Joy and Belonging Through Being Citizens of the Universe

Extreme patriotism creates barriers between nations and hinders human connection. When people overemphasize national identity, they overlook our shared humanity and cosmic relationship.

Self-portrait near the Yukon River in the snowy wilderness | Captured with tripod

A global wave of patriotism is sweeping across nations with unprecedented intensity, reshaping how people view their national identity and their relationship with the wider world. This trend is ultimately disconnecting people from one another, fostering a global sense of isolation and sadness.

When people become too focused on national pride, it creates problems between countries and communities. This extreme patriotism builds walls between nations and stops people from connecting with each other. More and more people are putting too much emphasis on their national identity, and in doing so, they forget something important: we are all part of the same human family and share a place in the vast universe.

The ultimate consequence of this trend is gradually eroding the potential for genuine global harmony and collective human happiness. Instead of embracing our shared humanity and cosmic citizenship, these divisions are preventing us from experiencing the profound joy that comes from true global unity, mutual understanding, and having a sense of belonging wherever we go. What we desperately need in these times is to forge meaningful connections beyond these man-made borders, establish networks of mutual support that transcend these lines on maps, and cultivate a universal love that recognizes no geographical limitations.

Think of patriotism like putting yourself in a box that limits how you see the world. When we focus too much on loving just our own country, we forget that we're actually part of something much bigger - the entire universe. Here's a simple way to understand this: imagine someone builds you a house but tells you to live in just one room. This room has everything you could want - nice furniture, food, and entertainment. You can even see the sky and stars through a window in the ceiling. But you're still stuck in that one room, and you might not even realize how much you're missing out on by not exploring the rest of the house.

This scenario parallels the nature of patriotism — it represents a conscious choice to restrict oneself to a small segment of the world, despite being intrinsically connected to the entire universe and every human being inhabiting this planet Earth. This self-imposed restriction, patriotism, significantly narrows one's perspective and understanding of the world at large.

Patriotism often functions as a mechanism that constrains personal freedom while simultaneously misdirecting individuals through various influences: fear-based speeches, manufactured narratives, and the perpetuation of anxiety regarding the perceived threats to one's identity and cultural heritage. However, it's crucial to recognize that no culture exists in isolation — they all evolve and thrive through interconnection with other peoples and traditions. Unfortunately, certain politicians, religious leaders, and billionaires, driven by self-interest, have propagated these divisive ideologies.

It's essential to recognize the broader context: humanity is continuously being divided and polarized by narrow-minded individuals who seek to maintain their power and control over others. Contemporary examples can be found in how political leaders and business entities often exploit patriotic sentiments for their own advantage. The modern intersection of religion, politics, and business has evolved into a particularly concerning phenomenon, where patriotic rhetoric is frequently weaponized for profit and control.

The solution lies in transcending these artificial boundaries: reach beyond the confining walls of nationalism, establish meaningful connections with diverse cultures, embrace various traditions, and engage with individuals from all walks of life. This approach allows us to recognize our true place in the world — as beings who belong not just to one nation or region, but to every corner of this Earth and, indeed, to the vast space of the universe itself where we also belong to the Sun, Moon, stars, oceans, and countless other planets and celestial formations.

This perspective also represents a powerful approach to ending global conflicts and hostilities, including the ongoing trade wars that have created economic tension between nations. By embracing our shared cosmic citizenship and recognizing our fundamental interconnectedness, we can move beyond the artificial barriers that fuel these conflicts and work towards more collaborative, mutually beneficial relationships between nations and peoples.

To support these thoughts, I am attaching a video from my workshop in Parry Sound, Ontario. Participants are dancing together in unison, and through their dance movements, they immersed themselves into one shared bond of humanity. Enjoy:

This transformative approach represents our path forward to rediscovering the profound joy and genuine sense of belonging that comes from embracing our role as citizens of the universe, rather than remaining confined by artificial national boundaries. This is the one great way we can reclaim the deep contentment and fulfillment that naturally emerges from recognizing our true cosmic heritage and interconnected nature.

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