History: "The Threshold of Realities"

 

The Threshold of Realities

The dim blue light from the console illuminated the dimly lit observation room, casting long shadows on the walls filled with screens and star charts. Jonas Wilder, his face intent and his gaze fixed on the darkest part of the room, kept his hands crossed at chest level. Samantha, his assistant, watched him from the other side of the table, her brow furrowed, her eyes a mixture of skepticism and curiosity.

—" So, do you really believe there is something beyond the dimensions we know?" — Samantha asked, trying to grasp the complexity of what Jonas was trying to explain to her.

—"I don't believe it, Sam," he replied, slowly, with the same intensity as always . "It's that we're going to try to prove it. The Superconsciousness... imagine it as a space outside of time, a place where all possible realities exist simultaneously, intertwined, waiting to be explored. Every decision we make, every path we turn aside... they're all still alive, but in a different dimension. It has to do with string theory and the multiverse. The Superconsciousness is the common point where all realities intersect. Something like the 'Akashic records'... do you understand?"

Samantha pursed her lips thoughtfully and drummed her fingers on the edge of the table.

—"And how do you know it's not just another theory, Jonas? Something we may never be able to verify, a mirage we've created to give meaning to our decisions and mistakes. Like believing in paradise... or in some god."

Jonas let out a slight laugh, short but warm, and glanced at her from the corner of his eye.

—"Sometimes, Samantha, the most radical theories just need a spark. A small step into the unknown that transforms a possibility into reality."

—"And what would that spark be?"— She asked, between incredulous and captivated.

Jonas looked down at a device on the observation table, a compact device filled with holographic displays and complex circuitry. It was the result of years of work and advanced technology, a combination of quantum resonance, brain stimulation and electroencephalography that he had perfected himself.

—"This equipment is capable of expanding consciousness beyond the conventional threshold of perception. There are certain sound frequencies that stimulate the desynchronization of the cerebral hemispheres. The consequence is that this causes the massive transfer of information between the hemispheres and takes the individual's consciousness to a level of deep stimulation. It allows the mind to transcend the notion of linear time and enter into what I call 'quantum astral travel'. If it works, we will be one step closer to Superconsciousness."

Samantha leaned forward, eyeing the device cautiously.

—"So… would you enter this… Superconsciousness? As a kind of tourist of realities?"

Jonas smiled, but there was no trace of doubt in his eyes.

—"Not as a tourist. I'll go as an explorer of my own existence. Since the 1980s, many researchers like myself have dedicated our lives to understanding how the choices we make shape our reality. Now, charlatans call it 'manifesting,' as if wishing for things to happen were enough. We're ready to discover how choices we don't make also influence people. With this experiment, we'll be able to see what every version of Jonas Wilder would have been like in every corner of this multiple universe."

Samantha sighed and stared at him, a mixture of admiration and doubt.

—"What if something goes wrong…?" She began to say, but Jonas gently interrupted her.

—"If something goes wrong, I'll be in a place where time doesn't exist. Every moment and every version of me will be there. Samantha, I've done everything I could do in this world. Now it's my turn to explore those alternate realities."— He tried to sound confident to avoid his assistant's objections —"This will be something like hypnosis. If something goes wrong, just let me sleep... and when I wake up... everything will be back to normal. There shouldn't be any obvious dangers in meditation..."-

A deep silence settled between them as they adjusted the equipment. The lights glowed softly, as if waiting for the experiment to begin.

Jonas settled into a special chair, adjusting the sensors and actuators around his head, each calibrated to synchronize his brain waves with the quantum resonance system. With a final sigh, he winked at Samantha, who responded to his thumbs-up with an affirmative nod. Sam activated a series of levers in the system, and Jonas closed his eyes. He began to recite in his mind the sequence of mantras he had practiced for months, training his consciousness to go beyond the conventional limits of astral travel. He wasn’t planning on hovering around staring at the ceiling; Jonas Wilder would go much further.

As he deepened his meditation, he felt reality dissolving. First, a faint humming filled his ears, as if every molecule of his being was tuning to a new frequency. Then everything became dark and silent. He felt as if he were submerging in the waters of a deep, soothing lake, but without the sensation of drowning or lack of oxygen. Jonas knew the equipment was working. He could feel the distant vibration of the electronic circuits. After a few minutes, his mind began to expand, freed from the prison of time and space.

Jonas's first impression was that he was in a room. He couldn't see anything at all because it was pitch black. Slowly, he could sense a presence that became evident in that vast darkness. From afar, a luminous figure emerged in front of him, ethereal and warm, radiating a serenity that was strangely familiar to him. Somehow, he knew that her name was Sophia. And for some reason, he could sense that she was welcoming him as her spiritual guide. A reassuring thought emerged in his mind: Sophia was just as he had imagined her. Her appearance changed slightly every time he blinked; it was as if she was constantly transforming, taking a form according to each of the alternate realities.

—"Jonas," Sophia said in a voice that echoed softly in his consciousness . "Finally, you have reached the threshold."

—"Sophia…" — He replied, surprised by how easy it was for him to send his thoughts into that immaterial space —"Is this real? Have I crossed over?"

The woman smiled, an imperceptible gesture, but it conveyed warmth.

—"As real as anything you've ever experienced. You stand on the borders of realities you never lived, of paths you never took. Every decision you missed or every opportunity you left behind exists here. Come, I'll show you what could have been."

