As higher purposes go, humans seem to have hit the cosmic jackpot. Not only do we have the easiest and most important job in creation, all we have to do is enjoy the view. Should we all then quit our jobs and stuff a bong? Not quite.
Enjoying the view is its own kind of work. This philosophical rabbit hole leads to a place where exhibiting mindfulness is not just something we schedule sporadically into our busy routine but instead is a sacred cosmic duty – a prime directive of perception. And while mindful meditation is of course worthwhile, there is good reason why our eyes face outward. Our fleeting view as one of billions to perceive existence requires we cast our gaze into the world rather than fretting about whether mascara is smudged on our third eye.
This sacred vista also demands humility. Our role as actors and spectators in this sweeping story is by definition ephemeral, constantly renewed by those are seeing the world for the first time. The cosmos truly lives in the bright clear eyes of a child, seeing creation ever anew. And while each of us has an important role, our view of the world is no more important than anyone else’s. This includes the remarkable sentient beings we share this planet with as well as generations yet unborn. We need always to be mindful that our reverent and mirthful perception of life does not block others from enjoying their own unique vista.
And if creation enjoys being perceived, it seems important that all her eyes are not pointed at the same thing. A dragonfly’s exquisite vision can see in all directions because each of it’s 30,000 eyelets is angled in a slightly different direction. It seems a waste to focus so much of our collective gaze on the same episode of Game of Thrones.
This also conjures up some important responsibilities. If our perception is no more precious than anyone else’s, we should properly divide our precious time between being vividly and viscerally be present in the world, and aiding others to do so as well. Pick your cause but poverty alleviation, environmental activism, social justice, preventing child abuse, human rights, animal rights all seem worthwhile ways to spend our spare time while here on Earth. Our careless consumption and vast numbers are already impairing the perception of others and threaten to blind everything this planet in coming decades. There is nothing of spiritual value in that.
While we are not sensory superstars compared to some of our animal neighbors, we have an amazing mental canvas to imagine on. Artists of all types are able to cast their creativity farther than the rest of us and reinterpret reality in an explosion of insightful ways. Perhaps these special souls have perceptive superpowers especially pleasing to the cosmos. Would creation be crowd surfing at an Arcade Fire show? Immersed in the musical bliss of a Mozart concerto? Arrested by a Rothko? Carried away by a steaming plate of Bánh cuốn? All are worthy temples to worship at.
We all have consciousness, but often it is “self-conscious” consciousness. Many of us feel we need permission to be alive and seek approval by spending much of our fleeting days doing what is expected of us. From the perspective of the Supreme Being, this could be highly annoying. Imagine you had just given the miraculous gift of existence to a sentient being and instead of being overjoyed, they merely wept amidst the wrapping paper wondering if they truly deserved it. A potentially mirthful life would be squandered questioning the wisdom of creation. God would be pissed.
Palliative care nurses have some Godlike insights into life. Perhaps more than anyone, they are repeatedly present during that brief moment of clarity as souls move out of this world. Bronnie Ware worked in this role for eight years, providing homecare for terminally ill patients in the last eight weeks of their existence. So common were the themes of regret she heard over and over that she penned a popular book on the subject. What are the top five things people wish they had more courage to achieve in life?
- I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.
"This was the most common regret of all. When people realize that their life is almost over and look back clearly on it, it is easy to see how many dreams have gone unfulfilled. Most people had not honored even a half of their dreams and had to die knowing that it was due to choices they had made, or not made. Health brings a freedom very few realize, until they no longer have it."
- I wish I hadn't worked so hard.
"This came from every male patient that I nursed. They missed their children's youth and their partner's companionship. Women also spoke of this regret, but as most were from an older generation, many of the female patients had not been breadwinners. All of the men I nursed deeply regretted spending so much of their lives on the treadmill of a work existence."
- I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings.
"Many people suppressed their feelings in order to keep peace with others. As a result, they settled for a mediocre existence and never became who they were truly capable of becoming. Many developed illnesses relating to the bitterness and resentment they carried as a result."
- I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.
"Often they would not truly realize the full benefits of old friends until their dying weeks and it was not always possible to track them down. Many had become so caught up in their own lives that they had let golden friendships slip by over the years. There were many deep regrets about not giving friendships the time and effort that they deserved. Everyone misses their friends when they are dying."
- I wish that I had let myself be happier.
"This is a surprisingly common one. Many did not realize until the end that happiness is a choice. They had stayed stuck in old patterns and habits. The so-called 'comfort' of familiarity overflowed into their emotions, as well as their physical lives. Fear of change had them pretending to others, and to their selves, that they were content, when deep within, they longed to laugh properly and have silliness in their life again."
Remember that we all have a higher purpose undeniably gifted to each one of us. If you got past the doorman, you obviously have an invitation to this party and in deference to our host, make sure you are not moping in the corner.
Let's get back to our didactic diamond chisel. If God-given perception is not merely precious but a sacred duty, perhaps the people nursed by Bronnie Ware would have been able to live a more fulfilling life because that is what they believe was expected of them. People are remarkably good at doing what is expected of them…
While alive we share a sacred if transient vista. There are billions of years of hard work invested in allowing us to be in this moment. Honoring that legacy means getting our egos out of the way to properly enjoy the view.
While there is no promise of an afterlife and no apparent deity to please or anger, our very unlikely path to the present does provide clear indications of what creation wishes we would focus our precious time on.