"I think the most important question facing humanity is, ‘Is the universe a friendly place?’ This is the first and most basic question all people must answer for themselves.
"For if we decide that the universe is an unfriendly place, then we will use our technology, our scientific discoveries and our natural resources to achieve safety and power by creating bigger walls to keep out the unfriendliness and bigger weapons to destroy all that which is unfriendly and I believe that we are getting to a place where technology is powerful enough that we may either completely isolate or destroy ourselves as well in this process.
"If we decide that the universe is neither friendly nor unfriendly and that God is essentially ‘playing dice with the universe’, then we are simply victims to the random toss of the dice and our lives have no real purpose or meaning.
"But if we decide that the universe is a friendly place, then we will use our technology, our scientific discoveries and our natural resources to create tools and models for understanding that universe. Because power and safety will come through understanding its workings and its motives."
Time rain wind air fire trust of the unknown one power yet many soul one goal yet many paths, understanding and trying not to walk on other peoples toes may God bless us and may we praise God
Time rain wind air fire trust of the unknown one power yet many soul one goal yet many paths, understanding and trying not to walk on other peoples toes may God bless us and may we praise God
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David
Sep 2, 2025
The universe is the womb in which we develop spiritually.
Every struggle, every setback, every blessing is an opportunity to mature. By mature, align one's character with the Creator. Jesus the Christ is provided as example of maturity. By following his example we be become more spiritually mature.
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aimee a
Mar 22, 2025
I've never contemplated the universe as friendly OR unfriendly but I don't believe we were created to destroy ourselves. I love to think that we can becomes friends with the universe ..such a beautiful thought to ponder.
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Tom MartinezJan 14, 2026
A good book exploring this idea is The Great Search by John Philip Newell. He features nine different spiritual luminaries from various World Religions who all share the sense that we are part of something larger than any one tradition, part of the universe itself. The first chapter is about a broad-minded Catholic priest named Thomas Berry who carries forward the work of scientist-priest, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. Chardin and Berry both explore what it means to have emerged from the universe itself, made of stardust, etc.
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Stephen Solomonson
Mar 7, 2025
Learning about the universe will teach us how to be a true friend.
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Deb.be
Jan 25, 2024
Agreeing that this is a friendly universe releases its power to cause it to be so. Free will provides us with the opportunity to create our own reality. The universe is composed of energy so why not use it to create peace, love and harmony? It's my choice and I believe that it lifts up all of humanity to make that same choice so we can live in harmony with each other, with Earth Mother and all of creation.
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Vik Ponza
Jun 30, 2023
I think this is a friendly Universe ,I asked this simple question and all of them said is unfriendly,I keep thinking is friendly otherwise at the end we will be our own enemies
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Brent
May 1, 2023
This passage describes well the results of a fear-driven perception. Having lived for some time on faith in a benevolent Creator who wants what’s best for me, I now have a body of evidence to back it up. The great fact for me is that it works, and I like the results.
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Tesha Sherwin
Feb 15, 2023
Hi awakin.org webmaster, Keep the good content coming!
PS
Princess Shaley Wanda Harlan Walters
Feb 15, 2023
Here's the thing. I believe in World Peace. My whole life ONLY. Never war destruction. Or unrulyness acting out in Common persons. I'm not allowed near... Torturist nor do I negotiate with terriost. It's highly illegal for anyone to even know details about me unless a group of fully capable trusting persons unknowing in all ways of any persons existence that I have issues with. So it's inappropriate and considered surpassing abusive to any and all persons or beings connected to the grounds I walk. And the thing is when I report something like email,. The universe is NOT a friendly place because there is an Issue. BUT worst thing ever is the unknowing or unlaw following from the other party. It's more than a lower level Countries King or Common Person. It's simple persons law that's being failed to be implemented. That's money and sex transactions with technology. So many people NOT allowed to run things are and have money or like means or Currency and do. So even a wron... View full comment
Here's the thing. I believe in World Peace. My whole life ONLY. Never war destruction. Or unrulyness acting out in Common persons. I'm not allowed near... Torturist nor do I negotiate with terriost. It's highly illegal for anyone to even know details about me unless a group of fully capable trusting persons unknowing in all ways of any persons existence that I have issues with. So it's inappropriate and considered surpassing abusive to any and all persons or beings connected to the grounds I walk. And the thing is when I report something like email,. The universe is NOT a friendly place because there is an Issue. BUT worst thing ever is the unknowing or unlaw following from the other party. It's more than a lower level Countries King or Common Person. It's simple persons law that's being failed to be implemented. That's money and sex transactions with technology. So many people NOT allowed to run things are and have money or like means or Currency and do. So even a wrong slight glace to my direction to closely is a Class Y felony with a One year prison sentences. They may not bond out. They man not do a percentage of their time. Period. What would I be teaching my daughter's if I allowed a super hero to punch me.?!.? I wouldn't be allowed wed to be called a Feminist. Would I? No famous victim connectio. With my name in history books would I? This reaction of mine influences others to know that I could speak for all living beings of the child ages. And money helps me take care of them too. I hold Hide full comment
CW
Catalina Weedon
Feb 6, 2023
Hello awakin.org webmaster, You always provide clear explanations and step-by-step instructions.
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Rebecca
Jan 30, 2023
The universe was created for Gods pleasure. If you are friends with God then the universe is a friendly place for you.
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Gil
Oct 23, 2022
This quote about the friendliness of the universe is never attributed which makes me doubt Einstein ever said this. Nowhere can you find where the quote came from. Sounds like folkloric BS!
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NicOct 2, 2025
Agreed. It doesn’t even sound like his manner of speaking . Probably AI.
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Jaden
Sep 30, 2022
I believe that the universe is friendly if you do the right kind of changes to the world.
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vaughn.lauren
Sep 26, 2022
I believe that the universe is friendly, I understand that some people would be scared or afraid of the unknown but there will be other "people" in the universe thinking the same about us on Earth. While we don't know what other "people" in the universe have or are planning to do, but as I was saying the idea of other "people" being out there is just new as it's only being thought of recently, but 50 years from now celebrities might be traveling to the Moon for vacation.
