foster was born in 1980 in london, england. he studied astrophysics at cambridge university. at this time he was overwhelmed by feelings of despair and loneliness, which eventually led to physical illness and a personal breakdown soon after graduation. he was convinced he was going to die. foster returned to live with his parents, reading and studying for a year on spirituality, searching for relief from his depression. this ended in 2006 with the dissolution of the sense of separation, which he understood to be a spiritual awakening: