How do you know there's life after death

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-21-2006
How do you know there's life after death
25
Tue, 01-09-2007 - 10:47pm

Well I have started a poll so everyone can answer.

I am always trying to seek proof of everything. I have occasionally "thought" that I have felt something spirtual but I always question it. I am a little uneasy about life and death. I find myself dwelling on it, and am very afraid to die. The whole concept of it terrifies me. I'm not sure if it's because it is just unknown, or if it will be something I have to do alone and cannot avoid. I just don't understand what the spirt is. I don't know how to picture it, what it looks like and how it exists. I wonder if it is similar to what we feel now. I often feel like I am exsisting inside a machine and running it. I can look at myself in a mirror, I can see the outside of my body, but I seem to be existing inside of it, controlling everything. Thinking deeply like that, then made me believe that I MUST have a soul. There must be something other than this life form. If there isn't, then I wouldn't feel sort-of "detached" from myself.

I am just learning about different religions now, I have never been baptised and the thought bothered me. I started to question life, then I was worried that I wouldn't get into heaven. So I started researching, I know that I have a long road ahead of me, but I'm off to a good start I think. I have so many questions. Of course, the famous what is the purpose of life? How long has God exsisted? Who created him? Where is the end of the universe? Why can't I speak to my dead loved ones? If there is a wonderful life after death, and God has a plan, why can't we know? Why won't God reassure me of his presence?

All that I know is that I want to do what I have been put here to do, and I want to live my life to the fullest. I'm sick of worrying about all these things and need to find some peace! I don't know how to exactly go about it, I know it will take a lot of reading and learning. If that is going to help my well-being, then I'm more than willing to do it!

I was just wondering if any of you can share with me some of your thoughts and experiences that have assured you that there is a God. Can you feel him? How do I know if I do have a soul? Is it just my human nature asking the questions, or is it my soul? I'm so confused everyone!

Thanks for listening!
Amy

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 01-10-2007 - 10:06pm

Beautifully written Kelly!

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-22-2003
Thu, 01-11-2007 - 9:28am

Great clarification.


iVillage Member
Registered: 04-22-2003
Thu, 01-11-2007 - 9:37am

I find the analogy of water to be helpful in understanding the changes of the spirit.


iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
Thu, 01-11-2007 - 12:23pm

No, I've never read it. I'll have to check it out!

I'm actually in the process of reading the Bible right now, because even though I was raised Christian (albeit with a "as long as you keep your foot in the door, you'll be fine" sort of attitude), I've always sort of had issues with many of its principles. Until fairly recently I thought it was blasphemous to even consider adopting a more liberal view on religion and creation, but I realize that deep down, I've always felt this way anyway. But to be absolutely fair, I figure I better at least know what I'm agreeing or disagreeing with first hand by reading the Bible for myself - both the Old and New Testaments. I haven't gotten very far yet, but I am determined to finish it.




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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
Thu, 01-11-2007 - 12:32pm
I agree. I've always sort of believed in both theories - there is strong physical evidence to support the scientific theories of creation, but there are definitely holes, for example how it is possible for physical matter - because that's what we are - to be capable of conscious thought. To this day, science can't agree on that one.



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Avatar for stormflower
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-11-2005
Thu, 01-11-2007 - 1:46pm

I just have to say that your kitties are precious! I have a torti too and she's the joy of my life. I just love torti's!

Stormy

Avatar for stormflower
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-11-2005
Thu, 01-11-2007 - 2:16pm

Wow! this is an interesting thread!

I do believe in soulmates and that everyone has one. But I believe in the old saying that 'everyone has a twin in the world' as opposed to a romantic soulmate.

I certainly believe in god but I don't know about the new souls. I do believe strongly in past lives however, and felt that I've lived at least a couple. And I've read so much about people and their stories of past lives, especially children to have any doubt that we do indeed reincarnate.

As for Jesus, he has gotten me through some incredibly hard times of late, and I have felt his comfort and his presence. My mother is getting set to pass away from cancer and I have prayed many times and felt his strength. He also helped me get through my FIL'S unexpected death as well.

