Diversity in Life - what to become?

Hari Om
~~~~~

Namaste,

In a most holistic view, the universe is the symbol of the Divine. It is made of infinite parts, yet is is one whole. This is why it is called Uni ( one) + verse ( diversity) ; a diversity of things but one on to itself, Universe.

Humans are the same. We are parts ( arms, legs, lungs, fingers) yet we are one Being, and the 'glue' is the SELF that remains unchanged. The body, scientist say, replaces ~98% of all it cells every 7 years or so. Cells are coming and going, yet I remain yajvan. This SELF is the core value of the human-being. What is this human being? It is 'being' and the expression of the Divine, within the confines of cells, like the universe.

The Visnu Purana points out 8.4 million types of species (moving, and non-moving beings); Science today believes there between 4 million to 100 million possible life forms on earth. So far they have identified 1.75 million, So the Visnu Purana's count holds water.

Of all these things , each of these entities are individual sparks, visphulinga, of the Divine... you too are that spark. Of all these things, what can we become? what is our potential as a human-being to comprehend this unity in diversity? I look to the wise, for their opinions:

To get a human body is a rare thing, make use of it. There are 4 million kinds of lives which a soul (atman) can gather. After that one gets a chance to be human, to get a human body. Therefore, one should not waste this chance. Every second of human life is valuable. If you don’t value this, then you have nothing in hand and you will weep in the end.
Because you are human, God has given you power to think and decide what is good and bad.Therefore, you can do the best possible kind of action. You should never consider yourself weak or a fallen creature. Whatever may have happened up till now may be because you didn’t know, but now be careful ~ after getting a human body, if you don’t reach God, then you have sold a diamond at the price of spinach...

Swami Brahmanand Saraswati, Shankarachara of Jyotir Math, 1940 to 1953, who took this seat after it remained empty for 165 years.

pranams,