--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: To be alive in this beautiful…" description: "\"To be alive in this beautiful, self-organizing universe -- to participate in the dance of life with senses to perceive it, lungs that breathe it, organ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d93/joanna-macy-15005_alive_to-be-alive-in-this-beautiful-self-organ_1566855.jpg" --- # To be alive in this beautiful, self-organizing universe… ![“To be alive in this beautiful, self-organizing universe -- to participate in the dance of life with senses to perceive it, lungs that breathe it, organs that draw nourishment from it -- is a wonder beyond words.” quote by Joanna Macy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d93/joanna-macy-15005_alive_to-be-alive-in-this-beautiful-self-organ_1566855.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d93/joanna-macy-15005_alive_to-be-alive-in-this-beautiful-self-organ_1566855.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d93/joanna-macy-15005_alive_to-be-alive-in-this-beautiful-self-organ_1566855.jpg) > “To be alive in this beautiful, self-organizing universe -- to participate in the dance of life with senses to perceive it, lungs that breathe it, organs that draw nourishment from it -- is a wonder beyond words.” [Joanna Macy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-macy/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote celebrates the awe of existing within a complex, self‑organizing cosmos, emphasizing sensory engagement and gratitude for life’s mystery. **In simple terms:** Life is a wondrous, interconnected experience. Key Takeaway Cultivate gratitude for being alive. Themes wonder interconnectedness gratitude mindfulness Mood reverent inspired Type philosophical poetic When to use this quote - nature walks - meditation - creative expression - environmental activism Key Concepts Ecology phenomenology spirituality Questions to Reflect On - How does recognizing interdependence affect daily choices? - What practices heighten your sense of wonder? A Different Perspective The language may feel abstract for those seeking concrete guidance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alive/) [Beautiful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beautiful/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Nourishment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nourishment/) [Organs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/organs/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Universe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/universe/) [Wonder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wonder/) ## Related quotes > [Every man's heart one day beats its final beat. His lungs breathe a final breath. And if what that man did in his life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-ultimate-warrior/every-man-s-heart-one-day-beats-its-final-beat-his-lungs-breathe-a/) [The Ultimate Warrior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-ultimate-warrior/) > [“Just as your lungs breathe in and then breathe out, it’s necessary for things to fall away so that life can breathe new again.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adyashanti/just-as-your-lungs-breathe-in-and-then-breathe-out-it-s-necessary-for/) [Adyashanti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adyashanti/) > [To take another breath, we must first exhale. When we have breathed out and emptied our lungs, we can breathe in again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilchi-lee/to-take-another-breath-we-must-first-exhale-when-we-have-breathed-out/) [Ilchi Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilchi-lee/) > [“She had no reason to cry. She was alive, and it was a beautiful day.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hope-ramsay/she-had-no-reason-to-cry-she-was-alive-and-it-was-a-beautiful-day/) Hope Ramsay > [“...a soft inward look some into his eyes, as if he was amazed to find himself alive on such a beautiful day.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-porter/a-soft-inward-look-some-into-his-eyes-as-if-he-was-amazed-to-find/) [Sarah Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-porter/) > [When you're in pain, you're genuinely very, very alive, and that's beautiful. Especially emotional pain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-ebert/when-you-re-in-pain-you-re-genuinely-very-very-alive-and-that-s/) [Alex Ebert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-ebert/) > [WHEN YOUR HEART IS ALIVE, you are always beautiful. Always. Even in the morning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-bradley/when-your-heart-is-alive-you-are-always-beautiful-always-even-in-the/) [Don Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-bradley/) > [“Every day you're alive is a beautiful day.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-marzano/every-day-you-re-alive-is-a-beautiful-day/) James Marzano > [“Butterfly There is beauty both inside and outside of the cocoon that pushed you to grow Through darkness and dysfunction, depth and despair A…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-evangelou/butterfly-there-is-beauty-both-inside-and-outside-of-the-cocoon-that/) [Christine Evangelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-evangelou/) > [With comedy, it's not always a blessing to be beautiful because part of it is self-parody and gurning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-perkins/with-comedy-it-s-not-always-a-blessing-to-be-beautiful-because-part/) [Sue Perkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-perkins/) > [When I tune into my beautiful self, I get happiness. Everything in the universe belongs to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-gregory/when-i-tune-into-my-beautiful-self-i-get-happiness-everything-in-the/) [Dick Gregory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-gregory/) > [My dad, bless his heart, always told me I was beautiful, so I was never self-conscious in that way. But when you look at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teyonah-parris/my-dad-bless-his-heart-always-told-me-i-was-beautiful-so-i-was-never/) [Teyonah