The ephemeral nature of human life is a profound aspect of our existence, and the role of luck cannot be understated in shaping our journey on this planet.
In the grand tapestry of existence, we are but fleeting threads, woven into the fabric of time for a brief moment of probable impossibilities. Our journey begins with the sheer luck of birth, a cosmic lottery in which the odds of our very existence were infinitesimal. Out of the countless possibilities, we were the ones who emerged, fortunate enough to experience life.
“When you realize you are mortal you also realize the tremendousness of the future. You fall in love with a Time you will never perceive.”
- Etel Adnan: Mount Tamalpais, 2000
As we take our first breaths, we are unaware of the lottery that brought us into being. We are born to parents we did not choose, in a place we did not select, and with attributes that were entirely the result of chance. From our genetic makeup to the socioeconomic conditions of our upbringing, we are products of a cosmic roll of the dice. In a cosmic perspective, the existence of our universe and all that it contains is profoundly precious. This preciousness doesn’t stem from the fact that it will one day be lost or transient, but rather from the staggering improbability of it existing at all. The universe, in all its vastness, has triumphed against the almost insurmountable odds of never coming into existence.
To truly grasp the rarity of our existence, we must delve into the cosmic tapestry. The universe is predominantly composed of dark matter, an enigmatic and invisible substance that remains beyond our direct observation. Within the tiny fraction of matter that is not dark matter, a minuscule fraction of atoms came together in a way that allowed for the formation of the intricate and precise chemical elements necessary to construct the complex structures that support life.
Even within this realm, an even smaller portion of atoms coalesced into what can only be described as a seething cauldron of complexity — consciousness. This astonishing emergence of consciousness represents the ultimate rarity, an outcome of a fraction of a fraction of a fraction. It is within this minuscule fraction of a fraction of a fraction that we, as conscious beings, find ourselves with the fleeting and perishable privilege of contemplating the universe, our luck.
Luck follows us through life’s milestones.
The chance encounters that lead to friendships, the opportunities that open doors, and the circumstances that shape our choices are all influenced by luck. Whether it’s the serendipitous meeting with a lifelong partner or the twist of fate that alters the course of our careers, luck exerts its silent, powerful influence.
In moments of contemplation, we realize that our existence is an intricate dance of fortune and misfortune. We encounter joys and sorrows, success and setbacks, all as a result of the unpredictable whims of fate. Sometimes, the wind is at our back, and life feels like a smooth sail on tranquil waters. Other times, we face storms that test our resilience and character.
The recognition of luck’s role in our lives can be humbling. It reminds us that despite our best-laid plans and efforts, we are not the sole architects of our destiny. We are passengers on this journey, carried forward by the currents of chance.
Yet, in acknowledging the transience of our existence and the capriciousness of luck, we find the potential for wisdom and appreciation. We learn to savor the moments of joy, love, and beauty that grace our lives, for we know they are precious and fleeting. We cultivate empathy and compassion, recognizing that the line between fortune and misfortune is thinner than we might imagine.
In the tapestry of existence, the threads of our lives intertwine with others, forming a complex pattern. Our stories, like shooting stars in the night sky, blaze brightly for a moment and then fade into the vast expanse. Our journey is marked by the ephemeral nature of human life, and the role of luck is a constant companion in this adventure.
Consciousness and the Nature of the Universe
Among the countless galaxies, stars, and planets scattered across the cosmos, we are fortunate enough to be one of the very few locales where consciousness has awakened. It is within our minds that the universe can reflect upon itself, understand its own nature through the language of science, and express its deepest feelings and insights through the poetry of human creativity.
As self-referential beings, we grapple with a profound existential challenge, and it arises from the very nature of our consciousness. Our ability to introspect, to have a sense of self, and to reflect on our own existence sets us apart in the natural world. It is, in many ways, the wellspring of our deepest questions and anxieties.
Among these existential dilemmas, few cast a longer shadow than our contemplation of mortality. The void we fear most is the one that would result from our own absence — the idea that our conscious self, which emerges from the ceaseless electrical storm of neural activity, could one day vanish from the stage of life.
Indeed, it’s already a monumental intellectual leap to grasp how “somethingness” could arise from “nothingness” in the context of the universe’s existence. The very concept of existence, in and of itself, challenges our understanding and stretches the boundaries of human cognition. Yet, to confront the possibility that everything we are, a unique and precious fragment of existence, might one day dissolve into nothingness is a profound intellectual and emotional ordeal.
This contemplation savages the very core of our consciousness, which is so deeply intertwined with our concept of self. It forces us to confront the impermanence of all that we hold dear — our experiences, our relationships, our aspirations, and ultimately, our own individuality. It is the stark confrontation with our own fragility and the transient nature of our existence.
In these moments of reflection, we touch the limits of human understanding and the depths of human emotion. We stand at the precipice of the unknown, where the boundary between existence and non-existence is as elusive as it is unsettling.
This existential contemplation, while unsettling, also drives us to explore the profound questions of meaning, purpose, and the nature of our existence. It underscores the preciousness of each moment and the imperative to make the most of our brief and enigmatic journey in the cosmos.
This perspective should give us pause and inspire profound reverence for the cosmos and for our own existence within it. The rarity of our consciousness, the ephemeral nature of our lives, and the remarkable story of the universe all converge to underline the preciousness of the present moment. We should cherish this privilege of existence, savor our ability to contemplate the mysteries of the cosmos, and embrace the impermanence of it all as a reminder of life’s extraordinary beauty.
