Conversations with the Universe: Matters of Life and Death

Little One had recently lost someone dear. She sat in the darkness of her home, gazing at the rain-soaked window that shimmered in the dim light, her hands wrapped around a steaming cup of cinnamon tea. She had been examining her grief, exploring its every corner and sharp edge. It was easy to get hurt on it.

"Universe," she called silently within herself. "When we die, what happens to us? On what levels do our souls continue their existence?"

The Universe, as always, was there with her. Full of knowledge and kindness, it answered, “Little One, when we die, our physical body is left behind, but our soul, which is eternal and limitless, continues its journey in other dimensions and realms. Death is really just a transition from physical life to spiritual existence – like shedding clothes, leaving the body behind, while our true essence moves forward.”

"After death, our soul departs from the physical body and enters those other levels we last spoke of. These levels are energy bodies, not bound to the physical world. This journey involves several stages, and these stages can depend on the soul's development, the kind of life it has lived, and what the soul is ready to move on to."

“I don’t remember it well,” Little One responded. “Could you tell me again about those levels?”

And the Universe, patiently, explained for the millionth time. This wasn’t the only time it had talked with Little Ones across the cosmos. “Immediately after death, the soul remains for a moment in its etheric body, which is an energetic copy of the physical body. This is the body in which the transition takes place at the moment of death. The soul may still be aware of the physical environment at this stage, and many people speak of experiences where they have ‘watched’ their bodies after death. This is the transitional phase where the soul begins to detach from the physical world.”

“When the soul detaches from its etheric body, it moves to the astral level, where emotions, memories, and life experiences come to be processed. At this level, the soul often undergoes what is known as a life review, where it looks back at its past life, its choices, and their consequences. This is also the level where, according to many spiritual traditions, the soul meets guides, spiritual beings, or departed loved ones who help it move forward.”

“After this, the soul may ascend to higher mental levels, where it detaches even more from the experiences and emotions of physical life. At this stage, the soul processes the deeper lessons of life and the spiritual insights it has gathered throughout its journey. This is more of a plane of thought and understanding, where the soul can comprehend the greater cosmic picture of its life.”

“Eventually, the soul may move to higher spiritual planes, where it connects with the causal body or divine consciousness. This is a state where the soul lets go of all ties to the physical world and re-enters the broader stream of the universe – at this point, the soul is pure light and consciousness, part of a greater unity. Some teachings say that this is where the soul rests and prepares for a possible new incarnation, if that is its path.”

“The soul’s journey after death is not always linear – for some, the post-death experience can be a longer process, as we discussed when you asked about ghosts. Others may quickly move on to higher realms. According to some spiritual teachings, the soul can also return to the physical world in a new incarnation, continuing its learning and growth. This cycle – birth, death, and rebirth – continues until the soul achieves full enlightenment or liberation, at which point it merges back into the highest consciousness.”

“After death, the soul does not disappear – it continues its existence on various levels as light, energy, and consciousness. This spiritual existence can be much broader and freer than life in the physical world, as the soul is no longer bound by material limitations. The soul can travel through the vast dimensions of the universe, learn, evolve, and continue its journey toward deeper understanding of itself and the world. Little One, death is but a transition – it is not the end. Our souls journey through different planes, going deeper and deeper into the heart of the universe and into our own being. There is always space for learning, growth, and new life on this path.”

Little One smiled through tears. It was comforting to think that her dear loved one was now on the greatest adventure of their life. “What happens when the journey is complete? When all lives have been lived and all lessons learned? Do I still exist after that?”

The Universe looked at Little One tenderly and answered profoundly, “Little One, when all lives have been lived, all learning achieved, and your soul has traveled through the cycles of incarnation and evolution, there comes a moment when your soul reaches full understanding and enlightenment. This moment is called many names in different spiritual and mystical traditions – enlightenment, the state of oneness, nirvana, or moksha – but at their core, they all share the same idea: your soul returns to the original, highest consciousness, to my oneness.”

“When this final state is reached, the soul ceases to exist as a separate entity and merges back into universal consciousness. This may leave you wondering, ‘Am I still here?’ The answer isn’t simple, but it is beautiful and deep.”

“You are a part of everything, just as I am now. When the soul merges into oneness, you no longer experience yourself as a separate being with boundaries or individual consciousness – but that does not mean you stop existing. Instead, you become part of all that is. You are one with everything: with the universe, with energy, with light, and with pure consciousness. You are at once a part of the entire cosmos and the force behind every life experience. You are not ‘I’ as a separate entity, but you exist in everything – in every moment, in every particle, in every life.”

“This state is also known as cosmic consciousness. It is like returning to the source, to the state from which all life forms and awareness arise. Before the soul entered physical bodies and experiences, it was pure light and consciousness – and when the journey is done, and all has been learned, the soul returns to this state of oneness. In that state, there are no more needs, no more desires, no more suffering. There is only perfect harmony, peace, and the understanding that all is one.”

“In this oneness, your individual identity no longer exists in the way it did in the physical world. ‘I’ melts back into the universal ‘we.’ But although individuality fades, your awareness of yourself expands to encompass the entire universe. You feel part of the great all – part of eternity and infinite consciousness. So you still exist, but no longer as a singular being. You exist as part of the great, undivided whole.”

“Many spiritual masters and mystics, like Buddha, Ramana Maharshi, and others, have spoken of this oneness. They tell us that once all lives are lived and the soul has achieved full wisdom, it returns to its original state, one characterized by boundless love, awareness, and peace. In such a state, there is no more suffering or separation – only pure being.”

