By
Ryan Diener, L.Ac., Dipl. CH, MSOM, Holistic Health Associates
Astrology,
astronomy, space travel, UFO’s and extraterrestrials have all been
regarded as simultaneously implausible, yet fantastically exciting. Is
it the glimmer of hope that is represented by another species of higher
development? The possibility of discovering something new? The
magnitude that is so vast, our most creative mind cannot remotely
conceive of it? Or is it the sense that we are all part of a whole
which is greater than and concurrently made up of, the sum of its parts?
The
Hubble Space Telescope has orbited Earth for 16 years snapping photos
as close as our own solar system and as far as never before seen
galaxies millions of light years away. Recently a group of astronomers
voted on the top 10 photos taken by the telescope in its 16 years in
operation which begs the question, what exactly are we looking at
anyway?
My
own experience of seeing the #1 photo was one of intense connection and
total disbelief. The disbelief is based on the fact that I have no
comprehension of 28 million light years. The
intense connection
from a deep place in my soul that knows that such a beautiful array of
gases, minerals, rocks and light is present in our Universe, the same
way we are present in its. Seeing the beauty of this galaxy one must
ask the question, Who Am I and why am I here?
Knowing
I have probably passed the first 1/3 of my possible existence as this
being, in this universe, I am thrust into a realization that we must simultaneously recognize our own
insignificance in the 13.7 billion year process
that is currently unfolding along with the intense sense of urgency, in
the words of Andrew Cohen, that it is all up to me to make a
difference, NOW.
Who Am I? I am a part of
that transcending and including process. Atom – Molecule –
Prokaryote – Eukaryote – Organ – Organism – Planet – Solar System –
Galaxy – Universe.
Why
Am I here? To help evolve consciousness in a way that allows us to
recognize a Universal connection. Why? Because the universe will not
change one bit if we blow ourselves up, but can be so beautifully
realized if we pay attention to our own connected experience.
Winter
is the time of rest, introspection and contemplation, so I wonder… Can
we constantly live from a place that recognizes our life as the
greatest gift ever bestowed upon us? How does one begin to repay that?
The
Sombrero Galaxy - 28 million light years from Earth - was voted
best picture taken by the Hubble telescope. The dimensions of the
galaxy, officially called M104, are as spectacular as
its appearance.
It has 800 billion suns and is 50,000 light years across.
Ryan
Diener is an acupuncturist and herbalist who became cofounder and
Director of Holistic Health Associates in downtown Frederick. Ryan
enjoys teaching, counseling and working with his patients to improve
their mental and physical wellbeing, and engaging them to live up to
their highest potentials. He may be contacted at Acupuncture
Frederick MD or (301) 6201414.