your very own existence? Maybe you  were camping out with some friends,  
your very own existence? Maybe you  were camping out with some friends,  

or all alone marveling at the big canvas of  darkness plastered with countless glowing stars. 
or all alone marveling at the big canvas of  darkness plastered with countless glowing stars. 

Well, you’re not alone. Looking above and  contemplating the sheer immensity of the  
Well, you’re not alone. Looking above and  contemplating the sheer immensity of the  

Universe is something humans have  been doing since the dawn of time. 
Universe is something humans have  been doing since the dawn of time. 

It’s quite magical that recognizing you’re  a part of something inexplicably huge and  
It’s quite magical that recognizing you’re  a part of something inexplicably huge and  

impersonal can elicit feelings that  are so deep, reflective and personal. 
impersonal can elicit feelings that  are so deep, reflective and personal. 

Whenever you find yourself lost in these pensive  moments, know that the Universe, this ancient  
Whenever you find yourself lost in these pensive  moments, know that the Universe, this ancient  

organism that we were somehow born into, is  calling you on a spiritual journey that is in  
organism that we were somehow born into, is  calling you on a spiritual journey that is in  

one way or another meant to guide you through your  deep and existential emotions, and help you find  
one way or another meant to guide you through your  deep and existential emotions, and help you find  

your place in its cold yet comforting grasp. The ancient Stoics understood precisely how  
your place in its cold yet comforting grasp. The ancient Stoics understood precisely how  

immense our human problems could feel. They  knew how a bad day at work could develop into  
immense our human problems could feel. They  knew how a bad day at work could develop into  

a week of aggravation. They knew how a string of  bad luck could become a gateway to depression. 
a week of aggravation. They knew how a string of  bad luck could become a gateway to depression. 

But they also knew how insignificant our problems  really are in the grand scheme of things,  
But they also knew how insignificant our problems  really are in the grand scheme of things,  

and that once we fully understood this  cosmic scale, we would truly become free. 
and that once we fully understood this  cosmic scale, we would truly become free. 

So if you’re having a bad day, or you feel  just a bit out of sorts, find a quiet place,  
So if you’re having a bad day, or you feel  just a bit out of sorts, find a quiet place,  

and prepare yourself to witness the  view from above for the first time. 
and prepare yourself to witness the  view from above for the first time. 

You’re about to embark on a journey  outside of your own body, a celestial  
You’re about to embark on a journey  outside of your own body, a celestial  

adventure meant to help you understand the  sheer size of our ever-expanding Universe,  
adventure meant to help you understand the  sheer size of our ever-expanding Universe,  

and in the process, your place in it.  Because only when you look from above,  
and in the process, your place in it.  Because only when you look from above,  

will you be able to understand what’s within. So take a deep breath and close your eyes. Your  
will you be able to understand what’s within. So take a deep breath and close your eyes. Your  

journey across the universe is about to begin. *** 
journey across the universe is about to begin. *** 

Wherever you are right now, imagine yourself  slowly lifting out of your body and floating  
Wherever you are right now, imagine yourself  slowly lifting out of your body and floating  

in the vicinity of the room you’re in. Observe  your surroundings. You’re no longer confined  
in the vicinity of the room you’re in. Observe  your surroundings. You’re no longer confined  

to the borders of your own body. Can you see  yourself sitting there with your eyes closed,  
to the borders of your own body. Can you see  yourself sitting there with your eyes closed,  

taking deep breaths? Looks weird, right? 
taking deep breaths? Looks weird, right? 

If you think about it, no one really knows you  like you know yourself. People’s perceptions  
If you think about it, no one really knows you  like you know yourself. People’s perceptions  

of you are based on their own interactions with  you. They have their own biases and judgments,  
of you are based on their own interactions with  you. They have their own biases and judgments,  

and while some of them come close to knowing  who you really are, none of them ever fully do. 
and while some of them come close to knowing  who you really are, none of them ever fully do. 

Floating around in your room, you can  finally experience your true self. You  
Floating around in your room, you can  finally experience your true self. You  

can observe your body without being inside of  it. The room you’re in, in all its familiarity,  
can observe your body without being inside of  it. The room you’re in, in all its familiarity,  

could very well feel alien to you right now. You may have grown up in this room, spent years  
could very well feel alien to you right now. You may have grown up in this room, spent years  

developing your sense of self, and yet as you  float around none of it feels genuinely yours. 
developing your sense of self, and yet as you  float around none of it feels genuinely yours. 

