The afterlife does it exist?

Sonia32 · January 2011

Lol I now understand why Phil hangs here more then he does on the colon board. I love everyones input and different posts, so I hope you all dont mind my posts.
Ok apologise if this question has been asked before, do you believe there is an afterlife or not?
I believe in heaven and hell too, but probably more so after my mum died from breast cancer. Now just briefly before I knew I had cancer I was ill and dreaming of my mum a lot, she was showing me that my dad was dating again. Mention to brother and sister they just laughed as did my dad. Mum kept coming to me over my dad, with similar dreams. I would tell my partner at the time and he put it down to grief. Cut a long story short my father was interested in getting remarried, first woman he was with it didn't work out. Then he got secretly married abroad, well my brother and sister thought I was in cohoots with my dad. Anyhow I reminded them that I had asked questions over the months and my dad just kept denying things. Also after this my partner would say that he wished my mum would stop coming to me. I had this story published in a uk magazine as well. Was my mum really communicating with me from the otherside or was it just my subconcious? My mum and I were always close

Anyhow has anyone had anything similar with loved ones who have passed, or believe in the afterlife in general?

Hugs
Sonia

Marcia527 · January 2011

I believe in an afterlife
I can't go into detail but I asked my sister-in-law why I wasn't receiving help. She had passed over about 5 years before. I told her if she could to help me. That night I dreamed she came to me and said, You have to do it by yourself. Then a big voice said, You have to do it by yourself.

I was pretty upset over this (at first I thought the message was for everyone and not just me) and told God it wasn't right and we were supposed to help others. I did receive help after all. I think now that there are some trials we just have to do ourself and others we get help. Don't ask me why. It's a mystery.

bluerose · January 2011

Hi Sonia
I had a near death experiece a couple of times during my bone marrow transplant days in isolation 20 plus years ago. For me there is DEFINITELY a God because I heard Him and received a healing from Him and the voice told me it would never be back and 23 years later it hasn't come back. I have never had to worry about recurrances because of this experience. That in itself is a huge blessing.

I for one think that this is all a huge school for the soul down here on this nutty planet and with each life we live we have specific goals to reach to move our souls into higher planes. So in that way I guess that is believing in the after life. Is there a place where we go like a Heavan, hmmm , doesn't sound right to me but again who knows. What happens when the soul reaches full maturity? Not a clue.

This idea of mine of the earth being like a life school for our souls has helped me, especially with the question of why one person survives cancer and another does not. I just think that their missions here, this time, are just not completed yet so they live on or the mission was completed and they move to the next level. It works for me.

Hope you are doing well.

Blessings,

Bluerose

dasspears · January 2011

bluerose said:
Hi Sonia
I had a near death experiece a couple of times during my bone marrow transplant days in isolation 20 plus years ago. For me there is DEFINITELY a God because I heard Him and received a healing from Him and the voice told me it would never be back and 23 years later it hasn't come back. I have never had to worry about recurrances because of this experience. That in itself is a huge blessing.

I for one think that this is all a huge school for the soul down here on this nutty planet and with each life we live we have specific goals to reach to move our souls into higher planes. So in that way I guess that is believing in the after life. Is there a place where we go like a Heavan, hmmm , doesn't sound right to me but again who knows. What happens when the soul reaches full maturity? Not a clue.

This idea of mine of the earth being like a life school for our souls has helped me, especially with the question of why one person survives cancer and another does not. I just think that their missions here, this time, are just not completed yet so they live on or the mission was completed and they move to the next level. It works for me.

Hope you are doing well.

Blessings,

Bluerose

I like the levels theory...
That makes sense to me. I don't believe in hell just as I don't believe in the devil. Although I can act like a devil at times! I do believe we have souls. Well said.

bluerose · January 2011

dasspears said:
I like the levels theory...
That makes sense to me. I don't believe in hell just as I don't believe in the devil. Although I can act like a devil at times! I do believe we have souls. Well said.

Hi dasspears
Thanks, like I said the therory makes sense to me.

I think if there is good unfortunately there is evil too, is it an actual entity in itself, hmmm, don't know. However if I know for sure there is a God then?????

It's a head scratcher subject alright. lol

Hope you are doing well.

Blessings,

Bluerose

Hondo · January 2011

Hi Sonia
I too believe one
Hi Sonia

I too believe one of the best things about this place it being able to express ourselves with out the fear of being of being railed on, after all we are all different and none of died yet and came back to tell the story.

