SHAPES OF THE UNIVERSE

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In the open universe, you are constantly veering off - no matter which direction you choose to travel, you are always, ultimately or relatively, going away from everything else.

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In the closed universe it is just the opposite - just as an ant would take a straight path around the earth, eventually reaching the place where it started off and not knowing how such a thing was ever possible, so the traveller will make endless loops, constantly revisiting places. Soon enough, he will memorize the order of celestial bodies as they appear to him - one after the other in time, sphere upon sphere in geometry. He has been here before - he knows this from his past.

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In the flat universe, Euclid may be God. The traveller finds flat sheets of paper, any which way he looks. In the flat universe, a line will, more or less, be a line.

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Saddles, spheres or sheets of paper? The saddles becomes the sphere in reverse time and so the sphere becomes the saddle. The space and time curves and uncurves, curves and unnerves. Where is the edge? is a question. The universe seems to be beyond geometry. It builds itself somewhere in our collective mind now, instead.

types of creation myths

SPACETIME and mythopoetics

Today, I've been reading about theories of relativity and the concept of spacetime and something hit me.

I don't want to spend too much time explaining what light cones are, but if we think about the principal that every 'event' (a body as it exists in a point in space AND time) has a set of light rays that lead up to it and emanate from it in spacetime, we begin to sense that there is a play between mass in space and time and the forces they exert on space and time itself. Or, as Stephen Hawking puts it:

Space and time are now dynamic quantities: when a body moves, or a force acts, it affects the curvature of space and time – and in turn the structure of space-time affects the way in which bodies move and forces act. Space and time not only affect but also are affected by everything that happens in the universe.

To say that there are past light cones that affect the positions of events and to imagine that millions of lightcones overlap all the time in spacetime is to say that events are influenced by many other past events and will influence many other future events. Now, is it just me, or does this sound a bit like the concept of karma?!

(Note: This is not my creation myth essay!)

Myths in creation

Ours is a curious mind. A mind demanding a complete picture of everything. One of the biggest mysteries man has spend wondering throughout ages is that of the universe and its creation. How did it all begin and when? And every one of us as a kid would have asked, “Where did I come from or where do babies come from?“. That question I guess is the most universal question kids ask regarding creation. The answer to that question varies according to the different culture and the social situation in which one was brought in and the important thing we can note here is that the question was the same. And the answers though different, none of them had the real answer or it may lead to another question altogether and of course most of them were religious myths. So when I questioned for the very first time about creation, the bible was the answer with a story to explain the whole event and my curiosity about creation ceased. As a kid, anything with a story was believable to us but the death of curiosity about the universe has made us to elude our interest in it. My Interests was shifted to other things where questions had definite answers.

Well the next set of ideas about creation came from school when they taught us about big bang and evolution which directly conflicted with what I already thought as the answer. So here I got a new answer altogether which had no similarities with what I already knew as the answer. This new theory had more validity since it came from science and science was based on observations. And science made sense to me because of this. I abandoned all other fields including my faith in bible and considered science had all the answers. The curiosity was reignited but my vision was narrow. I realised this when I understood the problem with science. The observations on which science is based on is at times inconsistent as years pass by because of new observations. New theories put forth by new observation can completely prove the older theories as wrong and although most cant out prove the other completely. This resulted in various distinctions within science itself like quantum mechanics and cosmology. So the big bang theory which I thought as the ultimate and most definite answer to what I knew of creation was at question when I explored quantum mechanics where they question and observe the very moment of the big bang on a quantum scale. Quantum mechanics ultimately has the same problem as I have mentioned above about science. The scientific observations itself are either human sensory based or assumptions in regard to already established scientific laws which is again derived from sensory observations. This invites in a new study altogether in science questioning the sensory perceptions of man being an illusion. Hence theories like Holographic universe come into being which talks about creation on a whole different level. And as crazy as it sounds, it cannot be disapproved or proved completely just like all the other theories. Scientists are trying to find that one solution that will unify all these theories together, it’s called the Grand Unification theory. Is there really a possibility of a grand unification theory that would explain all? Until now it hasn’t but if it has to happen we should broaden our perception and unite not only in science but in every other fields of knowledge as well.

From a philosophical point of view, I started thinking of the universe having a consciousness of its own. This can be explained with biology. We are all made of trillion different types of cells; it is the smallest unit of life classified as living thing. These cells have their own respiratory and digestive system. They think and communicate with each other and these trillion cells makes up a human body and billions of human bodies makes up the earth. The earth has more similarities with the human body. The earth has its own electro magnetic radiation just like the human body. The frequencies from these electro magnetic radiation are responsible for biological rhythms like menstrual cycles. These frequencies are picked up by the flora and fauna as if they were biological instruments like the cells in our body. If the earth is an organism by itself, what does that imply of the universe?

