WiP #32 You Are Stardust
Because I am … and, hopefully, so are you! | January 12th, 2023
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You are Stardust
🗂 This Week in Work in Progress
Status Update: We are stardust. We are golden. And we've got to get ourselves back to the garden.
Inspiration: The Ancient Story of the Useless Tree.
Lighter Note: Let us see & be stardust...
🔔 Status Update
I’ve been obsessing a little this week about the wonders of the universe, including us! Humankind is, undoubtedly, a bit of a mess sometimes (understatement of the century). But…in the past weeks we’ve produced hydrogen energy, found samples on Mars that suggest the existence of alien life, and produced a whole library of Universe photography(thank you Webb Telescope and the brilliant minds who created you!). As my niece used to say, “We’re amazeballs!”
Recently, we’ve been talking about meditation retreats and the hindrances that can interfere with mindfulness practice and everyday life. If you took only one directive about dealing with your so-called failings from my last newsletter, I hope it was this:
“It’s easy to think less of ourselves when faced with…human failings. But that’s exactly what they are: very human. They are NOT failings. We are little miracles, walking around blind to our wonderfulness. The brain is always trying to protect and serve, so it presents motivation to move toward deliciousness, agitation to move us away from the doldrums, sleepiness to promote rest, and so on. Kiss and hug yourself right now. Love the “flaws” and they’ll relax.”
This week, let’s revel in the wonder that is us – the absolute glory of our humanity. Because, after all...
We are Stardust
Taoism views the human body as a microcosm of the universe. The saying, “As above, so below” refers to the fact that the body is composed of the same elements found in nature and, in fact, the entire cosmos.
I love the imagery here. In Qi Gong, we’re taught that the human system holds a “universe within,” including its own “heaven” and “earth,” internal emotional “weather,” and organ “ecosystems.”
But when I say “we are stardust,” I’m not being woo-woo or metaphorical. Nearly all the elements of the periodic table were made in a star, many having survived several supernovas. And the human body is composed of those elements.
If you want to go all geeky with me for a paragraph, come along for the ride. In theory, everything developed as follows. After the big bang seeded the universe with stars, those shining orbs grew and continued to supernova. They spewed out more and more baby stars. The elements of the universe (matter that can’t be broken down into simpler substances) morphed into heavier and heavier metals as the size, power, and combustibility of the stars grew. It turns out that any element in your body that’s heavier than iron has survived at least one supernova.
You, my friend, are not defined by the aspects of Self your Critic Part complains of (though, admittedly, we all have stuff to work on). You are not even simply one star. You are the amalgamation of bunches of stars.
OMG, you are so amazing!!!
By the way, even small stars last for more than 10 billion years before they supernova, create stardust, and become…us, among other things. So, you are older than you look. To put a more flattering spin on it, you will always look young for your age. Hoorah! No need to worry about the indignities of aging any longer.
Also noteworthy: Some scientists say that our bodies contain trace amounts of hydrogen and lithium that originated from the Big Bang itself. We have all the ancient wisdom of the universe within. Our job here on earth is simply to unlock it.
Need more proof? Still doubt your amazingness? There’s another antidote to the hindrance of Doubt: facts…
We are Golden
Despite the abuse we heap on our bodies – stress, poor nutrition, too little sleep, overwork, etc. – they continue to function in miraculous ways, always striving for balance, efficiency, and optimum functioning.
Consider the human heart…
The heart beats one hundred thousand times daily (and it requires zero conscious effort). That’s three thousand trips through a thousand miles of arteries and capillaries every day.
As it happens, the heat from that thumping heart would kill us, if it weren’t designed so well. The heart is surrounded by the pericardium, a magical sack that reduces friction and dispels the buildup of heat. So, no exploding chests for us.
And the heart is far from our only intelligent design…
The three-pound lump of tissue that serves as the hub for intelligence, sense interpretation, movement coordination, and behavior control (and, sometimes, lack thereof) – the human brain – deals with billions of bits of information. It stores more data than the most sophisticated computer, and runs all its code in realtime, while utilizing far less power. I can’t find the reference at the moment, but I’ve read that if a machine were to process as much information as the brain, it would require the equivalent of the Hudson River running through it to keep it cool.
We may not always feel balanced emotionally, but our bodies provide this equilibrium in every moment, in every organ system, and throughout the system as a whole.
