Infinite Light: A Story of Our Eternal Nature Beyond the Physical

Imagine for a moment that each of us is a point of light, infinitely radiant, boundless, and eternal. This light is not confined to a direction, nor is it limited in its reach. It shines out in every direction at once, touching everything, connecting with the whole of existence. No matter the physical form, this light has no end — it is infinite in nature, expansive beyond measure.

Our bodies, on the other hand, are like beautiful, intricate lanterns. They are crafted to hold this light, to filter it, and to allow it to shine in ways that we can see, hear, touch, smell, and taste. They bring the light into a form we can understand, a form through which we experience the world and each other. But the lantern is not the light itself. It is a vessel, a temporary structure that allows us to experience the infinite in a way that makes sense in the physical world.

But the lantern is not the light itself.

With time, like all physical things, the lantern begins to change. For some, it may grow brittle; for others, it may become hazy or cracked. In cases like Alzheimer’s, the changes are profound, as the lantern starts to shift in ways that make it harder for others to see the light within. The clarity fades, and the physical signs of connection — the voice, the recognition, the touch — start to diminish. But the light itself, the infinite nature of that person’s essence, is unchanged. It continues to shine in all directions, just as brightly as before, regardless of how much we can see or feel it from the outside.

Consider the journey of someone with Alzheimer’s. At first, the lantern is strong, vibrant, and clear, illuminating the light fully. Over time, however, it starts to dim, as if a veil has been drawn over it. Communication becomes fragmented, memories drift like leaves in the wind, and the familiar expressions start to change. But if we look beyond what we can see or hear, if we feel deeply into our own being, we can still sense the light that radiates from them. This light is not bound by memory, words, or recognition; it is a timeless essence, the spark of the infinite that continues to shine, no matter how dim the outer shell may become.

This idea reminds us that we are so much more than our bodies or our memories. The self that we recognize through words, faces, and memories is just one aspect of who we are — the aspect that the lantern allows us to perceive. But there is a deeper self, a boundless light, that transcends this form. Even as our physical abilities fade, even as memory becomes elusive, this inner light, this essence, remains untouched.

Alzheimer’s teaches us about this truth in a unique way. While it may seem that someone is slipping away, what is really happening is that the lantern is no longer able to reflect the fullness of their infinite light. It is not that their light has dimmed or disappeared; rather, it is that we are seeing the limits of the physical form to contain the boundless essence within. When we understand this, it allows us to look beyond the veil of physicality and connect with the true light that resides within each person.

Think of it like the sun setting beyond the horizon. Just because we can no longer see its light doesn’t mean it has vanished. The sun is still there, radiant and powerful, shining across vast distances even as night falls in one part of the world. Our loved ones are the same. When their lantern becomes worn or faded, when they no longer express themselves as they once did, it doesn’t mean that their essence, their infinite light, has diminished. It is simply beyond our horizon of perception. And just like the sun, it continues to shine in every direction, even if we cannot see it.

This story of infinite light reminds us that we, too, are more than our physical forms. Our essence, our true nature, is expansive and eternal. The lantern may change, the physical shell may wear out, but the light within remains untouched. It transcends time, space, and the limits of the body. In this way, we are all connected, each of us a point of infinite light, shining forth in every direction, interconnected with the whole of existence.

When we care for loved ones facing the journey of Alzheimer’s or other illnesses that affect the mind and body, we can remember that we are not just witnessing the end of a lantern’s glow. We are connecting with the infinite light that continues to shine within them, even if it is hidden from our immediate senses. And as we let go of our need to see, hear, or feel in the ways we once did, we find new ways to perceive their light — through memory, through presence, through the profound silence that speaks more deeply than words.

In honoring this light, we honor the infinite essence that lies within each of us. We honor the truth that we are not limited by our physical shells, but are radiant, boundless beings, eternally connected, and eternally shining. This understanding can give us peace and remind us that no matter how our outer form changes, the light within remains, infinite and eternal.