The question of creation still remains in my mind without a definite answer so the curiosity remains. Since none of the answers have definite solution to the question, every one of them has the quality of being a myth. So here I am now faced with this many different possible answer to what happened during creation. And in this day and age, the big bang seems to be most commonly approved of theory by the whole of scientific community. But it isn’t completely provable so it remains at question yet again. This constant recurring cycle of the questioning and concluding has gone on throughout our entire history, at one point of time it was religion, then it was philosophy and now it is science. So will there be a grand unification theory in science that will explain all? Or are we going to move away from the field of science as we know of it today to an altogether new field where more and new answers and questions may come to light? This might be our next step in human evolution.

What is real? - Ankkit Modi

Read this only if you have the 'The Matrix Trilogy'... really im not kidding.

'The matrix is everywhere,' informs Morpheus, 'It is all around us. It is the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you to the truth . . .' - The Wachowski Brothers.

The Matrix, released in 1999, is a remarkable film in a number of respects. More so than any comparable film, the script and details of the set design are informed by many different stories and myths. Perhaps even more remarkable is how quickly the film generated numerous articles in academic journals, and an impressive number of books from scholarly imprints devoted to the film. This article is based on reading many of these books and a selection of the articles. Then draws together the way the mythic themes of The Matrix can be regarded as 'metamyths'. In other words, how the script of The Matrix implicitly – and, at times, almost explicitly – engages with the underlying creation of mythic themes. The idea of a 'metamyth' - 'a myth about the eternal processes by which myths, and humans, are made. It reveals the world as a myth…' - Jake Horley (The Matrix Warrior). This idea of the matrix does not date back to the "Egyptian" or "Aboriginal" times as most of the other posts have but that is what this is about, the matrix is right now. But the idea of the matrix brings up various questions which sometimes cannot be answered. 'What is real? If real is what you can feel, smell, taste and see, then 'real' is simply electrical signals interpreted by your brain .' - Morpheus. What is hard is to make a choice. A choice to believe that the matrix does exist and we are in it right now. If you do then nothing here is 'real', we are made to believe that there is a real world. But what we do have is the power of choice. The most common quote to back this would be 'To be or not to be. That is the question.' William Shakespeare.

The world or idea of creation beings only when you wake up from the matrix.

The Mythical Creation Myth - Deepak Mallya

At a time before Time began, there was first Illuvatar, “The one who is alone”, The All Powerful. Through the manifestation of his concepts and thoughts he creates the Ainur. Before anything else can be created, Illuvatar teaches them the art of ‘Music’ which becomes their life and work.

Soon they and their music mature and they soon realize the existence of one another, and begin to play in harmony, collaborating in their music. This forms the First Theme and their music fills the heavens. While it is true that the Ainur are Iluvatar’s thoughts embodied, they each have a life of their own, and are expected to utilize their 'freedom' by cultivating the grand theme. Only in the future, at the 'end of days', will all the created beings of Iluvatar fully understand not only the divinely provided concepts and themes they each personally embody, but how each relates to all the others and fits (as per Iluvatar’s intentions) in the entire greater scheme.

Among the Ainur, the first to be named is Melkor. He is considered one of the most powerful of the Ainur and has knowledge of illuvatar’s thoughts, including something of each of the primary themes that prefigure the other Ainur. He develops impatience with the schooling process of thematic elaboration: like a precocious child, Melkor begins thinking of certain musical ideas and themes as being 'all his own', and he feels compelled to develop them apace. Melkor even harbours the notion of becoming a creator himself and becomes a disruption to the harmony of the other Ainurs’ music which is part of Illuvatar’s grand design. Iluvatar’s music through the Ainur is beautiful, melodious and filled with sorrow where as Melkor’s is discordant and violent.

The Great Music of the Ainur progresses thus: Iluvatar introduces a First Theme to the choir of the Ainur and Melkor 'spoils' it, converting many of the Ainur to his cause in the process, thereby creating all that is evil. Next, Iluvatar imposes a Second Theme, and again Melkor corrupts it. Iluvatar then proposes a Third Theme, which is also infected by Melkor and devolves into a raging disharmonious conflict. Iluvatar puts an end to the disharmony with the conducting of "…one chord, deeper than the Abyss, higher than the Firmament, piercing as the light of the eye of Iluvatar…" suddenly the music stops, and Melkor is no match for Illuvatar.

