A few years ago, my close friend and I had our usual bonding moment at a restaurant. Because both of us were not busy, especially during weekends at that time, we would always dine out and talk for hours. Since most restaurants in our province did not have many customers, there were always plenty of vacant seats, so we would start at lunch and stay until the restaurant closed after dinner. Yes, money well spent.
One time, I told her that there were times when I did not want to be human anymore. I have this love-hate feeling about being human. Perhaps only two things make me love being human: good food and good views. And then she responded that in her next life, she just wanted to be a rock. I answered that I also wanted to be a rock. Perhaps we could both be rocks near a beautiful lake in our next lives.
Then I put some food on her plate. “Let’s eat all the good food we can now. And let’s plan our travels next time so that we can really enjoy our human existence.” However, that next time hasn’t happened yet, as her schedule is now so tight that she has time only for work and sleep.
But seriously speaking, I am not emotionally distressed right now, but I don’t feel that I belong here. If the concept of “starseeds” is true, then perhaps I am one. I consulted an Akashic reader, and she said that I am one, and that someone I know is one as well. I’m not sure if that is reliable information, as I tried doing an Akashic reading myself and was not successful. If I am truly one, then I just want to fulfill my mission and return home, wherever that may be.
In Buddhist texts, there six realms within samsara: the Hell realm, Hungry Ghost realm, Animal realm, Human realm, realm of Asuras, realm of Devas. And each of these realms, aside from the human and animal realms, has many different stages or sub-realms.
There are also realms of deities, Pratyekabuddha realm, realm of Sravakas, and realm of Buddhas. But I don’t have enough information about these.
So it is not just heaven, earth, and hell, per se. There are so many levels. Buddhist texts compare these realms to a lotus flower in a pond. The Hell realm, Hungry Ghost realm, and Animal realm are like lotus flowers submerged in water. Meanwhile, the Human, Asura, and Deva realms are like lotus flowers whose heads are just a few inches above the water. They are still floating and still have the possibility of being submerged, but they can currently breathe a little more comfortably compared with those in the lower realms I mentioned.
I do not know if one of those realms could be the world of aliens, as sci-fi movies tell us. But there is one thing I believe: this is not the only world that exists, and Earth is just a school for humans, as both Buddha-nature and ego or predatory instincts exist within every human.
Moreover, as I mentioned in my previous post, humans need to lose the ego first before ensuring that someone has a guaranteed path to enlightenment and perhaps the possibility of living somewhere in a higher realm. But how can we lose the ego when the system of this world has been built to make us “efficient” and focused on being a “human doing” rather than a “human being”?
I also wonder if perhaps the rise in mental health issues and all the problems that make people feel they have had enough of hustle culture and simply want peace in life are signs that the world is healing. Because through these experiences, one can turn inward rather than constantly hustling and trying to prove one’s greatness, which only feeds the ego.
Perhaps Gen Z’s actions—prioritizing mental health, focusing on exercise and travel or experiences, and actively rebelling at times rather than demonstrating the obedient attitudes of older generations—are signs that the world is healing too.
And now we are witnessing the rise of AI. Will AI help or destroy humanity? For sure, AI will help businesses cut costs and accelerate the growth of their fortunes. However, what will its effect on ordinary people be? Will ordinary people take up the challenge and learn other skills because their jobs have been replaced by AI, or will they go off-grid and return to agriculture and a simpler life?
I’ve noticed that many people in first-world countries, such as the US, want to leave their countries and live somewhere more peacefully. So, it seems things are becoming interesting.
Where is this topic going?
I am not sure. I am lost once more.
All I know is that I just do not want to be human anymore in my next life. Either I want to pursue enlightenment so that at least I can be in a higher realm, perhaps among the asuras or devas, or just let me be a rock and exist somewhere beautiful.
And then a thought came to me: perhaps my aversion to being human and my desire to become something else are precisely what keep me trapped in samsara—endlessly.
–G.A.