On your question of the after life, the Bible tells only the story of one man who died and came back to life 3 days later and that was (Lazarus) and he did not say anything of being in Hell or Heaven. Then it goes on to tell that when Jesus arose Sunday Morning that many of the graves were open. What does it all mean, I don’t know and I think a lot of our Leaders don’t know either. This is a very good subject to be studied if you are a Christian and want to know what the Bible teaches about the subject.

Take care
Hondo

believeit 2011 · January 2011

Great subject. I believe,
Great subject. I believe, without a doubt, in an afterlife. Exactly what it is, who knows, but there is something else. There have been countless occurances in my family's history that convinced all of us there is an afterlife. One such incident was in the 1970s, about a week after my Grandfather (my mom's dad)passed away, at age 75. My Mom and her sister were visiting my Grandmother, sitting in the livingroom talking when the phone rang. These were the old, black, "Ma Bell" phones with the actual bell inside. The phone didn't actually ring but more like the bell rang like a half ring. My Grandmother picked up the receiver and said hello. My Mom says they looked over at her and her face went white and she hung up the receiver. They asked what was the matter and she said "that was your father". They asked what she meant and she said the voice on the phone was her deceased husband of fifty four years and he said "Marie, are you still there"? Now, she was married and lived with him for many, many years and she knew his voice like her own. They all sat there unable to talk for a couple minutes then gradually discussed it. My Gradmother said that she and my Grandfather had once talked about whether they would want to go on if either died. My Grandmother lived nearly 20 years more and died at the age of 91. She was at peace knowing her husband was waiting for her. No one can explain things like that but it's too bad we didn't have caller ID back then.....
Take care, Chris

geotina · February 2011

Hi Sonia:
I never gave it much thought in the past but have thought of it in the past several months and I do believe there is an afterlife. So many caregivers have written about their loved ones dying and "journeying" between two worlds a few days or hours before death.

Some passed it off as halicunations, most did not. Several blogs I have read talk about their loved ones waking up and talking to their mom, dad, friends, etc. who have passed. There has to be something to it.

Take care - Tina

PhillieG · February 2011

The Afterlife
I do believe that there could be an existence after this life. I think I know more of what it's NOT that what it IS but I think that our energy continues on in some form.
Here is an interview with Karen Armstrong, a well noted theologian who offers some interesting ideas based on beliefs of past civilizations.
If you have an open mind you may enjoy it. If you have a closed mind it might open it up.

I personally have not had an afterlife experience but I do have a good friend who had a near-death experience which I believe he experienced.

PhillieG · February 2011

bluerose said:
Hi Sonia
I had a near death experiece a couple of times during my bone marrow transplant days in isolation 20 plus years ago. For me there is DEFINITELY a God because I heard Him and received a healing from Him and the voice told me it would never be back and 23 years later it hasn't come back. I have never had to worry about recurrances because of this experience. That in itself is a huge blessing.

I for one think that this is all a huge school for the soul down here on this nutty planet and with each life we live we have specific goals to reach to move our souls into higher planes. So in that way I guess that is believing in the after life. Is there a place where we go like a Heavan, hmmm , doesn't sound right to me but again who knows. What happens when the soul reaches full maturity? Not a clue.

This idea of mine of the earth being like a life school for our souls has helped me, especially with the question of why one person survives cancer and another does not. I just think that their missions here, this time, are just not completed yet so they live on or the mission was completed and they move to the next level. It works for me.

Hope you are doing well.

Blessings,

Bluerose

Hi Bluerose
I've thought at times that we are sent back to learn things before we move on to another level as you say. There are so many beliefs out there that have much in common at the core. Yet if one accepts the Christian God, then something like returning to another life (like reincarnation) would go against what they teach or am I mistaken?

I know that many Catholics have left the church because of disagreement over things like contraception. Then again, many Catholics still go for communion when the Pope says that it's more of an all or nothing situation. I think they call it being a Smorgasboard Catholic. They pick and choose what they wish to believe.

bluerose · February 2011

PhillieG said:
Hi Bluerose
I've thought at times that we are sent back to learn things before we move on to another level as you say. There are so many beliefs out there that have much in common at the core. Yet if one accepts the Christian God, then something like returning to another life (like reincarnation) would go against what they teach or am I mistaken?

I know that many Catholics have left the church because of disagreement over things like contraception. Then again, many Catholics still go for communion when the Pope says that it's more of an all or nothing situation. I think they call it being a Smorgasboard Catholic. They pick and choose what they wish to believe.

