The Earth in Transition

Since the development of complex science and technology, the Earth had been contemplating the quality of its inhabitants' lives, as well as its own. Science and technology had truly blossomed into marvelous wonders, and alongside religion, they superficially eased the strife of sentient beings. But while science and religion were evolving, the human "soul" was neglected and became impossible to appease.

In the beginning, the organisms of the world were indifferent. The Earth guided them through a graceful cycle of life, and the simple creatures complied respectfully. But humans were different because they were intellectual and vividly introspective. While lions and birds and fish and bees all lived in regard to the present moment, humans lived in anticipation for the future. Anticipation told them about death and all the other trivialities that cause people anxiety.

"We shall resist!" cried the humans. "We will combat our transitory existence with the sciences and Faith!"

But what was intended to relax the human condition actually tangled and complicated it. Depressed with this realization, the Earth sank into a comatose contemplation; when it woke from this state, it rejoiced for it had been enlightened and knew how to remedy the crisis.

The first day after the revelation, the Earth focused its attention on a desert so to admire its subtle beauty: its warm air, clear skies, strong plants, and clever animals. Indeed, the sun never looked so mighty as it did in the desert sky. Then the Earth noticed a vulture posted on the branch of a dried out, dead, tree. The vulture was watching and waiting, with admirable patience, for a coyote to succumb to dehydration. "My animals are so noble," thought the Earth, and moved on.

On the second day after the revelation, the Earth carried its concentration over to a small meadow. Blue and pink flowers laced the bright green grass, dark trees grew along the borders, and a gentle stream cruised through the middle of the meadow where the animals would come to refresh themselves. Then the Earth noticed a honeybee. He was bouncing from flower to flower, collecting pollen, completely absorbed in his work. "My insects are so virtuous," thought the Earth, and continued on.

Upon the third day after the revelation, the Earth directed its attention to an ocean. Striped and spotted fish glided around through the water, crabs crawled along the dusty surfaces, and it was dark but everything was still colorful. Then the Earth witnessed a glorious seaweed plant floating wildly in an attempt to camouflage a small fish, which was being stalked by a bigger fish. Relentlessly, the little plant waved its arms around, but the little fish was eaten anyway. "My plants are so brave," thought the Earth, and moved on.

It was the fourth day after the revelation when the Earth devoted its attention to a city. There were businesses and homes, and everything seemed to move quite fast but get nowhere. The Earth observed the people most precisely of all. Some of them were friendly, but secretly vicious; others were cold and mean, but secretly just lonely; some were genuinely nice and caring, even if it was just for the sake of being appreciated. The Earth could hear all of their thoughts and ideas. It could feel their happiness and sorrow, pain and pleasure. "My people are so complex," thought the Earth, "just like my vultures and honeybees, for they are all connected, and I am connected to all of them."

All the creatures and organisms living on the planet began to feel its powerful consciousness pressing in on them, and their "souls" began to surge.

And then the sky cracked. Bridges that were formed out of light - millions of them - came crashing down to Earth's surface, down to its deepest valleys, and into its oceans. All of Earth's creatures began climbing onto these golden bridges of light, for the creatures had instinctively been gathering into clusters, and to these clusters the bridges came. There were even special bridges for plants and aquatic animals.

Faster and faster Earth's organisms marched, like soldiers: flawless and in sync. Birds flew high and low; the strong carried the weak; the small animals weaved between hoof, paw, and foot alike; and no one was left behind. The Earth had become these bridges of light, which stretched infinitely into the universe, and all of Earth's beloved creatures marched forever, on and into eternity.