I don’t know how long I’d been asleep, but I arose and took a good look at my surroundings. It struck me that they were very nondescript and actually quite threadbare. I had no idea how long I’d been here in this room either, but thankfully, I was still feeling very relaxed and contented. I thought to myself that I’d better go outside and explore, and then, just as I realised that there was no door anywhere to be seen, I found myself instantly standing outside in the most beautiful surroundings.

“What kept you, I’d almost given up on you.” The voice was that of my new/old friend, and I turned around to see him standing there with a huge grin on his face. “Well,” I said, “you obviously weren’t going to come to me, which you promised, by the way, so I had no choice but to come to you.” I suddenly realised that we were engaging in “banter,” the type only engaged in by very close friends.

“Ah! You are learning at last, or more correctly, you are starting to remember. I haven’t actually been anywhere my friend, in fact, I’ve been right here waiting patiently for you to join me. I wondered how long it would take you to realise that all you had to do was “think” yourself outside; look what you’ve been missing.”

He was right. I still didn’t have a clue where I was, but it was such an incredibly beautiful place; I would say that it was like nothing on earth, but as I’m not on earth anymore that would be too much like stating the obvious. Suffice it to say, that it was nature like I’ve never seen before; beyond the imagination of the logical mind. Beautiful trees and flowers, also animals and birds without a care in the world. All of us sharing the same space without fear of danger. Yes, you’ve guessed it, my friend heard my thoughts.

“There is no such thing as fear or danger here, my brother. All creatures share this wonderful world in perfect harmony. Inflicting pain and suffering on each other and our wildlife friends is unheard of here.”

Something else that struck me about my friend was how unremarkable he looked. There was something very simplistic about him, and I can only describe his face as deadpan. Yet he oozed love, kindness and wisdom and when he broke into a smile it was a picture of the utmost beauty. It was, as I came to this realisation, that I felt for the first time since this meeting that I’d known him forever.

To be continued…