Somebody wrote these wonderful words, “We must always aim at the stars, even though we know that we shall never reach them.” Einstein said that “If an idea is not absurd at first, then there is no hope for it”. Does this mean that human beings need to be “crazy” in order to have good ideas? Well, let us see. What do we mean by “crazy?" How would you define such adjective? As I love linguistics, I’ll spend a short time elaborating on this.

The usual definition of crazy is “a deranged state of mind.” The verb “derange,” in turn, means to disturb the order, to upset the normal condition or functioning of things. But … having a more “diversified” mind could also mean to “think out of the box”, couldn’t it? Cherry on the top, “absurd” means wildly unreasonable and illogical. But, if “all” people had always thought according to “logic” and had always followed the same, usual, accepted order, we would probably still be living in caves or, at most, in huts. They were sufficient to provide shelter, weren’t they? So, why think of something else, something that might be difficult, unreasonable like carrying rocks or mixing straw and mud to build a different kind of dwelling?

Let’s go back to “aiming at the stars.” These heavenly bodies represent one of the highest targets of scientific studies and a greater knowledge of their very nature is tirelessly pursued by cosmophysicists. For them, (as “Star Trek” Captain Kirk used to say fifty years ago!) space is “the final frontier” for the human research in trying to know a bit more about the Universe we exist in. On second thought, with the new hypothesis of parallel Universes, this frontier might not be “the final one”. Anyway… let’s not digress.

Man has endeavored to learn how to fly, and now he does! But who was the “crazy” individual who first had the idea of such possibility? Wasn’t it Leonardo da Vinci the forerunner who demonstrated the “possibility” of carrying out such an amazing idea, only dreamed about by others in ancient times? Later man tried to overcome the force which keeps us bound not only to the Earth’s surface but also inside the Earth’s atmosphere, and succeeded in reaching the outer space. And so on and so forth … Now scientists are aiming at the planets of the solar system and many space probes are already traveling through the mystery of the cosmos, sending back to Earth data of extreme scientific value, otherwise unobtainable. Progress in the space field is certainly destined to go on, although it might be premature to forecast inter-stellar journeys, such as pictured in science fiction books and films. Nevertheless, the awareness that such goals are unlikely to be reached (at least in the near future) does not prevent mankind from dreaming — not only — but also from attempting to do whatever seems feasible, in a continuous overcoming of what we are used to call human limitations.

The same principle can be applied to spiritual research. Our yearning for a greater understanding of reality and its innermost essence constantly pushes us toward an always greater effort to break the “chains” of materiality. You find yourself in this world, but sometimes you have a deep feeling that you do not belong “only” to this world. Your mind and heart constantly tell you that you cannot, should not stop “here.” The spirit of research is innate in the human being and it is impossible to ignore it. If you try not to listen to it, you feel unfulfilled because you end up living below your actual potential. So, what to do?

Right now it is enough for you to acquire the awareness that it is possible, and even necessary, to set higher goals for yourself. Such goals will rise on higher and higher levels as you proceed on the spiritual path. In so doing, you shall give a superior meaning to your life. In order to understand who you are and to become conscious of your real value, it is indispensable to work without stopping, in spite of the unknown that might frighten you and in spite of the many contradictions you are bound to meet in your search.

Another quote, that might inspire more practical people says, “Aim for the stars. You might not reach them, but you will fly higher then if you never aimed at all.”