Understanding the Essentials of All Living Beings: Common Behaviors and Energy Transformation
To find sustenance, to avoid being eaten, and to procreate—that's about it for things common to all living beings. While these behaviors may seem so basic, there is a lot more to the lives of the living. In this article, we delve deeper into what all living beings do and discuss the profound energy transformation process that is integral to every life.
Energy Transformation: The Heart of Life
From a broader perspective, we consume energy, transforming it, and radiate it back into the environment. Indeed, we are primarily energy transformers. Our bodies are born from the cosmos, precisely in the same manner as water molecules come into existence. When hydrogen and oxygen atoms are in the right conditions, they form water molecules. This formation is inevitable, similar to the formation of life.
It's important to note that the universe doesn't "intend" to create us any more than it intends to create water molecules. Yet, there is a purpose to every phenomenon in the cosmos, and for living beings, the purpose is the transformation of cosmic energy. The average person consuming three meals a day every day for 80 years absorbs a massive amount of solar energy in the form of food. Billions of electron volts of energy, primarily in the form of sensory impressions, continuously pass through us, with the vast majority going unnoticed. Even the energy we radiate is often not acknowledged. We are, in essence, living, walking, talking fountains of cosmic energy, completely oblivious to this simple fact.
The Two Forms of Consciousness
Given this reality, it is possible to become more conscious of the stream of energy we transform. There are two forms of consciousness: one is knowing information, or the ability to think and be aware of information. The other form of consciousness involves sensation. We are living, breathing animals, fueled by the cosmic energy stream, and a small portion of that stream can be harnessed for awareness. However, being conscious of our energy is not straightforward.
Training the attention to focus on the energy in the body is the key. This requires a lifetime of discipline and a significant amount of support. In principle, anyone can achieve this if they are willing to dedicate time and effort to it.
Conclusion
Living beings are energy transformers in a cosmic sense. Understanding the essential behaviors and the energy transformation process helps us appreciate the profound impact of our lives. By becoming more conscious of our energy, we can enhance our connection to the universe and the web of life.