#173 What is an Avatar?

No, I am not talking about James Cameron’s Avatar or the digital avatars we create on online platforms like Zoom or Microsoft Teams.

What am I talking about, you may ask? Let me share a story I heard recently that beautifully illustrates the idea.

There were four friends—Ilya, Suleyman, Dario, and Andrej—making their way through a dense, lush green forest. Along their journey, they came across a tall, 12-foot wall to their left and a river flowing to their right. The wall stood out oddly in the middle of the forest, grabbing their attention. Curious, the four wondered: What could be behind that wall? Why would someone build a wall here? They debated the possibilities. Could it be a hidden treasure? Could it be something dangerous, like wild animals waiting to pounce?

Their curiosity grew, and they decided to investigate. Together, they came up with a plan: one person would climb up and take a look. If it seemed safe, they’d help the others cross.

Dario, the strongest of the group, offered to be the base. He bent down to lift Ilya, the lightest, to the top.

As Ilya climbed up and peeked over, his face lit up with amazement.

“Hey! What do you see?” asked the others eagerly.

“Wow,” Ilya whispered.

“What do you mean? Tell us!”

“I… I can’t describe it. You have to see it for yourself.”

Without another word, Ilya jumped to the other side.

The remaining three were stunned. What could be so incredible that Ilya wouldn’t even explain? What did Ilya see? Their curiosity was now through the roof.

Determined to find out, they decided to send someone else. Again, Dario offered to lift Suleyman this time.

When Suleyman reached the top, the same thing happened. His eyes widened, his jaw dropped, and he jumped without saying a word. Now only Dario and Andrej were left. They stared at each other, bewildered. What is going on?

“Both Ilya and Suleyman climbed up, saw something incredible, and left without telling us. What if you or I do the same? What if whoever goes next can’t resist the pull and leaves the other one behind?”

“That’s true. But what choice do we have? If we both just stand here wondering, we’ll never know what’s on the other side. And honestly, it’s driving me crazy not knowing.”

The mystery only deepened their determination. Finally, after some hesitation, Dario lifted Andrej to the top promising Dario that he will not leave him behind.

Andrej froze for a moment, awestruck by what he saw. The other side was like nothing he had ever imagined—a place of absolute beauty, peace, and fulfillment.

“My friend, come, let me help you up. We both deserve to see this together.” Andrej extended his hand, pulled Dario up, and together they jumped to the other side.

And that’s the essence of an Avatar.

An Avatar is not just someone who crosses to the other side for their own gain. An Avatar is someone who recognizes the value of the journey and chooses to lift others, helping them transcend their current condition to reach something better. They don’t merely relish the beauty of what lies beyond—they return, extend a hand, and guide others to experience the same transformation.

The story of the four friends isn’t just about a wall in the middle of a forest. It’s a metaphor for life. Every person faces their own walls—obstacles, limitations, and barriers that keep them from realizing their true potential. These walls may represent fear, ignorance, or even the challenges of daily life. Behind those walls lies a realm of possibility: a better version of ourselves, a deeper understanding, or a greater truth.

But not everyone is ready or able to climb those walls alone. That’s where the Avatar comes in. An Avatar is someone who has already glimpsed what lies beyond. They have seen the beauty, the peace, or the higher purpose on the other side. And instead of keeping that knowledge to themselves, they dedicate their lives to helping others experience it too. They become a guide, a teacher, a friend—lifting, encouraging, and inspiring others to overcome their own walls.

In Hinduism, an Avatar is believed to be the manifestation of a divine being sent to restore balance, guide humanity, and protect what is good. Vishnu’s avatars, for instance, appear whenever the world is out of harmony, whenever people lose their way. Each Avatar serves a specific purpose, from protecting the innocent to enlightening the ignorant, always with the intent of bringing everyone closer to a better state of existence.

But this idea isn’t confined to religion. It resonates in everyday life as well. Think of the people in your life who have acted as an Avatar—someone who saw potential in you when you didn’t, who believed in you when you doubted yourself, and who guided you when you felt lost. These are the modern-day Avatars, lifting others to see the “other side” of their own walls.

An Avatar doesn’t just possess extraordinary abilities or wisdom; they embody extraordinary compassion. They are not content with merely saving themselves or achieving greatness on their own. Their fulfillment comes from sharing that greatness with others, from helping those who might otherwise never make it past their own barriers.

When Andrej reached out to Dario and pulled him over the wall, he demonstrated what makes an Avatar truly special. He could have stayed on the other side, enjoying the peace and beauty by himself, but he didn’t. He made sure his friend shared in that joy.

And that’s the essence of an Avatar: To uplift, to guide, and to remind us all that the journey is not just about reaching the other side—it’s about making sure no one is left behind.

Now, of course, the names in this story—Ilya, Suleyman, Dario, and Andrej—are completely imaginary. Or maybe What did Ilya see? The eternal question now has context—maybe it wasn’t just the beauty of the other side, but a breakthrough algorithm!

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