Illuvatar then shows the Ainur the vision of the Universe. The Vision is of what the transliteration of their collaborative Great Music into a material reality would be like. They are shown that the Music has a point, has a result and effect beyond its composition and singing: it amounts to no less than a highly detailed template commensurate with the entire history – beginning to end – of a material, 'physical' Universe that could exist inside 'time’. Even Melkor realizes that all his acts are all part of the great design and contribute to the universal harmony that is created.

In the vision The Ainur see things that they don’t remember composing or creating. They also see things that they remember composing but could not fathom it could take such a form in the Universe.

Soon they see the Earth and the Children of Illuvatar-the men and elves and all other living creatures. Upon spotting the earth a particularly fascinating advise is given: “don’t read too much into the relative size of the Earth as compared to the entire Universe, or be overly impressed with the immensity of Space compared to, say, the delicacy and complexity of design in a mustard seed.” The Ainur come to realize that Water is the ultimate resonance of the collaborative elaboration that was the propounding and cultivating of Iluvatar’s entire creative plan. Ulmo is related to water and is said to have conceptualized it. Illuvatar also points out that the meddling of Melkor has in fact benefitted Water, beyond Ulmo’s conceptions. Melkor’s attempts to disrupt with the use of fierce heat and severe cold do nothing to ruin Water (as Melkor must have hoped), but rather leave the World with the beauties of snow and frost and clouds and rain.

The vision is now suddenly snatched away from the Ainur before they can fully comprehend their existence and the whole of the Music-made-into-substance. Because of this, and because of their nature as beings that must grow to an understanding of themselves in the context of the interplay of all creation, the Ainur know quite a bit of the past, present and future of the Universe and its inhabitants, yet they don’t know everything.

Time begins now. Thus at the end of the beginning, Illuvatar takes the music of the Ainur and creates the universe, from a vision into reality. And thus the Ainur including Melkor enter the Universe as its preservers and vow to stay there till its end.

This is the Tolkienian creation myth of a mythical universe and a mythical world. Yet in essence its concepts can be related to the creation of our world. This myth talks about harmony of good and evil, and the general balance of things. It talks of the senses about the beauty of music. And creation through music which I think is beautiful. It metaphorically raises questions of understanding ones own existence and morals, of the past present and future, and the fact that some things have to be found out by one.

Thus this mythical creation myth in essence is valid even in this world in this reality.
At a time before Time began, there was first Illuvatar, “The one who is alone”, The All Powerful. Through the manifestation of his concepts and thoughts he creates the Ainur. Before anything else can be created, Illuvatar teaches them the art of ‘Music’ which becomes their life and work.

Soon they and their music mature and they soon realize the existence of one another, and begin to play in harmony, collaborating in their music. This forms the First Theme and their music fills the heavens. While it is true that the Ainur are Iluvatar’s thoughts embodied, they each have a life of their own, and are expected to utilize their 'freedom' by cultivating the grand theme. Only in the future, at the 'end of days', will all the created beings of Iluvatar fully understand not only the divinely provided concepts and themes they each personally embody, but how each relates to all the others and fits (as per Iluvatar’s intentions) in the entire greater scheme.

Among the Ainur, the first to be named is Melkor. He is considered one of the most powerful of the Ainur and has knowledge of illuvatar’s thoughts, including something of each of the primary themes that prefigure the other Ainur. He develops impatience with the schooling process of thematic elaboration: like a precocious child, Melkor begins thinking of certain musical ideas and themes as being 'all his own', and he feels compelled to develop them apace. Melkor even harbours the notion of becoming a creator himself and becomes a disruption to the harmony of the other Ainurs’ music which is part of Illuvatar’s grand design. Iluvatar’s music through the Ainur is beautiful, melodious and filled with sorrow where as Melkor’s is discordant and violent.

The Great Music of the Ainur progresses thus: Iluvatar introduces a First Theme to the choir of the Ainur and Melkor 'spoils' it, converting many of the Ainur to his cause in the process, thereby creating all that is evil. Next, Iluvatar imposes a Second Theme, and again Melkor corrupts it. Iluvatar then proposes a Third Theme, which is also infected by Melkor and devolves into a raging disharmonious conflict. Iluvatar puts an end to the disharmony with the conducting of "…one chord, deeper than the Abyss, higher than the Firmament, piercing as the light of the eye of Iluvatar…" suddenly the music stops, and Melkor is no match for Illuvatar.

