Across the Universe

Words poured out of John’s subconscious like endless rain to create “Across the Universe”. John considered this one of his finest compositions, with its mantra-like refrain and flowing imagery. The words came to him late at night after an argument with his first wife Cynthia. He didn’t sit down to write; the song simply appeared.

Open to this creative inspiration, John penned perhaps his most poetic lyrics. The true meaning of the lyrics remains uncertain, even with careful analysis. The song evokes something sacred. His line “limitless undying love which shines around me like a million suns” tells us we are walking on hallowed ground.

Reminiscent of his “floating downstream” in “Tomorrow Never Knows”; this is John embracing the light that calls him “Across the Universe”. The Sanskrit line from the song, "Jai Guru Dev, Om" can be translated as "Glory to the Divine". The song is a celebration of creation both physical and spiritual.

Divine inspiration is evident throughout the song, but the meaning of "nothing's going to change my world," is a bit obscure. With all the division John saw around him, perhaps he was embracing that moment of clarity refusing to let go. Or, perhaps, he is pleading with humankind not to destroy the divine perfection he saw around him.

Space, appropriately, is the final frontier for this masterpiece. Remarkably, NASA beamed "Across the Universe" into deep space in 2008 as an interstellar radio message sent towards the North Star (Polaris), marking the song's 40th anniversary and NASA's 50^th anniversary. The song has literally been sent across the universe!

Today, I will stop in wonder to appreciate one part of creation that I have taken for granted lately.

What part of nature have I been too busy with day-to-day tasks to embrace? How can I create space for regular appreciation for nature in my daily routine?