Dr. Aryan Verma stood at the observation deck of the lunar colony, gazing at the vast, endless stretch of stars beyond the Moon’s horizon. The search for the next destination had opened doors he had never thought possible. The mysteries of the cosmos whispered through the silence, inviting him to step further into the unknown. But before he could embark on this new journey, there was one significant challenge—convincing his extended family back on Earth.
His desire for awakening was pushing him further and further away from earthly entanglements. The energy being dissipated in the chaos of worldly affairs could instead be channeled into dedicated efforts for spiritual realization. This was not unique to him—when one’s worldly pursuits ripen, a natural drift towards solitude begins, often disguised under various excuses. And when a deep spiritual longing is interwoven with these efforts, the pull becomes even stronger. Now, standing at the threshold of a cosmic journey, Aryan felt the inevitable call of both destiny and awakening.
His nuclear family—Meera, Avni, and Ansh—had already embraced the idea with excitement, eager to explore what lay beyond. But now, it was time to inform their loved ones on Earth, to seek their blessings, and to address their inevitable concerns.
He connected to the Earth communication link, and soon, the holographic images of his parents, Meera’s parents, and their closest relatives materialized in front of him. The warm familiarity of their faces made the moment even more poignant.
“Aryan, what’s this urgent family meeting about?” his father asked, his voice tinged with curiosity.
Aryan took a deep breath. “We’re leaving the Moon. We’re traveling further into space—to explore an exoplanet that might hold signs of life.”
Gasps echoed through the connection. His mother’s face turned pale. “Beta, you already left Earth, and now you want to go even further?”
Meera’s mother shook her head in disbelief. “Meera, do you really think this is safe?”
Meera reached for Aryan’s hand, steady and firm. “Yes, Maa. We have thought this through. We are prepared.”
Aryan’s father sighed. “But why? Haven’t you achieved enough? Isn’t the Moon far enough?”
Aryan smiled gently. “Baba, every great journey in history has always had people asking, ‘Why go further?’ But if no one had dared, humanity would still be confined to a single continent, let alone a single planet.”
His mother wiped a tear. “But what if something happens to you? What if you never return?”
Ansh, who had been listening silently, spoke up. “Dadi, we’re not running away. We’re moving forward, discovering new things, making history. And we’ll always be connected.”
Avni added, “And just imagine… one day, you might visit us on a whole new world!”
The elders exchanged uncertain glances. Aryan’s father finally sighed. “I won’t pretend to be happy about this. But I trust you. If this is what you must do, then go with our blessings.”
Meera’s mother, still hesitant, nodded. “Just promise us you’ll stay safe.”
Aryan smiled. “We promise.”
The Challenges for Avni and Ansh
After the initial shock settled, Aryan’s father raised another concern. “Aryan, what about the children? Their education, their social life? They’ve already changed schools, curriculums, and friends so many times. They’re like rolling stones, never settling anywhere.”
Aryan nodded, expecting this concern. “Baba, I understand. It hasn’t been easy. But do you realize how much they’ve learned? More than they ever could have back on Earth.”
Meera’s mother sighed. “But stability is important for children. They need roots, traditions, a familiar environment.”
Avni smiled. “Dadi, I used to think that too. But moving and adapting has made me stronger. I’ve learned how to make friends anywhere, how to handle change without fear.”
Ansh grinned. “And I’ve studied things most kids on Earth never even dream about! I’ve seen Earthrise from the Moon, learned how space agriculture works, and even studied planetary geology firsthand.”
Aryan added, “They aren’t just memorizing textbooks; they’re experiencing knowledge. Every new place, every challenge has taught them resilience, curiosity, and adaptability. These are lessons no school can provide.”
Aryan’s father was silent for a moment before he sighed. “I see your point. Still, I just want to be sure they’re happy.”
Meera reached out, touching the screen. “They are, Baba. They’re thriving.”
The Preparations Begin
Once the decision was solidified, preparations began in full force. Aryan and his family were fitted for advanced exo-suits that could adapt to fluctuating temperatures and atmospheric conditions. Their spacecraft, named Vyomnaut, was undergoing final testing. Supplies were being curated—everything from genetic seeds to emergency medical kits.
As they packed, Aryan found himself sitting with Avni and Ansh in the habitat’s observation dome, watching Earth as a distant, glowing orb.
Avni broke the silence. “Do you ever miss it? Earth, I mean.”
Aryan smiled. “Every day. But missing something doesn’t mean regretting leaving it.”
Ansh tilted his head. “Do you think we’ll ever go back?”
Aryan’s gaze softened. “Maybe one day. But for now, forward is the only direction.”
A Farewell to the Moon
As the launch date approached, the lunar colony gathered for a farewell ceremony. Their fellow scientists, researchers, and astronauts wished them luck, some envious, some relieved they weren’t the ones venturing into the deep unknown.
One of Aryan’s closest colleagues, Dr. Wei, pulled him aside. “Are you ready for this, Aryan? Really ready?”
Aryan nodded. “As ready as anyone can be when staring into infinity.”
Wei chuckled. “You always did have a way with words. Just… be careful. The universe is vast, and not everything out there will be welcoming.”
Aryan placed a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Neither was the Moon at first. But we adapted. That’s what we do.”
The final night before departure, Aryan and Meera sat together, gazing at the stars through their dome window. She leaned against him, her voice barely above a whisper. “Promise me we’ll stay together, no matter what happens.”
He kissed the top of her head. “Always.”
As dawn—artificial as it was—rose over the lunar horizon, they boarded Vyomnaut. The engines hummed, systems activated, and the countdown began.
“Three… Two… One… Liftoff.”
As the lunar surface shrank beneath them and the vast unknown stretched before them, Dr. Aryan Verma knew one thing for certain.
Their journey beyond Earth had only just begun.
Demystifying Kundalini 