The Overview Effect

“The most important of all the creatures are the winged, for they are nearest to the heavens and not bound to the earth as are the four-legged or little crawling people… they see everything that happens on the earth.” ~ Black Elk (Native American/Lakota/Sioux Medicine Man)

As a theme in a past yoga hike I talked about what Astronaut Edgar Mitchell experienced during his return trip from the moon, known as the “overview effect” a phrase coined by philosopher Frank White to describe a cognitive shift astronauts experience when they see Earth from space.  A feeling of interconnectedness between all of us on earth.

We were reminded of the overview effect during the current Artemis II mission, with the words of Astronaut Victor Glover saying “I can really see Earth as one thing.” We are all one. 

This profound spiritual experience of consciousness described as life changing, is a powerful sense of oneness, an ecstasy in mind and body. 

A similar state called savikalpa samadhi, is written about in Patanjali’s yoga sutras.

Savikalpa Samadhi, experienced by the overview effect, is one level of Samadhi – which is bliss or enlightenment and oneness with your higher self - leading to the ultimate goal of yoga, union of mind, body and spirit.

Remember that we don’t need to travel to outer space to experience interconnectedness.  We only need to approach our living earth mindfully wherever we are.  When we soar high enough in our awareness we can see above the trees, and see the world as it truly is, that all life on earth is one, inextricably bound together. 

 “Where we had thought to travel outward, we will come to the center of our own existence. And where we had thought to be alone, we will be with all the world.”  ~ Joseph Campbell

 Finding Joy

“Sow the seeds you would like to see grow in the garden of your soul. If you would like your life to hold more joy, plant seeds of joy: celebrate more things tin your life – people or trees or plants and flowers. Celebrate more moments, celebrate the little things and the big things too. If you would like your life to hold more peace, create moments of stillness right where you are. Look to nature and her peaceful rhythms and remember that you can feel that same peace. If you would like your life to hold more love, plant more seeds of love: be loving, spread kindness. Give more hugs. Ask people how they really are. If you would like more fulfillment, plant more seeds of fulfillment: seek out more activities that light a fire in you. Help others, give your time and energy to help change someone’s life. Whatever you are looking for, always know that you hold the seeds and the power for them to grow.” ~ Unknown