The Misguided Quest

The Search for Safety and Worth: Barking Up the Wrong Tree

Every human I’ve encountered, in all walks of life, is in search of something. It’s not just a career, a partner, or fleeting moments of happiness. At their core, there are only two true, deeper longings: safety and worth. Yet, these treasures, I’ve come to believe, are not found in the material universe. The paradox is stark: we live in a world where safety and worth are sought as though they can be stored in vaults or displayed as trophies. But life, in its physicality, offers neither permanence nor fulfillment in these realms.

True safety does not lie in the avoidance of death or adversity, for these are inevitable companions of human life. Rather, it rests in the spiritual recognition that we are eternal, woven into the infinite tapestry of consciousness. Similarly, true worth is not derived from the fleeting accolades of others or the zeros in a bank account. It blossoms only when we reconnect with our essence, which is inseparably united with God or Consciousness—the source from which all meaning flows.

The Western Mirage: Worshiping Wealth and Fame

The West, and particularly the United States, has constructed a glittering pantheon of false gods: wealth and fame. These idols are enticing, for they promise to fulfill the deepest human desires. Yet, after years of working with the rich and famous, I have seen firsthand the emptiness that often lurks behind their gilded lives. They are not immune to the human search for safety and worth. If anything, their successes amplify the despair of unmet spiritual longings.

This societal obsession with wealth and fame has not brought collective satisfaction or progress. Instead, it has yielded disconnection and despair. The pursuit of these "gods" exploits our deepest needs, fueling economic engines that deplete the planet and fracture communities. The promises are lies: wealth cannot shield us from the human condition, and fame cannot fill the void of spiritual disconnection. In chasing these illusions, humanity is, quite literally, barking up the wrong tree.

Human Contribution: Our Role in the Divine Drama

At the heart of existence lies a profound question: What is humanity's role in the greater cosmic story? If God—or Consciousness—is neutral, feeding the circle of life with impartiality, then it is we, as humans, who must infuse this realm with "humanity." We are not passive recipients of life but active participants in shaping it. Have we truly taken responsibility for this sacred role? Or are we complacently pretending that the world is a jungle, subscribing to a Darwinian view where survival is the highest aim, while simultaneously threatening that very survival?

The Darwinian perspective, while useful in explaining biological mechanisms, fails to capture the essence of what it means to be human. To exist merely as competitors in an evolutionary game is to abdicate our higher purpose. Our gift—our responsibility—is to transcend the neutrality of nature and embody the qualities of compassion, creativity, and connection. In doing so, we elevate life itself, contributing to the ongoing evolution of consciousness.

But how are we doing? By clinging to the false gods of wealth and fame, we have largely neglected our sacred duty. The jungle metaphor, seductive in its simplicity, has become an excuse for selfishness, violence, and greed. It is not "the way of the world" but a narrative we have chosen to perpetuate. And narratives, unlike nature, can be rewritten.

Beyond the Mirage: Seeking the Eternal

In my journey, I have learned that the path to safety and worth is not "out there." It is not hidden in applause, possessions, or the approval of society. Instead, it is found inwardly, in the quiet recognition of our divine nature. This recognition begins when we dare to confront the void left by false pursuits, embracing instead the fullness of what it means to be part of something infinite and eternal.

In the spiritual realm, safety is not the absence of danger but the unshakable knowledge that we cannot truly die. Worth is not bestowed by others but revealed when we strip away the veils of ego and align ourselves with the divine.

Toward a New Paradigm

If humanity is to heal, we must dismantle the shrines of false gods. This is not a call to abandon material life but to recognize its limitations and recalibrate our pursuits. Wealth and fame are tools, not endpoints. They can serve, but they cannot define.

Imagine if, instead of striving for what cannot satisfy, we cultivated what cannot be taken away: love, connection, and a deep sense of purpose. Imagine if we took full responsibility for bringing humanity into this realm—not as a grudging duty but as an act of profound creativity and service. Imagine if we rejected the jungle metaphor and embraced instead the forest, where life thrives not through competition but through symbiosis and balance.

This is not a utopian dream; it is a return to the essence of what it means to be human. It is an invitation to reimagine our stories, to embrace the paradoxes of life, and to seek completeness in unity with the infinite.

With infinite Love

Los Angeles,
December 3, 2024