Comments on: Death, the Afterlife, and Human Being http://www.virushead.net/vhrandom/2008/03/15/death-the-afterlife-and-human-being Contagious Thoughts, Mutating as Needed Sun, 18 Oct 2009 18:07:23 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: VirusHead http://www.virushead.net/vhrandom/2008/03/15/death-the-afterlife-and-human-being/comment-page-1#comment-76859 VirusHead Sat, 29 Mar 2008 18:53:54 +0000 http://www.virushead.net/vhrandom/2008/03/15/death-the-afterlife-and-human-being/#comment-76859 Terrific comments - thank you so much! Elainna - You are a gem, a treasure, an inspiration to me every day. Huge hugs and lots of love to you. Mary - I am a big fan of St. Francis. I read "Brother Sun Sister Moon" for consolation. I have an beautifully illustrated version of the poem in book form that I dwell with from time to time. Hugs to both - I'd love to spend some more time at your house sometime soon! Rob - Ok, I'm a sucker for these quiz thingies, so I went to look. I'm to be a Sheep in the next life. Of all the ironies... Vance - Ah... Ecclesiastes... I might have known.... In my more mystical moments, I feel the underlying unity behind the dance of order and chaos. Sometimes I can almost hear its music, so there may be some kind of human resonance. I can only hope that the great spirit has more in store for me. I'm open to the insights of the benevolent deities, although at times - to me - the big guy (as represented in the scriptures) seems like he might need a little more guidance from his own god(s). The path to illumination is via negativa for me. The mystics path... with compassion. Best I can do at this point. Terrific comments – thank you so much!

Elainna – You are a gem, a treasure, an inspiration to me every day. Huge hugs and lots of love to you.

Mary – I am a big fan of St. Francis. I read “Brother Sun Sister Moon” for consolation. I have an beautifully illustrated version of the poem in book form that I dwell with from time to time. Hugs to both – I’d love to spend some more time at your house sometime soon!

Rob – Ok, I’m a sucker for these quiz thingies, so I went to look. I’m to be a Sheep in the next life. Of all the ironies…

Vance – Ah… Ecclesiastes… I might have known…. In my more mystical moments, I feel the underlying unity behind the dance of order and chaos. Sometimes I can almost hear its music, so there may be some kind of human resonance. I can only hope that the great spirit has more in store for me. I’m open to the insights of the benevolent deities, although at times – to me – the big guy (as represented in the scriptures) seems like he might need a little more guidance from his own god(s). The path to illumination is via negativa for me. The mystics path… with compassion. Best I can do at this point.

]]> By: VanceH http://www.virushead.net/vhrandom/2008/03/15/death-the-afterlife-and-human-being/comment-page-1#comment-76858 VanceH Sat, 29 Mar 2008 17:03:22 +0000 http://www.virushead.net/vhrandom/2008/03/15/death-the-afterlife-and-human-being/#comment-76858 Hi Heidi, Very interesting post. Your statement: "I taste eternity, but eternity - well, it isn’t human", reminded me of a verse, but I hadn't gone on a search for it. Coincidently I stumbled onto it last night while looking for something else: "Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end." Eccl 3:11. It parallels your thought of the knowability and unknowability of eternity. The New Testament suggests that it will be consciousness with a mind and a new body (Jesus ate after the resurrection)--so that tradition is consistent with your misgivings concerning a mindless consciousness. Eternity is also a mystery I've considered. I agree with Paul [I Cor 15:9] that it is central to the Christian faith. I agree with you that a sensual aspect seems important--otherwise I get visions of an endless church service--not exactly paradise for me... <em>VanceH's last blog post..<a href='http://meditations-on-an-eyeball.blogspot.com/2008/03/modern-day-miracles.html' rel="nofollow">Modern Day Miracles</a></em> Hi Heidi, Very interesting post. Your statement: “I taste eternity, but eternity – well, it isn’t human”, reminded me of a verse, but I hadn’t gone on a search for it. Coincidently I stumbled onto it last night while looking for something else: “Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.” Eccl 3:11. It parallels your thought of the knowability and unknowability of eternity.
The New Testament suggests that it will be consciousness with a mind and a new body (Jesus ate after the resurrection)–so that tradition is consistent with your misgivings concerning a mindless consciousness.
Eternity is also a mystery I’ve considered. I agree with Paul [I Cor 15:9] that it is central to the Christian faith. I agree with you that a sensual aspect seems important–otherwise I get visions of an endless church service–not exactly paradise for me…

VanceH’s last blog post..Modern Day Miracles

]]> By: Rob http://www.virushead.net/vhrandom/2008/03/15/death-the-afterlife-and-human-being/comment-page-1#comment-76830 Rob Fri, 21 Mar 2008 20:02:13 +0000 http://www.virushead.net/vhrandom/2008/03/15/death-the-afterlife-and-human-being/#comment-76830 The Oracle told me that I'll be a Tiger in my next life :-) The Oracle told me that I’ll be a Tiger in my next life :-)