Parris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teyonah-parris/) > [“That which the external world perceives as quite motionless has the appearance of being quite at rest. However much it may change, in relation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/novalis/that-which-the-external-world-perceives-as-quite-motionless-has-the/) [Novalis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/novalis/) > [The reason that I'm an actor, or an artist, is ultimately because I'm trying to paint a self-portrait, and the most complete and beautiful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terrence-howard/the-reason-that-i-m-an-actor-or-an-artist-is-ultimately-because-i-m/) [Terrence Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terrence-howard/) > [We must stand up and say, "I'm black and I'm beautiful," and this self-affirmation is the black man's need, made compelling by the white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/we-must-stand-up-and-say-i-m-black-and-i-m-beautiful-and-this-self/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) ## More by Joanna Macy > [The heart that breaks open can contain the whole universe... All is registered in the 'boundless heart' of the bodhisattva. Through our deepest and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-macy/the-heart-that-breaks-open-can-contain-the-whole-universe-all-is/) [Joanna Macy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-macy/) > [When you look at what is happening to our world-and it is hard to look at what's happening to our water, our air, our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-macy/when-you-look-at-what-is-happening-to-our-world-and-it-is-hard-to/) [Joanna Macy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-macy/) > [“In the first movement, our infancy as a species, we felt no separation from the natural world around us. Trees, rocks, and plants surrounded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-macy/in-the-first-movement-our-infancy-as-a-species-we-felt-no-separation/) [Joanna Macy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-macy/) > [“Yet, even focusing on this present life, disciples often queried the Buddha as to who is responsible for the habits, sufferings, and pleasures we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-macy/yet-even-focusing-on-this-present-life-disciples-often-queried-the/) [Joanna Macy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-macy/) > [There's a song that wants to sing itself through us. We just got to be available. Maybe the song that is to be sung…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-macy/there-s-a-song-that-wants-to-sing-itself-through-us-we-just-got-to-be/) [Joanna Macy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-macy/) > [Clothe yourself in your authority. You speak not only as yourself or for yourself. You will speak and act with the courage and endurance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-macy/clothe-yourself-in-your-authority-you-speak-not-only-as-yourself-or/) [Joanna Macy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-macy/) > [There are the holding actions, the changing actions, and the vision of the future - what we want to see happen for the Earth.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-macy/there-are-the-holding-actions-the-changing-actions-and-the-vision-of/) [Joanna Macy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-macy/) > [We are capable of suffering with our world, and that is the true meaning of compassion. It enables us to recognize our profound interconnectedness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-macy/we-are-capable-of-suffering-with-our-world-and-that-is-the-true/) [Joanna Macy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-macy/) > [Action isn't a burden to be hoisted up and lugged around on our shoulders. It is something we are. The work we have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-macy/action-isn-t-a-burden-to-be-hoisted-up-and-lugged-around-on-our/) [Joanna Macy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-macy/) > [Qualities like love and compassion are not just abstract virtues that are the property of saints and adepts. Anyone can develop these qualities in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-macy/qualities-like-love-and-compassion-are-not-just-abstract-virtues-that/) [Joanna Macy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-macy/) > [The most radical thing any of us can do at this time is to be fully present to what is happening in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-macy/the-most-radical-thing-any-of-us-can-do-at-this-time-is-to-be-fully/) [Joanna Macy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-macy/) > [This is a dark time, filled with suffering and uncertainty. Like living cells in a larger body, it is natural that we feel the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-macy/this-is-a-dark-time-filled-with-suffering-and-uncertainty-like-living/) [Joanna Macy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-macy/) > [Future generations, if there is a livable world for them, will look back at the epochal transition we are making to a life-sustaining society.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-macy/future-generations-if-there-is-a-livable-world-for-them-will-look/) [Joanna Macy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-macy/) > [Because the relationship between self and world is reciprocal, it is not a matter of first getting enlightened or saved and then acting. As…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-macy/because-the-relationship-between-self-and-world-is-reciprocal-it-is/) [Joanna Macy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-macy/) > [It’s walking the razor’s edge of the sacred moment where you don’t know, you can’t count on, and comfort yourself with any sure hope.