Discussion Thoughts on 'the after life'?

[trynacbt]

I strangely feel positive/excited at the thought of ctb'ing. I think maybe part of it is because I believe there's more to this experience of being. I'm not sure what exactly I believe--in a 'heaven' of sorts or if we all live multiple lives--but what I hope is that I will continue to be with those I love. What I mean by that is that I hope to be reunited with loved ones who have passed, but also that I hope I play some part in the lives of those who will remain on Earth.

I don't know, I just think it would be really wonderful if I could have some kind of role in the after life, a helping one, where I could guide my friends in this life from the other side, or something.
That's awfully optimistic, but just a thought.

I know there are other threads on the after life out there, but I often see the idea of nothingness coming after death. Anybody think there's something different? How do you feel about the thought of ctb'ing and what might come after?

 

[Jack4230]

For some reason I've never bought the idea that once we die there's just nothing forever afterwards, the universe seems to far beyond our comprehension for that to be the case. I'm not a Buddhist or Hindu and was raised Catholic but even when I was young I've thought that when we die we are reborn as someone or something else, and that there is no true ecstasy in the afterlife. This belief makes me somewhat hesitant to CBT but at some point enough is enough. There's a really good short story about reincarnation by Andy Weir called "The Egg" if anyone's interested.

 

[trynacbt]

Thank you for the recommendation! I will definitely check it out. Being reborn as someone else would be interesting; I'd just hope that the souls that have been a part of my life in this life will continue to be elsewhere.

 

[Morphosis]

I worked in palliative care for a long time and it always amazed me just how many people reported seeing loved ones that had passed away, just before their own death. Even the self-reported sceptics. Too many to count them ALL as being delusional or hallucinating.
Even from a physics point of view, energy has to go somewhere. It cannot possibly just stop existing.
And I agree there is still too much in the universe beyond the human comprehension.

 

[Rheaz]

I really hope you are right. I will miss some people so much. I really do believe we have soulmates. Not just romantically but I believe we are connected to certain souls(family,friends). Maybe not in the same body but being reincarnated into another body and we connect again. I'm so afraid of death because I want to be with my loved ones again. I think that is the reason I can't seem to stick to a date for ctb. The fear of never seeing my family again scares me and breaks my heart.

 

[Elias]

The way I see it, once we die we end up in the same place we were before we were born. Now, whatever that is we have no recollection of it obviously, and since we're now equipped with an experience of life maybe it will be somewhat different as our consciousness creates ripples of effect throughout the universe. I just hope it is a place free of any kind of potential for suffering and we get to catch a break from this crazy wild ride that is life in this earthly body.

 

[trynacbt]

I feel the same way, Rheaz. I hope we are right. I also really want to see my ex again, who also happens to be my best friend.

 

[SuicidalSymphonies]

I believe in reincarnation... I'd like to wake up in a better life. Even as a wild animal, I don't care. Anything but this.

 

[Wreck-it-Riley]

There's a really good short story about reincarnation by Andy Weir called "The Egg" if anyone's interested.

I Do not really believe in an afterlife, as far as life goes. but this is my favorite theory/idea ever. My religion teaches that we pass on knowledge and energies as we live, and that is our "After life". Honestly i like the idea of just existing except in the minds of others when i pass. And eventually they will forget me too, and soon i will be gone tot he universe.

 

[k75]

Thank you for the recommendation! I will definitely check it out. Being reborn as someone else would be interesting; I'd just hope that the souls that have been a part of my life in this life will continue to be elsewhere.

Here's the story. It's a good one.

The Egg

 

[JimFord99]

Here's the story. It's a good one.

The Egg

Thanks for the link and sharing this with us , although I have to admit that I do not believe in a religious afterlife. Anyway, in a way the story is a comforting read. Thanks again.

