UNITING THE HUMAN SPIRIT (PART TWO)

THE PURSUIT OF ASCENSION

    In our endeavors to become an advancing civilization, we must strive to establish a universal awareness and tolerance towards spirituality. By now, as an intelligent species, we should be able to recognize the need to collectively support an individual's right to choose the path they wish to walk, and not fear judgement or persecution because of it. Spirituality is not suppose to be defined by the establishment of organized religion; instead it should be discovered as a way of life. Furthermore, through continuous enlightenment, we should be able to understand that the essence of the Supreme Creator is, by far, too vast to be captured by any singular religion. This is best said by Mahatma Gandhi - "The essence of all religions is one, only their approach is different." And as such, we must have the wisdom and responsibility to set aside our individual perspectives in order to allow our common moral principles to coalesce as One.

   As we are living in a physical state of existence, we should be able to understand that what is currently known through science is part of a much larger awareness. We must be able to embrace it as much of a vital role, in our pursuit for the ultimate truth, as spirituality. Science magnifies our understanding of the architecture while spirituality magnifies our understanding of the architect. What we know as science, and what we believe as faith, is a symbiotic relationship that must never be separated, nor destroyed by one from the other. As Carl Sagan has it - "Science is not only compatible with spirituality; it is a profound source of spirituality." It coexists for good reason; a purpose that even we, as intelligent beings, have difficulty comprehending. It compels us to endeavor towards a higher state of being. Perhaps if we continue to strive for that, we will truly begin to understand who we are, where we came from, and where we need to go. Perhaps then we will be ready, as a united and matured civilization, to ascend into the heavens and live harmoniously throughout the stars.

   Imagine, for a moment, of what will potentially happen if only we just raise our blinds, open our shudders, and let our light shine within. We could pass that light down upon future generations to come. By doing that simple act, we could give them what is needed to rise above our current troubles as a civilization. And when we are free from the chains that currently hold us down, we will go forth throughout the heavens, discovering new worlds and new life. As we set our feet upon other worlds, we shall be faithful enough to look forward to the next, while wise enough to look back at Earth just to see how far we came. Perhaps if we continue to strive for the stars, we will eventually reach a place in the heavens where an advanced human civilization exists- who have already become transcendent and visited our Earth throughout its history. Perhaps they are, and always have been, the centerpieces throughout our religions, and will welcome us home at last.

    It would be very unwise to think that we are the only intelligent life in this Universe. That being stated, consider the impressions we will make and the examples we can set by our positive nature towards others. Can one imagine, that, to the surprise of the ever-watching advanced civilizations, just how far we have matured when they have expected less of us? Or what our role would be with them, standing side-by-side for the sake to protect the right to exist against those who will clearly threaten it? Consider the light of hope that humanity can bring to those species who might be less fortunate than us. If we prepare ourselves now, then in the future when we will arrive upon their doorstep, we will shine like unto a beam of light that floods the darkness.

   These ideals may seem far-fetched but just wait and see. For example, novelist Jules Verne had (which were considered to be preposterous at the time) ideals seeded in From the Earth to the Moon and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Therefore I will help seed the ideal of our species having the potential to unite and go forth harmoniously throughout the stars. After all, thanks to Walt Disney- "If you can dream it, you can do it." We already understand that once our imagination becomes an idea, that idea will become a reality. I suspect that such will be the same for the pursuit of Heaven.

 -by Thomas Daltry