As far as his death on the cross, I do believe in the legend, but I do think that legends can be twisted and turned into evil to get people to blindly follow different religions, especially for greed. I believe there has to be a dark place for people like Hitler and Stalin to go to, but I don't believe in the hell that is constantly preached about in church for the average person.

I don't believe in salvation for any one particular church group, and the whole 'I belong to the ONE TRUE church' by some people annoys me. I don't believe there is one true church.
I think the church is yourself. The personal belief that you have in god and Jesus.

My spirit guide has come to me several times in dreams and so has my father who passed away 4 years ago. So I totally believe in life after death. I don't really think about it as a death though and I don't believe we ever truly die. I also personally believe that even though we continue to evolve that we always keep the same core personality. It's just my personal opinion.

As you get more in tune with your spirituality and your psychic abilites, you might want to think about keeping a dream and meditation journal. Alot of my spiritual growth the last year has come from dreams.

Stormy

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 01-11-2007 - 3:49pm

I figure I better at least know what I'm agreeing or disagreeing with first hand


I felt the same way, tried several times to read the Bible, and just couldn't get past the language.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
Thu, 01-11-2007 - 6:59pm

Buddhism teaches the Eightfold Path, which is a series of steps that will lead to Enlightenment. I don't remember them off hand, but they go along the lines of restraining from harming anyone or anything, earning a living through ethical means, dedicating time to meditation, etc.

Buddhism also teaches that suffering exists in the world because of "attachments", as in, the desiring or wanting of things. This isn't restricted to just material things, but includes feelings, and even life itself. The idea is that suffering can end once all people give up attachments, and therefore become Enlightened. Theoretically, a truly Enlightened person will still be happy even if they are sick, in pain, hungry, and on the brink of death. Death is not feared because, while Buddhists don't believe in the Christian version of a "soul", they do believe that the essence or energy that makes up their consciousness never dies. The "consciousness" of unenlightened people continues to be reincarnated until enlightenment is reached, although they don't believe that any memories or personality traits from the previous life are carried over.

As with most organized religions, Buddhism does contain a number of contradictions and several different schools of thought. Again, one is forced to study the information and draw their own conclusions. But then, I do believe that that's what life is all about anyway - we were given the ability to use logic, and I believe we were meant to use every single one of our gifts.

As for what I personally believe, lately I've been leaning toward the belief that the "energy" or whatever actually powers "life" carries on after death. As for whether I will still be "me", well, I don't really think so. As long as we are on this earth, we are bound by our physical bodies - you can't experience a physical world without a physical body. Memories ARE physical - brain damage can cause amnesia - so physically I don't think you can take memories into the "next life", whatever that may be, any more than you can take your body.

Some may argue that neurotransmitters in the brain govern our emotions. While I agree that our brains do allow us to PHYSICALLY feel and express emotions, I believe there is still an innate essence inside of us somewhere that allows us to make choices and work with or against those emotions. Emotions are a physical response, yes - but thought and feelings are not. A computerized scan of the brain may show activity when one is deep in thought, but that is because - remember - as long as we are on this earth, we are limited by physical bodies. Language, memory, touch, sound, taste, smell, etc, are all physical - so of course the brain must physically process the information. When we think about something, we generally think about it in words or pictures - physical information. But I do believe it is possible to have thoughts or feelings without basing them on words, pictures, or sounds. Just ask Helen Keller.

I don't know what to think about soulmates. Part of me has always thought they don't really exist. I think all humans are capable of connecting with each other on some level, because ultimately we DO have an awful lot in common, don't you think? I think the idea of a "soulmate" could be more refined to meeting someone who you just feel an unspoken connection with, something that goes far beyond having similar interests or lifestyles. Perhaps you just innately think and feel the same way.

As for whether there is a limited number of "souls", or limited amount of "life force", I don't really think so. Physical energy may be static, but maybe "life" reproduces. After all, that's what life does!




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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
Fri, 01-12-2007 - 1:42pm
Thanks! Tortis are great. There's just something about them - everyone I've known or spoken with who had a torti have always adored them. They certainly have their own unique personalities!



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