Confronting the Crunch of Human Existence: Embracing Our Infinite Nature
Have you ever felt a nagging sense of unease about simply existing—an existential anxiety that you can’t quite name? You’re not alone. Most of us experience this at some level, even if we don’t know how to identify it. What is it about being, simply being, that feels so... heavy?
This tension has both atheistic and theistic explanations, each pointing to a fascinating truth about the human condition. Let’s unpack both perspectives and explore how we can find peace in the midst of this strange, finite experience.
The Atheistic Perspective: Infinite Complexity, Human Finitude
Atheists might say that this existential dread arises because we, as humans, contain infinite complexity within. Think about it: your thoughts, emotions, memories, dreams, and inner life are vast—so vast that they defy comprehension. The interiority of human experience is infinite, at least in its depth and richness.
And yet, this infinite inner world is crammed into the limitations of a body. Every day, we condense this sprawling inner life into the mundane tasks of existence—what author Tom Robbins, in his novel Fierce Invalids Home from Hot Climates, brilliantly satirizes as "maintenance."
The character Switters loathes these daily tasks—brushing teeth, folding clothes, doing the dishes. Why? Because they feel like an affront to the grandeur of his complexity. And honestly, who hasn’t felt this way?
We all carry the weight of being infinite beings, trapped in finite, repetitive tasks. This dissonance—the squeeze of infinitude into finitude—is enough to leave anyone unsettled.
The Theistic Perspective: Boundless Spirit in a Limited Body
The theistic explanation goes a step further. It posits that our unease comes from being infinite, boundless spirit temporarily confined to a limited human experience.
In this view, your essential nature isn’t just rich and complex—it’s infinite. It transcends time, space, and limitation. But for reasons unknown (or depending on your tradition, divinely ordained), that infinite spirit has chosen—or been forced—to inhabit this finite existence.
The result? A sense of disconnect. A deep longing for something more, even if we can’t articulate what that “more” is.
The Crunch: What Both Perspectives Share
Whether you lean atheistic or theistic, the fundamental problem remains the same: infinite potential constrained by finite reality. And for many of us, the weight of this dissonance manifests as an unshakable anxiety.
We don’t know why we feel unsettled, but we do. We feel trapped, squeezed, and burdened by the sheer human-ness of life.
Finding Rest in Infinitude
Is there a way out? Not an escape, necessarily, but a reprieve—a way to live in peace with this tension?
Both perspectives suggest that the answer lies in resting in our infinitude.
From an atheistic perspective, this means recognizing and embracing the vastness of your interior world. Instead of resenting the limitations of daily life, find moments to honor your complexity. Meditate, write, create, reflect—whatever helps you touch the infinite within.
From a theistic perspective, this means resting in the awareness of your true, boundless nature. Many spiritual traditions, especially nondual teachings, encourage us to identify with the infinite spirit behind the finite self.
In both cases, the key is to shift your identification: from the constraints of the human experience to the infinite essence that lies beyond.
Practical Steps to Embrace Your Infinite Nature
Here are a few ways to ease the crunch of existence and reconnect with your infinite self:
Practice Mindful Awareness
Whether through meditation, journaling, or simply pausing to reflect, create space to reconnect with the vastness of your inner world.Engage in Creative Expression
Art, music, writing—any form of creativity allows your infinite self to flow freely, even within the constraints of the physical world.Explore Nondual Teachings
Teachers like Ramana Maharshi and Eckhart Tolle offer guidance on how to rest in awareness and identify with the infinite rather than the finite.Let Go of Perfection in the Mundane
Remember Switters? Instead of resenting daily tasks, approach them with humor, mindfulness, or even gratitude. Folding laundry might not feel like infinity, but it’s a chance to ground yourself in the present.Reconnect with Nature
The natural world offers a tangible reminder of both our smallness and our interconnectedness with something vast and infinite.
Final Thoughts: Peace in the Paradox
Life is paradoxical. We are infinite beings, confined to finite forms. We long for boundlessness, yet we must navigate boundaries. And while this tension can feel heavy, it also holds the key to profound peace.
When we rest in our infinite nature—whether as atheists or theists—we find a stillness that transcends the crunch of existence. We find ourselves no longer resisting the human experience but embracing it as a temporary, beautiful, and mysterious expression of the infinite.
So today, take a moment to breathe, reflect, and remember: you are infinite. And in that infinitude, there is peace.