And then, there are our senses – our gateway into the world.
Human eyes can make ten million distinctions in milliseconds.
The nose can differentiate among thousands of odors and fragrances.
Ears pick up vibrations out of thin air and transform them into energy and information at staggering speeds.
The skin contains more than two million openings and actually breathes in energy from the environment.
Are you starting to see the magic? Let’s throw in the body’s structure for good measure…
We’re composed of more than two hundred distinct bones that work together, allowing us to stand erect and also to be quite bendy. Bone is living, growing tissue that continues to renew throughout our lives. Bones also have the capacity to change shape to handle new stresses, such as extra weight during pregnancy. (What??? Have you ever thought of that before? No, me neither.)
There are also more than five hundred separate muscles in the body. If all your muscles worked together without pulling against each other, you would be able to pull several tons.
There’s so much more that I could add to this list, but I’ll stop…for now. I’m always here with fun facts when you need reminding, though.
Today, take a moment to send a smile, love, and gratitude swirling through your body and mind – the parts that work perfectly and the parts that don’t. Because, my friends, “we are stardust…we are golden…and we have to get ourselves back to the garden.”
That starts with self-respect.
Any other fabulous facts come to mind about the glory of humanity? Please share. I’d love to know!!!
💡 Inspiration
Today, cuddle up with a blankie and a cup of cocoa. It’s story time…
The Ancient Story of the Useless Tree
Once upon a time, there was a useless tree.
One day, a woodcutter noticed the tree off in the distance. This woodcutter was determined to make a large, magnificent boat and he hoped the tree would serve the purpose. As he approached, but still at a distance, he saw the tree’s branches were spiraled and crooked and would never produce a sturdy boat. Yet, the woodworker thought, “Perhaps I can build a house out of it.” So, he continued on the path toward the tree.
As he neared, he saw the branches were way too gnarled to construct a fine house. “Well, maybe I can carve those gnarled branches up to make furniture,” he thought. A careful inspection revealed too many knots, twists, and turns.
Frustrated, the carpenter said, “This tree is useless. What a stupid tree.” His companion suggested, “Well, maybe at least we can make tea out of these leaves.” He plucked a leaf, tasted it, and spit it out with disgust. The taste was bitter.
"You are right, this is a useless tree.”
Moral: The tree, being useless to the carpenter, became useful to itself. Had it been useful for the external world – had it met other’s definitions of a “good and useful tree” – it would have been cut down. Our tree saved itself by simply being itself.Moral: The tree, being useless to the carpenter, became useful to itself. Had it been useful for the external world – had it met other’s definitions of a “good and useful tree” – it would have been cut down. Our tree saved itself by simply being itself.
We become useful to ourselves as we come to know ourselves, and accept ourselves as we are. Maybe we become useless to the external world. “Useless” is the state of mind where we don’t try to do things for others first and foremost. We become our own best selves and our own best allies.
This is the road you’re on when you enter a retreat. You’re journeying within, traversing the landscape with acceptance and appreciation, and, in the process, becoming most useful to yourself.
Taking the retreat home…you be you. There’s no way to say it better.
That’s what this quote triggers in me. What does it say to you?
🤡 On a Lighter Note
Let us see & be stardust …
Travel back to Woodstock with Joni Mitchell: We are Stardust, We are Golden. And we’ve got to get ourselves back to the garden. (Heads up: lots of naked bodies in this version.) ☮
Wouldn’t it be great if there were contact lenses that could help us see only the good in ourselves? Well, those haven't been invented yet. But these have…Meet the sci-fi lenses of the very near future. 👁
Since I am, indeed, stardust, I’d like to go out as stardust. Please, universe, let me have the same view as NASA's DART spacecraft before it crashed. 💥
Well, someone else already had this plee answered in the affirmative. Nichelle Nichols’ ashes will be launched into deep space (she passed from this world back in August). In case you’re not familiar, Nichelle was the beloved Star Trek actress who played Lt. Uhura in the original series. And, yes, there is a company that will send your ashes to deep space. And, no, there is no chance I’m missing out on that. It will be this nomad's final flight! 🚀 🌌
Want to read more about the awesomeness of you, me, and the universe? Here's your next dose!
🎀 It’s a Wrap
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Until next week, take care of yourself and someone else if you’re able.
Lyssa