The Ground of Being
Consider that our world may be sewn through
With sentience, intelligence and thought.
The dead philosophy that we’ve been taught
Has bridled us, imprisoned me and you.
Behold, Life! In its innumerable forms,
The glory of an animated sky.
Expanding from our penchant to ask “Why?”
We leave behind our comfortable norms.
A vibrant animation fills our sight
The universe we knew has overflowed
Its banks, has flooded our familiar Now.
If only we can breathe its rarefied light…
We’ll be content not seeing down the road,
Not asking why we live, but sensing how.
Josh Mitteldorf was educated to be an astrophysicist, but his life was derailed by the anti-war movement and New Age revolution of the 1970s. His two daughters were among the first adoptees from China in the 1980s. His book, Cracking the Aging Code was co-authored by Carl Sagan’s son, Dorion. He writes about science and politics at UnauthorizedScience.org. His own poetry and music, together with curated uplifting works of others, appear at Daily-Inspiration.org. His volume of brilliantly illustrated sonnets on the 64 hexagrams of the I Ching is available as an app for augury at I-Ching.guru.
Josh, the quest for the future can only be rooted in the understanding of our past and analyzing with a clear logical mind the history, knowledge, and truths that are universal and do not hang out with the unknown universe. “Sensing how” we live comes from our DNA, researching the past, religious relationships with God, compassion and assistance for our fellow travelers no matter how misguided or starry eyed, and applying lessons learned. That is also sufficient for me to answer the question of “why we live.”
We tend to believe (or wish to believe) we’re somehow special. To me, yes, we’re part of that tapestry that makes up life, the universe and everything.
A thought-provoking piece, Josh. May the Force be with you.
The first two lines pretty much sum up the single truest idea about our universe, in my opinion, and I try my best always to be aware of same. If you look for it, you will find it, and the experience is entirely self-validating. And yes, unvacillating reductionism is both a thought killer and a recipe for intellectual self-destruction. And on we go here, to the wellspring of final causes (telos). Neither Rumi nor Donne could have said it better.
Josh your style reminds me of Sidney Lanier’s flow of words. This is a truly communicative set of words and poetry; thanks for extending your talent. That’s a really magnetic image which was chosen as well.
Very thoughtful sonnet, Josh. The value of experiencing life rather than analyzing it!