Illuvatar then shows the Ainur the vision of the Universe. The Vision is of what the transliteration of their collaborative Great Music into a material reality would be like. They are shown that the Music has a point, has a result and effect beyond its composition and singing: it amounts to no less than a highly detailed template commensurate with the entire history – beginning to end – of a material, 'physical' Universe that could exist inside 'time’. Even Melkor realizes that all his acts are all part of the great design and contribute to the universal harmony that is created.

In the vision The Ainur see things that they don’t remember composing or creating. They also see things that they remember composing but could not fathom it could take such a form in the Universe.

Soon they see the Earth and the Children of Illuvatar-the men and elves and all other living creatures. Upon spotting the earth a particularly fascinating advise is given: “don’t read too much into the relative size of the Earth as compared to the entire Universe, or be overly impressed with the immensity of Space compared to, say, the delicacy and complexity of design in a mustard seed.” The Ainur come to realize that Water is the ultimate resonance of the collaborative elaboration that was the propounding and cultivating of Iluvatar’s entire creative plan. Ulmo is related to water and is said to have conceptualized it. Illuvatar also points out that the meddling of Melkor has in fact benefitted Water, beyond Ulmo’s conceptions. Melkor’s attempts to disrupt with the use of fierce heat and severe cold do nothing to ruin Water (as Melkor must have hoped), but rather leave the World with the beauties of snow and frost and clouds and rain.

The vision is now suddenly snatched away from the Ainur before they can fully comprehend their existence and the whole of the Music-made-into-substance. Because of this, and because of their nature as beings that must grow to an understanding of themselves in the context of the interplay of all creation, the Ainur know quite a bit of the past, present and future of the Universe and its inhabitants, yet they don’t know everything.

Time begins now. Thus at the end of the beginning, Illuvatar takes the music of the Ainur and creates the universe, from a vision into reality. And thus the Ainur including Melkor enter the Universe as its preservers and vow to stay there till its end.

This is the Tolkienian creation myth of a mythical universe and a mythical world. Yet in essence its concepts can be related to the creation of our world. This myth talks about harmony of good and evil, and the general balance of things. It talks of the senses about the beauty of music. And creation through music which I think is beautiful. It metaphorically raises questions of understanding ones own existence and morals, of the past present and future, and the fact that some things have to be found out by one.

Thus this mythical creation myth in essence is valid even in this world in this reality.
At a time before Time began, there was first Illuvatar, “The one who is alone”, The All Powerful. Through the manifestation of his concepts and thoughts he creates the Ainur. Before anything else can be created, Illuvatar teaches them the art of ‘Music’ which becomes their life and work.

Soon they and their music mature and they soon realize the existence of one another, and begin to play in harmony, collaborating in their music. This forms the First Theme and their music fills the heavens. While it is true that the Ainur are Iluvatar’s thoughts embodied, they each have a life of their own, and are expected to utilize their 'freedom' by cultivating the grand theme. Only in the future, at the 'end of days', will all the created beings of Iluvatar fully understand not only the divinely provided concepts and themes they each personally embody, but how each relates to all the others and fits (as per Iluvatar’s intentions) in the entire greater scheme.

Among the Ainur, the first to be named is Melkor. He is considered one of the most powerful of the Ainur and has knowledge of illuvatar’s thoughts, including something of each of the primary themes that prefigure the other Ainur. He develops impatience with the schooling process of thematic elaboration: like a precocious child, Melkor begins thinking of certain musical ideas and themes as being 'all his own', and he feels compelled to develop them apace. Melkor even harbours the notion of becoming a creator himself and becomes a disruption to the harmony of the other Ainurs’ music which is part of Illuvatar’s grand design. Iluvatar’s music through the Ainur is beautiful, melodious and filled with sorrow where as Melkor’s is discordant and violent.

The Great Music of the Ainur progresses thus: Iluvatar introduces a First Theme to the choir of the Ainur and Melkor 'spoils' it, converting many of the Ainur to his cause in the process, thereby creating all that is evil. Next, Iluvatar imposes a Second Theme, and again Melkor corrupts it. Iluvatar then proposes a Third Theme, which is also infected by Melkor and devolves into a raging disharmonious conflict. Iluvatar puts an end to the disharmony with the conducting of "…one chord, deeper than the Abyss, higher than the Firmament, piercing as the light of the eye of Iluvatar…" suddenly the music stops, and Melkor is no match for Illuvatar.

