The afterlife worries me...

To the original poster:

If the afterlife worries you, and if you desire non-existence, then it's likely your current experience here in this life has been negatively perceived by you, so you expect that existence itself *is* that way. As I speak to you I am sending you metaphors which you must interpret within your own experience. But perhaps I can encourage you to explore the idea that: reality or existence does not possess the quality of being negative or "messed up", rather this reality is mirroring back to you your own beliefs so you can have your current experience of them. Your beliefs about reality itself are not true statements about reality itself- rather, they are true statements about how you perceive your own reality with your current set of beliefs which have arisen from your own experience.

You are a creator- explore yourself and your perceptions, you may (nay, you will! with true consistent intention) be surprised at how marvelous and wonderful existence can be.

A wise man once said: "You are so unconditionally loved that you are allowed to believe that you aren't."

Originally Posted by Megamedes

If you ask me: as much as they can know what an apple tastes like before they take that first bite.

...LOL

[knightofalbion]

(Concerning those who had undergone a near-death experience)
Many of the patients have spoken of the peace they experienced; beautiful, indescribable peace - no pain, no anxiety.
They tell us that all that matters is how much you have loved, how much you have cared and if you know these things then you cannot possibly be afraid of death
- Dr Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

[Sweetlady]

nothing to worry about the afterlife..we will still continue to live..just stay with the light of God :)

[knightofalbion]

Originally Posted by Sweetlady

nothing to worry about the afterlife..we will still continue to live..just stay with the light of God :)

The wisest words in the thread.

[Miss Hepburn]

There are SO many wise words on this thread! Yes!
Too many to mention.

[knightofalbion]

Originally Posted by Miss Hepburn

There are SO many wise words on this thread! Yes!
Too many to mention.

True, but the wisest words are usually the simplest.

'Stay with the light of God' ....

[Miss Hepburn]

Originally Posted by knightofalbion

True, but the wisest words are usually the simplest.

'Stay with the light of God' ....

That's because you have your priorities straight, my friend!!!

xxoo

Originally Posted by David F

My post wasn't meant to sound as aggressive as it possibly did.

I believe here are many, many things we can't explain and science can't explain.

I dislike any view held as firm fact, such as every thing can be explained (which in my view is a form of arrogance) but I'm also unsure we are MEANT to know what happens after the widely observed white tunnel CTD experiences.

First of all, not everyone who has had a near-death experience has observed the "white tunnel" phenomenon. I was in an "irreversible coma" for three days while funeral arrangements were being made, but emerged "symptom free" after an awesome out-of-body, peaceful, non-local perception, visionary experience. There was no "white tunnel" but the experience convinced me that life continues after the physical body drops in a way that cannot be described or explained in words. Arnold Mindrell's book, Coma, addresses various near-death experiences and, while there are indeed significant similarities, each is unique in its own way.

The standard response, "Stay with the Light of God", is nice and reassuring to those who hold that view. Yet I would question whether such people even know themselves and yet presume to know God. (There does seem to be a form of unintentional arrogance in such unequivocal statements. I too am sometimes guilty of similar unintentional arrogance at times. I think we all are.) However, if it works for them, let it be. When they die, they will most likely see the Light of God as they expect and die in peace.

I agree with you that, while certain aspects of the metaphysical can be experienced (as in a book with which Iam not familiar that was referenced earlier in this thread) and "explained" to some degree, it is my sense that one must eventually go beyond thoughts and concepts into realms where things cannot be explained.

Another poster suggested that one explore such realms for one's self. There are many sages in many traditions that have pointed out various methodologies for doing so. However, all involve an obvious detachment and dis-identification with the physical body and the little false mind-ego. That is not necessarily an easy thing to do. It is, however, possible and one can verify what lies beyond to a certain degree in this manner.

Surrendering to "God" as one perceives "God" to be is an easier approach and one that is optimally appropriate for some. For those who truly believe in some aspect of God, the easiest way is to simply surrender at the time of crossing-over with trust that God will do whatever is best for them.

For me, investigation of the nature of life and death has been a priority but all paths lead to the same conclusion. Some paths are more directly experiential than the others.

Regarding your point on whether we are MEANT to know what happens after so-called physical death, I believe that there is an element of "unknowing" as well as "knowing the process" in general. In the Upanishads, it is said that "neither do I know nor do I not know". The Tao clearly states: "He who says he knows, knows not. He who says he knows not, knows."

[Miss Hepburn]

Wow, thank you, samsara, for your story.

(I have seen 'the Light of 10,000 Suns' inside...so I really understand this statement about staying with the Light...oh boy, do I!!)
I am an NDE nut, btw.

Originally Posted by samsara4

First of all, not everyone who has had a near-death experience has observed the "white tunnel" phenomenon. I was in an "irreversible coma" for three days while funeral arrangements were being made, but emerged "symptom free" after an awesome out-of-body, peaceful, non-local perception, visionary experience. There was no "white tunnel" but the experience convinced me that life continues after the physical body drops in a way that cannot be described or explained in words. Arnold Mindrell's book, Coma, addresses various near-death experiences and, while there are indeed significant similarities, each is unique in its own way.

The standard response, "Stay with the Light of God", is nice and reassuring to those who hold that view.
Yet I would question whether they even know themselves and yet presume to know God.
(There does seem to be a form of unintentional arrogance in such statements.)
However, if it works for them, let it be.
When they die, they will most likely see the Light of God as they expect and die in peace.

I agree with you that, while certain aspects of the metaphysical can be experienced (as in a book referenced earlier in this thread) and "explained" to some degree, one must eventually go beyond thoughts and concepts into realms where things cannot be explained.

Another poster suggested that one explore such realms for one's self. There are many sages in many traditions that have pointed out various methodologies for doing so. However, all involve an obvious detachment and dis-identification with the physical body and the little false mind-ego. That is not necessarily an easy thing to do. It is, however, possible and one can verify what lies beyond to a certain degree in this manner.

Surrendering to "God" as one perceives "God" to be is an easier approach and one that is optimally appropriate for some. For those who truly believe in some aspect of God, the easiest way is to simply surrender at the time of crossing-over with trust that God will do whatever is best for them.

For me, investigation of the nature of life and death has been a priority but all paths lead to the same conclusion. Some paths are more directly experiential than the others.

Regarding your point on whether we are MEANT to know what happens after so-called physical death, I believe that there is an element of "unknowing" as well as "knowing the process" in general. In the Upanishads, it is said that "neither do I know nor do I not know". The Tao clearly states: "He who says he knows, knows not. He who says he knows not, knows."