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richiusa.matthew
Sep 19, 2022
I believe the universe is a very unsafe place for anyone or anything. The biggest of my many reasons that the universe is not a safe place is that it's so mysterious and unknown. For example, many people are not scared of the dark itself. They are scared of what's in or could be in the dark. That's why you bring a light so you can see. But the universe isn't like that. No matter what you do you will never be able to know what's out there. Anot... View full comment
I believe the universe is a very unsafe place for anyone or anything. The biggest of my many reasons that the universe is not a safe place is that it's so mysterious and unknown. For example, many people are not scared of the dark itself. They are scared of what's in or could be in the dark. That's why you bring a light so you can see. But the universe isn't like that. No matter what you do you will never be able to know what's out there. Another reason the universe is scary is that there could be more intelligent life forms out there that can take over our planet. Like my original point, we don't know what they're capable of. They could have weapons of mass destruction for all we know. The final reason why the universe is terrifying is the things that exist there like black holes and asteroids. What would we do if an asteroid came towards earth? What would we do if a black hole was heading towards earth? These are questions that we need answers for that we probably won't get anytime soon. I hope in the near future we develop technology to explore the universe and learn to counter whatever dangerous threats the universe throws our way. Hide full comment
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Dom Taylor
Jul 16, 2022
Einstein spent a lifetime trying to explain the universe .... while at the same time struggling with religion and claiming to be atheist. Like most people he wanted 'meaning' to it all. Maybe the trick is not to need meaning .... The universe just 'is' and we need to 'fit' into it rather than 'fight' it all the time.
The question is not 'is the universe friendly' .... the question is, 'Are we friendly'.
AN
anaJul 27, 2022
He never claimed to be an atheist: he was just more intuitive about the universe and its truths. I feel like if he wrote down his personal beliefs, many people would agree but he believed, and one of the biggest reasons why I'm a big fan of his, that everyone has the right to their own free will and beliefs. The problem with the universe is that it's not in control of itself anymore: it's in control by the people, and you can chose to fit in and fall in line like so many find it so easy to do, but there's courage and honor in fighting for yourself and others. like he is honestly fascinating
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Michael
Oct 9, 2021
Is it friendly? Perhaps we should Look at its ability to be friendlyv Unfriendly. Love is friendly, love is also this humans greatest resource of ability. As humans are rulers of this planet with their greatestability being love which is friendly then we should say Friendly leads Unfriendly 1-0 from what we can observe as humans
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MELINDA M WOOD
Sep 28, 2021
I think what is more important than whether Einstein actually said this is how we answer this question. Also how our answer to this question can affect the course of our lives.
How do we know that God does not play dice with the Universe?
Why do we need a purpose or a meaning?
Deciding that the whole Universe is friendly or unfriendly means we are judging upon whatever we decide is "friendly" or "unfriendly" (pleasant or harmful).
Why cannot be God just probability?
Hi. Would you be kind enough to provide the source of this quotation?
Thank you!
HD
HDMay 22, 2021
Einstein
FR
FrankAug 8, 2021
I like your sense of humor!
But seriously, I'm wondering if anyone can provide the reference for this quotation. Is it from a journal article? A letter? A speech that he gave? What is the date that corresponds with this quotation?
Can anyone document the authenticity of this attribution?
SE
SergioSep 25, 2021
Oh yes, thinking maybe it's a fake reference.
CM
Cherry MilneApr 26, 2022
I’ve just seen this, months later. What Frank is trying to tell you is that your answer is not a reference. For those who have no formal education you have to give: Author, date, title, journal and pages. It’s called Harvard referencing. Neither Frank nor I are trying to be clever, it is just what a reference is.
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Sue
Apr 17, 2021
Choose to believe we live in a friendly Universe. Makes all the difference in the world.
JR
JR
Mar 17, 2021
My own opinion is that the universe is unfriendly. I say this based on my own experience of the universe. All societies that I know about are in the process of deconstructing themselves. All of the good that has been achieved in the past couple of thousand years is currently being undone by the collective evil of every Government on earth. So based purely on my direct experience of dealing with authority on earth alone, my conclusion is that the universe is hostile. If not then we can only hope that a proper benevolent alien civilization will invade earth and dispose of everyone currently helping to perpetuate the evil and claiming that "they're only doing their job". It's possibly a vain hope but we can't lose hope.
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JaredApr 3, 2021
Friend, we as people are able to choose happiness and friendliness unhappiness and abuse.
We make things good or evil by our choices. I am sure if you and I meet that we would become friends and create our own friendly universe. Why? Because I choose to believe we are good at our core if given the opportunity.
Let's not lose hope, Iagree and stand up again evil by being better than any other people in all of history. Then we will defeat evil.
AE
Alex ErmenkovMay 2, 2021
The UNIVERSE is neither FRIENDLY nor UNFRIENDLY. The UNIVERSE is. WHO you ARE. It is always an expression of US.
It is always perfect as it is In each moment of existence YET it's destined to BE what we will BECOME
HA
Hasford
Mar 5, 2021
With the perception of every human is the frequency emittedto the Universe. The Universe is at our service , you think positively so do positive things come your way .
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Harry
Jan 16, 2021
Our faith can sometimes be tested by events. It may indeed seem like God is playing dicebut we must reaffirm our belief in a benevolentGod whose work is manifest love.
Is the universe friendly? How you answer that question will determine how you live the rest of your life.
JO
Jonathan
Sep 28, 2020
Einstein, as one of the most brilliant minds this world has ever seen, clearly understood the importance of interpretation and how it affects each individuals perception of the world. I don't think Einstein was suggesting that there is one answer to this question for the one universe we all exist in rather suggesting that each person must choose for themselves how to see their own universe and that this choice will essentially determine how their life will unfold. If a person decides that the universe they live in is friendly they will see the good much more than the bad, spend more time feeling positive emotions such as happiness, love, and gratitude and serve the world in a beneficial way. However if someone decides their universe is unfriendly they will feel the negative emotions such as jealousy, hatred, and fear and will make contributions to their world based on taking more for themselves or preserving what they already have.