Hey Phill
I am not the one to ask when it comes to the bible. Couldn't recite one verse from it if my life depended on it. I only talk about things that I have personally experienced, despite what has been written, if it happened to me then I believe it. So with my experiences I have had so far it has led me to my beliefs today. It all just makes the most sense to me and I believe greatly in letting messages (ideas, feelings etc) come through. I think they are truly messages.

Anywho, don't know if that satisfies your question and posting but dats da best I can do for now. If I have any other near death experiences I will let you know. lol.

Hugs,

Bluerose

PhillieG · February 2011

bluerose said:
Hey Phill
I am not the one to ask when it comes to the bible. Couldn't recite one verse from it if my life depended on it. I only talk about things that I have personally experienced, despite what has been written, if it happened to me then I believe it. So with my experiences I have had so far it has led me to my beliefs today. It all just makes the most sense to me and I believe greatly in letting messages (ideas, feelings etc) come through. I think they are truly messages.

Anywho, don't know if that satisfies your question and posting but dats da best I can do for now. If I have any other near death experiences I will let you know. lol.

Hugs,

Bluerose

Hi Bluerose
I think that how you approach your spirituality makes a lot sense to me. It's a personal thing where there are so many beliefs that have come about since mankind first questioned their existence and first realized that they were mortal. I do not think that many people want to think that this is it and that there isn't a great reward afterwards or that we will never see those we loved while on earth.
So taking bits and pieces of various beliefs is great (in my opinion) because you can get the best experiences and use them to help yourself get through (this) life.

How's that saying go?
"If there's an afterlife I'll tap you on the shoulder once. If not, I'll tap twice"

Hugsx2
-phil
PS: is that one of your roses?

wolfen · February 2011

PhillieG said:
The Afterlife
I do believe that there could be an existence after this life. I think I know more of what it's NOT that what it IS but I think that our energy continues on in some form.
Here is an interview with Karen Armstrong, a well noted theologian who offers some interesting ideas based on beliefs of past civilizations.
If you have an open mind you may enjoy it. If you have a closed mind it might open it up.

I personally have not had an afterlife experience but I do have a good friend who had a near-death experience which I believe he experienced.

No-Heller
I would just like to get to get some opinions and do not intend to start dissension on the board. I had stated on an earlier post that I am not a religious person. I believe that there is some sort of higher power that controls our fate. I'm just not sure what it is. I do not share the belief of a Heaven or Hell after death. There is a group of Primitive Baptists in the Appalachians known as No-Hellers. I guess I believe somewhat like that. I think that this is Hell here on earth. Supposedly, you are judged here & now, not after you die. This theory seems pretty accurate to me and I think some of you with cancer might agree with all the hell you have gone through.

I guess I wonder what horrible sins we may have unknowingly commited to warrant our current situatuion or that of our loved ones. Maybe this is sort of a "Why me, God" thing?

Again, I do not wish to attack anyone's beliefs or values, I would just like to know what other people think.

Best Wishes,

Wolfen

Unknown · February 2011

wolfen said:
No-Heller
I would just like to get to get some opinions and do not intend to start dissension on the board. I had stated on an earlier post that I am not a religious person. I believe that there is some sort of higher power that controls our fate. I'm just not sure what it is. I do not share the belief of a Heaven or Hell after death. There is a group of Primitive Baptists in the Appalachians known as No-Hellers. I guess I believe somewhat like that. I think that this is Hell here on earth. Supposedly, you are judged here & now, not after you die. This theory seems pretty accurate to me and I think some of you with cancer might agree with all the hell you have gone through.

I guess I wonder what horrible sins we may have unknowingly commited to warrant our current situatuion or that of our loved ones. Maybe this is sort of a "Why me, God" thing?

Again, I do not wish to attack anyone's beliefs or values, I would just like to know what other people think.

