I suspect there are some cultures (including historically earlier ones) in which the connection to the universe is embedded in the collective consciousness and/or unconsciousness. There are also some individuals whose presence almost creates an awareness of connection to the universe. This conversation reminds me of Thoreau, who said here: I prefer the former
I prefer "to come out of" the universe as well. I prefer to imagine I am connected "the fabric of the universe" rather than deposited into it. This relates back to the original sentence regarding connection and your statement that a feeling of connection "is all anyone really wants."Men frequently say to me, "I should think you would feel lonesome down there, and want to be nearer to folks, rainy and snowy days and nights especially." I am tempted to reply to such — This whole earth which we inhabit is but a point in space. How far apart, think you, dwell the two most distant inhabitants of yonder star, the breadth of whose disk cannot be appreciated by our instruments? Why should I feel lonely? is not our planet in the Milky Way?