“The master believed that it was well for any man to think upon himself as a son of God, and as he believed, so it was”

This quote appears in the written verses of the first chapter and encapsulates Don’s theory that all people are capable of being divine. Don invites others to become enlightened and experience the journey toward ultimate freedom. This message is reiterated in the parable about the bottom-dweller letting go.

“‘You looked lonely,’ I said across the distance between us.”

Richard and Don continually speak of loneliness. This initial greeting between them signifies the roles they will play in each other’s lives. Richard and Don’s friendship and enlightenment form a cosmic connection between them that transcends physical limitations. Their meeting is the end of their mutual loneliness.

“I want to believe that there’s another principle somewhere: we don’t need airplanes to fly, or move through walls, or get to planets. We can learn how to do that without machines anywhere. If we want to.”

Richard says this to Don when they first meet, and it is the first indication that Richard will be open to Don’s teachings. This belief is the foundation for all the philosophies Richard will learn on his journey to enlightenment and indicates that Richard is open to the impossible.