Illuvatar then shows the Ainur the vision of the Universe. The Vision is of what the transliteration of their collaborative Great Music into a material reality would be like. They are shown that the Music has a point, has a result and effect beyond its composition and singing: it amounts to no less than a highly detailed template commensurate with the entire history – beginning to end – of a material, 'physical' Universe that could exist inside 'time’. Even Melkor realizes that all his acts are all part of the great design and contribute to the universal harmony that is created.

In the vision The Ainur see things that they don’t remember composing or creating. They also see things that they remember composing but could not fathom it could take such a form in the Universe.

Soon they see the Earth and the Children of Illuvatar-the men and elves and all other living creatures. Upon spotting the earth a particularly fascinating advise is given: “don’t read too much into the relative size of the Earth as compared to the entire Universe, or be overly impressed with the immensity of Space compared to, say, the delicacy and complexity of design in a mustard seed.” The Ainur come to realize that Water is the ultimate resonance of the collaborative elaboration that was the propounding and cultivating of Iluvatar’s entire creative plan. Ulmo is related to water and is said to have conceptualized it. Illuvatar also points out that the meddling of Melkor has in fact benefitted Water, beyond Ulmo’s conceptions. Melkor’s attempts to disrupt with the use of fierce heat and severe cold do nothing to ruin Water (as Melkor must have hoped), but rather leave the World with the beauties of snow and frost and clouds and rain.

The vision is now suddenly snatched away from the Ainur before they can fully comprehend their existence and the whole of the Music-made-into-substance. Because of this, and because of their nature as beings that must grow to an understanding of themselves in the context of the interplay of all creation, the Ainur know quite a bit of the past, present and future of the Universe and its inhabitants, yet they don’t know everything.

Time begins now. Thus at the end of the beginning, Illuvatar takes the music of the Ainur and creates the universe, from a vision into reality. And thus the Ainur including Melkor enter the Universe as its preservers and vow to stay there till its end.

This is the Tolkienian creation myth of a mythical universe and a mythical world. Yet in essence its concepts can be related to the creation of our world. This myth talks about harmony of good and evil, and the general balance of things. It talks of the senses about the beauty of music. And creation through music which I think is beautiful. It metaphorically raises questions of understanding ones own existence and morals, of the past present and future, and the fact that some things have to be found out by one.

Thus this mythical creation myth in essence is valid even in this world in this reality.
At a time before Time began, there was first Illuvatar, “The one who is alone”, The All Powerful. Through the manifestation of his concepts and thoughts he creates the Ainur. Before anything else can be created, Illuvatar teaches them the art of ‘Music’ which becomes their life and work.

Soon they and their music mature and they soon realize the existence of one another, and begin to play in harmony, collaborating in their music. This forms the First Theme and their music fills the heavens. While it is true that the Ainur are Iluvatar’s thoughts embodied, they each have a life of their own, and are expected to utilize their 'freedom' by cultivating the grand theme. Only in the future, at the 'end of days', will all the created beings of Iluvatar fully understand not only the divinely provided concepts and themes they each personally embody, but how each relates to all the others and fits (as per Iluvatar’s intentions) in the entire greater scheme.

Among the Ainur, the first to be named is Melkor. He is considered one of the most powerful of the Ainur and has knowledge of Illuvatar’s thoughts, including something of each of the primary themes that prefigure the other Ainur. He develops impatience with the schooling process of thematic elaboration: like a precocious child, Melkor begins thinking of certain musical ideas and themes as being 'all his own', and he feels compelled to develop them apace. Melkor even harbours the notion of becoming a creator himself and becomes a disruption to the harmony of the other Ainurs’ music which is part of Illuvatar’s grand design. Iluvatar’s music through the Ainur is beautiful, melodious and filled with sorrow where as Melkor’s is discordant and violent.

The Great Music of the Ainur progresses thus: Iluvatar introduces a First Theme to the choir of the Ainur and Melkor 'spoils' it, converting many of the Ainur to his cause in the process, thereby creating all that is evil. Next, Iluvatar imposes a Second Theme, and again Melkor corrupts it. Iluvatar then proposes a Third Theme, which is also infected by Melkor and devolves into a raging disharmonious conflict. Iluvatar puts an end to the disharmony with the conducting of "…one chord, deeper than the Abyss, higher than the Firmament, piercing as the light of the eye of Iluvatar…" suddenly the music stops, and Melkor is no match for Illuvatar.

Illuvatar then shows the Ainur the vision of the Universe. The Vision is of what the transliteration of their collaborative Great Music into a material reality would be like. They are shown that the Music has a point, has a result and effect beyond its composition and singing: it amounts to no less than a highly detailed template commensurate with the entire history – beginning to end – of a material, 'physical' Universe that could exist inside 'time’. Even Melkor realizes that all his acts are all part of the great design and contribute to the universal harmony that is created.

