Former NASA astronaut Ron Garan, who spent 178 days in space and traveled over 71 million miles across 2,842 orbits, has shared a profound realization about humanity’s relationship with Earth.

In reflecting on his time in space, Garan revealed what he describes as a “sobering realization” about the way society operates, suggesting that humanity is “living a lie.”

The ‘Overview Effect’

During an interview with Big Think, Garan recounted his life-changing experience of seeing Earth from space. This phenomenon, known as the overview effect, is commonly reported by astronauts and often leads to a profound sense of connection with the planet.

According to Sky at Night magazine, the overview effect can result in spiritual awakenings or heightened awareness, as Apollo 14 astronaut Edgar Mitchell described as an “explosion of awareness.” For those who have witnessed Earth from space, it can evoke powerful, often overwhelming emotions.

A Sobering Vision

Describing the view from space, Garan said, “I saw the paparazzi-like flashes of lightning storms and the dancing curtains of auroras, so close it felt like I could reach out and touch them. And I saw the unbelievable thinness of our planet’s atmosphere.”

This fragile layer, essential to life on Earth, struck Garan with a powerful realization: “That paper-thin layer keeps every living thing on our planet alive.”

What stood out to Garan was not the borders or economies of the world but an “iridescent biosphere teeming with life.” He explained, “From space, it’s obvious that our human-made systems treat everything, including the very life-support systems of our planet, as the wholly owned subsidiary of the global economy. We’re living a lie.”

A Profound Connection

In a separate interview with Forbes, Garan described the experience as “profound” and “mind-blowing.” He added, “Being completely detached from Earth also made me feel deeply connected with everyone on the planet. It was an overwhelming sense of kinship.”

This perspective has inspired Garan to advocate for a shift in humanity’s priorities, emphasizing environmental stewardship over economic exploitation.

Advocating for Change

Since returning to Earth, Garan has dedicated his life to promoting global sustainability and positive change. He founded the Manna Energy Foundation, which provides clean drinking water to developing nations, and Fragile Oasis, a project aimed at fostering global collaboration and environmental responsibility.

Garan’s message underscores the importance of rethinking our relationship with Earth, prioritizing its health over short-term economic gains. His experience serves as a reminder that as humanity reaches for the stars, the lessons learned from space could be crucial to ensuring a sustainable and thriving future for generations to come.