Can an indiviual be compared to a single cell in its very own body; on a spiritual level?

Question

If you believe this type of comparison viable, begin to think about the entire body from that one single cell's perspective... What understanding could one single cell become aware of, in regards to how the entire body, as a whole, functioned?

Might it have similar understandings to those that we come to, as humans, trying to figure our own lives within this world? Maybe some cells believe that once they die, within the body, that that's it and there will be nothing more. Maybe some believe they will reincarnate as another cell and continue their work. And, maybe some cells believe there is something more after they die. etc...

Yet, miraculously, the body (at the body's own level - at our level) continues to function regardless of what each cell might or might not believe.

Now, begin to think of one single cell, from our perspective... We know the functions of the different types of cells, yet we don't know what one single cell is doing at any given moment, do we?

Yet, our body still functions as it should, regardless if we understand how it works or not.

Thoughts...?

I am saying IMAGINE if cells had the ability for cognitive thinking, and then think from that persepctive. *wink*

Answer 1

Wow, I love that comparison. I actually DO believe that cells have intelligence, but putting that aside, I see that you are right... we humans do all have individual functions, and somehow, we are all connected, and can work as an integrated whole, in spite of our different natures and functions. It's all part of the great Master Plan.

But illness is possible in the human body, making it function less effectively. So, too, are some "differences" in people an illnesses of our collective consciousness. Hopefully, though, the "immune system" and "immune cells" in the body of humanity are still functioning, and can help protect and heal our body from the pathogens or cancer cells, which could bring a death upon this "body".

We know we'll succeed in the end, though. A body wants to live... and somehow the majority of cells will work to make life remain, and for it to become "more abundant" life.

Answer 2

You have an Utopian concept of what life on Earth could be like. It would be wonder-full if this could happen. We do notice the goodness that comes through when a tragedy strikes, many help. True. But we life in a 'fallen' world, it will never be perfect. As Scripture states, "All of Nature groans..." Unfortunately, man will never change a thing, unless he has a changed 'mindset'. And this happens when we 'truly' trust in Jesus. We are not discussing the 'nominal' or political Christians. A genuine believer that is influenced by the H. Spirit can move mountains. But how many like these do we know?

Answer 3

Hi!

I love the way you've framed this question.

Who saves a single soul saves a world - we are living in a Matrioshka universe. Imagine that you yourself could be miraculously made so small that your consciousness could stand upon a single cell within your abdomen and be in relation to that cell in size as a person is to a planet. What you would see of the energy and distance of the human body would be exactly what you would see if you viewed the sky on a clear evening - stars stretching endlessly into space.

Now, where grave is your victory? Where death is your sting? The sum of matter is constant but shape shifting. Where is, time, your boundary? Space, where lie your limitations?

Good wishes.

Answer 4

Chameleon, who is to say a single cell does NOT have awareness? If we perceive our planet as the macrocosm, and us as the microcosm, we are the awareness within the planet. I for one believe the earth is very aware. And we, as her cells, are also aware. Just because we have identified the visual of minuscule cells, who is to say there is not something else we cannot see, no matter how great our microscopes?

Our cells comprise our brains. Our brains are massive computers storing all kinds of information within its cells. Synapses fire. Cells become aware and function to create what the brain has recorded from the synapses.

Hmmmm. Awareness is not limited to the whole body. Just as addiction occurs at the cellular level, so too, awareness occurs at the cellular level.

("Stop eating that chocolate," my facial cells scream at me as they close up and form a united front against my chocoholism, defending their fate in the form of a huge zit.)

Answer 5

One cell holds all the information needed to form one body. However each body is individual and perhaps that's because of the other cells. Spirit body and soul are all connected they are not separate parts in my understanding. So one body belongs with one spirit and one soul. soul plus body equals one human spirit. It's a bit like the one flesh relationship innit.

You have really made me think about intelligent design with this question, even if I don't know what the eck you're trying to get from me.

Answer 6

This is a perfect 'brainstorm' day dream.

I believe we can use parables to describe the infinitely small and infinitely huge...very much the way you are talking.

Are they parallel universes....where the "hypothetical" becomes it's own reality?-Maybe

Is it beautiful to think in systems, wholes and bigger pictures?

YES!!

I think anything is possible, including that cells have no awareness...but aware people are more likely to accept the possibility they do!

To me these studies into the infinite are exercises into the profound curiosity we have as humans...and one of my favorite ways to think creatively!

I don't know if we'll know the answers to questions like these in our life time.....but that won't stop me from considering the possibility!

do the rocks have consciousness?Animals? Galaxies?

Answer 7

St Paul kinda addressed this in 1 corinth. But instead of cells, he talked about body parts: eyes, ears, nose, etc.

Either way, you have the same idea: we're parts of something bigger, something that we might not even be aware of most of the time.

But just because one individual goes through the change we call "death," doesn't mean that that "cell" is gone and it sure doesn't mean the whole organism will die.

"What the caterpillar calls death, the Master calls a butterfly."

Answer 8

We could view our everyday challenges from the same perspective as if we are looking back to earth while standing on the sun. They would be tiny and inconsequential. Or we could see inter-system connection's that our culture and norms encourage us disaggregate in everyday life because of the need to categorize and label.

Maybe we would understand a real meaning for the concept of 'magic'?

Answer 9

My husband and I have had this same conversation. :-)

I think there is so many similarities (to the cell in th body) to 'we the people' in this vastness/world/universe/god, etc. We swim around, 'doing' things, asking questions, trying to figure it all out, dying (?). We may be a teensy cog in a Gargantua 'wheel'...turning, turning and going nowhere! Just life, doing it's thing...living.

The universe/god as an impersonal 'onlooker' is not an appealing thought to many! This is not a popular concept.

(((((Interesting)))))

Answer 10

I think that an individual, and his entire life from start to finish, and everything in it, are but a grain of sand on an eternal beach. I believe that eternity is too vast for most people to comprehend. They think of their present lives only, and reject the gift of a life that never ends, in paradise where there is no pain, and no suffering.