In the vision The Ainur see things that they don’t remember composing or creating. They also see things that they remember composing but could not fathom it could take such a form in the Universe.

Soon they see the Earth and the Children of Illuvatar-the men and elves and all other living creatures. Upon spotting the earth a particularly fascinating advise is given: “don’t read too much into the relative size of the Earth as compared to the entire Universe, or be overly impressed with the immensity of Space compared to, say, the delicacy and complexity of design in a mustard seed.” The Ainur come to realize that Water is the ultimate resonance of the collaborative elaboration that was the propounding and cultivating of Iluvatar’s entire creative plan. Ulmo is related to water and is said to have conceptualized it. Illuvatar also points out that the meddling of Melkor has in fact benefitted Water, beyond Ulmo’s conceptions. Melkor’s attempts to disrupt with the use of fierce heat and severe cold do nothing to ruin Water (as Melkor must have hoped), but rather leave the World with the beauties of snow and frost and clouds and rain.

The vision is now suddenly snatched away from the Ainur before they can fully comprehend their existence and the whole of the Music-made-into-substance. Because of this, and because of their nature as beings that must grow to an understanding of themselves in the context of the interplay of all creation, the Ainur know quite a bit of the past, present and future of the Universe and its inhabitants, yet they don’t know everything.

Time begins now. Thus at the end of the beginning, Illuvatar takes the music of the Ainur and creates the universe, from a vision into reality. And thus the Ainur including Melkor enter the Universe as its preservers and vow to stay there till its end.

This is the Tolkienian creation myth of a mythical universe and a mythical world. Yet in essence its concepts can be related to the creation of our world. This myth talks about harmony of good and evil, and the general balance of things. It talks of the senses about the beauty of music. And creation through music which I think is beautiful. It metaphorically raises questions of understanding ones own existence and morals, of the past present and future, and the fact that some things have to be found out by one.

Thus this mythical creation myth in essence is valid even in this world in this reality.

The desire to imagine creation - Avani Tanya

India has been a country of ageless and countless myths that describe how man and earth were created. All these stories, unanimously worship nature and celebrate 'God' or a similar super power as the creator of life. Animals were believed to exist before man. Over centuries, these myths disappeared somewhere, most of them getting integrated into larger religions such as "Hinduism" and "Buddhism". This probably explains why these religions have multiple stories explaining creation. 

As a child i grew up listening to various versions of stories describing creation, including scientific theories of evolution and the Big bang theory. I often found it hard to understand why these myths were necessary..why did we have a strong desire to imagine creation? Tthrough these myths 'we seek an experience of being alive', we try to refer to those things that are beyond our understanding. The myth is a manifestation of the images within us. They are a magnification of our dreams, and experiences that are intrinsic to all mankind. This is probably also why almost all ancient creation myths around the world have common themes and imagery. They give us a cultural sense of belonging, relationships and kinship. They give justifications to very primal human emotions like greed, jealousy, love and hatred, and almost rid us of the guilt of doing sinful acts.

 I still dont know what these mean to me in the modern day and age. My mind wants to have greater faith in the scientific explanations, yet these stories move me in many ways. They are an artistic expression that speaks to each of us in personal ways. 

Here is a myth of the 'Gond' tribe from central india that i have always been fond of-

" One Gond myth, essentially a separation of heaven and earth myth tells us about how earth and sky fell in love and wanted to be married and the Creator agreed to celebrate their wedding. All creatures were invited tot he wedding and they all agreed to come except the Jackal. He warned the Creator that if Earth and Sky married, there would be no room left between their coupling for any creation to take place. The Creator understood this and decided to marry the Earth with the Sun instead." 

                                      
These are pictures of art and artifacts that depict native indian creation myths that I took on my visit to the "Museum of man" in Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh.

