Are We Really the Center of Everything?
As humans, we have this funny little habit of assuming we’re the center of the universe.
It’s like we’ve been starring in our own cosmic movie, where everything—from the stars in the sky to the tiniest microbe—exists solely for our benefit.
But what if consciousness isn’t unique to us, and it’s quietly thriving in ways we’ve barely begun to understand?
The Human-Centric Lens
Let’s start with the obvious: we tend to see the world—and the universe—through a very human-centric lens. Our languages, our religions, our sciences, and even our art often assume humanity as the gold standard of intelligence and awareness.
But what if that’s not the full picture? What if there’s a whole spectrum of consciousness, manifesting in ways that’re completely alien to our understanding?
Take trees and fungi, for example. Through the “Wood Wide Web,” trees communicate with each other via networks of fungal mycelium, sharing nutrients, sending warnings, and nurturing younger trees. These networks can stretch for hundreds – even thousands – of miles.
Doesn’t that hint at some form of awareness? Not human awareness, sure, but an interconnected, cooperative intelligence that’s just as valid.
For example, if trees “know” that there are other trees around them, and if they realize that there are other living things [fungi] that they can collaborate with to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes, how is that any different from what we tend to think of as “consciousness”?
Expanding the Definition of Consciousness
Here’s where we trip ourselves up. We’ve been conditioned to think of consciousness as something that requires a brain—preferably a big, complicated one, like ours. But let’s challenge that assumption for a moment.
What if consciousness doesn’t depend on a brain at all? What if it’s an emergent property of systems that are complex, adaptive, and deeply connected?
Imagine a coral reef, teeming with life. Is the reef itself—the interplay of fish, plants, and microorganisms—a kind of consciousness?
Or consider the possibility of alien life forms whose awareness might arise from completely different structures. Could an entire planet, with its ecosystems and weather patterns, exhibit a form of planetary consciousness? It’s a wild thought, but why not?
The Universe as a Living Web
The more we learn about nature, the more we see patterns of connection and interdependence. Whether it’s trees and fungi, coral reefs, or even the cells in our own bodies, everything seems to work as part of a larger system. It’s almost as if the universe itself operates like a massive, interconnected web of life.
And yet, here we are, still clinging to the idea that we’re the only truly “aware” beings. Maybe it’s time to let go of that arrogance. Maybe the universe has been whispering to us all along, through the rustling of leaves, the ripple of a stream, or the vast silence of space.
A Humbling Thought
Here’s what I’ve come to realize: if consciousness is everywhere, it’s not about us at all. And that’s okay. In fact, it’s liberating. It means we’re part of something much bigger, much older, and much more beautiful than we ever imagined.
It means we’re not the center of the story—we’re just one chapter in an infinite, unfolding narrative.
So, what do we do with this realization?
For starters, we can learn to approach the world with humility.
We can listen to the wisdom of trees, the lessons of fungi, and the mysteries of the cosmos.
We can stop trying to dominate and start trying to understand.
And maybe, just maybe, we’ll find that our blind spot becomes a window—a way to see the universe not as ours to own, but as ours to cherish.
NOTE: For more on this, please read my book SOLA MYSTERIUM: Celebrating the Beautiful Uncertainty of Everything.
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Excited to announce the new weekly online course I’ll be co-hosting with artist/musician Angie Von Slaughter starting Wednesday, January 8th.
Are you a creative person who struggles to find new ideas? Or maybe you’ve got too many ideas but you just don’t know how to get started? This course is a Live Online Zoom call where we gather with other artists to explore creativity and share exercises and prompts to help us unlock our creativity together.
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The newest book from Keith Giles, “The Quantum Sayings of Jesus: Decoding the Lost Gospel of Thomas” is available now on Amazon. Order HERE>
Keith Giles is the best-selling author of the Jesus Un series. He has appeared on CNN, USA Today, BuzzFeed, and John Fugelsang’s “Tell Me Everything.”
He co-hosts The Heretic Happy Hour Podcast and his solo podcast, Second Cup With Keith which are both available on Spotify, Amazon, Apple, Podbean or wherever you find your podcast fix.
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