Logical Religion P 3.0-- Life after death
In 2006, we considered ourselves advanced. Not very advanced; but we are living in an era, after all, when I can communicate with you across the globe. Where I would be hindered by the amplitude limits of my vocal cords, I am now relying on a visual substitute to replicate for you what I write here.
Yet.
Yet, we do not know why we are here.
What is it that makes us different from a pigeon?
Or even more so, what is it that makes us different from water? Aren't we a simple mixture of water and a few other molecules?
Why can some be revived after their hearts stop and others can't?
We also do not know what happens to us once we die. We speculate. We hope. We fantasize. We spend our entire lives based on those fantasies. But the truth is that no one knows. There is no way of knowing until some great advance is made in science; after which we will know what that one thing is that makes us alive and keeps water as- water.
I have some speculations as to life after death in my religion.
What I don't believe in is easier to layout and define. What I do believe in, is an evolving story.
Hell/heaven(H/H) is clearly an output of a scared mind. A mind that firstly, can not comprehend that life is just as it is and secondly, wants others to follow morals which can not be explained by logic or standard reasoning.
Multiple Births Theory(MBT) fails to answer the basic question of why we are going through these lives. What is the purpose? MBT, while better than H/H (since it says that the soul migrates from one set of molecules to another to bring them alive and I believe that there is no difference between us and a rat except for the DNA) is still very unsatisfactory because it doesn't explain why a soul exists and why it travels.
Our Atma/soul joining a bigger soul or god, stems from the thought that there is someone greater than us, taking care of us. It also helps us believe that we are part of a bigger being and that all of humanity is the same. This theory might also be there because of the effects that the brain experiences when slowly deprived of oxygen.
My Belief- the evolving story
According to research done by Pim van Lommel and others at the NDERF, in the event of a heart related death and subsequent revival, only 18% had any recollection from their 'death'. 12% had a significant experience, which were broken done as follows:
In our study about 50% of the patients with an NDE reported awareness of being dead, or had positive emotions, 30% reported moving through a tunnel, had an observation of a celestial landscape, or had a meeting with deceased relatives. About 25% of the patients with an NDE had an out-of-body experience, had communication with “the light,” or observed colours, 13% experienced a life review, and 8% experienced a border.
Other studies have found even lower percentages ( 10% and 6% ) of a significant NDE.
If only a minor percentage of people experience NDE, is it possible that the brains of these people were under stress/ didn't completely stop working, which resulted in the memories?
When I faint, the moments of waking up are just an onslaught of hundreds of memories and images and sounds. Could this experience be what about 2% (13% of 18%) people view as a life review?
Just by the sheer percentage (82%), I find it more of a possibility that life as we experience it, is just as it is. There is no where to go from here. No heaven, hell or another body that we will go to next.
And, even if there is a continuation for whatever is our life force that holds our molecules together, it will be nothing like our current life and will definitely not be impacted by what we do right now.
Of course, there is also the possibility that there is no 'life force'. That we simply are not advanced enough scientifically to understand that we are walking, talking, chemical reactions. After all, wasn't fire also magic with a soul of its own in pre-historic times?
*
I do not know whether there is life after death. I do not even know what differentiates us from water. The answer to the latter would probably lead to the former's.
There is more to this world than people have understood in the past 50,0000 years.
We can't be sure that humanity will understand in our life time but we have to try. Else, why live by morals? Why strive to be rich except to buy that Maserati? Why give money to a priest when you could to that beggar?
posted by EntrepreneurNI at 7:42 PM
8 Comments:
I'm not going to directly reply to your post (for I know not enough to even attempt), but here are some (unrelated) things I think you might be interested in:
* The sole differentiating factor between us and water molecules is our ability to reproduce. All living beings are driven by this primary motivation. Richard Dawkins' books on this is compelling. You should try and read them (if you haven't already.)
* One of the differences between us and pigeons is 'consciousness' - the realization that we 'exist' (some other higher primates also seem to exhibit this knowledge.) However, we seem to be the only animals pre-occupied by the past and the future (which probably explains our fascination with death.) If you're a self-help junkie like me, you should try and read 'The power of Now' by Eckhart Tolle. Very interesting point of view.
* You, as an organism, might die - but your genes live on (again borrowing from Richard Dawkins' work.) In a way, you could see your body as a vehicle for the gene to live forever. As once famously put - the egg uses the hen to make another egg.
So really, your life/death is quite insignificant - purely an ends to the immortality of the genes you 'carry'.
Wow reading all this - I had an out of body experience
Your replies are always so thought provoking.
I am trying not to read books on any related subjects until I have hashed out my own opinions. An uninfluenced mind is best for the first draft and a well read person great to refine the draft.
I did, mistakenly, read Stephen Hawking's opinions on this. They reiterate what you say about us being a vehicle for the genes. Although, very non conventional, the question is not being answered- why is the gene reproducing?
SK- That was probably you day-dreaming
My opinion is there is no life after death. I think the only current templet we can use today is Altzheimer dease. You reflect your life on earth, never forward in thought. As Altzheimers is a slow death of the brain, i think it makes sense that once you die you recall pass thoughts, not future events. Time stops and only reflection exist.
In Bhagavad-Gita Lord SriKrishna says to Arjuna:
“I taught this immortal Yoga to Vivasvan (sun-god), Vivasvan conveyed it to Manu(his son), and Manu imparted it to (his son) Iksvaku. Thus transmitted to succession from father to son, Arjuna, this Yoga remained known to the Rajarisis (royal sages). It has however long since disappeared from this earth. The same ancient Yoga has this day been imparted to you by Me, because you are My devotee and friend, and also because this is a supreme secret”.
At this Arjuna said: You are of recent origin while the birth of Vivasvan dates back to remote antiquity. How, then, I am to believe that you taught this Yoga at the beginning of creation? Lord SriKrishna said: Arjuna, you and I have passed through many births. I remember them all, you do not remember.
Radha Soami Faith was founded by His Holiness Param Purush Puran Dhani Huzur Soamiji Maharaj on the prayer of His Holiness Huzur Maharaj who later on became second Spiritual Head of Radha Soami Faith. The prime object of the Radha Soami Faith is the emancipation of all Jeevas (Souls) i.e. to take the entire force of consciousness to its original abode. There is a tradition of succession of Gurus or Spiritual Adepts in Radha Soami Faith. I am one of them as is evident from the following facts or ….
“My most Revered Guru of my previous life His Holiness Maharaj Sahab, 3rd Spiritual Head of Radhasoami Faith had revealed this secret to me during trance like state. HE told me, “Tum Sarkar Sahab Ho” (You are Sarkar Sahab). Sarkar Sahab was one of the most beloved disciple of His Holiness Maharj Sahab. Sarkar Sahab later on became Fourth Spiritual Head of Radhasoami Faith.
Since I don’t have any direct realization of it so I can not claim the extent of its correctness. But it seems to be correct. During my previous birth I wanted to sing the song of ‘Infinite’ (Agam Geet yeh gawan chahoon tumhri mauj nihara, mauj hoi to satguru soami karoon supanth vichara) but I could not do so then since I had to leave the mortal frame at a very early age. But through the unbounded Grace and Mercy of my most Revered Guru that desire of my past birth is being fulfilled now.”
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