Even the individual cells that make up these parts draw their life from ever smaller animate units. The only difference between life's varied phases and cycles is their extent and their degree of intensity. The most living phase of this basic, primitive form of life is the time of growth, procreation, and birth. During these periods the character of life itself can most clearly be seen. The essence of life is expansion, movement, community, and reciprocity.
Life consists in overcoming isolation through community.
This is true even in the simplest primitive cells we can observe in nature. Their life depends on their reciprocal relationship. Its very division is a sign that it does not want to live alone, that it cannot live in isolation. It would rather make two living creatures of itself than go on living alone and isolated. And when life has multiplied from this one-celled living creature by constant redivision into many tiny cells, here and there two individual cells mutually seek union.