I imagine the universe to be like a multi-layered jigsaw puzzle.
Imagine the universe to be a multi-dimensional jigsaw puzzle. Our universe
occupies one plane in this structure. Some of the forces and dimensions
are unique to our universe whereas others either intersect our plane or
abut it! there will be others which start or finish at our universe and
some which we have no contact with. That doesn't mean that they will not
have some influence on our universe!