What Does it Mean to be Human?

     What does it mean to be human? Philosophers have been debating this question for centuries, possibly even millennia. Some great minds suggest we are spiritual beings having a temporary, physical experience. Others insist we are temporary, physical beings incapable of experiencing anything beyond our present, empirical reality. My view occupies the spectrum between these two perceptions.

     All matter is scientifically observed as being comprised of nothing more than energy divided by the speed of light squared, according to Einstein’s Theory of Relativity. Therefore, my personal philosophy of life presumes that scientific inquiry and spiritual enlightenment are merely alternative viewpoints from which to explore the same truth.

     The truth is the truth, always has been the truth, and always will be the truth. To be human, then, means to exist in a state of being where truth is ever sought, yet never fully obtained. We catch glimpses of truth. We get to occasionally encounter truth. Some even receive the honor of dwelling in truth for extended periods of time. But truth is more pervasive, more radiant, more glorious, and more truthful than the human mind is capable of perceiving. To be human means to know in part and to do the best we can with the limited amount of truth we are blessed enough to experience.

     Humans are energy transmitting signals throughout a web of more energy, inseparably connected to our environment, to all other creatures within our environment, and to every other form of matter in the universe. What it means to be human is to have the ability to acknowledge this level of inter-connectivity and to assume responsibility for our contribution to the energetic field as a whole.