Have you ever glanced in the mirror and thought, “Okay, sure, that’s me — but is that really all there is?” I’ve definitely had those moments, sometimes at two in the morning when I can’t sleep. Over time, I started imagining that each of us has this invisible switch right by our eyes. It’s like switching channels on one of those old TV sets: every click offers a new perspective, a fresh way to see yourself and the people around you.
Channel One: The Physical Self
On the first channel, we’re pretty much on autopilot — judging based on physical appearance. Tall, short, older, younger, stylish or not-so-stylish. It’s the stuff you notice when you’re people-watching at the mall or scrolling through social media. It’s not wrong, but it’s just the starting line, like the opening credits of a movie.
Channel Two: The Psychological Lens
Click that switch, and now you’re tuned into what’s going on beneath the surface. You might notice a friend who always seems upbeat, or a coworker who’s clearly dealing with anxiety. Some of us hang out on this channel for ages — especially if we’re into therapy or self-help. We delve into our feelings, moods, and mental states, almost believing that’s the end-all-be-all of who we are. But there’s so much more.
Channel Three: The Energetic (or Astral) Layer
One more click, and suddenly you see patterns, archetypes, zodiac signs — basically the idea that we’re all influenced by certain fundamental energies. It’s not just about reading horoscopes (though that can be fun). It’s more like recognizing that, despite having billions of people on the planet, there are common themes, like the “12 archetypes,” repeating in endless variations. It’s fascinating when you think about it — how can so many of us still share these deep-rooted storylines?
Channel Four: Seeing the Soul
Now we get to the part that feels magical — like staring into someone’s eyes and seeing their soul. Not their personality, not their childhood trauma, but the core being that’s just…there. It’s like spotting another traveler on this vast ocean of existence. You might realize you’re far more alike than you ever imagined. It’s a bit like bumping into someone who’s reading the same book as you, only to find out you’re both characters in that very story.
Channel Five: Merging into Oneness
Then, if you dare to click again, everything flips on its head. You see yourself in everyone you meet. The boundaries start to blur, and it’s like seeing all the waves in the ocean as simply different forms of the same water. This can be mind-boggling if you’re used to a clear-cut sense of “me” and “you.” But on this channel, separation fades away, and it’s all just one infinite awareness doing a dance in different bodies.
Channel Six: The Void
Finally, there’s that last click where everything — yes, everything — disappears. You, me, the switch itself. It’s like plunging into a state before words, before form, and before even the concept of being alive. Think of it as trying to describe what’s outside the universe — our minds can’t really get there, so all we can do is gesture vaguely. In many spiritual traditions, this is the void, the emptiness where all potential lies.
So which channel is the real you? Are you just your body, the way we might be attached to our cars because we drive them? Are you your personality, your zodiac sign, your soul? Or are you something even more vast, maybe the space that holds all these layers? Personally, I’m starting to suspect we’re all of the above and then some. It’s like being an actor who knows you’re fully immersed in your character but can also step out of the costume when the show’s over.
This perspective changed the way I see life and death, too. Instead of clinging to a single form or worrying about endings, I’m learning to see everything as part of one unfolding process. Growth, awakening, moving to the next stage — it’s all just the journey of consciousness trying to know itself. And once you’ve glimpsed those higher channels, time feels different, almost irrelevant, like you can step off the stage altogether and just be.
I’m not saying you should accept this as the gospel truth. Think of it more like trying on a new pair of glasses and asking yourself: how does this view shape my interactions, my relationships, my fears and hopes? What if every challenge is simply another chance to wake up? And what if transitions — like changing jobs, moving cities, or even death — are doorways to fresh insight, rather than dark tunnels?
These questions keep me up at night in a weirdly exciting way. After all, life is infinitely more intriguing when we start peering under the surface. We’re not just the clothes we wear or the feelings we have — there’s a whole spectrum of existence waiting to be explored. And honestly, that’s an adventure worth tuning in for.