InTurnAll

In many spiritual traditions, human life is viewed as a profound cycle where the soul, originating as pure energy from a divine source, descends into physical form, experiences the density of earthly existence, and eventually returns to its origin. This journey reflects a shift in connection: starting with an intimate bond to the creator, gradually becoming immersed in the material world, and reconnecting as the body fades. Drawing from ancient wisdom and modern insights, this article explores how we transition from spiritual purity at birth, through worldly attachment in adulthood, to renewed divine awareness in old age and death. The process underscores the idea that life is not linear but a sacred loop, where disconnection serves growth, and reconnection brings liberation.

The Descent into Form: Birth as Pure Energy Connected to the Source

At the moment of birth, we enter the world as beings of pure energy, freshly descended from the spiritual realm. Newborns are often seen as closer to the divine source, their consciousness still echoing the unity of the cosmos before the veil of physicality fully descends. In this state, the soul is unencumbered by ego or societal conditioning, existing in a form of innocence where the connection to the creator—whether called God, the Universe, or Source—is innate and profound. Traditions like those in Hinduism describe this as the atman (soul) emerging from Brahman (the ultimate reality), while New Age philosophies liken it to a spark of divine light entering the body.

This early phase is marked by a natural attunement to higher realms. Infants sleep extensively, which some spiritual perspectives interpret as retreats to the source for nourishment and guidance. Their cries, laughter, and gaze often carry an otherworldly quality, as if they remember the boundless energy from which they came. However, as the body develops and senses awaken, this pure connection begins to fade, making way for the lessons of incarnation.

Immersion in the Material World: Growth and the Diminishing Connection

As we grow from childhood into adulthood, our focus shifts outward, becoming more anchored in the physical body and the demands of the world. This period represents a descent into matter, where the soul’s original purity is overlaid with layers of identity, desires, and experiences. We become less connected to our creator, as the query suggests—perhaps a reference to feeling separated from our divine origins—while forging stronger ties to earthly realities like relationships, careers, and sensory pleasures.

The ego emerges as a necessary tool for survival and self-expression, but it often creates illusions of separation. In Buddhist terms, this is the rise of attachment and suffering (dukkha), pulling us away from the enlightened state. We prioritize the tangible: building bodies through nutrition and exercise, accumulating knowledge and possessions, and navigating social structures. This immersion serves a purpose—to learn, evolve, and contribute to the collective human experience—but it can lead to spiritual amnesia, where the memory of our energetic origins dims. Metaphors like the ocean and waves illustrate this: just as a wave forgets it is part of the vast ocean while cresting on the shore, we identify with our individual forms, temporarily disconnected from the divine whole.

Yet, this phase is not without glimpses of reconnection. Moments of awe, love, or crisis can pierce the veil, reminding us of our true nature.

The Ascent Back to Unity: Aging, Death, and Renewed Connection

As we age, the body’s decline signals the beginning of the transition back to spirit. Physical limitations force an inward turn, loosening the grip of worldly attachments and rekindling the connection to the creator. Elders often report heightened intuition, vivid dreams, or a sense of peace, as if the soul is preparing to shed its earthly vessel. This reconnection intensifies near death, where near-death experiences commonly describe tunnels of light, reunions with loved ones, and a profound sense of oneness with the divine source.

In this stage, the journey comes full circle. The energy that once animated the body begins to withdraw, returning to the infinite. Spiritual teachings emphasize that death is not an end but a rebirth into higher consciousness, where the lessons of life integrate into the soul’s eternal evolution. Practices like meditation or reflection in later years can accelerate this process, fostering enlightenment and unity with the divine.

Reflections on the Eternal Cycle

Ultimately, the human lifespan mirrors the cosmos: expansion from source, contraction into form, and expansion once more. By understanding this progression—from pure energy at birth, through material immersion, to divine reconnection in death—we can live more intentionally, balancing worldly engagement with spiritual awareness. This perspective invites us to honor every phase, recognizing that even in moments of disconnection, we are never truly separate from our creator—all souls originate from and return to the same interconnected divine essence.