“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”
If I achieve serenity or a relaxed state, I have no need to pray for courage or wisdom, for both will be present in the exact amount needed to meet any situation.
Serenity is the only request I have from my higher power. When I achieve this, my reaction to the world will come from a relaxed place. In this parasympathetic state, also known as a relaxed brain, there is no inner conflict or turmoil. The mind may be active, but it is active in observing and experiencing the world positively, forming gratitude and wonder. In praise and enjoyment of all my experiences.
My reactions are all that matters.
The Serenity Prayer is the only prayer that ever really stuck with me because I found it neutral, and I didn’t mind the word "God." Even though I identified as an atheist as early as age 13, I found a different concept of a divine creator. This symbolizes God in my mind and gives me belief and faith in the supernatural forces that create the natural world. I don’t believe the human mind is intelligent enough to completely comprehend these forces. We know a lot about the universe, but not everything, and so the idea that consciousness is the creator makes me happy. I see the laws of physics and the law of creation as the same thing. Science begins with philosophy, and philosophers contribute as much to science as physicists do. Physicists get credit for the math and building rockets, but their ideas come from a need to understand society, life and death, warfare, and existence itself.
The Serenity Prayer is simply a request from whatever source I come from for the quality of serenity. It’s a simple prayer: "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." Everything after "God, grant me serenity" is an addition of asks. I seek acceptance, wisdom, courage, patience, generosity, forgiveness, persistence, creativity, talent, empathy, compassion, honesty, and the ability to hold morality in the highest regard as the greatest superpower humans can achieve. I want to be free of unnecessary desires and attachments, and to have the right desires and attachments that are positive for life, humanity, and overall consciousness on this planet.
Physics and Spirituality
Who would separate physics from spirituality? Physics searches for answers to who created all this and how it works. Spirituality, when expressed by an awakened mind, asks the same questions and offers deep answers that physicists learn from, as it's part of the fabric of collective consciousness. Physicists and spiritualists alike know that all things are connected. Every thought from every creature that has ever existed is encoded in something physical yet not fully understood. Humans are students, not teachers—we learn from previous generations with all their mistakes and successes. We are students of the amoeba, which figured out survival on an otherwise lifeless and unstable planet. There have been several major cataclysmic events since life began on Earth that nearly extinguished life, but it persisted. This shows both physicists and spiritualists how delicate life is. So far, physicists haven’t found other life forms. They might, or they might develop an equation showing that the possibility of life on any planet is one in a trillion to the 10th power.
It is misguided to think we should live on this planet without attachments and desires. Instead, we need to raise our children properly, so they develop temperance and control over unnecessary passions. For our species to survive, parents must care for and love their children for at least 20 years. This requires passions, deep desires, and attachments—these bonds make us different from crocodiles.
If a spiritual person meditates and concludes that life's meaning is to let itself die out, that is their interpretation of the divine. I disagree. The divine creator is brilliant and wise, creating life for consciousness to become aware of itself and understand the universe. It's a brilliant creation with many facets. One fail-safe is biological evolution, which demands that species continue to progress and improve their survival chances. We have various adaptations across generations to better equip us for changing conditions.
Current-day Humans are the future ancestors to a superior being, and we shouldn’t be jealous of that. We should aspire to contribute to it so that life can persist and prevail on this planet. This isn't a distant planet; by the time we have the technology to reach one, the key will be how collective consciousness comes together, perhaps meditating into a new conscious state and resetting the planet to an Eden-like state.
Unity and Consciousness
This unity won't happen unless every soul on the planet joins as one. Animals achieve this easily because they can naturally enter a parasympathetic* state. Humans, however, find it more challenging and need to work on it. So, say the Serenity Prayer and simply ask for serenity and good character. Don't ask for anything else. By seeking serenity, you can naturally fall into a relaxed state and learn to accept everything, because acceptance is necessary for everything that occurs. Remember to take deep breaths as often as you can and use positive words.
*The parasympathetic brain system helps the body relax and recover, promoting calmness and rest. In contrast, the sympathetic brain system activates the "fight or flight" response, preparing the body for stressful situations and quick action.