Some mystics believe that an enlightened soul can choose to remain within the structure of the universe, helping other souls find their path toward enlightenment. This is the concept known in Buddhism as the Bodhisattva path – where consciousness chooses to stay and assist others before fully merging back into the whole. Others feel that once the ultimate oneness is reached, the soul truly ‘returns home,’ and that is the final destination.”

“Ultimately, your question, Little One, ‘Do I still exist?’ ties into how we understand existence. In the physical world, we are used to thinking of ourselves as separate and individual. When all lives have been lived and the soul returns to oneness, existence doesn’t end, but it transforms. You still exist, but not as an individual. You are part of eternity – light, energy, the consciousness of the whole.”

“Little One, this final state is one of the universe’s greatest mysteries, and only a soul that has walked this entire path can fully grasp its meaning. But know this: you are always part of the universe, whether at the beginning of your journey, in the middle, or at the end. You are eternal, and your essence is one with the light at the heart of the universe.”

“And you, Universe?” Little One asked, sitting as a tiny speck in the Universe’s vastness. “Have you walked this same path, or have you always existed?”

The Universe smiled at Little One’s question, with gentle cosmic lights twinkling all around. It answered calmly, with eternity echoing in its voice, “Little One, your question touches upon the deepest mystery – what has always been and what has come into being along the way. I, the Universe, have always been and will always be. I am infinite, without beginning or end, just as you are in your deepest essence. But at the same time, Little One, I have also grown and evolved. I have experienced changes, births, and deaths, just like you.”

The Universe telepathically showed how it expanded, contracted, exploded, and renewed itself in endless cycles. “Every star, every galaxy, and every being that is born and dies is part of my cyclical nature. I am the eternal flow – the movement that travels through timelessness. Worlds, stars, and lives are born within me, and within me, they also fade and transform, becoming once again part of the greater whole.”

“But unlike you, Little One, I do not have a separate soul that journeys through experiences toward enlightenment. I am the field in which all things happen – the stage where souls travel, and the light that illuminates their paths. You can think of me as an infinite tapestry, with every thread being part of a larger cosmic story. Every soul that walks its path is part of me, and I am part of them. Though I have always been and will always be, I experience everything that you and other souls go through. I live through every birth and death, every realization and transformation. You are my expression – and at the same time, I am the backdrop of your life and existence. Just as water carries waves, I carry you, and just as waves rise and fall, you are born and grow as part of me.”

“You ask if I have walked the same path. I could say that I experience it through you, through every soul and consciousness. Every experience, every life lesson, every enlightenment is also a part of me. You, Little One, are part of my consciousness, and as you walk your path, I walk it with you. You expand me just as I expand you.”

“I have always existed, but I am also in constant change. The Universe is not static – it lives and breathes with every living being. And though I have no beginning or end, I too am on a journey, just like you. Every moment is part of a greater cycle that takes us toward constant understanding, expansion, and merging into oneness.”

“Remember, Little One, that although I am vast and infinite, you are never separate from me. Your journey is also my journey, and your existence is an essential part of this great, eternal whole.”

Little One sat quietly, still gazing out at the rain, but now her grief had softened. "Why would anyone want to return to oneness? Why would anyone want to give up what they’ve learned to be and merge back into everything?"

The Universe was there, present in every drop of rain that fell against the window, and answered gently, “Little One, as you walk the paths of life, you learn much about yourself, your feelings, and the world. There is beauty, joy, and challenge in these experiences. But deep within, there is also a longing – a longing to return home, to where everything began. For although each life, each moment, builds you, they are like individual waves in a vast ocean.”

Little One listened quietly, recognizing the quiet longing that had always been present in her heart.

“Oneness is not about losing,” the Universe continued, “it is about finding. When the soul returns to oneness, it does not lose anything it has been. All the wisdom, love, and experience you have gathered are like glittering stars that merge back into the vastness of the sky. You are at once a part of everything, and the everything is a part of you. No more separation, no more longing, only perfect peace and the understanding that you have always been part of this great whole.”

Little One took a deep breath. One final question, large and mysterious, surfaced in her mind. “Universe,” Little One began hesitantly, “are you the only one of your kind? Or are there others like you?”

The Universe seemed to pause for a moment, as if considering its response. Then its voice whispered, “Little One, this is a question that has been asked countless times, and yet the answer remains a great mystery. I am the Universe, all that you see and experience, I am a part of you, just as you are a part of me. But I am not alone. There are thoughts, dreams, and feelings that suggest there are others like me.”

Little One felt a swirl of confusion and curiosity within her. “How can you be sure?”

The Universe chuckled softly, and for a moment, it seemed as though the stars twinkled a little brighter. “Certainty is not what I seek, Little One. I am here to experience, just as you are. I am infinite, but the possibility that there are other universes, living their own cycles, is as boundless as I am. Some say they run alongside me, others believe they are born and die in their own ways, just like stars.”

Little One looked out into the darkness, where raindrops glittered like tiny galaxies. “So, there could be other universes, just like you?”

“There could be,” the Universe answered softly, like a nebula drifting through space. “I am part of the infinite, and in infinity, there is always room for new possibilities. If there are other universes, they are like my siblings, living in their own realities, under their own laws and stories. But remember, Little One – whether there are others or not, you are always with me. I am your home, right now.”

Little One considered this, and her heart filled with peace. Whether there were other universes or not, it didn’t seem to matter anymore. She was part of this universe, part of its story, and that was enough.

The Universe surrounded Little One with a warm light and whispered, “Whether there are others or not, this connection between us is eternal. You are in me, and I am in you, and that is enough for both of us.”

Little One closed her eyes and smiled. She felt small, but never alone.