Are we all made of stardust?
Freya Bennett-Overstall
Content advice: none
Earlier this year, my family and I went to see Professor Brian Cox[1] speak at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. He shared his sold-out show titled Emergence, and it sparked awe and contemplation. Backed by a huge LED screen with stunning visuals, Professor Cox shared cosmology,[2] biology,[3] philosophy[4] and history all with calm and clear explanations. He thoroughly engaged the diverse audience with his knowledge and immense curiosity about the universe.
His website describes his show thus:
Emergence is a celebration of the intricacy of the Universe and an exploration of the laws of nature that sculpted it. From the largest structures in the known Universe – the rivers and flows of galaxies that trace the cosmic web – to Earth’s interlinked ecosystems and the structure of the human brain – from black holes to snowflakes – we observe a world of dazzling complexity underpinned by magnificent simplicity.[5]
The images he shared from the James Webb Space Telescope and the Hubble Space Telescope were awe-inspiring, and I encourage you to view some of these images via this link esawebb.org/images. They are so beautiful and mind-boggling. It is humbling to put ourselves into perspective with our surrounding universe and the incredible reality of our existence.
This NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope Picture of the Month, shared on YouTube, shows the giant molecular cloud Orion A, an area of the sky replete with star-forming clouds.[6]
I dip my toes into many different worlds: the world of science, the world of books, the world of creativity, the world of motherhood, the world of spirituality, the world of magic and countless others. I need more than ten toes! Sometimes these worlds overlap, intertwine or merge with each other. Whilst sitting listening to Professor Cox describe the current known science and wonders of the universe, it dawned on me that he was also describing the Tao.
Tao (pronounced /dao/dow/) translates as the ‘Way’. The primary characteristic of the Way is constant change. Tao is the primal power that shapes all phenomenon in the universe, from the infinite to the immeasurably small. It is the universal power through which all life flows.[7]
Taoism is a philosophical and spiritual tradition that originated in China; its roots go back to at least 400 BCE. Ancient sages of China first started recording the principles of the Tao about five thousand years ago.[8] Taoism sees the universe in a state of constant flux. Everything is interrelated, interactive and interdependent for existence.
Lao Tzu, a poet and philosopher, is believed to be the founder of Taoism. There is a poem called the Tao te ching, said to be written by him, on which Taoism is based.[9] The mysterious words below are an excerpt of one of the (many) translations of this 5,000-word poem:
XXV
There was something formless yet complete
That existed before heaven and earth;
Without sound, without substance,
Dependent on nothing, unchanging,
All pervading, unfailing.
One may think of it as the mother
Of all things under heaven.
Its true name I do not know;
‘Tao’ is the nickname I give it.[10]
Ancient Chinese sages studied the relationships and patterns of nature closely. They then applied these universal findings to the human ecosystem. They recognised the human body as a microcosm of the universe.[11]
YOQI® (Yoga[12] + Qigong[13]) is a modern fusion of Taoist and Hindu yoga founded by Marisa Cranfill. It seamlessly integrates awareness-based movement and self-healing; the sequences use movement, breath, self-massage, sound, visualisation and mental intention to balance and harmonise qi (energy) flow in the body. As a certified instructor of YOQI® I share the YOQI® blessing at the end of each class. The first few lines of the blessing remind us of our relationship with the universe:
I am in the universe.
The universe is in me.
I am blessed and filled with qi …
So, are we all made up of stardust? We currently have ancient wisdom practices and modern sciences reaching similar ideas and verdicts despite exploring via different methods. I have found the answer to this question combines science, spirituality, history and a touch of magic. Next time you are out in the countryside on a clear night, away from the glow of city lights, I invite you to gaze up at the immense sky with its vast sweep of stars and planets. Allow humility and awe to wash over you. We are a part of something much greater than ourselves; we are a part of this incredible mystery of the universe. And as you gaze upwards, reflect on the question – Are we all made up of star dust?
***
[1] Brian Cox is a professor of particle physics at Manchester University and the Royal Society professor for public engagement in science. He is the UN Champion for space.
[2] Cosmology definition by Macquarie Dictionary
noun the branch of astronomy that deals with the origin, evolution, and general structure of the universe, its parts, elements, and laws, especially with such characteristics as space, time, causality.
[3] Biology definition by Macquarie Dictionary
noun (plural biologies) the science of life or living matter in all its forms and phenomena, especially with reference to origin, growth, reproduction, structure, etc.
[4] Philosophy definition by Macquarie Dictionary
noun (plural philosophies) the study or science of the truths or principles underlying all knowledge and being (or reality).
[5] B Cox, Professor Brian Cox Emergence, briancoxlive.co.uk, 2026.
[6] ESA/Webb, NASA & CSA, T Megeath, M Zamani, MH Özsaraç, Stages of star formation [image], nasa.gov/image-article/stages-of-star-formation, 2026.
[7] F Bennett-Overstall, Wonder full women: attune and bloom. Eat, move and meditate with the seasons, Balboa. Press, 2022.
[8] Bennett-Overstall, Wonder full women: attune and bloom.
[9] D Lau, Tao te ching, Penguin Books, London England, 1963.
[10] D Reid, The Tao of health, sex and longevity. A modern, practical approach to the ancient way, Simon & Schuster UK, 1989.
[11] Bennett-Overstall, Wonder full women: attune and bloom.
[12] Yoga definition by National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
noun is an ancient and complex practice, rooted in Indian philosophy. It began as a spiritual practice but has become popular as a way of promoting physical and mental well-being. There are many different styles.
[13] Qigong definition by National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
noun pronounced “chi gong,” was developed in China thousands of years ago as part of traditional Chinese medicine. It involves using exercises to optimize energy within the body, mind, and spirit, with the goal of improving and maintaining health and well-being. Qigong has both psychological and physical components and involves the regulation of the mind, breath, and body’s movement and posture.
Freya Bennett-Overstall is a doctor of chiropractic; a qigong, yoga and meditation teacher; the award-winning author of Wonder full women: attune & bloom. Eat, move and meditate with the seasons; and a lifelong student. She currently lives in Melbourne, Australia.
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