“Time,” I began softly, my voice barely more than a whisper. Instantly, the Grand Theater – filled with over 10,000 eager souls – grew still, as though the very air had calmed to listen. If all went well, by speech’s end, Subvention BASE would have its army.
“Time is a construct—a concept created by humans. Here in Everly, Time has no place, no hold over us. It exists only in TempTerra. Even Einstein, in his brilliance, recognized this when he concluded that ‘time isn’t really real.’”
I paused, my gaze sweeping over the sea of eager, expectant faces. A wave of warmth swelled within me, a quiet surge of love for those gathered, their enthusiasm and curiosity palpable.
“Why do you suppose that is?” I let the question hang in the air, allowing it to sink deep into their thoughts. “Why do humans rely so heavily on time? And why did ALL grant them such a gift … and albatross?”
After a brief moment of reflection, I answered my own question. “Because every human life is a journey—a lifelong quest. Each life is on a divine mission, woven into the very fabric of human DNA by our Source, ALL.” A ripple of applause echoed through the chamber, brief but appreciative, before quickly fading.
“The human experience is perpetual,” I continued. “It is a game that must be played. But understand—its purpose is not imposed by ALL. Rather, it is chosen by us, by each Soul when we decide to incarnate.”
I let my words settle for a moment before proceeding. “We identify a specific shortcoming within our character, a deficit in need of growth, and then we select a human narrative in which we can immerse ourselves, aiming to overcome that flaw.”
“It truly is as simple as that. We, as Souls, make the conscious decision to engage in the human experience, even if only for a brief period of existence.” I paused again, watching the faces before me, sensing the weight of my words being absorbed.
“And the goal of this game, the Game of Life if you will, is equally simple. It is to transform the human being — from being entirely self-centered at birth … to becoming entirely selfless by death.” Another soft wave of applause followed, respectful and thoughtful.
“Now, where exactly do we find humanity along its Time continuum? Here we are, sitting in the Grand Theater at the center of Everly, a place where Time has no meaning. But in the world of TempTerra, where clocks tick and calendars turn, where do we find Humanity—and ourselves within it?” My audience leaned in, eager for insight.
“The answer might surprise you. Even in TempTerra, in the reality that humans strive to understand, Time isn’t just a straight line moving from past to present to future.
“The brilliant mind, Albert Einstein, tried to explain that ‘the difference between past, present, and future is merely a stubbornly persistent illusion.’” I saw confusion on many faces in the crowd.
“Human thinking places great value on the idea of cause and effect. This concept is essential to what motivates their actions and how they define fairness. It’s at the heart of what it means to be human.
“But this idea of cause and effect oversimplifies how TempTerra really works. Take legacy, for instance. People live their lives hoping their legacy will last long after they are gone. They often believe that living a good life (the cause) will lead to being remembered (the effect). But there’s a flaw in that reasoning. Can you guess what it is?” I asked, letting the silence linger.
“The key lies in the word ‘remembrance.’ Doesn’t it imply that for a legacy to exist, one must be remembered? Now, let’s think about this in terms of Time. It’s the future people who, by remembering those who came before them, give them their legacy. So, a future event can influence a past one – indeed, even consummate or complete it.” I paused, allowing the significance of my words to sink in.
In my mind, I had a mental checklist—a series of crucial points that had to be made not only clear but deeply understood by everyone present. More than just hearing these truths, I needed them to resonate at the core of their being.
One of those essential points was this: there is only one reason for Souls to embark on a SoulJourney to TempTerra—to spread love. That’s the essence, the entire purpose. “Could it be any simpler than that?” I asked, and this time, the applause was noticeably more enthusiastic, echoing through the hall with genuine energy.
“A newborn human is entirely self-centered,” I continued, pausing briefly, “completely dependent on others for survival, let alone for happiness and growth.”
I allowed the image of the newborn to settle in their minds before moving on. “Now, at the opposite end of a perfectly lived life, a human would be completely altruistic. In an ideal world, the mature adult would prioritize the needs and desires of others above their own. They would be attuned to the voids in the lives of others and would eagerly seek opportunities to fill them.”
“Ego,” I announced next, my voice steady. “Ego is a uniquely human trait. No other animal—and certainly no Soul—is swayed by the pull of ego. But just what is the human ego?” I let the question linger only for a moment, before continuing.
“The concept of egoism is central to understanding how, and why, America has drifted into spiritual decline. Egoism may be normative—natural even—but only to a certain point. Beyond that, however, it becomes both counterproductive and destructive.
A wave of cultural egoism has swept across America, from shore to shore, distorting its spiritual core.” I paused, letting the weight of this truth settle over the audience.
“Ego is pride,” I declared. “It is an inflated sense of self. At its worst, ego manifests as a gaudy display of hubris. And most importantly, for us Souls, as we engage with the human experience, pride most often reveals itself in arrogance, self-protection, self-adoration, and ultimately, unchecked self-indulgence.”
