I am afraid of dying. In reality, I am petrified of the idea of dying. It is not death, per se, that scares me, but the notion that the end of consciousness is a viable possibility. I am a highly scientific person. Although I follow a religion and pray and believe in something that some of us call G-d, I am not the type of person who believes in religious tenants at face value.
However, when I read about our great civilizations, such as the ancient Indians who built whole enterprises to study the stars, the Mayans who predicted amazing happenings in regard to our constellation and architecture, and the great Egyptians, I can't but wonder.
If all these civilizations, in different parts of the world, in different times, were able to predict with such accuracy several events on our planet, maybe their views in an after life might have some basis. I am not talking about our views of a paradise or a devil, but of the continuation of consciousness upon the death of the physical body. If these civilizations inferred with just observation and theory what now we can attest to be a scientific fact, could it be we do not posses the tools right now to scientifically quantify the theory of life after death?
32 comments:
I think you are correct Ana, we simply don't have the tools as of yet. After all, to one who doesn't know of electricity turning off and on a light appears to be magic.
It is not death or dying I fear, it is the process of dying...the loss of dignity, of choice. Death itself seems as though it would be quite a big adventure.
I think there are many things that cannot be explained scientifically; does that mean they do not exist?
Those all amaze me.. think of the methods to make them. I am glad they are still with us.
Ana, I am a Buddhist and believe in rebirth. Not reincarnation..rebirth. Too involved to "comment" here...maybe I should do a post some time??? As usual your posts are thought provoking... :)
I totally agree with everything you've said here. I tend to think of myself as 'spiritual,' not 'religious.'
I guess the difference is getting caught up in the 'isms' of it all.
'Something' is there... I just don't know what. I have no idea of 'what' is there.
I have this feeling, though, that I am the reincarnation of my Grandmother (my Dad's Mom)... it is overwhelmingly strong.
I just can't explain it...
I do think something is waiting for us out there...
~shoes~
There is so much that the human brain does not have the capacity to understand...it's mind boggling to even think about, isn't it? I do take comfort in the idea that our spirits leave our bodies when they die and go "somewhere else". Where that is, I have no idea - it sure is a fascinating thing to think about!
I think it's a matter of being mentally evolved which we are not. I feel that we are born very open entities and as we age we become conditioned and closed off.
Not to totally creep you out but in the last year I've had personal experiences as have various friends (from all different walks of life) that have left me with no doubt that there is a continuation of consciousness after your physical body dies. I'm of the opinion that it all goes back to personal energy.
My belief in the life of the spirit after the body dies is based on the many books written by people who died and then came back to life. Their experiences are remarkably similar. The bright light at the end of a dark tunnel, the unconditional love everywhere, the joy and happiness of the many other souls she meets, etc. These writers are ordinary people who are not professional authors. There are also books written by physicians who interviewed their patients who had near-death experiences. Check Amazon for some titles.
I would love to think that we continue on some level, but have my doubts.
Well, as a Christian, I do of course believe there *is* life after death; that we do not simply cease to exist. It is all far beyond what our small, finite minds can grasp. I think the wonder and beauty and complexity of our world and universe cannot simply be explained as an accident, an "oops"; I believe there *is* a God, a great architect, who seeks to perfect us, and endues us with every good and noble thought and feeling (for I do not think those come to us naturally). I agree with what Robin said, that there are many things that cannot be explained scientifically, but that does not mean they do not exist. However, on the off chance that we really do simply expire into nothingness, then I don't think there's any cause to be upset; it all really wouldn't matter anymore. In which case, though, it really would matter a whole lot more that we don't waste this time that we do have in fears and uncertainty, but commit to rejoicing in every day and every blessing we've been given, doing as much good as we possibly can :)
There are many things that cannot be explained or understood. We use but only a fraction of our brains, just think what might be possible if we used it all.....
You know, this is something I think about sometimes. You see, I'm an atheist (although I have no problem with religion as long as the people who believe in certain religion don't shove down their beliefs to other people's throat) and I see almost no possibility in any prospect of after life. Nonetheless, I can't help but think how weird and scared it would be to know that at certain moment in time, that is the last breath we take, and we cease to *exist*, not just in physiological terms (as in heart stops beating or brain stops working..etc) but also in the level of our consciousness....to think that we will "fall asleep" and never wake up again... all our memories, knowledges, emotions, feelings gone (or is it?)
I haven't yet to grasp the implications of death, because it's just such a deep and huge concept to wrap my head around. But one thing I realize in those moments of reflection is that life is short, and in the end, not money or fame or whatever...they are not as important as just being content and happy about our own lives. It's something I forget a lot and get all absorbed with superficial stuff, but your post triggered those moments where I feel so pensive about life and death.
Thanks for the thought-provoking post.
There are many things we'll never know until it happens but I often wonder if our own conciousness continues afterwards. I've experienced telepathy in this life so I know it's a possibility.
Jess x x
We're energy, we are light. Science has already proven you can't kill energy, it just changes..so..I don't think we die in the true sense of the word..I think we just change. I guess we'll find out!
My father has passed, but I know he visits to speak to me, so....?
Very interesting topic. I too am not afraid of death itself, but the process. Mainly because we don't know how we are going to die and hoping that it won't be in pain. Energy, that's what life is all about.Spiritual energy exists, those are my beliefs. I do feel that when we take our last breath and our soul leaves our bodies that it then becomes a part of the universe, more energy. I believe my son's energy is all around me. I hope to some day reunite with that energy. Great post, food for thought. That's for sure. Right now though, we are alive so lets live every day full of gusto!:)
I don't think we actually know, but I do believe that only our physical bodies really die. I believe in reincarnation, for one thing, so the continuation of consciousness makes perfect sense to me. It's so funny that you wrote about this. I've been wondering about this a lot lately, and I've even been thinking about writing something about it on my blog. We are all connected in this universe, aren't we?
