We humans are chronically forgetful. We think we are the most powerful species, at least on this planet. We think we are invincible, and even if we are not, we consider ourselves smart enough to find ways of defeating any threat to our supremacy. Yet, the universe reminds us every moment that we need to deflate our egos and look within. But who listens?

Our arrogance is mostly caused by our over-reliance on our brains. The human brain is the most sophisticated thing in the known universe, and we cite it as evidence to boost our egos. Propelled by such notions, we create patterns and habits for ourselves, some of these created over centuries, and some because of random whims of individuals.

This article compiles four mind-benders that challenge human-built notions of superiority. These would nudge you to evaluate what we consider important and worth devoting our lives to.

All Directions go South

We fuss about cardinal directions endlessly. A geographical awareness of directions is essential for practical living, but when we start worrying about the north, south, east, west, it turns into a ridiculous obsession. Why? Because of the facts mentioned below.

For you, your east is east because the sun rises in that spot in the sky, or so you think. But have you noticed the huge difference between where the sun rises in the summer and where it shows up in the winter? The difference is nothing less than 47 degrees. All of this happens because the earth does not go around the sun in a perfect circle, taking you closer and farther from the star alternatively. To add to it, the earth is tiled and it rotates one full spin each day, which means you are always in a relative position to the sun.

Alright, so you would probably find a mean of the different positions of the sun in your skyline and believe that it is the east. But do you know that the sun, the giant ball of fire — itself rotates? Not just that, its rotation is not like that of solid objects, but a differential one, meaning that different parts of the sun rotate at different speeds.

As if this variety of movement was not enough, the solar system itself, a part of the Milky Way galaxy revolves around a supermassive black hole that happens to be the centre of our galaxy. Now — hold your breath. The galaxy itself rotates, making every star and planet and piece of matter in it go around the centre. Here’s yet another twist: all parts of the galaxy do not move at the same speed.¹

All of this basically means that as motionless as you might want to be, as much as you would want to have fixed directions, you can never stop moving, and you will always be in a relative position to everything else in the universe. You are just like a tiny ant on the surface of an orange that is rotating and revolving at the same time, the orange being placed in a group that itself is revolving, and the large table on which many such groups are placed, is rotating too, moving all such groups along. So, considering everything, where exactly is your east, or west?

Even Our Richest are Very Poor

Give your imagination a free go and think of the maximum wealth a human can accumulate. Think of this person as richer than any person has ever been throughout the history of humankind. What all possessions would they have?

Now try to digest the following. In 2004, scientists at NASA discovered an exoplanet unlike they had come across till then. This planet, orbits a star called Cancri, and is located in our very galaxy, and is called 55 Cancri e, and is largely made of diamond. This planet has a radius almost twice that of the earth and a mass almost eight times that of the earth.² So even if the planet is the estimated at least one-third diamond, who among us can gather wealth even a fraction of that?

Cockroaches are More Resilient than Us

From wealth, we move to the basic essential — health. If the worst of Hollywood nightmares come true, and the earth is facing mass extinction, it wouldn’t be long before humans are wiped out. However, cockroaches would probably still be roaming around. Biologically, cockroaches can withstand extreme temperature changes and can survive extreme radiation too.

Even if humans manage to survive dangerous temperatures and nuclear radiation, you would still need food and water to survive. Cockroaches can very well do without fresh food, happily consuming dead decaying organic matter. Not just that, they can stay alive without any food or water for long periods of time.³

So, as much as you might be disgusted at this so-called lowly creature, it could be smiling through an apocalypse, while humans would have evaporated from the planet.

A Microbe had the Entire Humanity Suffering

Ironically, a very recent devastating run of a pandemic did little to humble the human ego. The Covid-19 pandemic that had caused more than 16 thousand reported deaths on a single day⁴ was caused by a virus that is as tiny as around 120 nanometres. To put it in perspective, one centimetre of your skin is equal to 10 million nanometres. How small is that.

This little creature literally stopped life for billions of people worldwide, and caused largescale shock to the economic and social structures, besides the parallel problems of depression and other related health complications. Considering this, try telling yourselves that humans are invincible.

The Point of it All

The above-mentioned facts are not meant to make you feel gloomy. Being aware of these facts is not nihilism. On the contrary, if you understand the implied meaning of these subtle messages of the universe, you will find lasting peace and joy. The point is that working outwards — spending your energy and intellect to attain objects, fame and wealth is a fruitless exercise. If you direct this effort inwards, the rewards are boundless.

Instead of creating wealth, create things that help the world — and then money will come as a by-product. Instead of worrying about having a better life, try to understand your inner world — and then you will automatically find yourself leading a wonderful life. Instead of trying to prove your worth to the others, work on creating a better version of yourself every day — and then you will find yourself commanding your own life. Finally, the most important of all — drop all projects in your life that are meant to boost your ego. Then you will witness the immense power within you, waiting to be discovered, and its light will simply shine on those around you.