JI
JimenaSep 10, 2021
I agree Jonathan. Even if God is playing dice, our wellbeing and our sense of worth increases when we focus on gratitude.
If we "prepare" for hostility, the emotions and feelings that you mention take over and we suffer.
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Keith
Sep 12, 2020
It seems obvious to me that it is both. Duality is ubiquitous. And the most important question for humanity is the nature and character of the Creator, for the evidence of creation is overwhelming. A Bible believer knows that the creation is good, but cursed and that there is a terrible enemy opposing the good. Evil is very real, and the curse turns the planet on us with scarcity, predation, pestilence, and many threats of the environment. If, for example, you are alone in the Amazon or the Congo, you will not imagine the universe to be friendly. You will be much too busy just trying to stay alive.
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RichardDec 13, 2020
Unless you have the knowledge of how to live in the Congo or Amazon. Then you would be amazed at all the resources available for your survival.
Looks like Einstein borrowed this saying from the German G.E. Lessing who more or less. said, "If there was one question I would like to ask the Egyptian Sphinx (who supposedly knew everything), 'Is the universe friendly?'
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Gerry
Mar 17, 2020
Great little article. Thank you. I believe the world is a friendly place.
ON
onee-sama
Feb 17, 2020
Onee-chan says that albert einsteinwatched hentai? Is that true?
TO
Tony
Feb 15, 2020
I am 35 and have brain cancer. So I probably wont be alive much longer, Murphyslaw and all that. Yet I as a thinking feeling human think that the fact we can even ask this question is a proof of God, and may hint that the Universe may be sentient as it is capable of both good and evil and it loves randomness. I wouldn'tbe alive now if not for our scientific medicine and technology and its getting better and better so that hints at it being friendly as we will eventually understand the universe. .and as for God not playing dice?.....then why do dice exist. God does whatever he chooses. and his hand on all of us. I died during my first brain surgery and was conciousin another place with beings made of light. Doctors and atheists just say its chemicals released as you die. But why did I live against all odds when I called out to God. Im feeling great now so hopefully Ill beat it. But I think Einstein never said this and God has a plan and reason for everything and were not his victims... View full comment
I am 35 and have brain cancer. So I probably wont be alive much longer, Murphyslaw and all that. Yet I as a thinking feeling human think that the fact we can even ask this question is a proof of God, and may hint that the Universe may be sentient as it is capable of both good and evil and it loves randomness. I wouldn'tbe alive now if not for our scientific medicine and technology and its getting better and better so that hints at it being friendly as we will eventually understand the universe. .and as for God not playing dice?.....then why do dice exist. God does whatever he chooses. and his hand on all of us. I died during my first brain surgery and was conciousin another place with beings made of light. Doctors and atheists just say its chemicals released as you die. But why did I live against all odds when I called out to God. Im feeling great now so hopefully Ill beat it. But I think Einstein never said this and God has a plan and reason for everything and were not his victims He loves us and we are here to fulfill his will. Hide full comment
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KennethJul 18, 2020
I like Tony's comments. I think life and death are part of one continuum; supernovas explode (star death) and eventually form other stars and planets, the heavy metals in our bodies have their genesis in these events. Anita Moorjani, on the cusp of death, with advanced cancer, and lymph nodes the size of lemons, had a near death experience, survived, recorded in her book, Dying to be Me (and her you tubes) completely free of cancer, to the amazement of her doctors. Another survivor of near death, expressed: "I no longer see things in terms of good and evil; sometimes now when I meditate, I feel in touch with everything in the universe, whether it is positive or negative; there is a spectrum of opposites and everything is necessary.' A man who was involved in a motor bike accident recounts, ' In the three days I was comatose, I was "shown" the unity of all life, all life, all matter is of the same substance, differing only in appearance, all life, all matter is Divine, Divinity does not exist outside of us, but within us,within all life; this event has forever changed the way I view this reality: the accident happened for a reason -everything happens for a reason; we are not always privy to it. The path to true Divinity is within.'
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ANov 17, 2020
What is a plan other than a path to some end or outcome? A plan is a design, and there isn't anything that exists in nature or heaven that isn't exquisitely designed. For you to be faced with your own mortality before most would expect, might make most people feel the universe is unkind because we feel attached to our lives. I don't know how I would feel in this situation and I will have to figure it out when the time comes, but I do think that your attitude shows that whatever happens, you have meaning in your life. You are connected to it, and that is more than many ever experience. I hope that you heal and I are able to share your hope with others.
-Ava
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Brenda
Jan 22, 2020
The response given to Einstein by his associate was, "Who am I to tell God what to do?" I may not have that precisely correct.The Universe as far as I can tell is neutral. What I have been unable to reconcile is the obvious existence of "Evil" in the world. Having worked in the ER for many years, I've simply seen too much evidence of Evils existence to say it does not exist. Evil like the Universe seems to be no respecter of persons. I have watched tragedy come through the ER to every age and social class. I've put bodies of every age into cold morgue trays. I've seen senseless accident, purposeful abuse and sheer stupidity cause loss of life and limb. I focus on working on my own darkness in a Jungian like manner, hoping Jung was right that by doing so in some small way I help to redeem the darkness that lives inside us all. I watched a show, " What the bleep?" In it experiments were done pasting various works on jars of water. It seems that w... View full comment
The response given to Einstein by his associate was, "Who am I to tell God what to do?" I may not have that precisely correct.The Universe as far as I can tell is neutral. What I have been unable to reconcile is the obvious existence of "Evil" in the world. Having worked in the ER for many years, I've simply seen too much evidence of Evils existence to say it does not exist. Evil like the Universe seems to be no respecter of persons. I have watched tragedy come through the ER to every age and social class. I've put bodies of every age into cold morgue trays. I've seen senseless accident, purposeful abuse and sheer stupidity cause loss of life and limb. I focus on working on my own darkness in a Jungian like manner, hoping Jung was right that by doing so in some small way I help to redeem the darkness that lives inside us all. I watched a show, " What the bleep?" In it experiments were done pasting various works on jars of water. It seems that writing love on the jars makes pretty ice crystals while writing hate produces sick looking ones. From that, I an agnostic took this: The Universe is as willing to make ugly ice crystals as beautiful ones and our only power here is to choose which we will write on the waters. I choose to try and write love but I am not at all sure the Universe cares one way or another. Hide full comment
BW
Bill WallSep 24, 2022
It appears to me, as it does to Brenda, that the universe is neutral, or if you prefer, it is indifferent to the wellbeing of humans of any other sentient beings. The realities of evil and suffering in this world are at least as evident as those of beauty and love. That said, I agree with those who feel we can choose to affirm our own lives and the universe (the only one we've got) and that this choice makes a crucial difference in how we approach the business of living. I received an email yesterday from a close friend who shared that she has just been diagnosed with terminal cancer. She said she got together with her family a day or two later and there were both tears and dark humour. She has lived a beautiful life, and I'm confident she will die a "beautiful" death.