Beautiful images, by the way!
Awesome photos. I have never been afraid of dying I have always thought it was just another step I do not understand. I am in no hurry though :) B
I love that your posts inspire such great comments of thought. B
I'm a near death survivor (twice!) and I know, for a fact, that we go on. And we're ourselves ... we stay who we are.
(I wrote about it in my blog, it's under the Neptune tab, if you want to read about it.)
I am also afraid of death, I believe this is very normal and humanistic to feel this way...
Blog about life and travelling
Blog about cooking
I am a Christian. I believe, without question but then again, that's just me. I am certainly NOT the best example of the faith but....I never deny who I am by any means either. To me, there is no death. XO
In our religion/country we believe in life after death- reincarnation and a lot of other concepts.
But I am not afraid of death. Because I do not think about it. But Ana, I believe that by understanding the concept of "death" and "reincarnation" we can learn a lot about life itself. You can read one of my back dated post where I shared my views on the concept of death. Here is the link:
http://itssanghamitra.blogspot.in/2012/05/remembering-death.html
Even for me it is not death but the fear of loneliness and the process of death scare me.
I want to make the most of my current life and for me that is all that matters now. If there is something beyond death I am willing to face it then but I don't think about it now.
Susan
I believe there is something beyond this existence, I have felt it the morning of my mother's death, before I had been notified of her passing.
That being said, only when we're at the edge of the cliff and there's no turning back will we take that final leap of faith.
Two people I know have passed away recently so death has been a subject on my mind lately. After each funeral, I come to some sort of peace by forcing myself to believe there is something beyond death--whether it be some form of consciousness, reincarnation, alternate universe, heaven--i don't know just something to make me feel like I live on. And then someone dies and I am forced to revisit my fear of the unknown. I think your hypothesis is extremely plausible and I think we, as humans, have certain answers that we have yet to discover.
BTW, I nominated you for a Versatile Blogger award. You don't have to follow it or anything--if you don't want to--just know that your blog and you are amazing.
Ana, you write such beautiful thought provoking posts...
I believe that the essence of us continues and that life is eternal.. I am an Indian and a practicing Buddhist so I guess thinking this way has been a part of my life since I was little.
I love the electricity analogy given by Jacqueline up above.. definitely something to ponder :)
Sweet Ana I love your post and the photos you've used. I also am not afraid of dying but the process the leads to death. The experience at my Dad's death bed changed my mind about life after death. I do believe there is a transformation of energies. Love this thread! Thank you!
Our universe is an immense and powerful place. It is deep with mysteries, from the moment it came into being, to how it will ultimately end. We have not yet begun to scratch the surface of all the many mysteries of Life, the Universe and Everything. Reminds me of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy". ;)
The best thing we can do is not to look ahead with fear or dread, but to take each day and savor it. Let us look around and see how we affect others and how we can improve that cosmic karma that surrounds us all. It may be by doing little more than smiling at someone who looks sad and lonely.
Absolutely fantastic post (as are all of your posts). I feel the same way.
I worry about not being here anymore, or anywhere. Since the world only exists through me perceiving it, if my consciousness doesn't continue to exist, it will be like the end of the world, in a way.
I believe in God, and pray, and such. I don't know if God is like he's described in the bible, or koran, or ancient times, but I do believe in a universal consciousness... and that when our physical shells fall away, we go back to join everyone, and be one, together.
I also believe in preexistence, as in I've always existed, in one form or another, and that I always will.
I will be very disappointed if I'm wrong. (actually, it would be impossible for me to feel anything if I'm wrong, so I suppose why worry about something you can't control?).
- Sasha
www.lacewinged.com
I normally stay far away from religion, but this is a very provocative discussion. So here goes.
I grew up the granddaughter of ministers (both my grandparents). ... and saw a different side to religion - how it is a business when it is how you feed your family. Religion for me are weekly meetings of people who believe the same way, but don't necessarily follow through on those beliefs the rest of their week.
Spirituality is wholly different. A calmness to the mind, listening, compassion, peace. It is certainly a better way to live. What brings on your inner peace ... to each his own, as long as it abides by a 'do unto others' philosophy. This is how I have raised my children.
I often wonder if I about this choice as 'religion' is cultural. And while my husband and I have told them stories in the Bible, the history of world religions .... my kids do not have the same nostalgia for any of this. My husband and I have talked at length about it. My husband too grew up the grandchild of Missionaries who moved the family to India in the early 1920s.
This leads me to Marx and religion as the 'opiate of the people.' Perhaps very over-quoted. But I've always seen this as a way to understand the human need for what lies ahead and what exactly the point of life is all about. It seems to divide those who live for what is to come v those who take time to understand today, in this moment, in this time.
Maybe there is no meaning. Maybe we are just one large science experiment. The thought of that is so empty. Which is why I believe people desire religion - in whatever form. There is comfort in believing that there is some master plan.
I think we can develop abilities that can prove life after death and the existence of the continuation of consciousness upon death of body. But we haven´t been trained to do such thing and our mind tells us that we cannot do it... but we can
There is a world beyond this physical world, it is there but we need a sort of awakeness to connect to it... and I am not talking about faith, even when maybe this is the first step, I am talking about the awake to a new reality
I know this can happen and to be honest, I din´t expect it. Indeed my whole life, experiences and mainly my formal education told me just the opposite (I used to say that nothing exists except matter) but I have had to accept that I was wrong...
Post a Comment