One of the most spectacular features of the observable universe is the elegance of its expansion. If the rate of expansion had been slower, even slightly slower, even one millionth of a percent slower, the universe would have recollapsed. It would have imploded upon itself, and that would have been the end of the story. Conversely, if the universe had expanded a little more quickly, even one millionth of one percent more quickly, the universe would have expanded too quickly for structures to form. It would have simply diffused into dust, with no structures to bring forth life. What we‘ve discovered is that we are living in a universe that is expanding at just that rate necessary for life to emerge.-10쪽
Wonder is the pathway into what it means to be human, to taste the lusciousness of sun-ripened fruit, to endure the bleak agonies of heartbreak, to exult over the magesty of existence... However insignificant we may feel with respect to the age and size of the universe, we are, even so, beings in whom the universe shivers in wonder at itself.-114쪽
Our human destiny is to become the heart of the universe that embraces the whole of the Earth community. We are just a speck in the universe, but we are beings with the capacity to feel comprehensive compassion in the midst of an ocean of intimacy. That is the direction of our becoming more fully human.-115쪽
Because we know that life is an adventure involving both chaos and order we sometimes want desperately to control things. And whenever our fear grows too strong we become vulnerable to simple promises concerning future. But no one knows what the future holds--all of that is hidden in the darkest night. The future is being created by all of us, and it is a messy and confusing process. What is needed is courage to live in the midst of the ambiguities of this moment without drawing back into fear and a compulsion to control. Are there gurantees? No, none. But there are reasons for confidence.-117쪽
It is the nature of the universe to move forward between great tensions, between dynamic opposing forces. If the creative energies in the heart of the universe succeeded so brilliantly in the past, we have reason to hope that such creativity will inspire us and guide us into the future. -118쪽
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