Tomaso and I held several spiritual retreats where we would practice the “I am” meditation, gazing into a partner’s eyes. We’d start out by saying, “I Am,” and finishing the sentence. Our partner would take her turn, then we’d switch partners.

My first time doing this otherworldly exercise was in Toronto, during a weeklong retreat with Leonard Laskow. A torrential rain beat down upon the roof, helping to set the tone for going deeper and deeper into what “I am” exemplifies on a soul level.

Suddenly, we saw that there is so much more to life and love than is based on this life alone, insofar as we could rise above the petty concerns of this lifetime, to encompass all of our incarnations in the flash of a moment, a breath, an aha.

“Who am I" raises our vision beyond the foundation of identification with name, address, Social Security number, phone number, and everything else we cling to for comfort and safety. We touched upon the pure essence of all beings who aren’t born, nor do they die.

Then, inevitably, we reenter the world of form, back to work, subjecting ourselves to news programs and general noise that does nothing to support the soul connection glimpsed on our spiritual retreat together.

A real grieving process begins. We’ve been shown a Oneness with each other. We’ve merged the one light from many colors; one water from many thirsts. Yet the thinking of the world seeks to divide us.

As we discard the beliefs of separation, a reverence for all beings rises to replace it. Then and only then can we begin to love everyone.

Yet the world remains in states of consciousness where grievances and judgment are the agreed-upon tenants of operation. Forgive them, for they know not what they do.

Love them anyway, as Mother Teresa said. We can’t love anyone too much, for the power of love is infinite. Om