your ideas take flight and comment! I'd love to hear from you.