on cosmic dust and nebulas

the ever-changing self…

Gazing into the cosmos, we're met with a striking analogy for our own existence. The stars and nebulous clouds above parallel the fluid nature of our identity. Just like cosmic dust that slips through the fingers, our sense of self is not a solid, unchanging object but a shifting, evolving concept.

Consider the self. We often think of it as definite and distinct as a star in the night sky. Yet, in truth, our self-perception shifts from moment to moment, echoing the ephemeral and unfixed nature of a nebula. The identity we cling to during the day seems separate and defined, but on closer inspection, it's more of a collection of fleeting sensations and memories—a cosmic dance of elements coming together and drifting apart.

As galaxies are constantly reshaping and reforming, so too is our sense of self—a dynamic, ongoing process. Each experience we have leaves its mark, continuously adding to the complex constellation that makes up who we are. We are not static beings but participants in an endless cycle of transformation, akin to the grand, rhythmic patterns of the universe.

Our essence, therefore, is not singular but multiple, a flowing stream where new aspects of 'I' are forever emerging and old ones fading, like stars being born and extinguished in the boundless sky.

In this immense cosmic theater, our personal journey mirrors the astronomical phenomena that dazzle our skies. The nebula's life cycle of creation and dissolution resembles our own cycle of growth and change. We are not isolated beings but part of a larger, intricate whole that is constantly in motion, eternally unfolding and refolding within the vast tapestry of existence.

As we observe the night sky and its sprawling nebulae, we're invited to reflect on the vast mystery of our being. In the grand scheme of the universe, the self is like a nebula: complex, ever-changing, and infinitely intricate—a beautifully indistinct part of the cosmic masterpiece.