I was surrounded by rings of light. The light was part of me. All around was a multitudinous shade of brilliance. I could feel the incredible serenity and bliss everywhere, but I could not measure or comprehend the depth and the extent of this state of being.

I had no body, no name, nor did I feel like a human. It seemed as though I was made only of tiny particles floating in space. Yet I was conscious. This was strange but familiar. In front of me was a glowing ocean, stirring in the deep darkness beyond the stars.

In the midst of the luminous ocean was an enormous serpent....