Chapter 1: The Journey Beyond Life

Imagine you're returning home when tragedy strikes. You find yourself in a fatal car accident. It's nothing extraordinary, yet it claims your life. You leave behind loved ones—a spouse and two children. The passing is swift and painless; the emergency responders did all they could, but your body was too damaged to save.

And then you encounter me.

"What… what just happened?" you inquire. "Where am I?"

"You've passed away," I reply simply, without sugarcoating the reality.

"There was a… truck, and it was out of control…"

"Exactly," I confirm.

"I… I’m dead?"

"Indeed. But there’s no need to feel sorrow. Everyone experiences death," I explain.

You gaze around, seeing nothing but emptiness. "Is this the afterlife?" you ask.

"Kind of," I say.

"Are you God?" you wonder.

"Yes," I respond. "I am God."

"My children… my spouse," you express, concern evident in your voice.

"What about them?" I prompt.

"Will they be okay?"

"That's the spirit," I remark. "You’ve just died, and your first thought is for your family. That’s commendable."

Your gaze is filled with curiosity. To you, I don’t resemble a deity—I appear as an ordinary figure, perhaps a teacher rather than the omnipotent being you might expect.

"Don't worry," I assure you. "They will be alright. Your children will remember you fondly; they never had the chance to feel resentment. As for your wife, she will grieve outwardly but may secretly feel relief, as your relationship was troubled. Ironically, she will wrestle with guilt over that relief."

"Oh," you respond. "So what comes next? Do I go to heaven or hell?"

"Neither," I clarify. "You will be reincarnated."

"Ah," you muse. "So the Hindus had it right."

"Every faith holds truth in its own way," I say. "Come walk with me."

As we stroll through the void, you ask, "Where are we headed?"

"Nowhere specific," I reply. "It’s just pleasant to walk while we converse."

"What’s the purpose, then?" you question. "When I’m reborn, I’ll be a blank slate, right? All my past experiences will be erased."

"Not quite!" I interject. "You retain all the knowledge and experiences from your previous lives; you just don’t remember them now."

I pause to take your shoulders gently. "Your essence is far more magnificent, exquisite, and vast than you can comprehend. A human mind captures only a fraction of your being. Think of it like dipping your finger into water to test its temperature—you extract a tiny part of yourself and gain insights from it.

"You’ve been confined to a human form for the last 48 years, limiting your awareness of your full consciousness. If we linger here long enough, you’d start recalling everything, but there’s little reason to do so between lives."

"How many times have I been reincarnated?" you inquire.

"Oh, many times. Countless lives," I respond. "In your next life, you’ll be a peasant girl in China around 540 AD."

"Wait, what?" you stammer. "You’re sending me back in time?"

"Technically, yes. Time operates differently where I exist," I explain.

"And where is that?" you ask.

"I come from another realm," I reveal. "There are others like me. You’d be curious about it, but honestly, you wouldn’t grasp it."

"Oh," you say, slightly disappointed. "But if I’m reincarnated across different times, I could have met myself."

"Absolutely. That happens frequently. With each life only aware of its own timeline, they remain oblivious to the interaction."

"So what’s the overarching purpose of it all?"

"Seriously?" I ask, slightly amused. "You’re asking about the meaning of existence? Isn’t that a bit cliché?"

"Well, it’s a valid inquiry," you insist.

I meet your gaze. "The meaning of life, the reason I created this universe, is for you to evolve."

"You mean humanity? You want us to grow?"

"No, just you. I created this entire universe for you. With each new life, you develop and expand your intellect."

"What about everyone else?"

"There is no one else," I clarify. "In this universe, it’s just you and me."

You appear bewildered. "But what about all the people on Earth…?"

"All you. Different manifestations of you."

"Wait. I’m everyone!?"

"Now you’re catching on," I say, giving you an encouraging pat on the back.

"I’m every human who has ever existed?"

"Or will exist, yes."

"I’m Abraham Lincoln?"

"And you’re John Wilkes Booth as well," I add.

"I’m Hitler?" you exclaim, horrified.

"And you’re the millions he harmed."

"I’m Jesus?"

"And you’re all who followed him."

You fall silent, contemplating.

"Every time you wronged someone," I explain, "you were wronging yourself. Each act of kindness you’ve shown was an act toward yourself. Every joy and sorrow experienced by humanity was, or will be, experienced by you."

You ponder for a long moment.

"Why?" you finally ask. "Why all of this?"

"Because one day, you will become like me. That’s your true nature. You’re one of my kind. You are my child."

"Whoa," you respond, astonished. "You mean I’m a god?"

"Not yet. You're still developing. Once you’ve lived every human life throughout time, you’ll grow enough to be born."

"So the entire universe," you say, "it’s just…"

"An egg," I conclude. "Now, it’s time for you to proceed to your next life."

And with that, I send you forth.

Take a moment to look around.

Do you see others? Can you find yourself in them? How does that make you feel?

Each time I revisit this narrative, it envelops me in warmth, reminding me that we are not isolated from one another, but rather a singular entity. Recognizing yourself in someone else might just be the ultimate superpower: the power of empathy.

While this tale is fictional, the influence it has had on my life is undeniably real.

The next time you feel anger toward someone or experience hate and disconnection, strive to be more compassionate. Remember that you embody every human who has ever lived. Forgive and let go, and understand that death is not the final destination.

There is more.

Chapter 2: The Power of Empathy

In this TEDx talk, Audrey Moore delves into the profound impact of empathy on our lives. She shares insights on how cultivating empathy can transform our understanding of one another and the world around us.

This animated story by Jason I AM illustrates the concept of empathy through engaging narratives, emphasizing the importance of seeing ourselves in others and fostering connections.