]]> By: Mary http://www.virushead.net/vhrandom/2008/03/15/death-the-afterlife-and-human-being/comment-page-1#comment-76819 Mary Wed, 19 Mar 2008 01:39:13 +0000 http://www.virushead.net/vhrandom/2008/03/15/death-the-afterlife-and-human-being/#comment-76819 Wow. that is deep! When Russ had his heart attack just over a year ago now, he had a near death experience. It really changed him. He had the angioplasty and then after that, he checked out for about 1 minute. The doctor was at a loss to explain it. He had tolerated the procedure well, but then when he was in recovery, he "left them" for a short time. He said he felt like he was walking in a building, like a really nice office building with a lot of doors. He could not remember who he was with, but that he felt really good, calm, warm, no worries and yes, it was bright. He asked who he was with what door he should take and they said they did not know. He ended up choosing a door and then he "woke up" and there was a bunch of people around him. He was actually depressed about it for a while, thinking Heaven did not want him and he wondered why, what did he do? Then about 3 weeks ago, he said that he had a thought, it finally hit him. They did not send him back, he CHOOSE the right door, and HE choose to come back. He feels much better now! I totally believe in Heaven (and Hell for that matter). I expect to see my parents again. I look forward to it. I dont' fear death, I fear dying. The act of it. The pain. I would rather go quick like my Dad then suffer like my Mom. I may not attend church, but I pray. I thank God most every day while walking to my car as I watch the sun rise across the street. My Dad and I used to walk me to school when I was in middle school, then go to his job down the street (had to save money, the 70's gas shortages, etc). He had a prayer he said every morning from Saint Francis of Assisi (his patron saint) It began with "Brother Sun Sister Moon" something like that. We used to talk about how the earth is our mother (he was also indian!). My Dad was smart. I miss his wisdom. He was a totally devoted Catholic - almost became a priest! Today I found out the priest from my old parish was dismissed as he had a charge leveled against him for sexual misconduct in 1979, while serving at the parish I attended. He was a great priest. I am finding it very hard to believe. I feel so betrayed, so weird. With everything that has been in the news about the scandal, I kept saying "it did not happen where I was". It's a strange feeling. Wow. that is deep! When Russ had his heart attack just over a year ago now, he had a near death experience. It really changed him. He had the angioplasty and then after that, he checked out for about 1 minute. The doctor was at a loss to explain it. He had tolerated the procedure well, but then when he was in recovery, he “left them” for a short time. He said he felt like he was walking in a building, like a really nice office building with a lot of doors. He could not remember who he was with, but that he felt really good, calm, warm, no worries and yes, it was bright. He asked who he was with what door he should take and they said they did not know. He ended up choosing a door and then he “woke up” and there was a bunch of people around him. He was actually depressed about it for a while, thinking Heaven did not want him and he wondered why, what did he do? Then about 3 weeks ago, he said that he had a thought, it finally hit him. They did not send him back, he CHOOSE the right door, and HE choose to come back. He feels much better now! I totally believe in Heaven (and Hell for that matter). I expect to see my parents again. I look forward to it. I dont’ fear death, I fear dying. The act of it. The pain. I would rather go quick like my Dad then suffer like my Mom. I may not attend church, but I pray. I thank God most every day while walking to my car as I watch the sun rise across the street. My Dad and I used to walk me to school when I was in middle school, then go to his job down the street (had to save money, the 70’s gas shortages, etc). He had a prayer he said every morning from Saint Francis of Assisi (his patron saint) It began with “Brother Sun Sister Moon” something like that. We used to talk about how the earth is our mother (he was also indian!). My Dad was smart. I miss his wisdom. He was a totally devoted Catholic – almost became a priest! Today I found out the priest from my old parish was dismissed as he had a charge leveled against him for sexual misconduct in 1979, while serving at the parish I attended. He was a great priest. I am finding it very hard to believe. I feel so betrayed, so weird. With everything that has been in the news about the scandal, I kept saying “it did not happen where I was”. It’s a strange feeling.

]]> By: Elainna http://www.virushead.net/vhrandom/2008/03/15/death-the-afterlife-and-human-being/comment-page-1#comment-76811 Elainna Mon, 17 Mar 2008 06:51:12 +0000 http://www.virushead.net/vhrandom/2008/03/15/death-the-afterlife-and-human-being/#comment-76811 As I am a little closer to my hour of departure, than yourself, I believe, I can only admire & appreciate your wisdom. You and I may never meet in the flesh,but as you said we are interconnected and precious parts of the same reality. I am glad to have known and appreciated you and value our friendship. As I am a little closer to my hour of departure, than yourself, I believe, I can only admire & appreciate your wisdom. You and I may never meet in the flesh,but as you said we are interconnected and precious parts of the same reality. I am glad to have known and appreciated you and value our friendship.

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