THE NATURE OF HUMAN, THE HUMAN OF NATURE

I want to start this article by asking a question. Why did we come into this world? As beings living on the planet Earth, which exists in the infinite void of space, is our sole purpose just to live? Are we, as humans, in a constant state of evolution? And how long will this continue?

Looking at the evolutionary history of humankind, it is a fact that we have never remained at a fixed mental point; we have always crossed thresholds and discovered more about ourselves each day. Humans continuously ignite new sparks in technological advancements and keep rising in this regard. But while we progress so much on one hand, why do warning signs still persist? Where are we making mistakes?

We have drifted far from our natural state—once working in the fields, walking everywhere, doing everything with our own hands, touching the soil, and eating natural, pesticide-free food. Now, we live in concrete structures, move less due to our jobs, and rely on vehicles for transportation. While technological advancements have made some aspects of our lives easier, have they also made other aspects more difficult?

Has technology distanced us from both nature and our own nature, or were we already unaware and simply chose this path ourselves? This is a long and debatable topic. We can never see beyond the options we do not understand. Even in mathematics, we must first break down an equation to solve it. So, how will we discover our own pieces?

What if, to truly know ourselves, we stepped away from the rush of modern life and observed ourselves as an outsider? Scientific research has shown that when we dedicate just five minutes every morning or before bed to understanding, observing, and silently being with ourselves, things start to change. Yes, it is very difficult at first—because the first thing that comes to mind is usually picking up our phones or opening our computers to check emails.

There is a fascinating discovery made by scientists ten years ago. When we do nothing, a special network in the brain activates, known as the "Default Mode Network." Studies have found that when we are not consciously thinking about anything, our brain actually works harder than in its usual state. When we pause, the mind enters a mode of scanning its archive, organizing, and compiling. Isn’t this knowledge something we have already encountered in ancient wisdom? Didn’t all saints, prophets, sages, and philosophers reach an enlightened state only after pausing? The answer to this question is a definite "Yes."

Let us consciously create the way we want to see the world and ourselves every day. Let us ask ourselves: "What would my most perfect self be like? If I were that person, how would I behave?" The more we enter this mindset, the more our brain will start believing it. As we prepare to enter the new year, how about replacing the negatives we’ve convinced ourselves of with new, positive beliefs and making a fresh start?