I suppose if one does not believe in Heaven (and Hell as well, I suppose) the 'experience' of death is something that almost all of us have actually experienced, i.e. when we have been anaethasized (sorry - never could spell that word!) or perhaps simply fainted. We experienced nothing and were unaware of the state we were in. Our human experience has to prepare us for dying and that, I would suggest, means leading a life that means we have no regrets, angers of feeling of disillusionment when we learn of our impending death - this, of course, might entails years, months,days, or a matter of a few moments. So to conclude, it seems we have to prepare ourselves for this period without, for most of us not knowing when it will commence. it will be a good investment of time, I'm sure.

Originally posted by: genuinelyme

I guess it is pretty scary to think that everything you have built yourself up to be could diminish all of a sudden. I think the thing that bugs us the most is simply that we get no choice. We have to die whether we like it or not. And it almost makes life seem like some kind of set up. So many people tend to go with the belief that the human body is merely a shell and the soul does in fact live on.

It’s the mystery of not actually knowing where one goes to after the heart stops. I do believe we were all put on earth for a purpose and that each and every one of us has a unique and valuable lesson to learn in life. Much of it of course is how we deal with those lessons.

I often picture the great above analysing every step I take in this life and checking to see whether or not I do it right. Did I take the right path? Should I have gone left , rather than right? Perhaps the great above has a huge box of my memories, including photographs or some bizarre technology that they use up there to show me how I have progressed in this life time. Who knows!

I think the key is to cherish as much as you can with life and make the most out of who you are because there will never be a living body as unique as yourself again (at least as far we know). Maybe your soul will go on for centuries and centuries or maybe it will go off to another planet? I have never believed that this is the only universe anyway. There has to be other forms of life beyond the whole of the entire place!

Sometimes I feel it may be just a test and other times I am not too sure. It would be nice to think we come back as angels. One thing I know for sure, and that is that there is no fear when the soul departs the body…

Originally posted by: Star81

I completely believe that the personality/soul survives death but what happens next? Maybe a form of reincarnation - it's been believed in for centuries and that seems to be the way that nature is - death and renewal and death and renewal, year in year out, year in year out. It's beautiful and awesome. Frightening and reassuring all at the same time. Faith or belief in the hereafter can simply be a matter of choice if it can't to something that is evidenced. And it's an empowering choice to make, in my opinion because it gtives us so much home - that one day we will be with our deraly beloved departed ones..and one day the suffering will have peace and the lame shall walk and run. Shalom.cool:

Originally posted by: anna