As the abstract feeling of  detachment swirls through your mind,  
As the abstract feeling of  detachment swirls through your mind,  

you suddenly zoom out to observe the countless  houses in your neighborhood or the endless  
you suddenly zoom out to observe the countless  houses in your neighborhood or the endless  

apartments stacked in towering skyscrapers. People just like you wake up every morning and  
apartments stacked in towering skyscrapers. People just like you wake up every morning and  

carry on living in the same houses, growing up  in the same streets and leading similar lives.  
carry on living in the same houses, growing up  in the same streets and leading similar lives.  

It’s funny how we can be so physically close to  each other, and yet know nothing of one another. 
It’s funny how we can be so physically close to  each other, and yet know nothing of one another. 

How many people live in your town, or  city? How many of them do you really know?  
How many people live in your town, or  city? How many of them do you really know?  

What are their dreams and ambitions?  Their fears and insecurities?  
What are their dreams and ambitions?  Their fears and insecurities?  

Do you think they are that different to yours? We tend to think that our human experience is so  
Do you think they are that different to yours? We tend to think that our human experience is so  

unique that no one, not a single person out of  the nearly eight billion of us on this planet,  
unique that no one, not a single person out of  the nearly eight billion of us on this planet,  

can begin to understand what we are going  through. But the truth is we are a lot more  
can begin to understand what we are going  through. But the truth is we are a lot more  

similar than we believe, and that should  give us solace in the face of adversity. 
similar than we believe, and that should  give us solace in the face of adversity. 

Look at the houses in your neighborhood, or the  buildings stacked elegantly next to each other.  
Look at the houses in your neighborhood, or the  buildings stacked elegantly next to each other.  

They are all the same. As you witness this view from above,  
They are all the same. As you witness this view from above,  

your heart will begin to fill with an unexpected  warmth as you feel connected to every one of the  
your heart will begin to fill with an unexpected  warmth as you feel connected to every one of the  

humans inside those houses. It’s like a piece  of you lives in every single one of them. 
humans inside those houses. It’s like a piece  of you lives in every single one of them. 

A lot of the towns in the U.S, have populations  of a thousand and yet we call them small.  
A lot of the towns in the U.S, have populations  of a thousand and yet we call them small.  

But aren’t a thousand people a lot? Try and  imagine that number on a football field or  
But aren’t a thousand people a lot? Try and  imagine that number on a football field or  

a basketball court. Are these towns  still considered small in your eyes? 
a basketball court. Are these towns  still considered small in your eyes? 

The United States is actually considered a  nation of small towns. Out of a population  
The United States is actually considered a  nation of small towns. Out of a population  

of around 330 million people, data from the past  decade shows that three-fourths live in cities  
of around 330 million people, data from the past  decade shows that three-fourths live in cities  

and towns with fewer than 5,000 people. So I ask again, is a thousand small? 
and towns with fewer than 5,000 people. So I ask again, is a thousand small? 

Continue to zoom out and you begin to see  
Continue to zoom out and you begin to see  

the towns and cities that make up  states bound by imaginary borders. 
the towns and cities that make up  states bound by imaginary borders. 

Or are they really imaginary? There are around 40 million people  
Or are they really imaginary? There are around 40 million people  

living in California, basking in the golden  sun of the Pacific Ocean. On the other hand,  
living in California, basking in the golden  sun of the Pacific Ocean. On the other hand,  

there are only about 732,000 people living an  entirely different life in the cold of Alaska. 
there are only about 732,000 people living an  entirely different life in the cold of Alaska. 

The life of a Californian is very  different from that of an Alaskan,  
The life of a Californian is very  different from that of an Alaskan,  

even if both are just humans trying to make  the most out of their puzzling existence. 
even if both are just humans trying to make  the most out of their puzzling existence. 

Our history has also drawn some  real blood-stained boundaries,  
Our history has also drawn some  real blood-stained boundaries,  

separating us and forcing us to focus on our  differences rather than our similarities.  
separating us and forcing us to focus on our  differences rather than our similarities.  

Wars have claimed millions of lives, mostly in the  name of ideologies of separation and alienation. 
Wars have claimed millions of lives, mostly in the  name of ideologies of separation and alienation. 

As you slowly travel the globe from the  American continent you see how life can  
As you slowly travel the globe from the  American continent you see how life can  

develop completely differently despite proximity. Throughout history many countries fought internal  
develop completely differently despite proximity. Throughout history many countries fought internal  

civil battles and subsequently declared their own  independence. South Sudan declared independence  
civil battles and subsequently declared their own  independence. South Sudan declared independence  

from Sudan in 2011, Kosovo declared independence  from Serbia in 2008, and Montenegro became its own  
from Sudan in 2011, Kosovo declared independence  from Serbia in 2008, and Montenegro became its own  

state after separating from Serbia in 2006. Many more have separated and declared their  
state after separating from Serbia in 2006. Many more have separated and declared their  

independence which makes you wonder how defined  we are by the countries we are born into. 
independence which makes you wonder how defined  we are by the countries we are born into. 

