“Religion begins in story. Yes, it does, because religion is an attempt to make sense of what is incomprehensible to us, what is inexplicable, what is awe-inspiring, what is frightening, what moves us to great wonder, and so on. That is the religious impulse, and it is part of our psychological makeup -- of everyone's psychological makeup.”
— Philip Pullman
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“Religion begins in story. Yes, it does, because religion is an attempt to make sense of what is incomprehensible to us...” — Philip Pullman. Reminding us that our shared search for meaning connects us all through wonder and awe. How do you find meaning in the mysteries of life? Let us know in the comments below! 👇✨
About this quote
At the core of the human experience lies a profound vulnerability. When we gaze up at a starry night, face the sudden loss of someone we love, or stand speechless before the beauty of a new sunrise, we are all touched by the incomprehensible. Philip Pullman reminds us that religion and spirituality are not born from cold dogma, but from this very tenderness—our shared, deeply human need to make sense of the overwhelming wonder and fear of simply being alive. This impulse lives inside every single one of us, a testament to our relentless search for meaning in a vast universe. Life advice often urges us to have all the answers, yet true wisdom begins the moment we embrace our not-knowing. Instead of running from the things that frighten or awe us, Pullman’s words invite us to lean into that natural wonder with compassion for ourselves and others. Our urge to seek, question, and story-tell is what connects us across every divide. When we acknowledge that everyone carries this same psychological makeup—this same quiet ache to understand the mystery of existence—we realize we are never truly alone in the dark.
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Photo by Samuel Quek on Unsplash