BW
Bill WallSep 24, 2022
On Sep 24, 2022 Bill Wall wrote :
It appears to me, as it does to Brenda, that the universe is neutral, or if you prefer, it is indifferent to the wellbeing of humans of any other sentient beings. The realities of evil and suffering in this world are at least as evident as those of beauty and love. That said, I agree with those who feel we can choose to affirm our own lives and the universe (the only one we've got) and that this choice makes a crucial difference in how we approach the business of living. I received an email yesterday from a close friend who shared that she has just been diagnosed with terminal cancer. She said she got together with her family a day or two later and there were both tears and dark humour. She has lived a beautiful life, and I'm confident she will die a "beautiful" death.
TC
Thomas Cofty
Jan 3, 2020
Anything WORTH provIing cannot be proven nor disproven wherefore thou be wise. CLEAVE EVER TO THE SUNNIER SIDE OF DOUBT.
Lord Alfred Tennyson
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RUSSELL GORDON
Nov 1, 2019
I thought Einstein said the entire universe was created by A Random Act Of Violence. . My take on that which I have carried through life is that things are just random. walking down the street getting hit by a car. a plane dropping out of the sky. a black hole swallowing up stars. Getting shot. An earth quake. all random acts wrong place wrong time. being fearful will not help your situation. with mass media today. We are bombardedas humans with continual random acts of violence.. Random acts of kindness. Simply Random acts.. Now God and the teachings of the bible etc? Calculated? Random ? Debatable?
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janelleDec 6, 2019
the belief in total randomness sounds depressing to me because it places a sense of worthlessness and futility on my life. I’ve heard christians being “put down” for “clinging to a belief” of a man who was an extension ofGod, but alive in human form, and through his sinless life anddeath he became “the way, the truth, and the life”... which gave purpose and meaning to each unique and individual life. The beauty of the belief in this higher power ... this supreme deity ... who for some reason desires fellowship and a relation with humans, is that it gives ultimate purpose and a reason for ALL occurances that you call “random acts”... because the God knows they exist, and ultimately will use those circumstances to help teach lessons of awareness to those individuals involvedof something that is more vast and great andinconceivable to us at this moment. It doesn’t hurt us to “believe that God makes all things good in the end”... it’s called faithand hope. and it gives encouragement and meaning tonour lives, and a positive attitude. but it does hurt us emotionally to not believe it and to turn our backs on God.
ZA
zain
Jun 15, 2019
nice post thanks to you.
MN
Michael Newell
Jun 10, 2019
I researched to find if there is a source one can cite as validation that Einstein actually said this. It does not exist and it appears that it can instead be attributed to other people; not Einstein.
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FrankApr 17, 2021
Same here! I can't seem to find the source of this quotation. It's all over the Internet, but never once have I seen a citation for its source.
I hope someone can paste a link to it if they find it!
KG
KGOct 20, 2021
It is cited in a recent movie called " The Secret" with Katie Holmes. I think he said it. A very wise person like Einstein would.
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ruth - less
Mar 12, 2019
Are the quotations from an English language source?
RM
Rathna M Jayalath
Jul 3, 2018
Is rebirth true?
AT
Athanassios TriantafyllouNov 22, 2019
it depends what do you demand or expect from rebirth. In other words how do you define rebirth.
Fact is that most people remember nothing from previous life or lives. Some people associate vivid dreamlike pictures with memories from other lives.
Fact is as well that we have a lot of phantasy and phantasies. We don't know exactly how they are generated.
We know that we can talk to friends in our imagination and that they can talk back to us consciously or unconsciously.
We can observe that even little kids seem to have some kind of personality different from siblings.
So I think like lots of things it is safe to say: 'You decide for your self. Which might make it real for you with all consequences'
HA
Hannah
May 21, 2018
I think that if you are friendly to the universe, so the universe will be friendly to you.
I believe Universe is order and order is peace. Everything is connected.
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Chip Boyd
Jun 27, 2017
I really enjoyed reading the comments here. There is intelligence, passion and imagination in all of them. I wish our political discourse could have some of the nuance, respectfulness and insight found here. We do not need to see important, fundamental things the same way to be enlivened and nourished by the thoughts of others. As to the question of order in the universe: In a book called "Leadership and the New Science," author Margaret Wheatley includes a photo of a "three-winged bird." It is a beautiful image of a graphed system of a million points. At a mere one-hundred thousand points, we would see nothing but an apparently random set of dots- and even at five-hundred thousand points would not see a clear pattern. Only when enough points have been graphed do we see an amazing and beautiful pattern. This may apply to directly to our understanding of the universe. We are still at the beginning in some ways, seeing onl... View full comment
I really enjoyed reading the comments here. There is intelligence, passion and imagination in all of them. I wish our political discourse could have some of the nuance, respectfulness and insight found here. We do not need to see important, fundamental things the same way to be enlivened and nourished by the thoughts of others. As to the question of order in the universe: In a book called "Leadership and the New Science," author Margaret Wheatley includes a photo of a "three-winged bird." It is a beautiful image of a graphed system of a million points. At a mere one-hundred thousand points, we would see nothing but an apparently random set of dots- and even at five-hundred thousand points would not see a clear pattern. Only when enough points have been graphed do we see an amazing and beautiful pattern. This may apply to directly to our understanding of the universe. We are still at the beginning in some ways, seeing only randomness in many situations when deeper patterns and potential unity may exist beyond our limited comprehension. In any case, the world we know is full of beauty and terror, of pattern and accidents. We know enough to see we are not rivals in existence and should strive for the highest levels of love, cooperation and compassion of which we are capable. And in the final analysis, we need a political definition of these things, a social contract that brings out the best in human beings.