Are you still breathing? Your journey through  planet Earth is almost over. You’ve lifted from  
Are you still breathing? Your journey through  planet Earth is almost over. You’ve lifted from  

your body, away from your hometown, out of  your home country and now you are floating  
your body, away from your hometown, out of  your home country and now you are floating  

in the atmosphere of our tiny blue planet,  perhaps aboard the International Space Station. 
in the atmosphere of our tiny blue planet,  perhaps aboard the International Space Station. 

In 24 hours, this tiny space station orbits our  planet 16 times. 16 sunrises and 16 sunsets.  
In 24 hours, this tiny space station orbits our  planet 16 times. 16 sunrises and 16 sunsets.  

Imagine looking at Earth as you orbit its  40,075 km (24,901 miles) circumference. 
Imagine looking at Earth as you orbit its  40,075 km (24,901 miles) circumference. 

Except for the moon landing, everything that  has ever happened in the history of humanity  
Except for the moon landing, everything that  has ever happened in the history of humanity  

has happened on this planet. Everything we’ve  ever experienced…every joy, every disappointment,  
has happened on this planet. Everything we’ve  ever experienced…every joy, every disappointment,  

every love, and every broken heart. Our entire human experience is presently confined  
every love, and every broken heart. Our entire human experience is presently confined  

to this rotating globe floating in the vastness of  space. And as it rotates at 1,675 km/hour, (1,041  
to this rotating globe floating in the vastness of  space. And as it rotates at 1,675 km/hour, (1,041  

m/hour) time passes and washes away all that ever  was and makes room for whatever there is to come. 
m/hour) time passes and washes away all that ever  was and makes room for whatever there is to come. 

Our planet has existed for 4.5 billion  years, but us modern humans have only  
Our planet has existed for 4.5 billion  years, but us modern humans have only  

been here for 200,000 years, and civilization  as we know it is only around 6,000 years old. 
been here for 200,000 years, and civilization  as we know it is only around 6,000 years old. 

You and me, if we’re lucky enough, will only  get to experience around 80 more of those years.  
You and me, if we’re lucky enough, will only  get to experience around 80 more of those years.  

Everything that happened before and everything  that will happen after, we can only imagine. 
Everything that happened before and everything  that will happen after, we can only imagine. 

The burden of our existence is nothing but  a speck of dust in the cosmic hourglass. 
The burden of our existence is nothing but  a speck of dust in the cosmic hourglass. 

Looking at Earth from above could be  daunting. Astronauts that live on the  
Looking at Earth from above could be  daunting. Astronauts that live on the  

ISS almost always come back to Earth with a  fundamental understanding of what it truly  
ISS almost always come back to Earth with a  fundamental understanding of what it truly  

means to be alive, and what matters most in life. Take another long and deep breath. Let your lungs  
means to be alive, and what matters most in life. Take another long and deep breath. Let your lungs  

fill with the magnitude of what you’ve already  experienced and what you’re about to experience. 
fill with the magnitude of what you’ve already  experienced and what you’re about to experience. 

You’re going to journey further into space, deep  into our Solar System and then into unchartered  
You’re going to journey further into space, deep  into our Solar System and then into unchartered  

territory where no human has ever traversed. Leave all your human preconceptions behind  
territory where no human has ever traversed. Leave all your human preconceptions behind  

and open your heart to the expanding Universe. As you finally break free from Earth’s atmosphere,  
and open your heart to the expanding Universe. As you finally break free from Earth’s atmosphere,  

imagine yourself floating further  to the edge of interstellar space,  
imagine yourself floating further  to the edge of interstellar space,  

looking at our Solar System as a whole.  Eight planets circling around a glowing star. 
looking at our Solar System as a whole.  Eight planets circling around a glowing star. 

Each one of these planets has its own  unique story. From Saturn’s ringed beauty,  
Each one of these planets has its own  unique story. From Saturn’s ringed beauty,  

to the massive bulk of Jupiter and its great red  spot big enough to engulf the entirety of Earth. 
to the massive bulk of Jupiter and its great red  spot big enough to engulf the entirety of Earth. 

But even Jupiter’s incredible mass holds no candle  to the centerpiece of our glorious Solar System.  
But even Jupiter’s incredible mass holds no candle  to the centerpiece of our glorious Solar System.  

The Sun. The star that holds our  collection of planets together. 
The Sun. The star that holds our  collection of planets together. 

