Everything about you has been here for the entirety of time.

And everything that you are will utterly vanish in the blink of an eye.

This is what you are.

There is nothing to do about it.

To be so significant and yet so insignificant all at once

is the essence and the balance of what it means to be alive.

I've always loved looking up at a clear night sky,

full of stars, space, and questions.

And few people know what's up there better than astronomer and science commentator Michelle Thawler.

In today's episode, Michelle takes us up to the heavens to consider our significance and connectedness in a universe whose scale means that human life is almost imperceptible.

In this series, we blend immersive first-person stories with mindfulness prompts to help you recharge at any time of the day.

I'm Rohan and I'll be your guide for meditative story. From time to time, you'll hear me come in with a brief prompt.

Some may help you settle in more deeply. Others, perhaps not so much. Either way, just stay inside the story.

That's all you need to do to feel its effect. And now on to the story. Before we hear for Michelle, let's take just a little time to settle. If you can see the sky, look up at it. If you can't, and it's safe to do so,

just look up at the space above you and feel the sensations of your feet on the ground at the same time.

Aware of the space around you and at the same time grounded, connected to the earth.

The body relaxed.

The body breathing.

Your senses open, your mind open.

Meeting the world.

For nearly my entire life, I have felt lonely

I have no memory of when this started,

...