Stardust Redux

In an earlier blog, based on a 2008 Dharma talk I gave, just before leaving the Atlanta satsang, we talked about the concept of sunyata -- emptiness -- and how being empty is a means of expanding beyond the illusions of "self".

I used, as an analogy, one of my favourite quotes from the television series, Babylon 5 -- a show that frequently managed to introduce dharma truths into its brilliantly crafted story lines.

We imagine ourselves to be individual, unique and all important centres of our self-created universes, but the simple fact is that we're no different than the stardust we see in the midnight skies. Not only are we no different from it, we literally are part of it, and it of us.

In the series, Babylon 5, the character of Delenn tells Captain Sheridan:

"Then I will tell you a great secret, Captain. Perhaps the greatest of all time. The molecules of your body are the same molecules that make up this station and the nebula outside, that burn inside the stars themselves. We are starstuff, we are the universe made manifest, trying to figure itself out. As we have both learned, sometimes the universe requires a change of perspective." (-- from the episode: A Distant Star)

This isn't just clever writing, or the stuff of great sci-fi. Any element heavier than hydrogen was created as a direct result of the fusion of matter within a star. Therefore, every atom of your body and mine was created inside the nucleus of a star that once existed in an ancient universe. We truly are the universe made manifest, trying to figure itself out.

We can use each moment of calm mindfulness to gain that insight into the stillness... the insubstantialness.. the emptiness that is Love.

Namasté!
- dharmacharya gurudas śunyatananda
http://dharmadudeunplugged.com

Copyright ©2008, Dharmacharya Gurudas Śunyatananda (Dr. F. Gianmichael Salvato). All rights reserved. This article may be reproduced, blogged, quoted or distributed, provided the entire blog, including by-lines, contact information and this copyright remain intact. It may NOT be altered in any way, without express written permission.