The Simple Universe

Why Life Has Meaning

2008 by Kevin Harville Rev. 3/6/08

The Problem
As many question their spiritual foundation: Life may seem pointless We have no basis for making decisions We question all our values We may become narcissistic Or just lost

An Answer Might Be
Find the foundation, the core of all belief Bad News: Mankind has been trying for millennia Good News: The same answers keep coming up

My Goal
To show that by shifting your perspective, but not your beliefs, life makes sense, is meaningful, and offers a foundation. No dogma or agenda -- just one simple message.

The Big Questions

What should we believe? What should we desire? What should we do? There are three things necessary for the salvation of man: to know what he ought to believe; to know what he ought to desire; and to know what he ought to do. St. Thomas Aquinas

4 Parts
A change in perspective Systems Values Meaning Conclusions

A Change in Perspective

Whos come to this Truth?

Christian Movements Buddhists Hindus Taoists Tribal religions worldwide New Age Believers Philosophers Scientists Atheists Believers in Gaia Pantheists (God is everywhere) Artists, musicians, poets, and writers

What is this core of all belief? The Answer

From one perspective we are individuals

But from another

We are all simply different parts of the same Universe

Oneness

One

Systems

Any thing is a part of something greater

Systems

Any thing is a part of something greater

We are parts of a larger System

Spiritually Scientifically Mystically Practically Created with Intent Created by Accident

Entropy and Syntropy

Entropy: 2nd law of thermodynamics Everything tends toward disorder Syntropy: Tendency of life toward order

Syntropy

Systems within Systems

Quanta (indivisible units of energy) Atoms are systems of quanta Molecules are systems of atoms Sub-cellular components are systems of molecules

Systems within Systems

Cells are systems of subcellular components

Systems within Systems

A Diagram of a cell and its subsystems. Analogous to organs in the body, they are organelles, each with a function.

Systems within Systems

Organs are systems of cells Biological Systems are systems of organs Living, sentient beings are systems of biological systems

NONE of these systems, and none of their parts, actually touch each other

The Universe is simply interacting energies and consciousness

And

Systems within Systems

Societies, ecosystems, and worlds are systems of life, including sentient beings Solar systems Galaxies The Universe = an infinite system

And we are just a part of it

Sentient biological consciousness is one, if not the only, way in which the universe becomes aware of itself

Consciousness
Whether consciousness is mystical or simply biochemical, it is one thing:

Miraculous
Through life, the Universe is aware of its own existence. We understand almost everythingexcept who we fundamentally are.

We are one longstanding biological process

Of DNA Replication

The Chain of Life

The chain of life is UNBROKEN from your earliest human, or, if you believe, nonhuman, ancestors. All life on earth is quite literally distant cousins.

Borderless Over Time and Space

Thinkers from 1000s of years ago And from 1000s of miles away Stars whose light took billions of years to get here affect us physically, intellectually, and emotionally TV, Radio, Internet Relatives who passed away

Borderlessness
Groupthink Symbiotic bacteria and beings Blood Transfusions / Re-infusions Organ donations & Artificial Organs Drugs and chemicals Ecosystems Fingernails, Hair Pregnancy

Where do you end and the universe begin?

Your choice is to be a healthy, functional part of the Universe

or to be a cancer upon it.

Values
If we are not only individuals, but also parts of the Universe, what does that mean for values?

Universal Perspective
The ultimate judge of values in a system is the system as a whole The ultimate criteria is the well-being of the Universe as a whole.

So what is good from a Universal Perspective?

A Model of Values

Vitality

Love

Joy

2008 by Kevin Harville

Vitality
Vitality: Living, growing, actualizing

Love
Love: Concern for the well-being of the parts of the universe Love works. It creates more vitality in the universe.

Joy
Joy: An appreciation of existence Joy is generally found in things that increase vitality

Core Values
There is no Universe possible in which Vitality, Love, and Joy would be bad things Vitality: Dysfunction would never be a value. Love: Not caring for the well-being of the Universe would never be a value. Joy: Unhappiness would never be a value.

Supporting Values
All other values are simply in support of Vitality, Love, and Joy The list is endless, but generally reflects:
Truth Harmony Excellence Freedom Responsibility Hope

Supporting Values
Truth (understanding reality, knowledge integrity) Harmony (parts functioning together, peace, order, beauty) Excellence (perfection, effectiveness, efficiency) Freedom (self-determination) Responsibility (duty to function well, honor) Hope (constructive optimism)

Values Require Feelings

Without consciousness, nothing has value Value is subjective But values are objective from the Universal Perspective because there is no higher system

Why Feelings Matter

Feelings of pleasure and pain, and values, guide us toward vitality

Meaning

If the highest values are Vitality, Love, and JoyWhat is Lifes Meaning?

Meaning
Meaning is a term expressing a relationship Without relationships, there is no meaning
It isnt about the pencil It isnt about the paper It is about the relationship

Be Valuable
Your Meaning and Purpose? What relationship with the Universe, and the parts of it, do you want to have? Healthy parts comprise a healthy system Healthy parts serve a healthy system Parts are valuable because they serve a unique purpose

The Car
Like parts of a car All parts are infinitely valuable parts of the system But in the vitality of the system parts may provide more relative value The parts are not interchangeableeach has an inherent purpose If you are a headlight or spark plug or tire, dont waste your life being a hood ornament. If you are a hood ornament or cup-holder, appreciate the value you have! But unlike car parts, we evolve and grow Thus the car, the system, evolves and grows

Be Valuable
Be a valuable employee or entrepreneur Be a valuable partner Be a valuable community member Be a valuable part of the ever-growing universe

And reap the benefits of that value by exchanging value with others and by giving some away

The Intersection
The Worlds Needs
The Intersection

Your Passions

Happiness
Would you be happy pursuing Vitality, Love, and Joy While helping others find Vitality, Love, and Joy? It is important that your needs are met so you can continue providing value The system is fulfilled by the parts being fulfilled.

Conclusions

From a Universal Perspective, what would I believe?

I would believe that everyone was a part of the universe I would follow the golden ruleto love others as myselfsince they are. I would want my parts to have Vitality, Love, and Joy. Consistent with belief in God and Science

From a Universal Perspective, what would we desire?

VitalityTo live, to grow LoveAppreciation of the parts of the Universe JoyAppreciation of ones existence

From a Universal Perspective, what would we do?

Find your unique role in the universe: Seek Vitality, Love, and Joy While providing Vitality, Love, and Joy At The Intersection
Your passions The worlds needs

Systems Perspective on How to Live

Intake positive input Process positively / constructively Produce positive output

Positive is that which produces vitality (health of the system), love, and joy

Living in Harmony with the Universe

Will always be ethical Will generally feel good Makes logical sense

Outcomes of This Presentation

Know WHY values matter Know WHY love is the answer Know WHY life has meaning Know HOW to find meaning and purpose Have a foundation in your journey

Thank you
When you ask the big questions, consider if a perspective of Oneness provides an answer Test it. Challenge it.

You are a valuable part of the ever-growing Universe.

More Detail: BeValuable.com Total Success Teams: TotalSuccessTeams.com
2008 by Kevin Harville