 

[maka]

Tbh, I really hope that we come back as someone else. But instead of being randomly assigned to a person who could possibly have a worse life than the one we left behind or an animal of some sort, our lives just keep getting better and better until we keep reincarnating and eventually reach happiness. I know it's a dumb thought but I'm seriously praying for something better. I read a theory once that said people could recreate the lives they wanted, whether on earth or in "heaven"/the afterlife, and although that'd be neat, I doubt it could be true.

 

[vulturecyclop]

There is no afterlife. Knowing this is very comforting.

 

[Lokd26]

I thought I'd be the only one excited to ctb. For me, I believe our consciousness transfers into a new host. Being reborn as a new person basically. I've never truly believed in heaven or hell. I strongly believe this to be true and I'm interested in seeing what will come

 

[JimFord99]

I thought I'd be the only one excited to ctb. For me, I believe our consciousness transfers into a new host. Being reborn as a new person basically. I've never truly believed in heaven or hell. I strongly believe this to be true and I'm interested in seeing what will come

There is only one way to find out: dying.

 

[kypnrp]

I personally believe there won't be anything or, like it's commonly said, "it's the same feeling as before you were born".

But I can't prove it, so the thought of dying makes me nervous. If I came from a state of nothingness to such suffering, what guarantees that it won't happen again? What if death isn't the escape I'm hoping for? Being born and existing in the first place in this society is something that seems so ... Illogical, nonscientific, improbable, if you get what I mean (?). The last thing I'd want is to be stuck with my own thoughts forever, and worse, alone, because if I die right now there are no relationships I will take to the other side; no friends, no family, nothing. I'm really scared to be alone.

I hate to have come across certain religious views of death, like the existence of hell. Man, I wish I had never known there are people who think like that, because now that I do, it's scary even though I firmly believe these were just convenient inventions. If I was still so skeptical like in the past, maybe I wouldn't have so much trouble CTB.

 

[BlueWidow]

I strangely feel positive/excited at the thought of ctb'ing. I think maybe part of it is because I believe there's more to this experience of being. I'm not sure what exactly I believe--in a 'heaven' of sorts or if we all live multiple lives--but what I hope is that I will continue to be with those I love. What I mean by that is that I hope to be reunited with loved ones who have passed, but also that I hope I play some part in the lives of those who will remain on Earth.

I don't know, I just think it would be really wonderful if I could have some kind of role in the after life, a helping one, where I could guide my friends in this life from the other side, or something.
That's awfully optimistic, but just a thought.

I know there are other threads on the after life out there, but I often see the idea of nothingness coming after death. Anybody think there's something different? How do you feel about the thought of ctb'ing and what might come after?

Part of what you were saying reminded me of a movie. I believe the movie was based on a book and it was called "The Lovely Bones".
It's about a girl who gets murdered and then she watches from the afterlife as her murder affects the members of her family. And she also watches the man who murdered her. It's been a long time so I don't remember a whole lot of detail about it, but I do remember that the afterlife they presented was very interesting. Does anyone else remember that movie? I might be getting the title wrong. It's been along time since I saw it, but I'm pretty sure it was called "The Lovely Bones".

 

[trynacbt]

Part of what you were saying reminded me of a movie. I believe the movie was based on a book and it was called "The Lovely Bones".
It's about a girl who gets murdered and then she watches from the afterlife as her murder affects the members of her family. And she also watches the man who murdered her. It's been a long time so I don't remember a whole lot of detail about it, but I do remember that the afterlife they presented was very interesting. Does anyone else remember that movie? I might be getting the title wrong. It's been along time since I saw it, but I'm pretty sure it was called "The Lovely Bones".

That's the right title, though I never watched the movie, only read the book. It was really good. Maybe I'll give the film a shot now--thanks for bringing this up.

I hate to have come across certain religious views of death, like the existence of hell. Man, I wish I had never known there are people who think like that, because now that I do, it's scary even though I firmly believe these were just convenient inventions. If I was still so skeptical like in the past, maybe I wouldn't have so much trouble CTB.

