Afterlife?

[Trailblazer]

If we expect something greater waiting for us after this life, how can we live this life to our fullest potential? Can we truly live our lives to the fullest without seeing it as a limited opportunity?

It is not about something 'greater' waiting for us. We are not supposed to think about the next world, since we cannot even know anything about it.
We should be focusing on our life in this world. This life is very important since it is a limited opportunity that will never come to us again. I believe this life is preparation for life in the next world but that's the great value of it.

What happens if one does not give life after death the time of day? Why is it beneficial to worry about such things, when we could we worrying about this life we have now?

I don't think we should worry about the afterlife, just be aware that it exists. If we don't think there is anything after this life ends what would be the purpose of this existence, just to be born, marry and raise a family, work, have some fun, and then die?

 

[Sgt. Pepper]

What happens if one does not give life after death the time of day? Why is it beneficial to worry about such things, when we could we worrying about this life we have now?

I can speak from my own personal experiences, but I have known quite a few people (relatives, friends, and acquaintances) who either knew about their impending death from a disease that would take their life within days or weeks or were on their deathbed and at the threshold of death. Each of these people felt regret for not thinking about death or what comes after before they found themselves closer to it or at the threshold where it was too late for them because they were on their deathbed, and they died. Honestly, I don't worry about death, but I'm aware that I have an appointment with it someday.

 

[The Sum of Awe]

It is not about something 'greater' waiting for us. We are not supposed to think about the next world, since we cannot even know anything about it.
We should be focusing on our life in this world. This life is very important since it is a limited opportunity that will never come to us again. I believe this life is preparation for life in the next world but that's the great value of it.

Fair enough. If the belief doesn't negatively impact your life, then I see no downside. But it sounds like a risky idea to believe that this life is preparation for the next one, because that implies that one would likely dedicate their life, at least to some degree, towards something we can't be sure exists.

I don't think we should worry about the afterlife, just be aware that it exists. If we don't think there is anything after this life ends what would be the purpose of this existence, just to be born, marry and raise a family, work, have some fun, and then die?

The purpose is different for everyone. For me, the journey itself of figuring out my goals in life and working towards them is the meaning in itself. These goals are for this life. I exercise because I want to be healthy in the long term, I do certain practices to maintain a good mental health, I learn things so I can apply them in the future, I save money in case I need it in the future, I work on my hobbies because I consider them my dharma, etc. If I believed in an afterlife, I would be a lot more lenient. I would spend less energy making myself happy in this life (both future and present self) because I would be putting some energy into preparing for the afterlife, or expecting that if I don't achieve full happiness in this life then "ah well, it can wait until the next life".

 

[The Sum of Awe]

I can speak from my own personal experiences, but I have known quite a few people (relatives, friends, and acquaintances) who either knew about their impending death from a disease that would take their life within days or weeks or were on their deathbed and at the threshold of death. Each of these people felt regret for not thinking about death or what comes after before they found themselves closer to it or at the threshold where it was too late for them because they were on their deathbed, and they died. Honestly, I don't worry about death, but I'm aware that I have an appointment with it someday.

That is true. Dying would be a bit scarier if you didn't form an opinion on what might be next.

 

[Stevicus]

No, you will know it when you see it, so you won't have to believe it...
That's what I tell all the nonbelievers who ask for evidence.

Well, just like Reagan once said, it's like all Americans come from Missouri, the Show Me State. It's not enough to tell us, you have to show us.

 

[IndigoChild5559]

Do you believe in an afterlife or not?

I don't have an opinion. It is irrelevant to me. Let me explain.

Let's say that there is an afterlife for the sake of argument. Well then, serving God each day will take care of any preparation for that afterlife that I need.

Now let's assume there is no afterlife. For me, keeping the laws draws me closer to God and gives me the best life possible, so I would STILL follow the commandments.

Thus, either way, I choose to live ethically, following the commandments.

 

[Whateverist]

I believe in Life. Life continues. So technically there is no "afterlife" because never ceases. Only forms come and go and cease to exist.

I anticipate a contribution as mulch next time around. I think of the chemistry of life as a vortex in reality’s river. We’re a vortex within the vortex. Everything flows.

 

[Trailblazer]

Fair enough. If the belief doesn't negatively impact your life, then I see no downside. But it sounds like a risky idea to believe that this life is preparation for the next one, because that implies that one would likely dedicate their life, at least to some degree, towards something we can't be sure exists.

If we are living this life and acquiring good character by being a moral person, doing onto others as we would be done by, that is the preparation.
It is good to live that way even if there was not an afterlife, so it is a win-win.

The purpose is different for everyone. For me, the journey itself of figuring out my goals in life and working towards them is the meaning in itself. These goals are for this life. I exercise because I want to be healthy in the long term, I do certain practices to maintain a good mental health, I learn things so I can apply them in the future, I save money in case I need it in the future, I work on my hobbies because I consider them my dharma, etc.

Yes, the purpose is different for everyone. That sounds like a healthy lifestyle. When I was younger I was very focused on my career and I finally achieved my educational and career goals and now I could retire if I wanted to. I still exercise a lot and take good care of my mental health and I have a lot of financial assets and money stashed away, but that is because I thought about that when I was younger. I don't have any hobbies except my 8 cats since they are a handful.

