Matter and Being

My eyes opened to slivers of light trying in desperation to reach me through the

taut material of the tent that surrounded me. A few breathes led me to think on the
wonders of not constantly residing in a permanent shelter. And with that, I felt a desire to
see, to experience again, what lay outside my small but comfortable confines. And so,
barely light enough to see, I made my way into the natural world.
Out of my tent, I gazed upward to find the last fading stars and the dark outline of
the surrounding trees that reached towards the deep blue sky. My shelter having just been
assembled the evening before, I recalled that I was nestled between mountains. As such,
with an dark green blanket encapsulating me, a short walk under the forest canopy led me
to a thinning of the trees--gradually being replaced by smaller plants at this point, owing
to the altitude.
It was not long before I reached the summit of one of my mountainous
neighbours. Finding a rock to place myself upon, I rested the legs that had borne my
weight for many days along the wondrous trek. With views that stretched for hundreds of
miles in all directions, I watched a world below me, now in its final rest stages of a cycle
that it had experienced for millions of years. The sky slowly brightening, I knew it would
not be long before all began to stir and awaken from its slumbering state.
From behind a peak in the distance, a tiny fragment of gold emerged, lighting the
world. I noticed clouds lying below me, resting in the valleys and canyons--that had been
carved in stone through the great epochs of time by thunderous waters, given to the world
by the clouds above. In this cycle, I could see the interconnectedness of not only
everything taking place on Earth but throughout infinite spacetime. For, although all that
surrounded me was taking place in a small corner, it was a doubtless part of a single
entity--the Universe.
The sun now unobscured by its surroundings, more became visable. My cousins,
the world's creatures, opened their eyes to the rays of light, checking on sons and
daughters, many of whom remained curled in warm balls. And, although not yet singing
with full members, the dawn chorus had clearly begun, as my friends breathed in air and
expelled it in song. Deep below, I felt the presence of smaller beings as they tunneled
and crawled, churning up the soil that allowed my green relatives to thrive. I thanked all
for their existence and bid them a temporary farewell before descending the weathered
mountain.
On my short return journey, I appreciated offers of dry remains from aging trees.
I arrived at the clearing with a small handful that I neatly constructed a few steps from
my tent. With a flash of light, the sticks began their path to embers. The ghosts of
ancient ancestors (ancient only on a human timescale, of course) joined me, gathering
round the small blaze. My appreciation for the flames grew as I considered some of the
immense advances through human history they had allowed, even if much of technology
had led us down a path of slight peril. My ancestors who sat with me had seemingly

failed to foresee this, but there was no blame to place; this world, this species, is
somewhat of an experiment after all. I, for one, thoroughly appreciate that which this
consciousness has allowed.
After greatfully taking in the heat from the dancing flickers of light, I was ready
to continue on my journey, through both the world and my life. I thanked all for their
gracious company on a fresh morning in the mountains. My body turning towards
civilisation, I could feel the many great beings awaiting my return. And yet, part of my
mind always existed in the towering mountains, the vast steppes, in all earthly and
universal habitats. My brothers and sisters a constant, never would I feel alone with them
pushing me onwards and upwards during my brief moment of human existence.