We all exist in the present, living moment by moment, yet we remain tethered to our past, which shapes our unique identity. Our past provides a reservoir of experiences—some we recall vividly, others we unconsciously block out. At the same time, we are aware of the future that lies ahead, whether it is the next moment or a distant time yet to unfold. In this unidirectional flow of time, we cannot revisit the past; we can only anticipate the future, a realm filled with probabilities and uncertainties.

As we oscillate between mental creations of future possibilities and memories of past events, we maintain a connection to the immediate reality of our existence. We navigate this connection by fulfilling the “duties” and engaging in the daily activities shaped by our unique personal circumstances, social roles, and expectations.

The forces guiding us arise from multiple dimensions—our personal history, social and cultural upbringing, genetic inheritance, and biological processes shaped by evolution. These influences converge with the Life Force and Universal Energy that permeates us, making us, as human beings, an embodiment of cosmic existence. From a naturalistic scientific perspective, our being is linked to the universe’s grand movements, from the Big Bang to the eventual possibility of a Big Crunch—an eternal, ever-changing reality in motion. This overarching cosmic picture remains largely mysterious and unknowable, understood only in fragments through the limited capacities of the human mind.

Philosopher Immanuel Kant described this distinction, suggesting that while we perceive the world of phenomena through the categories of our mind, the ultimate reality—the noumena—lies beyond our comprehension. Regardless of our wealth, status, or beliefs, we all share a profound sense of existential mystery, bound together in a cosmic journey as we interact with one another at this very moment.

From a scientific perspective, we are further reminded of our place in the vast universe. The Earth not only orbits the Sun, but the Sun itself travels around the Galactic Center of the Milky Way at approximately 118 miles per second, completing a single orbit in about 240 million years. In essence, we are all being carried along on this cosmic trajectory, uncertain of where the next second will lead us.

As humans, we possess a remarkable ability to project our thoughts into the future, yet we must also reconcile with the reality of the unknown. Unpredictable events shape our lives, and the inevitability of death confronts us as the ultimate experience of the unknown. For many, belief in God or a higher power offers solace, an entity perceived as the only one who knows what lies ahead in our journey into the uncharted future.

Both science and religion, in their own ways, affirm the existential mystery of life. This shared acknowledgment fosters a sense of unity among all beings. Yet, even as we are united by this mystery, our awareness of existential uncertainty manifests in countless ways throughout our individual lives.

Through this dual lens of science and spirituality, we gain perspective on our shared journey—an interplay of the known and the unknowable, the finite and the infinite. It is this awareness that ties us together as we navigate the profound enigma of existence.