OPINION
Knowing the Self Before the Journey
Before embarking on the journey to self-realization, we must first understand who we are turning to—the essence beyond our name, body, or fleeting thoughts. To make this quest accessible, it’s essential to explore how we came to be in this human form, a miraculous process that reveals our connection to the cosmos. By understanding the biological and spiritual journey of our existence, we lay the foundation to answer the profound question: Who am I? This meditation course, rooted in ancient Indian wisdom and modern science, guides you to peel away the layers of perception and discover the universal consciousness within.
The Journey to Self: A Fusion of Ancient Wisdom and Modern Science
For over two decades, I’ve immersed myself in the practices of yoga and meditation under the guidance of Dr. Shiva, a mentor whose wisdom has illuminated my path to self-discovery. This journey has led me to create a meditation course that bridges the profound insights of ancient Indian scriptures with the revelations of modern science. At its core, this course invites you to explore a timeless question: Who am I? Through a blend of spiritual inquiry, biological understanding, and practical mindfulness, let’s embark on a transformative journey to uncover the essence of our being.
The Cosmic Dance of Creation
Imagine the universe as a grand symphony, a dynamic activity that never pauses. From the Big Bang 13.8 billion years ago to the formation of stars and galaxies, every atom in your body has a cosmic story. The carbon in your nails, the oxygen fuelling your brain, the hydrogen tracing back to the universe’s infancy—these elements are the building blocks of life, shared across mosquitoes, rhinos, primates, and even bananas. As my presentation notes, 95% of our body is composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen, with the remaining 5% drawn from the periodic table’s vast array. We are, quite literally, stardust.
This cosmic connection deepens when we consider the journey of a soul into human form. From the moment of conception, a single cell embarks on an extraordinary process of differentiation and morphogenesis, transforming into the 100 trillion cells that form a human baby—equivalent to the number of stars in the Milky Way. Over nine months, this cell recapitulates the evolutionary journey, carrying echoes of reptilian, amphibian, and mammalian forms. As the presentation highlights, we share 65% of our genes with bananas, 80% with mice, and 98.9% with monkeys. Life is evolving as us, a continuous thread woven since the dawn of time.
The Soul’s Arrival and the Microbiome Miracle
The journey doesn’t end at birth. When a baby is born naturally, it is coated with and ingests secretions from the mother’s vaginal microbiome, a second layer of genetic material—2.2 million bacterial genes—that bolsters the immune system. For cesarean births, this connection is nurtured through touch, hugs, and kisses, ensuring the baby’s microbial allies are in place. These bacteria, residing in our gut, stomach, and every bodily opening, work in harmony with our human genome to keep us healthy. They are not separate; they are part of the singular activity of the universe, as noted in the presentation: “Liver is not separate from Kidney, not separate from Brain—they are 1 activity in whole biological organism.”
This unity extends beyond biology. The microbiome and epigenomes respond to our experiences—our senses, emotions, thoughts, and desires. Every breath we take contains 10 sextillion molecules, some of which were once inhaled by historical figures like Julius Caesar or the Buddha. As the presentation calculates, each breath carries 100 million atoms once part of Caesar’s 100 million breaths over his 56 years. Our bodies are in constant renewal: a new stomach every 5 days, skin every month, liver every 6 weeks, and skeleton every 3 months. We are not static; we are a dynamic process, a dance of self-organization and self-regulation within the universe’s ceaseless movement.
Who Am I? Beyond Name and Form
The question “Who am I?” transcends our assumed identities—names, bodies, and roles. As the ancient Indian scriptures suggest, our innermost being is universal consciousness, the awareness that animates mind and body. The presentation challenges Descartes’ famous dictum, “I think, therefore I am,” asserting that being precedes thinking: “First you are, then you think.” Our thoughts, emotions, and desires are experiences, not our essence. We are the consciousness that observes these experiences, a dynamic activity that remains unchanged amidst constant change.
This realization is the heart of self-healing. When we feel stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed, we interfere with the natural process of evolution. Negative beliefs, as outlined in the presentation, can manifest as physical ailments—skin eruptions, hormonal imbalances, or immune disorders. By questioning these beliefs (“Is this really true?”) and cultivating positive ones, we align with the universe’s flow. The course offers practical steps: journal your self-exploration, surround yourself with supportive people, and prioritize self-care. Each day of the week is dedicated to a specific practice, from improving diet on Monday to embracing non-struggle on Saturday and evolving on Sunday.
The Soul’s Journey in the Womb: A Weekly Meditation
One of the most profound segments of the course draws from the presentation’s exploration of the soul’s journey through the womb, inspired by scientific insights and ancient wisdom. Over nine months, a single cell transforms through stages that mirror life’s evolutionary arc. In meditation, we can visualize this process week by week, connecting with the universal consciousness that shapes us:
• Week 1-4: The spark of life begins as a single cell divides, carrying the potential of the entire universe.
• Week 5-12: The embryo takes form, echoing ancient reptilian and amphibian ancestors.
• Week 13-20: Organs differentiate, a testament to morphogenesis as the universe sculpts complexity.
• Week 21-30: The fetus grows, integrating the microbiome, a gift from Earth’s living systems.
• Week 31-40: The soul prepares for birth, embodying the culmination of cosmic and earthly evolution.
This meditation invites us to honor our interconnectedness with all life, recognizing that “separation is a wrong perception.” By embracing this unity, we heal not just ourselves but our relationship with the world.
A Path to Self-Realization
This meditation course is an invitation to rediscover who you are—not as a name or a body, but as the universal consciousness that dances through every atom, breath, and moment. Drawing from 24 years of practice, the wisdom of Dr. Shiva, and the timeless teachings of unknown Indian poets, it offers a practical path to self-realization. Science confirms what the ancients knew: we are not separate from the universe but an expression of its ceaseless creativity.
Join me in this journey to ask, “Who am I?” Through mindfulness, self-inquiry, and a deep connection to the cosmic and biological forces that shape us, we can heal, evolve, and awaken to our true nature. Let’s take the first step together—breathe deeply, and feel the universe within you.
@shoonyazone on X @shoonyaug on insta and facebook email:shoonya.ug@gmail.com
Whats app +256 705342858