I was raised Catholic, but I don't believe in hell. I don't believe that a generous, loving God, the God I believe exists, would send his children to a place like hell. I would like to believe there's room for forgiveness even for those who have done terrible things. I don't know, I just find it hard to feel like anyone deserves to go to a place like that for eternity.

I thought I'd be the only one excited to ctb. For me, I believe our consciousness transfers into a new host. Being reborn as a new person basically. I've never truly believed in heaven or hell. I strongly believe this to be true and I'm interested in seeing what will come

I would like for this to be true. I also thought I was the only one excited to ctb. For some reason, I feel like it's the right decision for me--and now that I have a method thanks to SS, this really comes to me with so much clarity and a sense of lightness. Don't get me wrong, I think the feeling is f*cking weird to have. But I'm also really grateful.

 

[Asta]

Careful guys. If you profess a belief in an afterlife, some people on this site will pounce on you like a bug and assert absolutely that there is only nothing after death. However, would love to discuss the subject by PM with anyone interested.

 

[Lokd26]

I would like for this to be true. I also thought I was the only one excited to ctb. For some reason, I feel like it's the right decision for me--and now that I have a method thanks to SS, this really comes to me with so much clarity and a sense of lightness. Don't get me wrong, I think the feeling is f*cking weird to have. But I'm also really grateful.

Can I ask what method you are going with? I could use some ideas myself. And yes, I used to get really bad anxiety but this, this helps me see a bigger picture.

 

[trynacbt]

Can I ask what method you are going with? I could use some ideas myself. And yes, I used to get really bad anxiety but this, this helps me see a bigger picture.

I'm going with SN. I've got the meto and the tagamet (I'm in a place where they're OTC thankfully), and I have a date set. Now it's a waiting game.

 

[toomuchgrief]

Energy will go somewhere but that doesn't mean there is an afterlife. Energy will recycle back to earth, whether you cremate, back to air, atmosphere, or your body decompose 6ft under buried in the ground below, help trees grow, etc...

There no afterlife, no spirit. My toddler die, and guess what, he never come back to visit me, perhaps he just hate his mom so much. Dead really is the end, no reunion with your loved ones.
So many other logical examples. Example, that plane crash that disappeared and still not found, hundreds and hundreds people on that plane, if there an afterlife, why don't they come back and tell their family where that plane located?

I read in a news of a 7 year olds girl who committed suicide by train just so she can go to heaven above to be with her mother, why don't her mother spirit came back and save the poor girl, but instead that little girl stood right in front of a coming train and died announced dead right on scene?

Murders who kill many people, why don't those dead victims spirits come back to point out who the murder was to the police? Planes, boats, etc... went missing, no one ever come back.

Families who loss their spouses, spouses never come back. My toddler never come back or give me any signs.

Nahhh there no afterlife. Dead is the end. Dead is like when you get put under, no more awareness, you don't even know there a globe thing call Earth exist, let alone you know there is a "you" exist.

I will put a shotgun in my temple, or jump down 1,000 feet concrete. If there is an afterlife, let hope I see my son when I jump so I can be with him on the other side. Or let hope my son visit me the night before and talk to his mommy before she commit suicide.

I wish there an afterlife, but tbh, there none. I personally don't think there one. But then that just me.

 

[Asta]

I'm so sorry for your loss. Can't even imagine what you've been through. I lost my Mother 20 years ago and still miss her, but a child...

 

[BlueWidow]

I worked in palliative care for a long time and it always amazed me just how many people reported seeing loved ones that had passed away, just before their own death. Even the self-reported sceptics. Too many to count them ALL as being delusional or hallucinating.
Even from a physics point of view, energy has to go somewhere. It cannot possibly just stop existing.
And I agree there is still too much in the universe beyond the human comprehension.

