In the Beginning

In the beginning, there was the loneliness of eternity.1

Do not try to imagine a universe without time or space, matter or light, for your concept of nothing is far too much to explain this void. Imagine instead an infinite darkness, churning black ink that pours into your mouth as you struggle to breathe. Grimace as the darkness running down your spine brings the taste of desperation to your lips; feel the haunting echoes of solitude as it caresses your cheek. Quiet your pounding heart; listen closely as the blackness shudders against your soul. Because in the beginning, there were words. 2

Before the universe drew its first breath and before the stars flared to life, there was a consciousness. It had no name for Itself and knew only emptiness. It was infinitely large and yet took up no space. It was born before there was ever such a thing as time. It remembered no before and could see no after—It simple was. 3

It is impossible to explain how this consciousness thought: we who are confined to words have no way to know such things. So let us imagine this consciousness saw, and let us imagine that It pictured a thousand different worlds and galaxies. Let us imagine It had emotions, could experience love and rage, rapture and sorrow. Let us imagine It existed in desolate darkness, waiting for It knew not what.4

From nowhere, there were words.5

Think of everything you know about the Big Bang; matter and atoms exploding from nothing, bringing the universe into being. Now change that theory slightly and learn the true story of creation. Words burst forth from the void, myriads of words that swirled through the consciousness like dust eddying in the sunlight. With these words came exaltation, joy, and—for the first time—hope. 6

The consciousness remembered the worlds It had longed for, remembered the loneliness after each image left it alone in the void. It searched within Itself and found It’s voice. As It spoke, the words condensed and took shape. They clung to each other and danced through eternity, bringing life and galaxies into existence.7

And the universe drew its first shaky breath. 8