Best Wishes,

Wolfen

This comment has been removed by the Moderator

wolfen · February 2011

unknown said:
This comment has been removed by the Moderator

Graci,
Thank you for your reply. I so agree with you about wars in the name of God and destruction of our planet. Every time we drive into the mountains, more forests have been destroyed in the name of industry and new unnecessary homes have been built encroaching more and more on our desert and wildlife. Progress for some, I guess.
After I made my post about my spiritual feelings, I felt kind of guilty because I really think that this is supposed to be a place where those who have been helped by a higher power can discuss it and support each other. I once believed in a benevolent God and I guess the main thing that changed my feeling is that at the very minute my father died, I was standing outside the hospital praying to God for him to be alright. That was 35 years ago. Ten years ago,my mother had a devastating stroke and I watched her die a slow death for six years. Over the years, I have prayed, cried, and pleaded with God for help in many situations, all to no avail. I guess I am just prayed out. But I also know that God does answer prayers for some. So in the hope that he has not forsaken my precious daughter, I hope the prayers of those many people will help.
I will not express my particular belief on here again, because I certainly do not question others beliefs, nor wish to post something that would be looked upon unfavorably.

Best wishes to all,

Wolfen

PhillieG · February 2011

wolfen said:
Graci,
Thank you for your reply. I so agree with you about wars in the name of God and destruction of our planet. Every time we drive into the mountains, more forests have been destroyed in the name of industry and new unnecessary homes have been built encroaching more and more on our desert and wildlife. Progress for some, I guess.
After I made my post about my spiritual feelings, I felt kind of guilty because I really think that this is supposed to be a place where those who have been helped by a higher power can discuss it and support each other. I once believed in a benevolent God and I guess the main thing that changed my feeling is that at the very minute my father died, I was standing outside the hospital praying to God for him to be alright. That was 35 years ago. Ten years ago,my mother had a devastating stroke and I watched her die a slow death for six years. Over the years, I have prayed, cried, and pleaded with God for help in many situations, all to no avail. I guess I am just prayed out. But I also know that God does answer prayers for some. So in the hope that he has not forsaken my precious daughter, I hope the prayers of those many people will help.
I will not express my particular belief on here again, because I certainly do not question others beliefs, nor wish to post something that would be looked upon unfavorably.

Best wishes to all,

Wolfen

Hi Wolfen
Some posts seem to be open for discussion and others are not. I think if someone is asking for prayers than that is what should be given, not a debate or discussion on theology. They just want people to pray for them or a loved one. Then there are other posts that ask a question like this one does, "The afterlife, does it exist?" which by it's title would lead one to believe that discussion is asked for and encouraged.

I respect many of the Native American beliefs since they showed so much respect for Mother Earth. All that we get comes from her yet we continue to destroy her for our own selfish reasons. As time showed us over and over again, it's not nice to mess with Mother Nature. She will shake like a wet dog and knock us all off of her and then she'll start again. I couldn't agree more with the war and destruction comments but I think that those are caused because people have a very hard time walking in other people's shoes. Plus greed comes into play just as it does with Earth's destruction.

My opinion on what you post is that if you have something that is within the range of topics for the forum then post away. How else do people learn if we can only think one way? It also wouldn't hurt if we all try to remember The Golden Rule a bit...
-phil

mariam_11_09 · February 2011

personally I believe in

personally I believe in reincarnation until there is no longer a need to come back into this existence - one has reached full buddhahood, that is enlightenment or can stand naked (without succumbing to ego) in the presence of God. Not sure what happens after that.

Reincarnation sits true for me perhaps because I can't imagine having only one life. And then when my daughter was born, I felt I already knew her, strange, she felt and still does at times feel like my sister. Not only that, several times in West Africa (Mali, Burkina and Niger) I met people that I had felt I had known for years and they felt the same way about me. It was like we had a long history together and we had only just met. And I had an old man in Mali ask me why I chose to come back as a 'toubabou' (white person). Okay these are little incidents that prove nothing and perhaps I use them to support my own idea/beliefs in reincarnation.

What I also feel, is that a friend of mine who died of breast cancer 6 years ago is hear with me, and an old friend who died last year of stomach cancer has never left. I really feel their support. I could be confusing this with something else. I don't know. We never really know do we?

rancherswifecw · March 2011

I believe
Hi, Just a little note to let you know that I believe even BEFORE I read this new book from a child. It is in Costco or on line at heavenisforreal.com The book Heaven is for real is told about a family.

I loved it. I am going to share it with someone special, dont know who yet but, husband is going to City of Hope here in So Cal. So, we will see.