1. Keep in mind that if a person is a genius in the area of physics or chemistry for example, there is no reason to assume that such a person has all the answers to all of the questions in every area of thought.
2. Can the above quotation be positively ascribed to Dr. Einstein?
3.Are we all agreed on a definition of "God"? This is important. We cannot have a discussion unless we define our terms.Until we do, the quotation means nothing and any comments on the subject mean nothing.
BR
Bruh
Mar 2, 2017
cool story bruh
TR
Terrel R. Davis
Nov 21, 2016
I love that quote. I have "proof" that not only is it friendly, its sum and substance is kindness. That is part of my thesis and the conclusion of my book "The Creation Code." I am looking for people to read and review my work. TRDavis
DS
DSK
Aug 5, 2016
There is actually a one word answer to the question.
"Fearless"
The purpose of chaos.
The same answer to the question, If someone hits me on the right cheek why should I turn the other?
Everything is realized through understanding that word. It's the purpose of life. So yes, the universe is friendly. It keeps giving us the opportunity. to let go of the constraints of space and time and be one with it.
ES
E. Slaske
Aug 9, 2015
We get what we expect. If you think negative thoughts, you will get negative responses. Guard your thoughts!
It is very clear that Einstein doesn't know either universe or man. The entire universe is a man. Don't think visible objects around you. Think first about yourself. Inside your body that entire universe is contained.
It is obvious to me that the universe is a friendly place - after all, we are living on the cushiest place in the known Universe. A system that is abundant, takes care of our needs and constantly balances and recycles Itself. What more evidence do we need? it's AWESOME.
XI
xiaoshanAug 8, 2014
Awesome perspective! For those who think think the universe is not friendly, perhaps they meant the human world is not friendly :)
AN
AnneAug 17, 2014
That's a good point. People are so preoccupied with the small picture that they are blind to how amazing the big picture is.
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PaulMar 10, 2019
Most people don't enjoy that standard of living though so really it truly is a matter of perspective. For the overwhelming majority, the universe must look rather bleak and coldhearted if you base it on materials, freedoms and comforts.
What is the citation? I hear this quote quite often, by see no proof. If you can provide a source, please send it to me: MichaelDeanBogar@Gmail.com
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StactJan 13, 2016
Totally agree. Everything gets Einstein's name slapped on it. In what published work does this appear? Thank you.
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SerafinaMar 12, 2021
I am curious about the citation also. A search showed that the quote "God does not play dice with the universe." is from Einstein, but it was in the context of a discussion about quantum mechanics.
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Fabrice
Nov 21, 2013
My point of view is to look at the universe as a home, and i am sure we all love our homes and we do everything possible to make our home a better place to live! The Universe is a Home to our home, to me it is the Mother of my home. We have to love the Home of our home as much we love our mothers
I love my Home, my mother, he provides all i need!
Let us educate our children to love and respect the universe!
MD
Malcolm Dean
Sep 2, 2013
Einstein never said this. See Wikiquote, under subheading "Misattributed:"
"[T]he idea that the most important question we can ask is "Is the universe friendly?" dates back much earlier than the attribution to Einstein, for example in Emil Carl Wilm's 1912 book The Problem of Religion he includes the following footnote on p. 114: 'A friend proposed to the late F. W. H. Myers the following question: "What is the thing which above all others you would like to know? If you could ask the Sphinx one question, and only one, what would the question be?" After a moment's silence Myers replied: "I think it would be this: Is the universe friendly?"'
MA
MashaelApr 30, 2014
since it was written BEFORE him, then there is a chance that Einstein knew of the question about a "friendly or unfriendly" universe and was simply expressing his viewpoint. We often do the same today when we consider interesting thoughts of others.
Albert Einstein, the great physicist, is saying: what the predicament we are in demands is an act of faith. Not belief, which comes from the outside, but faith. Faith! The universe through his voice is saying: Have faith!
From physics to metaphysics, a deeply challenging passage.
What I understand this great scientist to say is that you cannot conclude from studying its laws that the universe is either friendly or unfriendly. From the strictly objective point of view of the scientist the universe has no manifest intention. Mentioning randomness, the author says that he sees it as 'non essential'. Yet the randomness observable in nature, cannot be accounted for scientifically, least of all philosophically. Or can it? Present day genetics see randomness (through recombination of genetic material) as both life sustaining and life threatening (new unknown viruses , etc.) That's a long way from Darwin's theory which saw evolution as following a direction of progress.
Scientific knowledge does not answer the question of whether the univ... View full comment
What I understand this great scientist to say is that you cannot conclude from studying its laws that the universe is either friendly or unfriendly. From the strictly objective point of view of the scientist the universe has no manifest intention. Mentioning randomness, the author says that he sees it as 'non essential'. Yet the randomness observable in nature, cannot be accounted for scientifically, least of all philosophically. Or can it? Present day genetics see randomness (through recombination of genetic material) as both life sustaining and life threatening (new unknown viruses , etc.) That's a long way from Darwin's theory which saw evolution as following a direction of progress.
