A few thoughts on the “Afterlife”
You all must think I’m a very strange person as the topics on this site can change so frequently. Sometimes thoughts of a sexual nature, sports and sometimes spiritual things. Well, I guess my mind operates like this, what can I say?
In recent times, I have found myself thinking about life after death. Someting that those of us, who believe in some form of Supreme Being or Creator, hope to achieve when we depart from this life. Now, this Supreme Being can go by various names depending on your religion….. God, Jesus, Jehovah, Allah, Mohammed, Jah-Rastafari, etc. What I feel has got me to think about it, is the untimely passing of my dear Mother just over two years ago and the more recent passing of my Aunt. (For those of you who don’t know, my home has essentially been turned into a bachelor pad on account of death and marriage. The latter for my sister Rufie, who now lives in Boston.) Hence, in essence, I have ‘lost’ the three most influential women in my life, over a two year period. So now, it’s just my Daddy and I here.
I was very emotionally distressed by my Mother’s illness and subsequent departure, and frequently, I find myself thinking about her. I think back on the good times and try not to focus on the events in the last six months of her life, as it still can depress me if I really labour on it. But I often wonder where she is today. I know she is fine, as the few dreams that I have had about her, have always been pleasant (BTW MB, they are always in colour as well) That’s a side track, MB, knows that I’m referring to an old blog post of his. I actually had a dream about her 3 weeks after her death in which she told me I should stop worrying about her as she was fine! Is it that our loved ones who have passed on or ‘Crossed Over’ know that we worry about them and want to communicate with us?
MB and I were having a little discussion about the afterlife recently, he has slighty different views about it than I do. My feeling is that our spirits live, and that we become a spiritual being that is essentially capable of being anywhere in the Universe that we wish to be. Hence, the spirits of our loved ones mingle freely amongst us and guide us, they can see what we are up to including when we do things that make us falter. They look out for our best interests.
MB, on the other hand feels that they are alive spiritually, but they are up or out there somewhere, and we are here on Earth in the land of the living. Thus, he isn’t sure that he believes they can see the stuff that we are getting up to. Who knows which of us is right, maybe neither of us? What do you think?
I guess that what I am asking is that frequently asked question: What is the meaning of life and why are we here? The Religious among us will say that we are here to prepare for the next life. I feel that God’s intention was for us to be happy. But then, there are lots of people in this world who are unhappy and I dare say that if you are a believer, God will save all of us, happy or sad! As for me, I am Catholic by Baptism. However, I don’t support the Catholic Church on all it’s doctrines, in particular Confession and it’s stance regarding contraception. I also don’t think I fit into the role of what people refer to as a ‘good’ Catholic, whatever that is or means. I scarcely go to church, essentially weddings, funerals and christenings are what it takes to get me there. Now don’t get me wrong, I do not consider myself any heathen either, I’d like to feel that my actions towards others for the most part are good. Anyway, I think that all of us will have some sort of afterlife, and hopefully it will be pleasant, in that ‘better place’…….. where all our friends and relatives who have gone ahead and are taking part in that grand carnival above, are waiting to stretch out their hands towards us when our time comes.
I hope I haven’t depressed any of you, it was far from my intention. But I think about these things from time to time. Please share your views with me on this note. If any atheists read this feel free to comment also.
Well, I am now living for Friday to see the clash of Brazil and England. I’m still rooting for the South Americans, and are looking out for good things from them. Hasta la vista!
June 20th, 2002 at 1:16 pm Interesting post… You see, in the same way that we on Earth are busy, so that we who have family overseas have no idea whats up with them, largely because we are busy, and don’t have time to check. It may well be the same with those who’re gone before us. They may not have time to check up on us, because they’re busy.
Hell, they may not be able to see across the void between those who have “transcended” and those who “continue to suffer”, just as we cannot.
June 20th, 2002 at 3:10 pm Mad Bull, glad you found the post interesting and not depressing. I see your point. But the way I think of it, we who are here can’t tell what people who are overseas or in other parts of our own country are doing for that matter. This is because, the way I see it, our spirits don’t have this power to roam the universe yet. I feel that when we enter the afterlife, we will have this power, hence we can tell what’s going on all around the universe! That’s just my idea. I guess none of us will know until our times come eh? Mystical stuff, quite mind boggling!
June 20th, 2002 at 9:00 pm As a transcendentalist, it is common knowledge that the transmigration of the soul endows the recepient with almost absolute wisdom, knowledge and understanding (operative word being almost, the absolute is only designated for the Creator.) This transitional phase allows the soul free reign of the universe, i.e., no physical constraints with time and space. Furthermore, with respect to the transmigrated soul, being in a place of refuge, i.e., heaven, that is the resting place until the spiritual realm reclaims the physical realm, i.e., the physical is a reflection of the spiritual and not vice versa; therefore, it is the natural state of being that the physical will go back to the natural state of the spiritual. For the physical is a corruptible state which contradicts the full purpose of perfection within the universe. So brothers and sisters, let not your hearts be troubled, the state of perfection is at hand. In conclusion, we transcendentalists believe that there will one day be a climactic point in mans’ existence that the powers that be, i.e., mans’ government will be forcible removed and the re-installation of a universal order shall take its rightful place, so be not troubled, the time is at hand.
June 20th, 2002 at 9:21 pm Well Marc Antony, all I can say is DEEP!! When next we see each other you can educate me about the Transcedental religion. I can’t say I know more about it than the name, furthermore, I did not know that you practised this at all. Anyway, it seems as if some of the ideas that I have regarding the afterlife are similar to what you outlined above. Thanks, quite interesting!
June 21st, 2002 at 8:54 am Dr. D., you never told me that Marc Antony was a ganja smoker! Just kidding!
June 21st, 2002 at 5:55 pm Mad Bull, what can I tell you? Marc Antony is my bro-in-law and I like him, but he is a bit different when it comes to some things……..Deep indeed!