THE GREAT TRANSITION

Chapter 1

A Journey beyond Time and Space

Beauty is not in the face;
beauty is a light in the heart.

~ Kahlil Gibran

Never, in mankind’s history, has there been a time when the desire to explore has not existed. In fact, the desire to explore our environment appears to be inherent in our very nature of being. The boundaries of the human environment continue to expand, even to intergalactic proportions during our present lifetime. We know this to be outer space exploration; but what do we know about inner space exploration? This route to discovery has been active since life began, but relatively few have committed to the minimal amount of time required for such extraordinary inner knowing.
Let us suppose that you have been offered an opportunity to explore a new world, and that you will be accompanied by the most compassionate and knowledgeable guides imaginable. You will be required to leave your loved ones behind for a while with a promise that you will be reunited at a time in the future more convenient or appropriate for them. Your mode of travel will be comfortable and quick, much like stepping from one room into another or entering a lovely garden through a special gate aided by assistants whose task it is to ensure your comfort and minister to your every need along the way. Before you begin your exploration of this new world you might want to rest a bit to feel refreshed. So a safe and comfortable place will be provided for you for that purpose. Now, take a deep breath, open your mind and heart and let us be on our way for an intriguing hypothetical journey.
You might find yourself in a lovely garden, in a quiet woodland setting, near a lake or waterfall or in the quiet private home of a friend or relative. Your imagination will take you where you in your own heart most wish to be. The climate will be mild and comfortable at all times. As you travel along your pathway, making new discoveries with every step, you will come to the realization that not only do you feel lighter and more energetic, without any of the aches and pains or handicaps of the past, but you even look more youthful. You seem to glow with an inner light. You are used to communicating with your voice, using your vocal cords, and suddenly you realize that you are reading the minds of your guides before they have a chance to express their thoughts vocally. They seem happy with your discovery and they agree that mental telepathy is a much more efficient form of communication. Right away you become quite adept at this new way to converse. You never tire from walking, and your wonderful new guides realize from all your many questions that there are already myriad places on your list that you wish to explore. They then explain that any place you might want to visit is only seconds away and that to wish to be there is to be there instantly. Farther along the path, you speak to people sitting on park benches under flowering trees, some by a pond or a lake, simply enjoying each other and the sounds and scenes of infinite peace and beauty.
In a short time, you have reached the edge of a small village bustling with people, but not crowded. People are casually walking in and out of art galleries, music halls, libraries, science laboratories and other establishments of interest. There is no commerce. In this world, if there is something you wish to own you simply concentrate on the object, make your intention known, and it will manifest for you.
There are social activities for every personality. You discover that there are dances, concerts, science exhibits and sports events of all kinds. Meandering along the pathway you can see to your right a baseball diamond with players actively enjoying the game and spectators cheering them on. On down the path you are delighted to find a lively tennis game in progress, particularly if this was your sport of choice throughout your lifetime. As you travel a bit farther into the countryside, you arrive at a lovely blue lake with sailboats, canoes, houseboats, row boats and any other kind of boat or raft you can imagine. People are having a splendid time swimming near the beach. You become interested in a game of volleyball being played in the sand and stop to watch for a while. So much fun! Happy relaxed people are laughing and joking with each other, just enjoying pleasant company.
What a lovely day! What an enlightening tour! Tomorrow you will have decided to schedule a museum visit to a very special and unusual museum. You will be shown a living record of the evolution of life as it has unfolded over millions of years of Earth time on our planet. After this intriguing excursion you have been promised a relaxing evening at a large outdoor symphony concert where you will listen to some of your favorite music, or a concert where you can enjoy the music representing your own culture and watch the delightful show of color the musical notes produce.
Your kind and thoughtful guides tell you that tonight there will be a celebration of an important life lived on Earth--your life! This celebration has nothing to do with a life of fame or your academic accomplishment, nor even with whatever material wealth that you have been able to acquire. It has to do with the fact that you lived the unique life that was yours to live with respect for others with whom you shared the planet with patience and perseverance, with courage and fortitude for the trials, tribulations and tasks set before you, and gratitude for the blessings bestowed upon you.