Everything we see around us is part of an ongoing process. A rock may seem solid and unchanging, but over millions of years, it will erode, break apart, and eventually become part of the soil. Buildings, furniture, and other seemingly stable objects are also subject to the passage of time—their surfaces erode, materials weaken, and without renovation or reconstruction, they ultimately decay. Even nature itself is in constant motion. Flowers, trees and bushes. Everything will sometime transform into something different.
At the heart of it all is matter, the physical substance that constitutes everything in the universe. In physics, matter is defined as anything that occupies space and has mass. This includes everything we can see, touch, and interact with, from the smallest particles to the largest galaxies.
If we break matter down into its smallest components, we find atoms—tiny building blocks that combine to form all physical objects. Atoms, though incredibly small, are themselves made of even smaller particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons. Protons and neutrons, which make up the nucleus of an atom, are not fundamental; they are composed of quarks, held together by the strong nuclear force. Electrons, on the other hand, belong to a family of particles called leptons and, as far as we currently understand, are fundamental—they cannot be broken down further.
Quarks and leptons are the universe’s most basic building blocks, the foundation of everything we know. These particles interact through the four fundamental forces of nature, each carried by specific particles:
- Photons mediate the electromagnetic force, governing interactions between charged particles and enabling light.
- Gluons carry the strong nuclear force, binding quarks together within protons and neutrons.
- W and Z bosons govern the weak nuclear force, responsible for radioactive decay and the transformation of particles.
- Gravitons (hypothetical) are thought to carry the force of gravity, connecting massive objects across the cosmos.
Despite this understanding, science continues to probe deeper into the nature of reality. String theory suggests that even these particles may not be fundamental but are instead tiny, vibrating “strings” of energy. Meanwhile, the mysterious concept of dark matter—an invisible substance comprising roughly 27% of the universe—remains unexplained but crucial to understanding the cosmos.
Amid this complexity, one truth emerges: everything in the universe is impermanent. If the smallest building blocks of matter are moving/transcending objects, everything that builds on it is a moving and transcending matter. Even the most seemingly stable objects change over time. Stars are born, burn brightly, and eventually die, scattering their elements into space to form new stars, planets, and even the building blocks of life itself. On Earth, atoms and molecules are endlessly recycled through natural processes, from the growth of plants to the erosion of mountains. Everything is connected, everything is in motion, and everything eventually changes or transforms into something new. Understanding this impermanence allows us to view the universe not as a collection of isolated objects, but as a living, evolving system in which humans – you and me – are deeply intertwined.
So what is the role of humans in this endless transforming universe? If everything—humans, animals, nature, and even the Earth—is part of an endless process of transformation, then the meaning of life might not lie in permanence or in reaching some final destination. Instead, it could lie in our role as participants in this dynamic, interconnected system. We are not separate from the universe; we are the universe, temporarily assembled into conscious beings capable of reflection, creativity, and connection.
Life, at its essence, is an expression of the universe’s ongoing process. Just as stars create elements that form planets and life, humans contribute to this unfolding story through their actions, thoughts, and relationships. Our energy and matter, while temporarily organized into the form we recognize as “us,” will eventually return to the universe, reshaped into something new.
This perspective challenges the human desire for permanence and control. Instead, it invites us to embrace impermanence and find beauty in the fleeting nature of existence. If everything is constantly changing, then the present moment—however brief—becomes profoundly meaningful. Our experiences, our connections with others, and our contributions to the world gain significance, not because they last forever, but because they are unique, unrepeatable expressions of the universe in this moment.
If humanity could collectively embrace this understanding, we might interact with the world and each other in more meaningful ways. Recognizing that we are all part of the same evolving system could foster compassion, cooperation, and a deeper sense of responsibility. We might treat the Earth with greater care, understanding that it is part of the same process that sustains us. We might treat each other with more kindness, knowing that every life, no matter how brief, is a precious and irreplaceable expression of the cosmos.
But if the universe itself has no fixed destination, does that make life meaningless? Perhaps not. Instead of searching for an external, predetermined purpose, we can find meaning in our ability to create, to imagine, and to shape the world around us. Unlike most matter, humans possess consciousness—the ability to reflect on existence and to ascribe meaning to it. This awareness gives us the power to choose our paths, align with our values, and leave behind ripples that affect the ongoing process of transformation.
If the universe is infinite and matter and energy are endlessly transforming, perhaps the purpose of life is not to resist this flow but to contribute to it. We do this by nurturing the planet, caring for one another, and creating art, ideas, and innovations that resonate beyond our lifetimes. In this way, our brief existence becomes part of something much larger—an infinite cycle of change, growth, and renewal.
Ultimately, the meaning of human existence may not lie in individual permanence but in our ability to participate. We are the universe becoming aware of itself, and in that awareness lies an extraordinary opportunity: to live in harmony with the endless process of transformation, to connect deeply with others, and to embrace the fleeting beauty of the moment. By doing so, we transcend the limits of individuality and become contributors to the infinite unfolding of the cosmos.