Our Sun is 109 times wider than Earth and makes  up 99.8% of our Solar System’s entire mass.  
Our Sun is 109 times wider than Earth and makes  up 99.8% of our Solar System’s entire mass.  

Put everything you’ve just experienced into scale  and then compare it to the sheer magnitude of our  
Put everything you’ve just experienced into scale  and then compare it to the sheer magnitude of our  

glowing star and let that sink in for a second. Let’s take a step further and slowly leave the  
glowing star and let that sink in for a second. Let’s take a step further and slowly leave the  

safety of our Solar System. Observe as the  Sun itself becomes a small particle, barely  
safety of our Solar System. Observe as the  Sun itself becomes a small particle, barely  

visible from our astronomical vantage point. You look around you and notice countless other  
visible from our astronomical vantage point. You look around you and notice countless other  

stars. Billions of glowing specks everywhere  you turn. There are more stars in the Universe  
stars. Billions of glowing specks everywhere  you turn. There are more stars in the Universe  

than there are grains of sand on Earth. More  than 10,000 stars for each grain, in fact. 
than there are grains of sand on Earth. More  than 10,000 stars for each grain, in fact. 

Most of these stars have planets orbiting  around them, just like our Solar System. 
Most of these stars have planets orbiting  around them, just like our Solar System. 

If the primordial soup that spawned  life on Earth managed to replicate  
If the primordial soup that spawned  life on Earth managed to replicate  

on one of these countless planets, would it  be similar to life as we know it on Earth? 
on one of these countless planets, would it  be similar to life as we know it on Earth? 

Would they wonder about their existence the  same way we do? Would they understand how  
Would they wonder about their existence the  same way we do? Would they understand how  

small and insignificant their problems  are in the grand scheme of things? 
small and insignificant their problems  are in the grand scheme of things? 

Imagine alien civilizations, fighting through  their own existence just like you and I. Imagine  
Imagine alien civilizations, fighting through  their own existence just like you and I. Imagine  

the struggle to exist in the Universe every day.  Planets that harbor life, that orbit stars, that  
the struggle to exist in the Universe every day.  Planets that harbor life, that orbit stars, that  

makeup galaxies, that float around alone in space. You are now leaving the Milky Way, and venturing  
makeup galaxies, that float around alone in space. You are now leaving the Milky Way, and venturing  

further out into the still and  silent darkness of the Universe. 
further out into the still and  silent darkness of the Universe. 

Everywhere you look there is a galaxy waiting to  be explored. A galaxy that could harbor a star,  
Everywhere you look there is a galaxy waiting to  be explored. A galaxy that could harbor a star,  

that might have a planet that somehow  managed to produce life against all odds. 
that might have a planet that somehow  managed to produce life against all odds. 

One more deep breath and you are now  looking at the entire observable Universe.  
One more deep breath and you are now  looking at the entire observable Universe.  

One big organism that is at least  92 billion light-years wide. 
One big organism that is at least  92 billion light-years wide. 

Now that you’ve been able to observe the Universe  as a whole, it’s time to slowly bring it all  
Now that you’ve been able to observe the Universe  as a whole, it’s time to slowly bring it all  

back in. Let’s find the Milky Way among the  hundreds of billions of galaxies out there.  
back in. Let’s find the Milky Way among the  hundreds of billions of galaxies out there.  

Let’s find our Sun among the 100 thousand  million stars in our home galaxy. 
Let’s find our Sun among the 100 thousand  million stars in our home galaxy. 

We’re finally back in our Solar System. Passing  from Neptune to Saturn to Mars, and finally Earth. 
We’re finally back in our Solar System. Passing  from Neptune to Saturn to Mars, and finally Earth. 

You jump from the ISS and burst through  the atmosphere and then cross the imaginary  
You jump from the ISS and burst through  the atmosphere and then cross the imaginary  

borders that are meant to separate us. Find your country, your state, your street,  
borders that are meant to separate us. Find your country, your state, your street,  

and then your home. Finally look at yourself  breathing, taking all that experience in. 
and then your home. Finally look at yourself  breathing, taking all that experience in. 

Take one last deep breath and open your eyes. Next time you’re feeling down or the world seems  
Take one last deep breath and open your eyes. Next time you’re feeling down or the world seems  

to be taking too much of a toll on you,  contemplate your existence and remember  
to be taking too much of a toll on you,  contemplate your existence and remember  

this moment, this feeling, this experience. Let it remind you that whatever is weighing  
this moment, this feeling, this experience. Let it remind you that whatever is weighing  

you down is only temporary, a minor  setback in the grand cosmic scale.
you down is only temporary, a minor  setback in the grand cosmic scale.