Scientific knowledge does not answer the question of whether the universe is friendly or unfriendly. Scientific knowledge is a tool that can serve both survival or destruction. It's up to us to decide that the universe is friendly rather than unfriendly and it is the only sensible option if we want to learn more about its workings and its motives. Hide full comment
I really valued ijourney's take on this Einstein piece - the first steer given in the seed questions for reflection, because this is the aspect of what Einstein is saying here that resonates with me the most: what we believe directs our behaviors, actions, creations. In my own work, I've grappled with the question 'What are my beliefs about human nature? After a long, challenging journey of about twenty years of conscious inquiry, I've landed with the belief that essentially says: the human spirit is intrinsically compassionate, collaborative and creative (I recently wrote about this: Our Direction is our Destination). Directed by this belief, I try to seek out and nourish the spirit in myself and in everyone around me. This belief is now a core component not just of my social change professional work, but of how I try to interact with people generally.
With the question 'Is the Universe Friendly?', the prompt for us to become aware of ou... View full comment
I really valued ijourney's take on this Einstein piece - the first steer given in the seed questions for reflection, because this is the aspect of what Einstein is saying here that resonates with me the most: what we believe directs our behaviors, actions, creations. In my own work, I've grappled with the question 'What are my beliefs about human nature? After a long, challenging journey of about twenty years of conscious inquiry, I've landed with the belief that essentially says: the human spirit is intrinsically compassionate, collaborative and creative (I recently wrote about this: Our Direction is our Destination). Directed by this belief, I try to seek out and nourish the spirit in myself and in everyone around me. This belief is now a core component not just of my social change professional work, but of how I try to interact with people generally.
With the question 'Is the Universe Friendly?', the prompt for us to become aware of our fundamental beliefs, and the conclusion that 'God does not play dice with the universe', Einstein directs us to take responsibility for our creations. This idea front of mind, I cannot help but join up Einstein's conclusions with Gandhi's direction to 'Be the change you wish to see.' I'm increasingly getting the sense that we - social activists/changemakers - often let ourselves down by not digging deeply enough into our own beliefs and the corresponding behaviors and creations they are generating.
At the risk of perhaps repeating what Einstein's wisdom sets out above, I am inclined to observe that we easily forget the reality that if we are moving through the world thinking the world/universe is unfriendly, out to get us or simply doesn't care one way or the other - we are really thinking that our fellow human beings are unfriendly or uncaring. Believing this, we become defensive, afraid and aggressive. Driving change from this position - a position of fear, insecurity, doubt - takes us in circles - creates revolutions take us back to where we started. This is, after all, the danger of revolution - implicit in the word itself - which can refer to 'a turn that takes you back to its starting point.'
I would like us - social activists - to give more time, space, energy over to checking in with our beliefs - what they are and if/how they align with our actions and our visions for the world. Social activists are no different than anyone else - that is, we all harbor beliefs that aren't always serving us and others well. What does serve us well is to do the work that brings those beliefs into consciousness. Einstein and Gandhi both call out to us to be more self-aware and with that awareness take greater responsibility for our creations - which, speaking of coming full circle, also brings us back to last week's ijourney post: Response vs. Reaction.
Do we need to think in terms of an either friendly or unfriendly universe? When earthquakes and tsunamis happen on this planet, when tremendous tension and energy is released at the surface of its comparatively thin mantle. Just underneath, an abyss of magma in fusion! From such awesomely unfriendly premises life emerged and managed to sustain itself and evolve for millions and millions of years. Science, which studies measurable phenomenas, claims to know barely 2 per cent of the observable universe: are these 2 per cent friendly or unfriendly? Still, it does its best to be predictive and to find proper tools, such as a seismic alert system, to minimize the impact of 'unfriendly' natural catastrophes.
To decide that the universe is friendly is somewhat similar to the famous 'Pari de ... View full comment
Do we need to think in terms of an either friendly or unfriendly universe? When earthquakes and tsunamis happen on this planet, when tremendous tension and energy is released at the surface of its comparatively thin mantle. Just underneath, an abyss of magma in fusion! From such awesomely unfriendly premises life emerged and managed to sustain itself and evolve for millions and millions of years. Science, which studies measurable phenomenas, claims to know barely 2 per cent of the observable universe: are these 2 per cent friendly or unfriendly? Still, it does its best to be predictive and to find proper tools, such as a seismic alert system, to minimize the impact of 'unfriendly' natural catastrophes.
To decide that the universe is friendly is somewhat similar to the famous 'Pari de Pascal' : decide that God exists, you will feel better about life (or more in tune with it) and eventually you will be better off in the end if He does.
But to know as the only observable fact that chaos, a certain randomness, is part of the order of the universe does not deny this order; it makes it increasingly more difficult if not impossible to know.
If God, the Unknowable, according to religion, does not play dice with the universe then he might feel terrible about humanity doing so with it's own future. Hide full comment
DA
Daryl
May 8, 2012
What we think we believe is often different from what we have internalized as our working view. An easy way to self-check how we see the universe is to inquire as to whether we would really like to escape or "get out of here" through some element of our religious view. The Judeo-Christian mindset is quite strongly escapist -- and most of the world has been deeply influenced by this perspective. I suspect that if I truly believe the universe is friendly, or even neutral, then my intent will be to more and more fully interact with such an environment. If it is not friendly, then hell yes! Let me get out of Dodge any way I can and the sooner the better!
BB
Bryan BrabhamMar 4, 2016
The universe must be very friendly to human life, else all life would perish. In fact, the universe is uniquely constructed, not only for life, but also for the evolution of life. As we learn and grow, newer aspects of our fundamental findings, beliefs, reasoning, hopes aspirations and thought will be forthcoming. For such choices as we have from the universe, what else could we reasonably want. But the universe sets against the free gift of life and consciousness, the strict rule that we must strive and learn and seek understanding. So if we are not learners and seekers we will become lost in the vast landscape that we call the universe. I do not feel that this (getting lost in the universe) is the plan of the creator. Life is a gift in that, through life, we gain an impression of the mind of GOD through his greatest creation, the universe. For God could have always created a Universe, but to have crreated a universe with intelligent beings to become in it, gave god feedback on his greatest effort.
