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The biosphere continuously undertakes experiments. Reliable formation of consistent structure preserves what works. Random events facilitate diversification.
It will not surprise you to learn that hydrogen bonds with oxygen to form water and that at the right temperature the water molecules self-organize into symmetric crystals to form snowflakes. The path of each falling snowflake is random, affected by a variety of factors. The slight differences in the path of descent cause the diversity of snowflakes.
Snowflakes are not the only self-organizing structures. In a similar fashion, hydrogen bonds and other natural forces caused other molecules of the Earth to self-organize into complex macro molecules such as amino acids, DNA, RNA and protein, leading to the first life forms.
Asteroids and meteorites contain amino acids, so we know this process occurs elsewhere in the Universe as well.
Image credits for this page:
Snowflake: "The Snowflake: Winter's Secret Beauty"
Please read: About images and copyright.
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R E D E F I N I N G  T H E S A C R E D: R E I M A G I N I N G C E L E B R A T I O N S
A new awareness for our time
What we consider sacred affects our core values and provides a deeper meaning to our lives. Space exploration, molecular biology, social media, the networking of the Internet... science has forever changed our world. It is time to fill the need for a new concept of the Sacred, one that embraces our knowledge of science and our understanding of reality.
As we become aware of the biosphere as progenitor, and recognize the intrinsic wonder of that, we experience a sense of connectedness to the larger reality. We feel a more comprehensive sense of self, a deeper understanding of connection with others and an awareness of our interconnectedness with all life on Earth.
Once we can think Cosmically, we no longer require the supernatural to fill us with awe.
When we understand the Earth's self-sustaining, regenerative processes, and the finite nature of its resources, we begin to shift priorities and take responsibility for our actions and the actions of our governments. When the biosphere is considered sacred, green technology, conservation, and sustainable living become acts of worship. Such a world view provides an intellectually and emotionally satisfying answer to a quest for spiritual meaning in the context of today’s modern, scientific world – and it just might save our species.
Celebrating this Life, this World
We, as biological entities, now know enough about the origins of life that we recognize the biosphere, the planet (Mother Earth), and ultimately the Universe as our real progenitor.
Since we see that life is precious and we understand how miraculous each one of us truly is, we naturally celebrate births, have weddings, have naming ceremonies for babies and welcoming ceremonies for those joining the community. We can add other ceremonies, such as coming of age ceremonies or ceremonies for becoming an elder within the community. Social justice and peaceful coexistence become spiritual goals.
Without the need for the supernatural, we can celebrate things that can be seen, observed, and understood through scientific discovery and our own senses. We can celebrate the changing of the seasons, visible solar and lunar events, the stages of agricultural growth, and the cycles of a life. For themes, we can look back to the ancient ways of celebrating Life and the Living World, as well as forward to modern science.
Here are some examples:
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