The religious upbringing I was exposed to, Catholicism, instilled in me the belief that life is eternal, that heaven and hell exist, and that God would ultimately pass judgment at the end of one's life. However, the details were often left unspoken, leaving me with a sense of discomfort and fear regarding the concept of death. Accepting the notion of a heaven, hell, judgement and everlasting peace just didn’t make sense.
But what lies at the heart of believing in an afterlife and the eternity of our existence? Is it not to seek solace in the face of our mortality and the loss of loved ones? It's a curious paradox that we bid people to "rest in peace" while ourselves fearing death and mourning those we've lost.
In contrast, the Yogis teach that the true essence of a person is immortal. Their aim isn't to dwell on the idea of living forever, but to provide a source of tranquility and serenity. It's the understanding that you, and your loved ones, even after passing away, are destined for a peaceful state that transcends physical locations. There's no heaven or hell. Irrespective of one's actions in life, the soul enters a state of peace and rest upon death.
So, if you were raised in a faith emphasizing the eternal nature of life, it's a perspective worth embracing, for it holds a fundamental truth. It's not the immortality of the body though, but the spirit within. And get rid of the notion of a judgmental God, heaven, and hell.
The purpose of grasping the immortality of the soul is to provide comfort in the face of the inescapable losses we will certainly encounter in life. It encourages acceptance of grief and the celebration of the lives of those who have passed, rather than dwelling in sorrow and mourning.
These teachings remind us that everyone fulfills their purpose in this experience, and the grand tapestry of existence unfolds as it should. To live with intention, with gratitude, with passion, with a sense of wonder and without fear.
What do you believe about life after death?
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