The universe is an infinite flow of creative energy that changes forms as it's usefulness diminishes or the actions of other energy around it changes it's form as it is connected to all other types of energy. Almost like a giant recycle bin. As humans, we have the choice of how we want to co-create with the energy that is present now. The amount of inner awareness of this universal energy and the principles that seem to guide it, allow the human energy force a unique opportunity to observe the difference between reality and illusion, and subsequently love and fear. As we as humans surrender to the fact that we do not control the workings of the creative universe, a sense of humility is realized and wonder that surrounds the love of what is. It is what motivates us , excites an... View full comment
The universe is an infinite flow of creative energy that changes forms as it's usefulness diminishes or the actions of other energy around it changes it's form as it is connected to all other types of energy. Almost like a giant recycle bin. As humans, we have the choice of how we want to co-create with the energy that is present now. The amount of inner awareness of this universal energy and the principles that seem to guide it, allow the human energy force a unique opportunity to observe the difference between reality and illusion, and subsequently love and fear. As we as humans surrender to the fact that we do not control the workings of the creative universe, a sense of humility is realized and wonder that surrounds the love of what is. It is what motivates us , excites and fascinates us. It makes violence, hatred and fear seam so useless in comparison. It is time to move on or change our form, which ever the universe rolls with. Hide full comment
HE
HEENAJul 1, 2014
your response is in keeping with the philosophy of "ADVAITA" non-dualism . it states that it is this " energy which flows through us and leads us rather than we leading life. this is truly humbling and encouraging . it puts all of lifes mighty questions to rest. this philosophy goes back a thousand years and is described in all of the upanishads; the geeta; and ofcourse the most recent living sagee " ramana maharishi"; nisaragadatta maharaj;.
MB
Michael BogarJul 1, 2014
It seems to me as though we are not forced to choose been duality and non-duality. The fact that people debate the two issues proves the existence, in some form, of a duality. The fact that we can conceive of the opposites being reconciled appears to prove that it is all one. Quantum physics suggests that somehow light is both particle and wave--a single form manifesting in two ways. The human soul-making endeavor requires both duality and non-duality. The reality behind this reality likely includes both perspectives, and is constructed of ideas that we are currently incapable of perceiving except by the imagination.
The entire Einstein passage simply points to the silliness of the games the mind plays when it ponders the ineffable. The fact that one of the greatest minds of our species could not resolve the mystery of God nor transcend the illusion of "purpose" should encourage us all to abandon thinking and live in the open heart. God is not a "thing". He neither plays nor does not play dice. The Universe is not a "thing". It is neither friendly nor unfriendly. Mine is the God of Job. The unquestionable one who does not answer to you or to me. The one upon whose will peace depends upon at times enduring, and bliss upon abandonment and adoration. The Lord of Hosts. May you find him here and now.
RE
RebekahAug 19, 2014
I like the way you talk about God. I too love the God of Issac, Jacob, and Abraham (and Job!) He is in charge, and we are here to learn to serve Him if we choose to.
I think of it like this:
The Journey of Life
What if one day you were going to work, or walking in the woods, or whatever...and someone told you that the way to end all of your problems and those of everyone else, would be to give up your plans for your life and join the team of the all knowing most powerful ruler of the universe, Who is called Jesus.
By volunteering for this, you are given more and better spiritual awareness, not only of the perfection and goodness and love of our leader (Jesus), but that the battle for goodness is not relying on you. However, you can make a difference, and help to advance His will for good through you, if you yield your body and mind in submission to His work to accomplish His plan, not your own. You must do this out of love, not fear.
You also realize that lots of others have been a member of the team (who are known as Christians) throughout the history of the world, and that you have been made aware of this because God loves you and wants your participation while you are on this planet to overcome evil and be prepared to work for Him and fellowship in unconditional love and health forever, when He comes and the battle/journey is over. Now how hard is the choice?
If you believe enough to want that to be true, all you have to do is ask and agree to be a vehicle for His presence in the here and now. It is a journey just for you, that nobody else has. The necessary tool for the journey directions is the Bible. Open it with an open heart for the journey to begin. The journey is the special trip you must take during this life, to allow God to train you through all you experience, that He has organized for you alone, to become the agent of goodness He knows you are to become, by His grace.
If you will trust and persevere through the good and bad parts of the journey, relying on Him alone to get you to the place and person He wants you to be, without forgetting your purpose and jumping off the journey trail.(Alas, if this happens, as it usually does to most people, He will arrange the journey so that you can get back to His purpose and back onto your journey when you realize that you are lost and ask for His help.) At the end of your journey (not someone else's), you will be granted the wisdom and great loving kindness and beauty to belong in His perfect kingdom of wonders beyond all understanding forever with Him! And you will understand it all!
All of the other team members that have also been on their own journeys in this choice, are going to be with you, and you will be able to understand everything at this time. You will be able to see how you looked in your heart before the journey began and how much progress you have made because of it. You will fully see and realize for the first time, that you have fought the good fight and finished the race. You are a winner!!! Everyone there is a winner!! And everyone is able to see the King of all Kings, who led them on their individual journeys, designed just for them, in love, so they could be together with Him here now.
I don't know about you, but the choice for my journey with Him was the Only choice. And it still is.
A true friend is one who acts for your benefit. So before you can answer whether the universe is friendly, you must deeply consider both the nature of what benefits you most and the question of who or what "you" are.
If your concept of self is individualistic, then achievements, ambitions, dreams, fame, power, possessions, pleasures, successes, etc are the things that seem to benefit you the most. From this lens, the universe is a decidedly unfriendly place, as all of these things come into your grasp only fleetingly, with circumstance, people, or time ultimately snatching or shattering them all. Most of us begin our journey's as true believers in an individualistic self, only to be repeatedly crushed or slowly sapped by the universe until we're thoroughly convinced that we've swallowed a flawed or incomplete picture.
If you begin with the truth that all you have will be taken from you, then you are forced to re-evaluate your notion of self and... View full comment
A true friend is one who acts for your benefit. So before you can answer whether the universe is friendly, you must deeply consider both the nature of what benefits you most and the question of who or what "you" are.