Sophia extended her hand, and Jonas, feeling a mixture of anxiety and curiosity, took it. The space around them filled with flashes of light, as if they were surrounded by shooting stars. Each of those lights was a glimpse of a different life, an alternate version of their existence, a different universe than the one he had experienced.

Diving into the first flash brought them to a familiar yet strange scene: Jonas saw himself, younger, smiling and with an expression of tranquility that he barely recognized. In front of him was Celina, the great love of his life, whom he had let go due to a confusing mix of pride and circumstances. Now the reasons seemed petty and minor, as if they had never mattered much. In this alternate existence, he had made a different choice and was married to her. They both laughed as they shared a quiet night at home.

—"This was the life you chose to stay in," Sophia explained as she looked at Jonas . "You decided to fight for your love, built a family, and lived a full life together."

Jonas felt a lump in his chest as he watched the intimate, familiar scene; his heart filled with warmth and love. An existence that could have been his own. Unable to help himself, he wanted to reach out and touch his 'other self's' shoulder , whisper something to him, as if he could convey the full weight of his regret.

—"You can communicate with them," Sophia murmured, sensing his desire . "Here, the distances are different. Think about what you want to convey. All you have to do is wish to get it across to them."

Jonas closed his eyes and focused his thoughts on his alternate self . In an instant, the message flowed out in a projection, a simple phrase that encompassed a lifetime of longing and yearning. "Don't be afraid to love; every choice is worth it."

Yet, in the midst of that connection, a fear grew within him. "What if that decision condemned him to a life of unhappiness in another reality?"

The space suddenly became hazy, as if something was disturbing the vibration of the surroundings. Sophia looked on with concern.

—"Don't feel guilty. Every choice has its weight, but there are no judgments here, only possibilities. Remember, there are also universes where the choices are more tragic. Come, let's see another one."

Darkness once again embraced him, and in an instant, a new vision appeared before them. This time, Jonas stood in a dark alley, looking desperate and defeated. The figure of his alternate self lay on the ground, surrounded by shadows, as armed men watched him. A cold whisper ran down his spine.

—"This is where you plunged into the world of crime, betrayed by people you trusted. Greed and the desire for power led you down a dark path. That decision to neglect your ideals and surround yourself with the wrong people proved fatal. It's just one possible version, but your fear of failure led you to this reality."-

Jonas felt desolation invade him, the pain of losing himself passed through him, and he understood that there were realities in which he had fallen into the trap of his own ambition.

—"I don't want to see anymore..." — She whispered, feeling helpless in the face of the suffering she could have experienced.

Sophia extended her hand.

—"Not everything is so gloomy. What you experience here can free you from those fears. The important thing is to understand that every decision is a step forward; every choice creates a new path to your evolution. That is the essence of life and of Superconsciousness."

Jonas felt his heart tighten, and for a moment he felt lost. But then a new flash of light appeared, and a sense of calm enveloped him.

—"Let's see what's in that light. This is the last step in your journey, Jonas. Look at it and perhaps you'll understand the essence of your decisions."

The light grew brighter, and he, driven by curiosity, moved forward to the last projection. In this reality, he saw himself in a familiar environment: a cozy space, full of laughter, love and shared moments. He realized it was his birthday, surrounded by friends and family, all smiling, happy to be together. There were his parents, Celina, and with them, friends he had lost in real life. There was a palpable warmth, as if everyone was coming together to celebrate.

—"This is the life you could have had if you had valued emotional connection over material achievements," Sophia said softly . "A life filled with meaning, love, and authenticity."

Jonas felt happiness wash over him and the weight of regrets fade away. He realized he could choose to live like this, in any reality he chose, if only he made the right choices. However, the shadows of the past lurked, waiting for every choice.

Sophia spoke as the light began to fade —"Remember that the journey to Superconsciousness does not end here. It will accompany you in every step you take towards a decision. Life and reality will always be intertwined with your decisions. The future may be bright, but it will depend on what you choose to do with what you have learned."-

Sophia’s words echoed through his mind as space faded away, darkness turning into soft white light. In the midst of that transition, the figure of his spirit guide began to fade away, like a trail of smoke   in the wind. Her voice, once clear and sure, faded into silence. Jonas tried to hold on to her presence, but it was no use. Samantha’s voice began to become audible from somewhere in the distance, calling out to him with increasing insistence. He sensed movement. Her body was once again present in the room. He slowly opened his eyes and the blue light of the console greeted him. There was Samantha, her gaze filled with relief and curiosity.

—"Jonas, are you okay? You looked... confused, like you couldn't come back," she said, trying to get his attention.

Jonas fell silent, trying to process what he had just experienced. Finally, his words came out in a whisper, imbued with a sense of distance.

—"I saw… I saw the many lives I could have had." He shook his head, confused . "I saw my parents, Samantha, and Celina, as if we were still together. They weren't visions or memories... they seemed as real as you are right now. It was as if my thoughts, my emotions, could touch other realities, other lives."

Samantha nodded, seeking to understand. Jonas finished recounting his experience and fell silent, as if a part of him was still wandering in that vast web of realities.

He went to the mirror in the laboratory and studied his reflection closely. As he looked at himself, he caught glimpses of fragments of memories that intertwined and faded away. The faces of his parents, of Celina, and of other people whose importance he could barely grasp, passed fleetingly through his mind.

The emotions still throbbed in some corner of his consciousness, echoes of the other versions of himself that existed in those realities. On some deep, indescribable level, Jonas realized that his true essence had been scattered among infinite realities. He had left fragments of himself in each of them, and although he had returned physically, a part of him remained connected to all those destinations.

END