You Are the Universe Experiencing Itself: A Stoic Perspective on the Human Journey.

"Enlightenment Is When A Wave Realizes Its The Ocean" - Thich Nhat Hanh.

This idea—seeing ourselves as part of something far greater than our individual lives—has the power to change everything. Imagine that every single cell in your body was once stardust scattered across the universe, part of stars, planets, and galaxies billions of years ago. Today, those same particles have come together to form you—a unique, conscious expression of the universe.

Our worries, stresses, and daily struggles often feel overwhelming. Yet, when seen from a cosmic perspective, they become small and manageable. Just as a wave is inseparable from the ocean, we are inseparable from the universe. Recognizing this can profoundly shift our view of life’s challenges. When the wave realizes it’s part of the ocean, it understands that its power, resilience, and beauty come from being part of something much larger than itself. And so do we.

The Universe in Perspective

We live on a small planet in the vast reaches of space. In 1990, NASA’s Voyager 1 spacecraft took a photograph from 6 billion kilometers away, revealing Earth as a tiny speck—a Pale Blue Dot. This single image captured every moment, person, war, triumph, and love story in human history on a single, nearly invisible point in space. Carl Sagan’s reflections on this image remind us of our shared existence on this “mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam,” prompting us to recognize how interconnected we are.

The universe is vast beyond imagination. Our galaxy, the Milky Way, contains an estimated 100 billion stars, each potentially orbited by planets. And the Milky Way is only one of roughly 2 trillion galaxies in the observable universe. It’s humbling to think of ourselves as part of this scale, yet comforting to know that each of us is a microcosm of the universe itself. When seen from this perspective, our personal worries and anxieties are no longer giants looming over us; instead, they become small waves within an infinite ocean.

Made of Stardust: A Cosmic Connection

Every atom in our bodies was forged in stars. Over billions of years, particles that were once light-years apart came together here on Earth, forming everything from oceans to mountains, plants to animals, and ultimately, us. We are made from the same materials as stars—iron in our blood, calcium in our bones, carbon in every cell. This isn’t just poetic; it’s scientific fact. We are the universe expressing itself through human consciousness, a reminder that we are as vast and resilient as the cosmos from which we came.

This truth offers us a fresh perspective on our lives. When life becomes overwhelming, it helps to remember that every part of us was born from cosmic processes that took billions of years. We aren’t small or powerless; we’re an expression of a vast, ancient universe, as resilient and intricate as the stars themselves.

Hinduism’s Vision: The Universe Experiencing Itself

Hindu philosophy has long embraced the concept of the universe manifesting itself through each individual soul, or Atman. In Hindu thought, the Atman—the innermost self—is not separate from the universe but a part of the cosmic whole, known as Brahman. Tat Tvam Asi, a phrase found in the Upanishads, translates to "Thou art that," meaning the essence of the self is identical to the essence of the cosmos. This perspective holds that every individual is a unique expression of the universal consciousness, a timeless truth conveyed in ancient teachings that see divinity within every living being.

Hinduism’s concept of Maya, or the illusion of separateness, parallels the Stoic idea of overcoming the ego to see one’s unity with the cosmos. In realizing that our self-perception is merely a wave within the ocean of existence, we step into our true nature. Hindu philosophy urges us to recognize this interconnectedness and let go of worldly concerns, which are ultimately transient. The notion of Lila, or the divine play, suggests that the universe engages in the joy of experiencing itself through each form of life, embracing both struggles and beauty.

This ancient wisdom resonates deeply with our cosmic identity: we are Brahman, experiencing itself in a myriad of forms. Hindu philosophy not only explains the unity between self and universe but also celebrates it as a profound, joyful realization. This perspective can liberate us from fears and worries, for it reminds us that each moment is part of a greater cosmic dance. Hindu teachings bring us closer to understanding that our life’s journey is not separate from the universe’s—it is the universe unfolding through us.

Lessons from Stoicism: Embracing the Larger Picture

The Stoics understood that individual suffering and challenges should be viewed from a broader perspective. Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius wrote, “You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” Our perspective is our choice, and choosing to see ourselves as part of the universe transforms how we respond to life’s difficulties.

Seneca, another Stoic philosopher, emphasized the importance of contemplating our connection to something greater. He urged us to view ourselves not as isolated beings but as parts of a larger whole. By seeing our personal hardships as part of the universe’s grander story, we gain resilience. Just as the universe is vast and ever-changing, so are we. Our experiences are temporary, but our essence—the stardust that makes up our being—is eternal.

Voyager 1 and the Pale Blue Dot: A Reminder of Our Shared Existence

Voyager 1, now over 23 billion kilometers away, is the furthest human-made object from Earth. Its journey has extended human presence into the unknown, carrying recordings of Earth’s sounds, greetings, and music. As it looked back to take that Pale Blue Dot photo, it offered us a humbling reminder: every person who has ever lived has done so on this tiny speck, floating in the cosmic dark.

All of our conflicts, achievements, and histories are contained within this small dot. Instead of feeling insignificant, this perspective can empower us. Just as we are connected to the universe, we are connected to each other. Our problems—no matter how overwhelming they feel—are small in the context of the universe. This doesn’t make them any less real but helps us approach them with a sense of proportion and resilience.

You Are the Universe in Motion

When we recognize that we are the universe experiencing itself, our relationship with life’s challenges changes. We can see that the fear, frustration, and insecurities we encounter are as much a part of the human experience as joy, love, and achievement. Like waves in the ocean, these experiences ebb and flow, rising and falling within us.

In difficult times, it can help to remember the Stoic teachings about perspective. Epictetus taught, “It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.” By responding to life’s challenges as the universe would—as an endless, evolving, resilient force—we allow ourselves to meet each obstacle with calm and resolve. We are more than the sum of our experiences; we are the universe expressing itself through those experiences.

Finding Comfort in Cosmic Unity

This realization doesn’t mean that our struggles aren’t valid. Instead, it reminds us that we have the inner resources to face them. Each cell, each heartbeat, is a reminder of the journey from stardust to human life. We are part of something so vast and profound that no setback, no failure, and no fear can diminish our value. The universe, in all its vastness, moves through us.

We are connected to each other and to the cosmos, sharing in a journey that has been unfolding for billions of years. As expressions of the universe, we carry within us its resilience, strength, and beauty. By embracing this perspective, we unlock a greater sense of peace and purpose, knowing that we are more than our fleeting worries—we are the universe in motion.

Final Reflection: Live with a Cosmic Perspective

Understanding ourselves as the universe experiencing itself offers us a path toward a more meaningful life. We are not confined to our personal struggles, nor defined by our fears. Instead, we can face challenges as the universe does: with strength, patience, and endless resilience. Let the reminder of the Pale Blue Dot guide you—though we may be small, we are far from insignificant. We are waves in the ocean, forever connected to the cosmos and to each other, sharing in a timeless journey of existence.

References

1. Aurelius, M. Meditations. Translated by Gregory Hays, 2003.
2. Sagan, C. (1994). Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space. Random House.
3. “Voyager - The Interstellar Mission.” NASA, 2023.
4. Seneca, L. A. Letters from a Stoic. Translated by Robin Campbell, Penguin Classics, 1969.