Is Consciousness More Vast Than Space?

In a world rich with diverse beliefs, it’s easy to feel both awe and tension around how differently we all see things. For many, religion or spiritual paths shape a clear understanding of life’s purpose and what lies beyond it. I grew up within such a framework in the Mormon faith, a faith that emphasizes a well-defined view of God, a pre-earth life, the afterlife, and the idea that we each have a single, divine path to follow. For those within the church, this worldview provides purpose and clarity, a foundation that directs decisions and shapes how they relate to others.

However, my journey has led me away from the church, and over time, my view of consciousness, existence, and what lies beyond has expanded and shifted. Now, when I encounter missionaries at my door—young, earnest individuals like I once was, eager to share what they see as universal truth—I realize how difficult it is to explain why I no longer want to engage in religious discussions. It’s not a rejection of their path but rather a recognition that my own path has led me to an entirely different place, one rooted in exploration rather than certainty. This was the experience I had just yesterday when Sisters Jessop and Tew came a knocking. So today I decided to simplify why description of why the church no longer works for me.

A Map of Consciousness

One way I like to explain my journey is through the metaphor of a map—specifically, the map of Middle Earth. Imagine each belief system, each understanding of life’s purpose, as a region on this map of consciousness. Some people may spend their entire lives exploring one area of this map—the familiar, comforting Shire—finding fulfillment, security, and depth within a single worldview. For me, though, my journey has led me beyond any single region.

In my exploration, I’ve climbed my own mountains of doom, navigated the vibrant and complex cities populated by diverse people and cultures, and pushed at the borders of the map itself, seeing what lies beyond the familiar territories. Each experience has come with its own beauty, truths, and trials.

This perspective doesn’t take away from what others find in their own regions. For instance, the missionaries knocking on my door are on their own path, deeply engaged in an area that’s meaningful and enriching for them at this current stage of their exploration. I respect that journey wholeheartedly. But for me, the map of consciousness feels vast, and I find peace and fulfillment in exploring its variety, rather than settling into a single region.

Only You Can Possibly Map Your Own Consciousness

Consciousness as the Ultimate Scale

One of the most mind-expanding realizations I’ve had is that human consciousness itself might be the ultimate scale of the universe. Watching a creator like Toby Lockerbie, known for his space videos that use metaphors to show the incomprehensible size of the universe, reminds me of this idea. In one video, he uses Cheerios to represent each galaxy—200 billion of them—filling 355 swimming pools to the brim to show just how vast space is. It’s an awe-inspiring image. It'll make your head spin. But to me, the real wonder lies in how each viewer interprets this differently.

In this way, it’s not just the sheer number of galaxies that is vast—it’s the way this information resonates across billions of minds, each expanding upon it through their individual lens. Human consciousness, with its depth and diversity, makes the universe even larger than what we can see, touch, or quantify. For me, acknowledging this scale of consciousness is both humbling and liberating, encouraging me to see others’ beliefs not as obstacles but as reflections of their unique experiences.

Respecting the Unknown

One of the most common questions I receive from believers, especially those like the missionaries who feel it’s important to share their understanding of life’s purpose, is: “What if you missed something? What if this particular belief system has a truth you need to embrace?”

I appreciate this question because it comes from a place of genuine care and concern. But I have also spent a long time reflecting on my journey, revisiting and even testing my beliefs. In the end, I’ve found that my path forward lies in openness and curiosity rather than certainty. I think of it like reaching the top of one mountain and choosing to climb others, knowing that the journey itself has value beyond the specifics of any one viewpoint. In this openness, I embrace the possibility that I may never fully understand what lies beyond this life, and I find peace in that mystery. Rather than seeing life as a straight line leading toward a clearly defined afterlife, I see it as a complex tapestry woven from our interactions, experiences, and the unique ways we all perceive reality. I feel a sense of awe, not just for the unknown but for the incredible variety of paths that each person follows to make sense of it all.

Living in the Present and Beyond Linear Time

This brings me to time itself. For some, time is a linear progression from birth to afterlife, a clear sequence with an endpoint. For me, time is something more woven and interconnected. I live in the present as fully as I can, understanding that each moment has an impact that echoes forward and backward, touching past experiences and future possibilities in ways we might not fully understand.

As a child, I once set out on a “silly quest” to walk over every inch of carpet in my living room. But soon, this idea spiraled as I realized that covering every inch of my entire house, yard, or even neighborhood would take years. I imagined the grand achievement of having stepped on every inch of my sweet, sweet Springville. But then I asked myself, What would it really get me if I did? Would anyone else even care? (I tend to perform for others, not purely for myself.)

In the process of thinking it all through, something unexpected was yielded: that strange yet, somewhat frequented idea of mine expanded my sense of scale over the years since, teaching me about the vastness of time, space, and possibility. It’s a small example, but it shows how even simple moments can shape how we perceive the infinite nature of things and how with time, that perception can evolve right along with our consciousness.

Embracing the Journey, Not the Destination

Ultimately, my journey has led me to embrace the mystery of life and the vastness of consciousness without needing all the answers. Whether someone believes in a specific path or remains open to exploration, I feel that everyone’s path has value. For me, this respect for individual journeys means I no longer feel the need to convert others to my way of thinking or to be convinced by others. Life, as I see it, is about the journey—the chance to connect, learn, and be in awe of what we know for now and what remains unknown.

In conversations, whether with friends or strangers, I hope to share this view with kindness and understanding, knowing that each person’s beliefs are as unique as their consciousness. We’re all part of the same vast map, exploring different areas and contributing to the symphony of human experience. And for me, that’s enough.