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-macy/it-s-walking-the-razor-s-edge-of-the-sacred-moment-where-you-don-t/) [Joanna Macy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-macy/) [Explore all 44 Joanna Macy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-macy/) ## More Alive quotes > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [I feel very grateful to be alive and well enough to make music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-ant/i-feel-very-grateful-to-be-alive-and-well-enough-to-make-music/) Adam Ant > [I don't crave applause. I'm not one of those guys who comes alive on stage. I'm much more alive at home, I think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-bowie/i-don-t-crave-applause-i-m-not-one-of-those-guys-who-comes-alive-on/) [David Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-bowie/) > [We must master our egoism, and through this mastery, step outside ourselves and educate ourselves in giving. Fasting requires that we rediscover all that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tariq-ramadan/we-must-master-our-egoism-and-through-this-mastery-step-outside/) [Tariq Ramadan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tariq-ramadan/) > [I can't say that there are 'things' that make me come alive. There are thoughts that make me come alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/i-can-t-say-that-there-are-things-that-make-me-come-alive-there-are/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [We're like the wicked witch. We promise gingerbread, then eat the little brats alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-scott-card/we-re-like-the-wicked-witch-we-promise-gingerbread-then-eat-the/) [Orson Scott Card](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-scott-card/) > [If Jovan Belcher didn't possess a gun, he and Kasandra Perkins would both be alive today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-costas/if-jovan-belcher-didn-t-possess-a-gun-he-and-kasandra-perkins-would/) [Bob Costas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-costas/) > [Peace is an ongoing process. It begins with the first step and it does not end. We, all of us alive today, are the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-krieger/peace-is-an-ongoing-process-it-begins-with-the-first-step-and-it-does/) [David Krieger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-krieger/) > [I think adoption becomes complicated whenever the biological parents are alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-haven/i-think-adoption-becomes-complicated-whenever-the-biological-parents/) [James Haven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-haven/) > [The pain of love is the pain of being alive. It is a perpetual wound.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-duffy/the-pain-of-love-is-the-pain-of-being-alive-it-is-a-perpetual-wound/) [Maureen Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-duffy/) > [I have tried to resign myself, and to console myself; and that, I hope, I may have done imperfectly; but what I cannot firmly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/i-have-tried-to-resign-myself-and-to-console-myself-and-that-i-hope-i/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [If Melanchthon were alive today, he might not weep because of controversies that surround the Lord's Supper, but he might well sorrow because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erwin-w-lutzer/if-melanchthon-were-alive-today-he-might-not-weep-because-of/) [Erwin W. Lutzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erwin-w-lutzer/) > [If you’re alive, don’t move, if you’re dead, don’t worry about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/if-you-re-alive-don-t-move-if-you-re-dead-don-t-worry-about-it/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [Here Greek and Roman find themselves alive along these crowded shelves; and Shakespeare treads again his stage, and Chaucer paints anew his age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-greenleaf-whittier/here-greek-and-roman-find-themselves-alive-along-these-crowded/) [John Greenleaf Whittier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-greenleaf-whittier/) > [You're alive!" Fezzik cried. The man in black sat immobile, like a ventriloquist's dummy, just his mouth moving. "That is perhaps the most childishly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-goldman/you-re-alive-fezzik-cried-the-man-in-black-sat-immobile-like-a/) [William Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-goldman/) [Browse all 7,282 Alive quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alive/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "To be alive in this beautiful, self-organizing universe -- to participate in the dance of life with senses to perceive it, lungs that breathe it, organs that draw nourishment from it -- is a wonder beyond words.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Joanna Macy" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-macy/to-be-alive-in-this-beautiful-self-organizing-universe-to-participate/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Alive" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-macy/to-be-alive-in-this-beautiful-self-organizing-universe-to-participate/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d93/joanna-macy-15005_alive_to-be-alive-in-this-beautiful-self-organ_1566855.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d93/joanna-macy-15005_alive_to-be-alive-in-this-beautiful-self-organ_1566855.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d93/joanna-macy-15005_alive_to-be-alive-in-this-beautiful-self-organ_1566855.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“To be alive in this beautiful, self-organizing universe -- to participate in the dance of life with senses…” — Joanna Macy", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Joanna Macy", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-macy/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "To be alive in this beautiful,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-macy/to-be-alive-in-this-beautiful-self-organizing-universe-to-participate/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-macy/to-be-alive-in-this-beautiful-self-organizing-universe-to-participate/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```