Journey of the Universe

The insights offered in this all to brief one-hour documentary provides an historical and a scientific perspective in language easily grasped by anyone. It tells a story that based on the writings of scholars over the past 2 decades will have a major impact on how a global humanity needs to evolve over the next century. The simple idea that we are made of 'star- stuff' alone should speak powerfully to that internal desire to be connected to something larger than ourselves that exists within every conscious human being. Why are we here? How did we get here? This documentary provides an awareness that should help answer these questions. It also creates a framework within which to expand the meaning of our existence.

I had the privilege to view this film in a small theater on Whidbey Island, near Seattle. I made the journey, including a trip by ferry boat, to view the film, to meet Mary Evelyn Tucker and Brian Swimme, and engage in a seminar at the Whidbey Institute in the Teilhard de Chardin Hall. In these times of religious conservatives challenging the science of the 14 billion year old story of creation, it is important to have a film like this that sets the story of our evolution so beautifully and poetically. Brian Swimme takes us on a journey that tells our story from the Big Bang to current day while making a 24 hour journey through the Greek village of Samos, home of mathematician Pythagoras. Swimme is a scientist/theologian/poet who weaves the disciplines of science and the humanities into the seamless garment they must be if we are to stop the environmental destruction that is occurring and come together to solve the big issues of ecology, morality, and spirituality. Watch this film, and experience the grandeur and the humility of knowing your place in the universe story and what you must do to stop being the problem and start becoming the solution.

Brilliant! Deep and profound, albeit short (just under 1 hour), this film captures the essence of scientific exploration and what it means to be human. Perhaps you need some background in current cosmology or quantum physics to fully appreciate what is being said in a few brief segments spanning the creation of the universe to modern day. I was moved by this film and the implications. It has a spiritual undertone to it, but that's a natural and necessary outcome of truly understanding what the film attempts to show-namely the interconnectedness of the entire cosmos. We are the result of fundamental principles of physics and the language of math (patterns) which underlie the communication and storage of symbolic consciousness and which are emergent with increasing complexity. These are difficult concepts to grasp, but once you do, it opens up the entire cosmos, of which we are an essential, self-aware component. I highly recommend this for family viewing.

A film of rare beauty and eloquence illuminating the sheer wonder of our existence, Journey of the Universe transports the viewer from the moment of the Big Bang through our own evolving planetary dance of life and ecosystem. Through beautiful location shots, stunning cinematography, and sophisticated graphics and effects one is left with the very real sense of our fragility as a species, and our delicate relationship with our planet. The most up-to-date scientific findings are presented in molecular biology, astrophysics and other areas to propose that we are blessed by our existence here and should with pious and humble respect accept our obligation to protect the delicate balance of life on our planet. One comes away with a realization that for us to exist here as we do required an infinite number of precise coincidences, more than possible by mere chance. Journey of the Universe fills one with the wonder that is life.

Journey of the Universe is worth every minute one spends watching it. In fact, one can't just watch it; it challenges you to imagine, to think. If there is any criticism, it is that it is too rich with ideas for a film approximately one hour long. It presents so many ways, hermeneutics, of viewing the history of the universe that a single viewing was not sufficient. Fortunately, the invitation to learn and think did not detract from the over-all feeling of humility, awe and love that the film engendered in this viewer. The final question put to us by Brian Swimme remains long after the film ends: knowing what we know now, how can we use the energies of the universe within us to recreate the face of the earth.