One of my favourite stories is in this telling of a conversation between cosmologist/physicist Brian Swimme and geologian/cultural historian Thomas Berry:
On another occasion, Brian was passionately telling Thomas, over a cup of coffee in a café, that he had figured out the source of the problem in industrial society and what needed to be done. We don’t truly account for the cost of anything, he said. If the price we pay for things were brought into sync with the true costs, we would consume much less and we would stop the assault on the natural world. Thomas was silent for a while, then brought Brian’s attention to the waitress. Her act of bringing them a cup of coffee was one of infinite generosity. Further, he said, it took the entire Universe to bring them the cup of coffee in front of them. “Brian,” he said, “you will never be able to fully pay for that cup of coffee.”
NOTE: This is a story that Brian Thomas Swimme has told in first person. I heard it on a CD recording, and I wrote it down in third person. I don’t remember the title of the recording or its date and place.
PaGaian Cosmology 
Glenys, It is heartening to know at least some among humans can fathom the enormity of our present climate change. The miracle of the now is upon us. Gaia needs us to rise above.
Peace and joy,
a.
thanks AliB … and i think that conversation between Brian and Thomas was exchanged almost 3 decades ago (1990ish). We may understand that it takes a whole Universe to bring us everything we daily may consume and/or enjoy. The miracle of the now as you say.
beautiful Glenys!
On Sat, Sep 26, 2020 at 6:31 PM PaGaian Cosmology wrote:
> Glenys D. Livingstone posted: ” One of my favourite stories is in this > telling of a conversation between cosmologist/physicist Brian Swimme and > geologian/cultural historian Thomas Berry: On another occasion, Brian was > passionately telling Thomas, over a cup of coffee in a café, ” >
yes such a good story … thanks Sarah! ❤