Tolkien Ainulindale- Krupakar Dhinakaran

J.R.R. Tolkien created a world.
In the beginning there was Iluvatar. He is independent of all else. The eternal, timeless, spaceless. He created the Ainur, the divine beings that were but manifestations of his thought. He taught them music and they played tunes, at first alone, and slowly in groups, in harmony with one another. After some time, Iluvatar called them all to him and presented to them a great theme. They were fascinated by the new and great things that he revealed to them. Then Iluvatar told them to play a Great Music on this theme. With the Imperishable Flame, this theme and Music could come into Being. They began together and it seemed flawless for a time- the greatest Music ever to be heard yet. But, Melkor, one of the Ainur to whom was given the most knowledge and power played a tune of his own. He was impatient of the emptiness and Void of the world and wished to bring in Beings of his own conception. It created a discord among those around him. Iluvator understood this discord. He stood and raised his left hand and a new theme was introduced, a strong one with a new beauty but Melkor contended with it, and the discord rose. Iluvatar raised his right and a third theme was born. This one was soft at first but it grew with a power of its own, though filled with sorrow. Now there were two Musics running alongside one another and Melkor's was loud and violent, drowning out the other.
Iluvatar rose a third time and raised both his hands, and with one chord, so powerful in itself, the Music stopped. Iluvatar took them to the Void and said "Behold your Music". The Ainur were shown a vision of the world in the Void- in it but not part of it. And the world reflected the Music. But there were things that the Ainur were not a part of, things they could not understand The most beautiful of which were Children of Iluvatar, Elves and Men (the First Born and the Follwers), free beings within the world, given great gifts and thoughts. The world appealed to the Ainur and their desired turned to it, beautiful, full of colour and different elements. Melkor's desire was the greatest. He said he wanted to fix the disorder and turrmoil that had come through him but he secretly wished to control the Children and was jealous of them.
Ulmo was the chief contributor to the water element. He was the most gifted in Music and the Elves still feel the Music of the Ainur in the Seas. It was more great than he had initially conceived.
Then the vision was taken away. Iluvatar understood the desire of the Ainur and said this shall Be. And the Imperishable Flame was sent into the Void and Ea, the World, was created. Many of the Ainur stayed without but the fairest of the descended within the World to help its creation and to guide the Children. These were the Valar, the Gods, the divine beings of the world. They entered upon the condition that they would be bound to it till the End.
Melkor was one of them. Once within, he declared that this would be his kingdom and raised fires and tried to disrupt the work of the others, the chief of whom were Manwe, Ulmo, and Aule. Manwe, who was Melkor's brother in thought, and set against him, was sent down to see that things would Be as it had been concieved. He was given control of the Air and Sky. Ulmo took control of the Waters and Aule took the Earth under his care, creating gems and elements deep within.
When Melkor saw the beauty of the world, he was jealous and thus began the first conflict in the dominion of the world.

Egyptian Creation Myths - Ragini Ramanathan

Egyptian Creation Stories

I am Ain and I am a farmer from Egypt. The year is 3051 B.C and I’m going to tell you about how the universe was created.

Before life was born there was the wondrous and terrifying river Nile. It brought forth chaos of bubbling water called Nu. It was out of Nu that everything began. When Nu receded, the first hill top came into being and so did the first sun rise. The sun was one of our first Gods of creation. He rose as Khepri, the great Scarab beetle, as Ra, great and strong as it climbed mid day and set as, Atum, the old man. Seth, the lunar God, was the god of darkness, in constant battle with the God of light. The sky Goddess, Nut, stood as a cow over the earth, her eyes being the sun and the moon. She gave birth to the daily Sun. Shu, the God of air and wind, kept her from falling to the earth. Then as evening fell, Nut swallowed the sun. Beneath her stretched the ocean in the centre of which lay her husband Geb, the earth - god. These gods together create life. They are just, fair and powerful gods. I pray to them, and my fields thrive, my family is healthy and happy. As much as I worship them, I also fear them. Many have suffered at the wrath of the gods and so must always be respected.

I am Ragini Ramanathan and I am a third year student at Srishti. I’ve always been fascinated with Egyptian mythology and their myths of creation are incredibly intriguing. As a story, it sets off your imagination and I was personally blown away by the imagery. The idea of the different phases of the sun as a scarab beetle, a young strong man and an old man gives us a perspective of the Sun as an actual personified being. They are also very accurate as well as poetic descriptions of its physical appearance. The Sun and moon as the eyes of Nut pulled me back to my own childhood when I also believed the moon was an eye. Obviously I wasn’t imaginative enough to believe I was staring at a cow but I probably would have believed it if someone told me about it. Personification is a natural way for humans to identify with the different forces of life and respect them.

In its essence this myth isn’t very far from the truth. These gods all represent elements that support life. This story in fact seems logical considering its setting. The Nile brought life as well as destruction therefore it’s a force to be reckoned with. The sun appeared out of the river, so the river must’ve given birth to it. The sun and moon constantly battle for a place in the sky.

Some of the more scientific ideas of creation again aren’t very far from these stories. There are theories that do in fact state that life began from the ocean, and that we all originated from stars. This shows that imagination can play an important role in discovering more about the cosmos.

