Help How to overcome the fear of post-existence/post-consciousness?

[Wisdom3_1-9]

It's likely my religious background, but I cling to the idea of some sort of continuation of the soul after death. I know there is no scientific evidence to support any such notion, but I also know that humans do no know everything nor can we understand everything. If there is an "afterlife," we could not possibly fathom what it would be.

 

[Bauhaus]

Once your conviction/ sentence is expunged you should be able to get started with a clean sheet.
It's sad that people after their sentence aren't given a second chance and so they relapse.
The justice system really needs some serious adjustment and should give more support to ex-convicts to help them integrate in society.

If life is continous, then death is meaningless.
And an eternal life sounds more like Hell to me.
I think at one moment you will have enough of it and want everlasting peace.

 

[iDieUDie80]

Once your conviction/ sentence is expunged you should be able to get started with a clean sheet.
It's sad that people after their sentence aren't given a second chance and so they relapse.
The justice system really needs some serious adjustment and should give more support to ex-convicts to help them integrate in society.

If life is continous, then death is meaningless.
And an eternal life sounds more like Hell to me.
I think at one moment you will have enough of it and want everlasting peace.

My felony conviction will be expunged, three misdemeanors will remain on my record for life, and one of them does not sound pleasant at all. I think my past will impede on my ability to even live in new communities, much less develop a family and have my dream career realized. It is very possible that my past will not only hurt me, but also my family and others who associate with me.

The U.S. justice system is completely screwed. Even if you are charged with a crime of which you are innocent, your reputation suffers the same consequences as if you had committed that crime and been convicted, which you still might be as most have no choice but to enter a plea deal in exchange for a lighter sentence. Millions of lives destroyed. Many young lives and many lives of color.

 

[Bauhaus]

Really sorry to hear that, it's indeed screwed up. Hope you find a way to deal with your predicament.

 

[muffin222]

Radical Acceptance, perhaps? Fully accepting the reality that there is simply NO way to know for sure what happens to us after death, and that there are any number of possible "end points" to life/consciousness, none of which we can prove or confirm until we've gotten there.

That shift in perception is easier said than done, of course

 

[rhiino]

I was listening to a man who had covid talk about being in a coma for several months and it was all blackness and a black pit next to him and terror non stop, the blackness and the void. So yeh it could be worse. I've heard of others who describe something similar when they lose consciousness, just a blackness everywhere. Hope that doesn't happen to me.

That are experiences of people that are still alive and have a functioning brain, though. Of course your brain can create the sensation of black nothingness, by switching off all the senses but not the consciousness. That is not how it would be when dead, as your brain is not working anymore, and your consciousness is switched off as it is part of your brain's functions.

 

[raindrops]

I know this isn't the first thread on this exact topic but I am somewhat facing resistance because I have some fear in no longer being able to experience and no longer having thoughts, awareness, consciousness. In prior threads on this topic, users have said this may be a sign that you aren't ready to go, and to an extent, perhaps this is true for me. My reasons for wanting to leave are because I believe the future holds nothing for me due to excessive criminal prosecutions I faced for "crimes" I committed in high school. I know I can never amount to anything given my past. I'll never live the life I wanted. How can I take control back and overcome this fear?

I feel your pain. I committed a crime too and now I'm worried I won't be able to fucking go anywhere on holiday or get a decent job.
I don't even know if its "spent" and I don't know how to find that out. I got a list of the crimes I have committed and they didn't say when it would be spent. I didn't do anything awful, I shouted in public and threw a pen pot and the floor!!! In the dentist!! I NEVER did any of that clap for the NHS bullshit.
I never hit anyone, I pushed away from this guy who restrained me after I threw a pen pot and it just so happened the guy who restrained me was an off duty police officer, they charged me for Battery which is basically pushing someone but it sounds fucking awful. I'll never have a career thanks to the NHS and that officer.

How do I explain Battery if I applied for a job, I can't get a career, I assume I can't go on holiday either

 

[Empty77]

I know this isn't the first thread on this exact topic but I am somewhat facing resistance because I have some fear in no longer being able to experience and no longer having thoughts, awareness, consciousness. In prior threads on this topic, users have said this may be a sign that you aren't ready to go, and to an extent, perhaps this is true for me. My reasons for wanting to leave are because I believe the future holds nothing for me due to excessive criminal prosecutions I faced for "crimes" I committed in high school. I know I can never amount to anything given my past. I'll never live the life I wanted. How can I take control back and overcome this fear?

Alright mate, I'm sorry to read about how you're feeling. My prayers and are with you. As someone who's been where you are right now, I can only say this; Forgiveness is the key. I found self-forgiveness the hardest and at times, I still struggle with it, but forgiveness for others' sins was tough too. I felt that had they not sinned against me, I, in turn would not have sinned also. After two and a half years of hell, which is slowly coming to an end, I found faith. Jesus gave me the ability to leave those sins at the foot of the cross - It felt amazing! Liberating! - Saying it out loud, in my head and in my heart, I truly forgive you- incredible feeling! In order to forgive myself, or at least, to start trying to, I had forgive others. I'm on the road to learning to understand what happened, why it happened and how to accept it, deal with it and live as close to contentment as I can. That's a very big battle to win, but if I try, at least when I do go, I can say, I tried. I wish you peace and happiness.

 

[MrBlue]

I'm sorry for how your feeling. I think so harshly judging someone for actions done in the past, especially when they were a minor and not fully developed is pretty shitty. I truly hope that you find a way to live the life you want despite everything that's stacked against you, if you decide you aren't ready to go.

I don't entirely know how to completely overcome the fear/uncertainity of post existence, partially because its likely impossible to comprehend it. I try to rationalise it, in the sense that I didn't have any complaints I know of for pre-existence, so afterwards shouldn't be too bad (it will literally be nothing, which is pretty neutral). I also daydream an awful lot, and I sometimes dream about my consciousness surviving somehow post-ctb. Maybe existing in another world where I can finally connect to people and be happy.

 

[Meditation guide]

your consciousness is switched off as it is part of your brain's functions.

Your consciousness is NOT part of your brain's functions. You will most definitely be fully aware and awake after death.

 

[iDieUDie80]

Your consciousness is NOT part of your brain's functions. You will most definitely be fully aware and awake after death.

What makes you say that...?

 

[rhiino]

Your consciousness is NOT part of your brain's functions. You will most definitely be fully aware and awake after death.

What makes you so sure about that? It is needless to say that it is current state of science that your consciousness is obviously part of your functioning brain.
Pretty bold statement, "most definitely".

 

[WornOutLife]

Your consciousness is NOT part of your brain's functions. You will most definitely be fully aware and awake after death.

You can NEVER be 100% sure about that. Only the dead ones know. The rest, is only religious beliefs and scientific theories.

 

[Meditation guide]

You can NEVER be 100% sure about that.

There are lots of books talking about people who were definitely dead and brought back to life by the miracle of modern medicine. 100% dead. No heartbeat or brain activity. Some for over an hour or more.

 

[WornOutLife]

There are lots of books talking about people who were definitely dead and brought back to life by the miracle of modern medicine. 100% dead. No heartbeat or brain activity. Some for over an hour or more.

Yes, just as there are many religions too lol.
I've checked some books and experiences.
Also, there are people who have been 100% dead and said they felt nothing at all.

So, all in all, they are just theories which might be right or not.

Once we leave, we'll know. I'm fine with both of them but for the time being, find it impossible to believe in fairy tales.