If I believed in an afterlife, I would be a lot more lenient. I would spend less energy making myself happy in this life (both future and present self) because I would be putting some energy into preparing for the afterlife, or expecting that if I don't achieve full happiness in this life then "ah well, it can wait until the next life".

As I said before, I don't think that is necessarily true. When I was younger I believed there was an afterlife but I hardly ever thought about it because I was too busy with my life, and the afterlife was further away than it is now.

I just live one day at a time, not searching for happiness but only contentment and peace, and a sense of accomplishment in whatever I do. I don't think in terms of "if I don't achieve full happiness in this life it can wait until the next life." I know I won't be able to do the things I could do here in the afterlife, so this is my only opportunity. I would like to do some things like travel but unfortunately my life situation precludes that and I don't know if or when that will ever change.

There is really nothing you need to do to prepare for the afterlife except life your life the best way you know how to, and it sounds like you are already doing that.

 

[Trailblazer]

Well, just like Reagan once said, it's like all Americans come from Missouri, the Show Me State. It's not enough to tell us, you have to show us.

Unfortunately I cannot take you on the grand tour since I have not been there and you are not ready to go.
But I think the same way.... To heck with all the flowery promises in the scriptures, I'll believe it when I see it!

 

[Stevicus]

Unfortunately I cannot take you on the grand tour since I have not been there and you are not ready to go.
But I think the same way.... To heck with all the flowery promises in the scriptures, I'll believe it when I see it!

I've seen some movies about it, like Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey, where both Heaven and Hell are shown. Fortunately, they were able to beat Death in various board games (best of 7) and got out of that predicament.

 

[Glaurung]

Do you believe in an afterlife or not?

Yes. I believe in the immortality of the soul.

What awaits us after this earthly life though is something I'm much less clear on.

 

[Mock Turtle]

Do you believe in an afterlife or not?

Mostly not - having no experience of this at all - from others, that is, and given that science seemingly also has no evidence of such. Given that any mechanisms for an afterlife just don't seem rational to me. Not a believer in the soul or ghosts either, and for the same reason. I would like to think that there was some consistency to reality even if we don't fully understand such at the moment, and might never do so. But, given the advances we have made, especially over the last few centuries and usually by science, many of the older beliefs are being placed in their own proper resting place - believable in the past, as were so many, but now just not true.

And as commented, I think that having such beliefs, although comforting, might actually regress humanity or at least slow progress, when there might be less attention placed on what we might achieve now as a species and more on some future predicted life after death - with religious beliefs often determining such, and of course conflicting with other such beliefs.

 

[1213]

Do you believe in an afterlife or not?

I believe in life after this death.

 

[viole]

Do you believe in an afterlife or not?

I believe it as much as before birth.

Ciao

- viole

 

[syo]

Do you believe in an afterlife or not?

I believe.

 

[Whateverist]

Just “yes” and “not” to choose from leaves little room. But it certainly doesn’t factor into any plans of mine.

Cummings said “Death, as men call it, ends what they call men.” I like that. I think as men we are vessels for something more universal. When we can no longer serve as vessels, that which set us apart from everything else ends, but that universal does not.

To the degree that I see everyone and everything as manifestations of the One I don’t view death as an existential crisis. Recycling is nature’s way.

 

[SalixIncendium]

Do you believe in an afterlife or not?

No. My life began at birth and will end at my death.

However, I, in my true nature, am eternal.

 

[SalixIncendium]

HEY!!! The first person who actually answered.

Actually, no. @Windwalker was.

If you dislike the way the answer was formatted, then perhaps you should consider outlining the answer format you desire in your OP.

 

[SalixIncendium]

This may be true for some, but it is not true for everyone. I believe that this life can distract people from thinking about the afterlife until it is too late.

What did you do before you were born to prepare for this life?

 

[Schwarzweg]

No. My life began at birth and will end at my death.

However, I, in my true nature, am eternal.

Ja .............................
Man ist ewig, weil man zu ,sozusagen reiner Energie wird
Da tauchen dann wieder neue Fragen auf...............................
Und im Übrigen :
Ist AUCH richtig , die Meisten WOLLEN auch gar nichts drüber wissen, bis es zu spät ist
Das Tema ist zu "hoch" und "schwierig", weil es mit dem Tod zu tun hat , der Umwandlung.......
Und das Spirituelle, was damit zusammenhängt wird belächelt und abgekanzelt
Nein.............man kann bestimmt NICHT mit jedem drüber reden
Da muß schon ein gewisses VERTÄNDNIS da sein
Die Frage , die DANN auftaucht :
WIE lebt man als ENERGIE weiter ?
Vielleicht kann da ja die Sache mit der Kundalini weiterhelfen ...................
Auch so ein schwieriges Thema , denn die Kundalini IST Energie
Ich sah sie und erlebte sie als kleine silberne Sternchen und ich WEISS , dass sie TÖTEN kann
Deshalb sind Übungen diesbezüglich für mich einfach UNGESUND
Aber sie wird mich dann wohl mal umbringen ...............ja sie gibts ....