My husband was a skeptic. He was very logical and had a degree in mathematics and engineering. He didn't believe in "signs" from the other side or things of that sort. However, right before he passed, he started talking to his mother and his sister who had both passed before him.
Also, my sister was in a horrible car accident and she was nearly killed. When she was in a coma, she claimed she saw my mother, my sister, and our grandfather also (all of whom had of course passed away before her) standing at the edge of her bed. She desperately wanted to go with them and they told her it was not her time to go & she would have to stay. Every time she spoke of it, she would cry and say all she wanted was to go with them. She eventually got her wish. She was in a second car accident and this one killed her instantly. I've often wondered if our mother, sister, and grandfather were waiting for her when she died.

 

[trynacbt]

@BlueWidow that's incredible... I've heard so many stories like that. I can't help but hope that it's true; I want to see my mother again.

 

[trynacbt]

Bumping this~ Would love to hear more thoughts

 

[Moon Flower]

I hope there's an afterlife because there's people I wanna see again, but for now I'm just kind of covering all of my bases. Gonna die in a cute outfit in case I become a ghost, and if nothing happens at all that'll be fine too cause I won't have to worry about anything

 

[DepressionsAHo]

I've seen ghosts
I don't believe there's nothingness after this
My mom would often talk about her grandmother visiting her after she passed to let her know she was ok. I've felt the footsteps of my cat on my bed when I was little. I've seen and felt ghosts
There's something after this life, that I firmly believe.
When I go, I hope to visit my mom to let her know I'm ok and much happier then I ever was here. She thinks suicide leads straight to hell but even if there is a God (I don't believe in the bible but I do believe there's something up there) it wouldn't make sense to send someone who just couldn't take life straight to hell. It seems unfathomable and cruel

 

[BlueWidow]

I have another story about signs from the afterlife.
My husband had a friend who believed that Cardinals were sometimes inhabited by the spirits of loved ones who had passed on. She claimed that her brother passed away and shortly afterwards a cardinal appeared in a tree outside her second story bedroom window. She said this cardinal would come and sit on her porch and would sit on the window sill for long periods of time. She also claimed that this cardinal would let her come up to it and give it food and that it would just sit next to her quietly without being afraid. She interpreted all of this as her brother giving her a sign that he was OK.
When my husband was about to pass away, she asked him to give her a sign that he was OK. As I said above, my husband didn't believe in signs or living people hearing from those who had passed on. However, shortly after my husband passed away, this friend claimed that she was driving her truck and a cardinal came and was flying right next to her truck at the same speed she was driving. She took this to be the sign from my husband that she had asked for, letting her know that he was OK. I had never heard of Cardinals being a sign of deceased loved ones before. I don't know if this really happened to her, if it was just her imagination, or if she was just taking something that happened and putting her own meaning onto it. I guess when your mourning the loss of someone, any way that you can make yourself feel a little better is probably a good thing.
Also, when my husband was alive, he and I had a lot of inside jokes about the squirrels in our backyard. After he passed away, there was a squirrel that came and sat on a telephone line outside my bedroom window and stared at me for about 30 minutes. It was sitting right out in the open where it could've been picked off by a bird and it seemed like an usual behavior for a squirrel. I kept looking up to see if it was still there. It was sitting perfectly still and staring directly down into my bedroom window. I don't know if that was also my husband letting me know that he was OK, or if I'm just interpreting it that way. Whatever it was, it was a very unusual experience. I've always wished I could feel the presence of my mother around me, but I never have been able to. I hope someday when I pass on, I get to be with her and my sister and my husband. If I run into any of my other family members, I hope they all treat me better in the afterlife than they did in this one.

 

[MeltingHeart]

My onl

Careful guys. If you profess a belief in an afterlife, some people on this site will pounce on you like a bug and assert absolutely that there is only nothing after death. However, would love to discuss the subject by PM with anyone interested.

My only belief if that everyone's is entitled to have their own belief and if people are allowed to assert their belief in an afterlife it's only fair that us non- believers are also allowed to share what we feel- and if the after life believers faith is so strong it will hardly be shaken by anyone stating that they personally don't agree- but maybe I'm just envious of the optimism & perhaps it would lessen my fear of death & the transition from life into nothingness. Could be more reassuring if I had a faith of some kind I guess- might make it easier .