Have you ever been outside on a clear evening and gazed up at the stars in awe of the stars, the planets, and all the galaxies out there? The universe is vast and in so many ways a mystery. It’s light and dark, born and dead, moving and still. But what if the universe isn’t out there, somewhere far, far away from us? What if it’s a type of mirror reflecting something to us, something very intimate and meaningful?
This idea sounds ridiculous, but most scientists, philosophers, and even spiritual minds across history believed that the universe can say something to us about ourselves. And today, we will be speaking of how the world can reflect who we are and how the universe can help us know who we are.
The Universe Reflects What’s Inside Us
When we look up at the stars in the evening, we can almost find ourselves believing that we are looking into infinity. The stars stretch far beyond our vision. It makes us feel small, but reassuringly so. That feeling of awe is often one that brings a calm sense of feeling. Why should this be?
In those silences, our everyday worries look smaller. We start to feel connected to something beyond ourselves. And from here, the galactic mirror idea emerges. The universe reflects what’s happening inside of us, what we’re thinking, feeling, and who we are.
As stars are created and eventually fade away, we live our cycles of transformation. As galaxies transform and evolve, our existence is constantly in change. The universe shows us that change is the way of nature. That’s reminding us of the fact that we belong to this big cosmic dance. That we, too, are composed of stardust, not just for our physical existence but for our dreams and feelings as well. This simple fact can make us more comfortable with ourselves.
Stillness in Space Shows Us the Power of Presence
Space is serene. If you look at photographs of far-off planets or galaxies, there is a stillness of beauty about them. There isn’t anything frantic or rushed-looking to be going on. This work has something important to show us: the value of living in the moment.
In our daily lives, we’re often moving fast, chasing deadlines, multitasking, and thinking about what’s next. Our minds rarely stop. But the quiet of the universe invites us to slow down. It says, take a breath. Be here. Just notice.
When we pause in quiet, we can listen more deeply to who we are. We can listen to our mind, feel our heart, and start to pose the questions that count.
Who am I? What are my interests? What brings me happiness?
These are not always questions that one can readily answer, but the quiet of space gives us a place to begin.
Stars Remind Us to Find Our Light
All the stars in the universe have their purpose. Some brighten brightly. Some are obscured due to dust. Some are just starting to emerge, and some are set to run out. But all the stars have their purpose.
Similarly, each of us also has a light inside. We forget sometimes. We get lost and don’t know where we are heading. We compare ourselves to others and feel we are not good enough. But the stars remind us that we don’t have to be the brightest or biggest to be numbered. We just need to shine in our way.
Self-discovery is an issue of locating that inner fire. It’s an issue of listening to what captivates us, what moves us, and what resonates with us. As stars illuminate the night, our gifts and histories enrich and make whole the world.
Read more: Why Did Ancient Cultures Worship the Stars?
The Darkness of Space Helps Us Accept Our Shadows
The universe is not made of light alone. Black holes, dark matter, and enormous regions where nothing appears to exist make up the universe. Dark spaces aren’t frightening, they’re all part of the universe’s natural beauty and harmony.
We all have dark sides, too. We all have doubts, fears, and painful wounds. And we may attempt to deny them or shove them away. But genuine self-realization is accepting those sides of us, too.
The world shows us that darkness needn’t be shameful. We are what we are. As soon as we start to stop fighting our shadows and start to fully understand them, we become whole. We become gentle, not just with others but with ourselves.
The Expanding Universe Mirrors Our Growth
Scientists believe the universe is expanding all the time. There is no edge or limit. That’s a powerful metaphor for what’s potential for us.
Our journey of discovery is never truly finished. No matter how mature we become or how much we know, there is always more. More to know. More to feel. More to become.
All the experiences that we have, both positive and negative, we learn something from them. Every new trial teaches us something new about ourselves. As the galaxies keep expanding and moving, so are we, and we keep unfolding and expanding.
This thought is daunting at times, but it’s also exhilarating. It’s the thought that there’s always another thing to see, always another thing to learn, and always another thing to become who we must become.
We Are All Connected in the Cosmic Web
Perhaps one of the most beautiful lessons the world has to teach us is that we’re not alone.
Stars are created in groups. Planets orbit stars. Galaxies are bound together by invisible strings of gravity. None of the things in space are completely alone.
We are the same. Self-discovery is not all about looking inward. It is also about recognizing how we relate to other individuals, our friends, families, society, as well as strangers.
The darkness in the sky at night tells us that we belong to something greater than ourselves. We’re all like stars, unique but linked.
When we remember this, we are more nourished. We are more embracing and open. We understand that every person we encounter is on a journey, too, trying to find meaning and light on their path.
The Universe Is Speaking. Are You Listening?
Whenever you look up at the stars, the universe is narrating a story. A story of beauty, of transformation, of enigma, and connectivity. And if you remain still long enough and listen with your heart, you will hear something incredibly intimate.
You might hear, You are not alone. Or, you are full of possibility. Or even, you are part of something beautiful.
Self-discovery is not a simple matter. It takes time, truthfulness, and bravery. But the universe wishes to lead us. As it shows itself in its stillness, its light, its darkness, and its ceaseless movement, it shows us what we are really like.
So the next time you gaze up at the evening sky, ooh and ahh over the stars, but also hear them. Let them speak to you of your light, your path, and your place in this great, living universe.
As Carl Sagan himself describes, we are a vehicle for the universe to become aware of itself.
Let the galactic mirror help you know yourself, too.