If your concept of self is individualistic, then achievements, ambitions, dreams, fame, power, possessions, pleasures, successes, etc are the things that seem to benefit you the most. From this lens, the universe is a decidedly unfriendly place, as all of these things come into your grasp only fleetingly, with circumstance, people, or time ultimately snatching or shattering them all. Most of us begin our journey's as true believers in an individualistic self, only to be repeatedly crushed or slowly sapped by the universe until we're thoroughly convinced that we've swallowed a flawed or incomplete picture.
If you begin with the truth that all you have will be taken from you, then you are forced to re-evaluate your notion of self and self-benefit. The interconnection and interdependence you witness from acceptance of the inescapable impermanence around you and inside you are a pleasant ways of saying that you will both eat and be eaten in every domain of your existence. Your first food was your mother's body through nursing, and this eating and being eaten were filled with affection, joy, even pleasure for both. If you can get past the guilt of eating and the fear of being eaten, you begin to touch the joy of witnessing the flow of life. And the more you witness that joy, the more it seems to be the only thing that makes sense about who you are and why you're here.
The universe manifests you, maintains you for a while, and then mercilessly chews and crushes you until you have no choice but to burst with joy and wonder at every second and every square inch of the humming, buzzing symphony of existence. And that chewing is probably the most friendly thing that's ever happened to you, even if feels like pain in every bite. Hide full comment
The essential and fundamental error is to consider the universe to be separate from us, "the other".
We try to correct this error by asking whether it is friendly or otherwise.
This question springs from a false premise and hence deserves no consideration. Any answer would be a wrong answer as the question itself is wrong.
Albert Einstein the philosopher is going against Einstein the scientist.
We are part of the universe and not apart from it.
Philosophically we can also say, in the same breath, that the universe is within us.
God is also not an entity separate from the universe.
Philosophically the universe is seen as the body of God.
For me, the universe is friendly. That doesn't mean it is all nice, all peaches and cream. The universe is like the weather, like any person, like the unconscious, like me -- warm, cold, peaceful, sunny, violent, destructive, changing, full of surprises -- it is a mixed bag of all that is. That's its nature. It's free, uncontrolled. It is bigger than me. It's powerful. I am part of it. What's mine is to go with it, be responsive to it, work with it, appreciate it, enjoy it, respect it, learn from it. In that frame, it is friendly. It is me. I am an expression of it. To fight it is to fight me, and is to lose. To realize I am part of it and work with it is to realize it is friendly, and grow. As for randomness, I believe that all that is is interconnected -- the interconnectedness and intereffecting of all that is is beyond my ability to see, but I believe it is. Random for me ... View full comment
For me, the universe is friendly. That doesn't mean it is all nice, all peaches and cream. The universe is like the weather, like any person, like the unconscious, like me -- warm, cold, peaceful, sunny, violent, destructive, changing, full of surprises -- it is a mixed bag of all that is. That's its nature. It's free, uncontrolled. It is bigger than me. It's powerful. I am part of it. What's mine is to go with it, be responsive to it, work with it, appreciate it, enjoy it, respect it, learn from it. In that frame, it is friendly. It is me. I am an expression of it. To fight it is to fight me, and is to lose. To realize I am part of it and work with it is to realize it is friendly, and grow. As for randomness, I believe that all that is is interconnected -- the interconnectedness and intereffecting of all that is is beyond my ability to see, but I believe it is. Random for me means no interconnectedness, means irrelevant incongruent happenings, and I don't believe that is the case. I guess God does not play dice with the universe was Einstein's way of saying that the roll of the dice is random and that is not how the universe is or how God operates. But the metaphor is faulty in that the way the dice land is the result of innumerable interrelated and interconnected factors, and thus not random (even if it looks that way). Hide full comment
GOD= GENARATES INFINITE ENERGY,O=OPERATES WITH THIS ENERGY , D= DESTROYS, in hinduism we call it brahma,vishnu,mahesh,one god three function for our limited understanding,our lord is always SAT{TRUTH} CHIT{AWERNESS} ANAND{BLISS} with this solid faith I look at universe ,enjoy Nature and beauty in everything,his hands that paints the sky ,smile on childrens faces ,every seasons of nature and Life,some wise person said look for god within,than around you in family friends,and than every where in universe , when one has faith along this belief than we want have any question .God is every where so he does not play dice with universe. as long as we have greed we will have war in and out all around us. How much money world spends on weapons and war in last one century ,half that money if we spend on needs of humanity ,?????????? Eternal can not be control by limited selfish mankind always love navin
The following Einstein quote says much: "A human being is a part of the whole, called by us 'Universe,' a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest of mankind an optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty. Nobody is able to achieve this completely, but the striving for such achievement is in itself a part of the liberation and a foundation for inner security."
Quoted in H Eves Mathematical Circles Adieu (Boston 1977).
My study reveals that Einstein thought the universe and God were one. That is similar to Gandhi's notion:
"If you don't see God in the next person you meet, it is a waste of time... View full comment
The following Einstein quote says much: "A human being is a part of the whole, called by us 'Universe,' a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest of mankind an optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty. Nobody is able to achieve this completely, but the striving for such achievement is in itself a part of the liberation and a foundation for inner security."
Quoted in H Eves Mathematical Circles Adieu (Boston 1977).
My study reveals that Einstein thought the universe and God were one. That is similar to Gandhi's notion:
"If you don't see God in the next person you meet, it is a waste of time looking for him further." gun these ideas similar to Einstein's idea that the true value of a human being can be found in the degree one liberates oneself from one's self (one's ego).
What appears to be random may simply be in order not yet found. I can't think of any of my beliefs I would change. Most most of my behavior is unconscious and I would like to better be generous and helpful, be patient and bear and forbear the wrongs of others, and be persevering, and use any wisdom I may have for the benefit of everyone and everything. These notions are elaborated on in the book, Einstein and Zen: Learning to Learn, Peter Lang Publisher, 2010. Hide full comment
