> What I'm attempting to say is that the universe is ONE thing.

But the point is, I don't experience reality in this way, I experience reality as a totally separate individual. I don't think coping with death is a good reason to deny that I experience reality completely as an individual, and never as "the whole universe".

> Also - death is a gift. Living forever would be a nightmare.

If "time is an illusion", then birth and death are also illusory, as Buddhism teaches. Therefore, according to your own philosophical views, you do live forever.