All My Best,

Cherie

onlyhuman · March 2011

existence after death
Hi

I had no preconceived notions about what happens when we move on from this life. After my husband's passing in December 09 I thought about it a little but figured he'd moved on with the next part of his journey. Over the last year I have come to realise that there is existence (perhaps not life but definitely existence) after death.
I remember one evening last May when I was bone weary and worried I would not hear my little one (3 at the time) if she got up during the night. I said out loud to hubby
"Do me a favour and look after them tonight." and then crashed. It turns out that his existence heard my cry for help. Since then every evening once the lights are out, you can hear someone turning off lights and walking the corridor between the girls' rooms.
I have also felt him in the car next to me. The first few nights were scary as hell but now its sort of comforting to know something watches over us. I still dont quite understand it but I guess not everything fits in a box?

3Mana · March 2011

wolfen said:
Graci,
Thank you for your reply. I so agree with you about wars in the name of God and destruction of our planet. Every time we drive into the mountains, more forests have been destroyed in the name of industry and new unnecessary homes have been built encroaching more and more on our desert and wildlife. Progress for some, I guess.
After I made my post about my spiritual feelings, I felt kind of guilty because I really think that this is supposed to be a place where those who have been helped by a higher power can discuss it and support each other. I once believed in a benevolent God and I guess the main thing that changed my feeling is that at the very minute my father died, I was standing outside the hospital praying to God for him to be alright. That was 35 years ago. Ten years ago,my mother had a devastating stroke and I watched her die a slow death for six years. Over the years, I have prayed, cried, and pleaded with God for help in many situations, all to no avail. I guess I am just prayed out. But I also know that God does answer prayers for some. So in the hope that he has not forsaken my precious daughter, I hope the prayers of those many people will help.
I will not express my particular belief on here again, because I certainly do not question others beliefs, nor wish to post something that would be looked upon unfavorably.

Best wishes to all,

Wolfen

Kind of feel the same
Hi Wolfen,
I kind of feel the same way you do. When my mom was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 1989, I prayed so hard that she would be okay. Well, she died 2 months later. My dad also had cancer and I prayed "please don't let him die". And he died in 1990. And now last year in January, my husband was diagnosed with lung cancer. It was the shock of our life cause he didn't have any symptoms other than a back ache. Well, he died in March. So have a hard time believing that my prayers are heard. I did lose faith after my parents both died. And when Tom (my hubby) got sick, I prayed and promised that if he was cured that I would go back to church. Well, that didn't happen, and to this day I'm mad at God. Probably stupid, but just how I feel. There are so many rotten people on this earth & they keep living, but all the good ones are taken way too soon. Hope everyone doesn't think I'm bad for feeling this way, but I just feel that my prayers are never answered. By the way, I was raised a Catholic. 'Carole"

sal314 · March 2011

I Believe in What the Bible Teaches
I also have a pretty cool story about how God's word (from the bible) was affirmed to me personally.

My father passed away 2 weeks ago today from esophageal cancer. While I was with him all night in ICU on the night he was rushed to the ER, I was sitting next to him in a chair. He was pretty much non-responsive. I sat quietly, eyes closed and just prayed like crazy. I asked the Lord to reveal to my dad how much He loved him, to let him know it would be OK and safe to trust in Him and take His hand. Then God kept putting a verse in my head (mind you, I'm terrible with memorization of scripture, and didn't know what verse it was specifically, but knew it was in the bible somewhere)about the mansion with many rooms God has prepared for those that know and love him.

Well, I kept praying that my dad would know he has a place with God and that he would be OK. No sooner did I finish praying that to God in quiet, did my dad sit up in his bed, open his eyes and say with a very strong voice "Wow. That was so strange. There were so many rooms." He then laid back down and closed his eyes and didn't do much of anything for several hours. Needless to say, I about fell out of my chair. To make sure I wasn't dreaming about what had just happened, I looked up at the clock on the wall to sear that moment in time into my brain. Then my very literally mother, who was sitting on the other side of my dad, said to him "yes, Roger, you are in a room. Remember? We're here at the hospital and if you go out into the hallway (she then points to the hallway) you will see a whole row of rooms. But you are in just one." LOL. That sealed it for me. He really did say what I thought he did!

What a gift God gave me!. It was like (no, He WAS) telling me "Sally, I hear your prayers for your dad. I'm working really hard at revealing myself to him. I'm knocking on his hearts door and will not give up on him and neither should you." After I thanked God for that I had a peace wash over me like nothing I've every experience before. I knew my dad was with God!

And of course, I had to find the verse in the bible that talked about this. It's found in John 14:1-3 where Jesus is comforting his disciples. It says "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going."

So...God for me isn't just some mystic concept. He is real. He is with me. And He makes Himself known:)

Blessings,
Sally

The afterlife does it exist?

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