EXCERPT FROM WHAT IS BEST?
5
“Five,” you declare.
“All right,” says Creator. “Listen carefully, then. This is what that means for you. You are going to be a physical entity in the gravicentric level of the universe’s thirty-three trillion, nine hundred forty-one billion, six hundred fifty-seven million, eight hundred twenty-eight thousand, four hundred fifteenth stratum. You are going to have a body that serves as an extension of your mind.”
You aren’t quite sure what to make of this. “Does that mean my mind is going to get bigger?”
“No, your mind currently has no size at all, big or small. What I mean is something different. Your mind will be allowed to interface with the physical world. Your body will be what smoothes that interaction. It will make the fact of being a physical entity feel perfectly natural.”
“Oh. That sounds good.”
“I’ll leave that judgment up to you. At this point, you have one more decision to make. Most of your nature has already been determined, but you now get to choose between two possible identities.”
“I do? Why? And why only two?”
“It’s traditional.”
“Really?” You wonder whether it was Creator who started the tradition. “All right. Show them to me. I’m ready.”
Once again, two discrete perceptions manifest for you, but unlike before, they are more than abstract. They have details. They have shape. The effect is even more overwhelming than that of the grids, causing your focus to waver. Creator waits until you are able to attend to the two perceptions without fear.
“I think I’m okay now,” you report.
“Both of your choices are vertebrate animals,” Creator explains, “which offer the most scope for expression on this stratum. They both enjoy living near rivers, and they are both meat-eaters, with all the baggage that entails.”
“I think I follow,” you reply.
Creator now indicates one of the two perceptions. “First, you can be a mink. That’s more or less just an ordinary person. Highly instinctive, with plenty of energy. Or…”
Now Creator indicates the other perception. “...Alternately, you can be a water dragon. That option is much less common, so you’ll want to consider it in depth. It’s an artful, contemplative creature.”
You study the two perceptions with care, trying to discern the qualities in them that Creator names.
“Take your time. When you’ve made your decision, let me know.”
It’s a while before the creatures you’re examining even make any sense to you—you’re still baffled by what kind of framework could possibly justify their existence. Still, in time you’re able to find things about them that appeal to you. You’re reasonably confident, in fact, when you announce your decision:
“I’d like to be a mink. Maybe if I’m an ordinary person, I won’t be distracted by silly things.” Section 7.
“I like the way the water dragon feels. That’s my choice.” Section 13.
“Actually, if it’s all right, I think I’ll just stay here. I don’t feel the need to have a body—I’m happy the way I am.” Section 81.