The Dance of Being

The smoke rises, weightless, free,
A silent dancer upon the breeze.
Unrushed, unbound, it twists and sways,
A fleeting form, yet never fades.

I watch—no, I feel—its flow,
The same force moves through me, I know.
No difference, no divide, no line,
Just energy shifting, shape divine.

The smoke sees me as I see it,
No boundary drawn, no moment split.
The watcher and the watched are one,
A dance of light, a song unsung.

And when the incense burns to ash,
Its body fades, but not its path.
It rises, merges with the air,
Returning home, still everywhere.

So too, we live, so too, we burn,
A flicker bright, then we return.
Not lost, not gone—just something new,
The source awaits, the source is you.

​Imagine watching incense burn. The solid stick gradually turns to ash, releasing a delicate stream of smoke that twists and turns, rising, dispersing, and finally fading into the air. It’s a quiet, mesmerizing process—one that mirrors our own existence more than we realize.

In that moment, as you watch the smoke drift, there is an unspoken truth: you are observing it, and it is observing you. Not with eyes, but with presence. This is the essence of consciousness—awareness experiencing itself in infinite forms.

The Observer and the Observed

One of the most profound realizations in both spirituality and quantum physics is that observation changes reality. In quantum mechanics, the Observer Effect suggests that particles behave differently when they are being watched. This means that consciousness itself plays a role in shaping reality.

Now, consider this: if you, as consciousness, are observing the smoke, and the smoke is also an expression of the same universal energy, then what separates you from it? In truth, nothing. The same energy flows through both of you, just expressed in different forms simultaneously.

The incense burns, transforms, and eventually disappears—but its essence doesn’t vanish. It simply returns to its source, just as we do.

Energy Never Dies—It Transforms

Science tells us that energy cannot be created or destroyed; it only changes form. This is known as the First Law of Thermodynamics. The smoke that rises from the incense does not cease to exist—it merges back into the air, becoming part of something greater.

Now, apply this to yourself.

Our bodies, like the incense stick, burn through time. Eventually, the form dissolves, but the energy—the consciousness that we are—does not disappear. It returns to the source, to the infinite field of existence, only to take on new forms again.

This understanding changes how we see life and death. Instead of fearing the end, we recognize it as a transformation, not a disappearance.

How This Awareness Can Change Our Daily Lives

1. It Shifts Our Perspective on Death – Just as smoke is never truly lost, neither are we. Death is not the end, but a return. This brings peace in moments of loss.

2. It Deepens Our Presence – When we see that everything is a fleeting expression of the same energy, we cherish the present moment more. We become less attached to form and more connected to the essence of life.

3. It Reminds Us of Our Interconnectedness – If the same energy flows through everything, then separation is an illusion. The tree, the wind, the people around us—all are different expressions of the same universal presence.

4. It Encourages Flow and Acceptance – Smoke moves freely, adapting to whatever space it enters. When we adopt this fluidity in life, we resist less, suffer less, and align ourselves with the natural rhythm of existence.

Conclusion

The incense burns out, but the smoke does not die. It returns to its source, waiting to take shape again. And so do we.

By recognizing that we are both the observer and the observed, we awaken to a deeper truth: consciousness is infinite, ever-changing, and always present. Life is not about clinging to form, but about embracing the beauty of transformation.

Next time you watch smoke rise, pause for a moment. Feel its movement. See its freedom. And in it, recognize yourself.