The room stirred in agreement, their hands echoing their approval. I waited a beat, the silence heavy with anticipation, before resuming. “Now, those humans who are most enlightened well understand that they are, or can be if they allow it, guided by what Abraham Lincoln so eloquently called their ‘better angels of nature.’”
I smiled, injecting a lightness into my tone. “That would be us!” The room erupted in laughter, the energy lifting briefly before quieting again.
“Of course, for humans, trusting one another is no easy feat. Their innate instinct, present from the moment of birth, is self-preservation. Their journey, their lifelong struggle, is to overcome that primal instinct and instead heed Mr. Lincoln’s call for ‘bonds of friendship.’”
“At different moments in human history, Mankind has looked toward a brighter future and taken some small, tentative steps in that direction. Yet, time and again, they find themselves pulled back into the instinct of self-preservation.” I scanned the room, noticing the flicker of understanding in my audience’s eyes.
“This is their struggle—the ongoing challenge to move from selfishness to selflessness. It’s a journey filled with both progress and setbacks. It’s important to recognize this: true progress requires Time.
“And that, my friends, is why Time is a gift from ALL. It is through the gift of Time that humanity can make strides forward, if they choose to embrace it,” I added, my voice steady.
“Divergence. Allow me to clarify this term. In the realm of TempTerra, particularly in evolutionary biology, it signifies ‘the development of different traits or features—whether in body structure or behavior—in closely related populations or lineages that share a common ancestry but typically inhabit distinct environments or ecological niches.’ Boy, that is a mouthful!” The audience chuckled.
“Before we delve deeper into this definition, let us revisit a concept you have encountered often in your Humanity Studies: Spiritual Equilibrium. Why is this concept so vital? I shall explain.”
I paused, waiting for the room to fall silent. “Because it lies at the heart of Humanity’s relentless struggle to rise from the valley of callousness to the summit of benevolence. It is the journey from ego to compassion, from inhumanity to humanity—a struggle that spans from cradle to grave.
“In TempTerra, the egocentric instincts of the Garb are inherently stronger than the altruistic impulses of the Soul. This is how ALL intended it. For if the balance were tipped the other way, there would be no opportunity for spiritual growth.
“Consider the analogy of an athlete striving to build muscle. If he only lifts paperclips and never engages with heavy weights, will his muscles ever develop?”
“On the surface, it may appear that the odds are stacked against spiritual triumph—that there exists a divine favoritism for egoism, even egotism. But fear not. For through compassion and grace, ALL has provided a means for every Subjected Eternal Life Form, every Self, to level the playing field.
“It is called Spiritual Equilibrium! Once any human achieves this balance, whether acting alone or in harmony with others, they stand the best chance of moving toward altruism and away from egoism.” I took a sip of water, letting the gravity of my words settle.
“As each of you knows, Spiritual Equilibrium is influenced by Four Tendencies, each corresponding to one of the Four Contributors to Spiritual Equilibrium. Would anyone here like to offer a brief explanation of these Tendencies?”
I scanned the room, finally resting my gaze on an eager face. “You, in the 15th row,” I said, pointing. “Please introduce yourself and share your thoughts on how the Four Tendencies work together.”
Lionel’s face flushed with shyness. He rose slightly in his seat, his voice quiet and his throat dry. A brief round of applause encouraged him. “I’m Lionel,” he said. “Starting from the end, all human actions—whether thoughts, words, or deeds—fall under Might. Might is a catch-all term that refers to all energized human activity.” The audience nodded in agreement. Might’s tendency is Performance.
“The Spiritual Heart provides energy and direction to Might. Just as a physical heart pumps blood throughout the body, the Spiritual Heart is where one’s true intentions reside. It determines what the body will do and sends instructions to Might,” Lionel elaborated. “As a Contributor to Spiritual Equilibrium, the Spiritual Heart’s tendency is Empathy.
“But here’s the key point: The Spiritual Heart arrives at its ‘true intentions’ by weighing two competing sources of influence: the mortal Mind and the spiritual Soul. Now…”
I interjected, “Excellent job, Lionel. Well done! Let’s give him a round of applause.” As the clapping subsided, I continued, “Perhaps your friend would like to pick up where you left off,” I suggested, gesturing toward the soul next to Lionel.
Martin straightened up and introduced himself. “As mentioned by my SoulSib, Lionel, the Spiritual Heart must consider two different sources of influence it can know what instructions to send to Might – the other two Contributors to Spiritual Equilibrium: Mind and Soul.
“The mortal Mind deals with practical concerns like materialism and consequences. It’s Tendency is Egoism. The other influence comes from the spiritual Soul, which operates on feelings of Love and Peace, without any rationalization. And it’s Tendency is Altruism.” Martin finished, and a peaceful ‘ah’ spread through the audience, filling the room with a sense of understanding.