More than that, these stories attempt to describe the experience and magic of life.

Myth of Reincarnation

Reincarnation is the belief that after death,the ‘spirit’ or some inextinguishable part of

each human, survives, and, at some later timeis reborn again into either a human, or an

animal body. Most believers in reincarnationbelieve that there is a never-ending cycle of

rebirths, which can only be ended by gaining‘final release’ from the cycle

Reincarnation is believed to occur when the soul or spirit, after the death of the body, comes back to Earth in a newborn body. This phenomenon is also known as transmigration of the soul. The term is confined to the majority of Indian religious traditions, such as Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism; the Buddhist concept of rebirth is also often referred to as reincarnation.

The origins of the notion of reincarnation are obscure. Majority of people on earth believe in birth after death .

In almost every society the spiritual writings are about the art of living which prepares human beings for death. As it is believed that one soul goes through eighty four lakh lives in different human bodies. The soul leaves the domain of one body and takes the form of another and continues the journey of the nature set by God. The basic instinct of the soul remains the same, the only change takes place is the human body. The soul can also contain the impressions of the journey or life of the previous human body life; but not for a longer time. People use the medium of hypnotism to reveal information about their previous soul. Also, the body form of the soul in next life is somehow connected to the previous human body, may it be friends, family or soul mates or any close person the soul was in the previous life. In addition to this, the body carried by the soul in this life is influenced by its previous life to a larger extent. In Hindu mythology Lord Ram is considered as reincarnated form of Lord Vishnu .As no one has seen the life after death so it is believed that the person after death goes to heaven or hell depending upon the deeds done by him in the previous life, through the process of Purgatory. The deeds are described in form of karma. For every karma he is answerable to God..

Each one of us is born with a unique genetic makeup, which provides a basic template for our general behavior. This behavior is further modified by the surroundings that one encounters in life. I therefore believe that each one of us has the power to change our destiny and our memories by our actions in this life.

On the other hand,being in a scientific world people have stopped believing in these types of myths. They are being practical in their doings as well as thoughts. They do not believe in destiny given by God rather than modifying their own destiny. Somewhere I also feel the same. Our lives do get affected by our previous life but its not influenced by it.

Australian Aborigine Creation Myth -Maanvi Kapur

There was a time when everything was still. All the spirits of the earth were asleep - or almost all. The great Father of All Spirits was the only one awake. Gently he awoke the Sun Mother. As she opened her eyes a warm ray of light spread out towards the sleeping earth. The Father of All Spirits said to the Sun Mother,
"Mother, I have work for you. Go down to the Earth and awake the sleeping spirits. Give them forms."
The Sun Mother glided down to Earth, which was bare at the time and began to walk in all directions and everywhere she walked plants grew. After returning to the field where she had begun her work the Mother rested, well pleased with herself. The Father of All Spirits came and saw her work, but instructed her to go into the caves and wake the spirits.
This time she ventured into the dark caves on the mountainsides. The bright light that radiated from her awoke the spirits and after she left insects of all kinds flew out of the caves. The Sun Mother sat down and watched the glorious sight of her insects mingling with her flowers. However once again the Father urged her on.
The Mother ventured into a very deep cave, spreading her light around her. Her heat melted the ice and the rivers and streams of the world were created. Then she created fish and small snakes, lizards and frogs. Next she awoke the spirits of the birds and animals and they burst into the sunshine in a glorious array of colors. Seeing this, the Father of All Spirits was pleased with the Sun Mother's work.
She called all her creatures to her and instructed them to enjoy the wealth of the earth and to live peacefully with one another. Then she rose into the sky and became the sun.

The myth provides a very pretty picture of how the world could have been created. Glorious light and rivers and insects of all kinds, flying out of caves, paints a pretty frame, but for a film. Today I have a lot of background knowledge about how the world was really created. Science tells me that it all started with a Big Bang. There are many other theories, most of them, with proofs providing enough useful information about our planet, the stars, and the Universe.
Maybe if I was from an Australian family, and if I was born way before my time, my great-grandmother would be telling me this myth as a story and I would be in awe of all the things described. But today, scientists have proved enough for us to leave the stories behind.
The interesting thing is, these facts destroy the beauty of the stories in a way.
We live in an era where we question everything, where we need solid proof for everything, where following something without questioning it is a crime. I feel it is about the way we perceive things. A lot of us like to believe, and a lot of us like to question before we believe. What we forget is that our perception is ours. How we control it is upto us. You can destroy the beauty of anything by asking too much about it. Its upto you to take a step back and enjoy what you want.