As we are all reminded through everyday experiences, life is about choices. We are given the free will to think and act as we please, but there can be a distinct and often frustrating indecision which complements the opportunity to think for ourselves. The Beatles' legendary "Across The Universe" speaks of the lack of human confidence often caused by being uncertain of what to do; when we can't make up our own minds, our instinct is to rely on someone or something else to make decisions for us. The choral repetition of "nothing's gonna change my world" can be viewed as an ideal desired by all but reached by few: to be a perfectly self-sustaining yet free-thinking individual capable of staying true to one's self.
However, in the verses surrounding the chorus and its noble concept of this paragon, Lennon gives insight into how easy it is for human lives to be swayed by even the slightest outside influences. Many of Fitzgerald's characters in his classic The Great Gatsby face a similar problem; even upon their first introduction, Daisy and Jordan are described as "buoyed up as though upon an anchored balloon," with "dresses rippling and fluttering as if they had just been blown back in after a short flight around the house" (8). This image of ungrounded fluidity is used by Fitzgerald to make a point about these women's generally uncertainty, and foreshadows the difficulty they will face when it comes time to make decisions. Lennon similarly describes his "words," which represent the decisiveness of his direct thoughts, flowing endlessly and "slithering wildly as they slip away across the universe." This indecision is what inevitably leads to a loss of self purpose, as Lennon then states himself as being "possessed and caressed" by a variety of emotions. 
A desire to think and prosper through personal jurisdictions fits alongside the concept of the American Dream and 'making it' in life through one's own work, but this goal cannot be reached without overcoming certain obstacles. Daisy yearns her whole life for independence and success in her romantic affairs (yes, pun intended), but still finds herself with ambivalent feelings and a faltering certainty when Tom and Gatsby officially confront each other about their individual relationships with her. "Her eyes [fell] on Jordan and [Nick] with a sort of appeal" as Daisy struggled with the decision she faced, hesitating as if she had "never intended doing anything at all" (132). This is not only a turning point in Daisy's life but in the lives of everyone in that room, and her response is to look towards two people unrelated to the situation in supplication for guidance. What's more, her "looking at [Gatsby] blindly" parallels Lennon's "meandering thoughts tumbling blindly," as both are unable to see with certainty where they are being led as consequences of their irresoluteness.
"You ought to have a church, George, for times like this.
You must have gone to church once.
Didn't you get married in a church?" (157)
"God is Watching"
One reason that religion plays such a critical role in human life is that being able to put trust in a higher-power deity is comforting and provides guidance during confusing times. Upon suspecting his wife of adultery, George Wilson tells Myrtle that "she might fool [him], but she couldn't fool God" (159). George is lost and distraught over his suspicion, but is able to hold himself together in spite of this by trusting God to see exactly what happens. Although indecisiveness often does lead to a loss of self purpose, having faith in a guardian figure to straighten everything out can serve as an extremely useful outlet in times of doubt. Lennon similarly calls upon a theistic guardian in "Across the Universe," repeating the Sanskrit "Jai Guru Deva Om" to symbolize his gratitude for the presence of a higher power helping guide him through life.A modern-musical was made in 2007 titled Across the Universe, which manages to incorporate over 30 songs by The Beatles into a single plot set during the Vietnam War era. The song from which the musical took its name is used at a point in the movie when the main character Jude ("Hey Jude") has lost his girlfriend Lucy ("Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds") due to their conflicting views over the war abroad, and is at a loss of where to go next with his life. Despite singing "nothing's gonna change my world," he finds himself drawn to an anti-war rally where Lucy is being held by police, having seemingly been led by "images of broken light dancing before [him] like a million eyes" on the subway. This interpretation of the song brings up yet another complication: just how "free" are the choices we make?
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