“Excellent,” I remarked, regaining control of the conversation. “Now, let us delve into the essence of Spiritual Equilibrium: What happens when a person or a group loses their balance and begins to wobble?” As I spoke, souls in the hall exchanged glances, contemplating the question.
“Of course, the outcome varies depending on which of the Four Tendencies exerts the most influence. In TempTerra, it is common for the Mind-Might partnership to take precedence.
“This tendency is evident in nearly every aspect of human interaction, stemming from the instinct for self-preservation that begins from the moment of birth.” I paused to take a sip of water.
“Consider politics for a moment. In the United States, the two main political parties exemplify this contrast. The Republican Party, for instance, often prioritizes Might and Mind over Heart and Soul. They emphasize a strong military and a robust economy, just as they assert individual rights, such as the right to own firearms.” The audience nodded in agreement.
“Now, I do not mean to suggest that Republicans are devoid of Heart or Soul influence. They do hold strong beliefs in religion, morality, and compassion. However, when crafting policies that impact the population as a whole, their primary focus tends to derive from the Tendencies of Might and Mind.” I continued without pause.
“In contrast, Democrats often prioritize Heart and Soul, sometimes to the extent that it appears they overlook the practicality and necessity of Mind and Might.
“Their gushing passion for spreading love may lead them to support causes that lack the feasibility to succeed. Or they might place excessive faith in the inherent goodness of all people, despite the vast spectrum of human behavior, which ranges from exceptionally virtuous to profoundly selfish.”
“As both political parties have gradually adopted more extreme Pillar orientations, American voters have understandably gravitated toward the party that resonates most with their own personalities.
“Those who prioritize Might and Mind in their personal lives often find themselves aligning with the Republican Party. While those most driven by Heart and Soul feel more at home with the Democratic Party.” The audience erupted into applause as the truth of my words became increasingly clear.
“Time. Ego. Divergence. These are the themes I present to you today—concepts I urge each of you to reflect on deeply, in both heart and mind.” I paused, letting the gravity of my words settle over the audience.
“Before we break, let’s revisit the definition of divergence and explore how it plays out in American politics, which vividly illustrates the idea of Spiritual Wobble.
“To clarify, divergence involves: (a) the development of different traits or behaviors, whether physical or emotional; (b) occurring within closely related groups that share a common ancestry; and (c) usually existing in distinct environments or niches.
“Right now, we are witnessing a wave of polarization in attitudes and beliefs, both in America and around the world. Two main perspectives stand out: Might-Mind and Heart-Soul.
“And these groups seem to be talking past each other. The urgent question we face is this: Can we change this trend? Or is it already too late?
“To find answers, we must do three things. First, we need to examine the current situation more closely. Second, we must reflect on past efforts to restore balance in American spirituality, noting what worked, and what did not.
“Third, we should identify any remaining untested solutions we might have.” I scanned the room, sensing the curiosity in the air. “I’ll see you all after the break.”
While the audience was away, I reviewed my notes, so as not to lose sight of the most salient points I needed to make. That America is in a downward spiritual spiral linked to a cultural egoism that is affecting its people—the People.
That Time, that relentless force, is not on our side if we wish to reverse this tide. The nation is caught in a deepening divide of opinions, and all forecasts suggest that the situation is likely to worsen.
My audience reconvened, I continued. “The crucial question we must ask ourselves is: What is the current situation in TempTerra? But…” I paused as the last few audience members settled into their seats. “What do I mean by ‘current’?
“Have any of you considered why I have a glass of water here? Do I – a Soul – really need it for my own survival? Absolutely not!” I allowed that thought to linger.
“I am demonstrating something you are all familiar with from your Humanity Studies: Contextual Immersion. But what does that mean?” I waited for someone to respond.
“If I may,” Lionel interjected, “it’s similar to what actors do with method acting. The goal is to deliver genuine, emotional performances by connecting with a character’s inner motivations and feelings. That’s why Souls who embark on a TempTerra souljourn are taught to think and act with human awareness, even while they’re still here in Everly.”
“Exactly,” I affirmed. “Likewise, as we contemplate the fate of Humanity, we must immerse ourselves in their reality, no matter how distorted their perceptions may be. Does that make sense?” Lionel looked at me, seeking affirmation.
“Right,” I replied. “Currently, in TempTerra, it is the year 1976. However, we sit here in Everly, a place where Time does not exist. Yet, to truly understand the situation in America, we must consider its spiritual state—past, present, and future. Are you with me?” The applause erupted, filling the room with energy. In the days following the TED Talk, over 10,000 souls applied to serve in Subvention BASE. I reported this significant progress to the Senior Elder, a clear sign of the awakening spirit among us.
