In Orhan Pamuk's "The Black Book," the narrator reflects on a collective past where everyone once experienced a glimpse of their true inner selves. This fleeting moment is described as a heavenly encounter, suggesting that it was a profound realization of identity or purpose that remains cherished yet distant over time.

However, this essential awareness has been lost, leading to a sense of sorrow and emptiness among many. The characters are left grappling with this loss, experiencing a deep pain as they strive to reconnect with their authentic selves, even as they feel increasingly fragmented and diminished by the passage of time.