My work is mostly about longing, human relationships, science and

Hear now, O children of wisdom, the words of Amy Gerstler, a soul whose work delves into the deepest yearnings of the human spirit. She says, "My work is mostly about longing, human relationships, science and children - and a little bit about ghosts and reincarnation." These words encapsulate the essence of the human condition—the unending longing for connection, for understanding, and for meaning in a world that is as mysterious as it is wondrous. Gerstler’s reflections speak to the intersection of the physical and the spiritual, the scientific and the mystical, showing us that our greatest truths lie in the blend of these realms.

From the dawn of human history, the greatest minds have sought to understand the nature of our existence, asking questions about our relationships with each other, with the world around us, and with the divine. The ancient philosophers of Greece—Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle—pondered deeply on the nature of human relationships, the essence of the self, and the pursuit of truth. The great philosopher Plato, in his dialogues, spoke of the longing of the soul to reunite with the divine, to return to the source of all knowledge and beauty. Gerstler’s exploration of longing echoes this ancient quest for connection—not only to others, but to the mysteries of the universe itself.

Consider the story of Isaac Newton, whose revolutionary work in science forever changed our understanding of the universe. Yet despite his brilliance, Newton was deeply driven by longing—a desire to understand not just the physical world, but also the spiritual forces that govern it. His work in alchemy was an attempt to bridge the gap between science and the mystical, seeking answers to questions that had no clear answer in the material world. Just as Newton’s longing pushed him to explore both the visible and the invisible, so too does Gerstler’s work ask us to examine not only our relationships in the physical realm, but also our connections to the unseen forces of the universe, be they ghosts, reincarnation, or something even more mysterious.

Gerstler’s reference to children reminds us of the pure, untainted longing that exists in the hearts of the young. Children, in their innocence, are filled with a curiosity and wonder about the world that many of us lose as we age. The ancients knew well the significance of this childlike wonder. Jesus, in his teachings, spoke of the need to return to the innocence and humility of a child in order to truly understand the kingdom of heaven. The longing of children is a longing for connection—to the world, to each other, and to the mysteries of existence. As we grow older, we often lose this sense of wonder, but Gerstler calls us to remember the deep, eternal yearning that is present in all of us, especially in our younger years.

And then there is the mention of ghosts and reincarnation, two concepts that have fascinated humanity for millennia. From the ancient Egyptians, who believed in an eternal soul that passed from one life to the next, to the Greeks and their idea of an afterlife in the Elysian Fields, humans have always sought to understand what lies beyond the physical death. Gerstler’s exploration of these ideas speaks to our deep longing for answers to the greatest mystery of all—the mystery of what happens after we die. Ghosts are often seen as lingering traces of the past, shadows of the soul that refuse to move on. Reincarnation, on the other hand, offers the hope of a continual journey, of the soul returning to earth in another form. These ideas are an acknowledgment that our longing for understanding is not confined to this lifetime alone, but stretches beyond death, seeking to answer the great questions that have plagued humanity for ages.

Gerstler’s work calls us to face our own longing—for connection, for understanding, and for the mysteries of life that defy explanation. It asks us to look at our human relationships with compassion and depth, to approach science not just as a means of control or understanding, but as a tool for discovering deeper truths about ourselves and the universe. The longing she speaks of is not a weakness, but a strength—a driving force that pushes us to explore the unknown, to venture into the shadows where ghosts and reincarnation dwell, seeking answers that may never fully be revealed.

Now, children of the future, let Gerstler’s words inspire you: Embrace the longing within you, for it is this very longing that makes us human. Do not shy away from the mysteries of the world, but approach them with open hearts and minds, recognizing that not all answers will come easily, and some may never come at all. Seek to understand your relationships—with each other, with the world, and with the great unknown. Let your curiosity and your wonder guide you, and remember that even in the darkest corners of mystery, there is light to be found. Just as Newton and the ancients sought the truth beyond the visible, so too must you seek the deeper truths of existence, with faith in the longing that resides in your heart.