Echoes of Stardust

KAMEN VARDE

Under the watchful gaze of countless stars, a profound truth is subtly engraved on the cold surface of the Bosnian medieval Stone Chair in Kosor, near Mostar, sometimes before year 1411

This stone
Of Varda
Whose was it?
Whose is it now?
Whose will it be?

There is a sense of déjà vu that sets in when we come across something that seems so familiar and though unbeknownst to us, a sense of being both an insignificant and yet an inseparable part of the greater fabric of the universe. One could argue that our existence, seemingly irrelevant in the context of the vastness of space, gains meaning through the pursuit of enduring virtues. Kindness and acts of sacrifice are not just noble ideals, but the pillars of (human) existence. They challenge us to act benevolently and cultivate goodness as an end in itself, not as a means to an end. In an interconnected and entangled world in which all living beings are dependent on each other, there is no other logical path.

The idea of doing good for the sake of it reflects the underlying conviction that each small act of kindness reverberates across the eons and shapes the structure of the whole system, of which we ultimately know nothing about. In such acts we can find a place of refuge, knowing that our small contributions, however seemingly insignificant, can contribute to a greater good. The Butterfly Effect.

Whenever you find yourself gazing at a tombstone, reflecting on your own path to the stars, you will be reminded of the endless cycle that defines our perpetual voyage. Inevitably, every journey leads to the inner core, that mysterious place where all human experience converges. Therein lies the implicit realization that the essence of life is found neither in distant lands nor in material achievements, but rather in our capacity for compassion and respect for all life.