Some questions stay with us no matter how old we are. One of the biggest is what really happens when we die. It’s a thought that creeps in during quiet moments and makes us wonder about the mystery of our own minds.

A new theory from Professor Maria Strømme is bringing fresh attention to that age-old question. She believes consciousness may not come only from the brain. Instead, she suggests it could be a natural part of the universe, much like light or gravity.

The turning point in her idea comes from how she describes consciousness. She compares it to an ocean, and our individual minds to small waves on its surface. When a person dies, she says, their awareness may simply “return” to that larger field.

Professor Strømme shared her theory in a recent scientific paper, explaining that consciousness might be a basic building block of reality. She believes this view could help explain near-death experiences, where people report bright lights, peace, or vivid memories even when the brain is failing.

She also says the theory could shed light on unusual experiences reported across cultures, though the evidence is still debated. Her point isn’t that all mysteries are solved, but that science should look deeper at how the mind connects to the world around us.

Whether or not her idea proves true, it invites us to think about life and death in a gentler way. And sometimes, simply wondering about the bigger picture helps us appreciate the moments we have right now.