For literary purposes I set up a scenario to tell a story. I do not believe we are conscious at any time between death and resurrection. But I do believe we will survive. Nor do I believe physical death is a magical springboard, therefore I posit the necessity of interstellar travel from here to there.
Each of us can envision heaven as we wish. These visualizations must be inventions since no one really knows what is on the other side. Nonetheless it’s possible that prophets may have had a glimpse. One such candidate would be John the Revelator. However, there is much we can infer, even conclude, with good reasoning and healthy assumptions. In any case we can speculate. And I hope my speculations have been more than entertainment; that they have helped in your search for the truth. Maybe you have a few good questions, and maybe even a few good answers. If conjecturing about the other side gives us a better idea about how to live here and now, it is worth it.
There are many afterlife projections presented by our various belief systems. One cannot wonder about heaven without wondering about reality itself. We can look at the diverse notions offered and see what harmonizes with The Truth. The value is in the looking; our ideas about the future do shape the present. Whether our speculations are fiction or fact we will not know firsthand until we experience physical death ourselves.
If nothing else, it is an invigorating exercise in the use of our dynamic freewill, intelligent discrimination, and exploratory insight. When we all meet on the other side, we can compare notes and have a good laugh about our expectations.
WHO DECIDES?
It all comes down to verification and/or belief. So what would we need to confirm The Real Truth? How do we determine what is true and what is false; right or wrong? Do we have an inner truth indicator? Is there a scale from good to better and then on up to best? If so, is there a hierarchy in the universe? Is there really a Final Authority, an Objective Reality? Our minds are equipped with the inherent faculty to receive an answer. The same sense gives us the ability to know what is genuinely beautiful, to feel goodness in all of its forms, and to recognize what is really real. And since God is good, we are assured he gave us such a gift.
How do we get to the truth? For scientific questions we look to the facts of science; for philosophical questions we turn to the logic; and for religious questions we study the teachings of our elders or revelation.
Some folks take the traditional story of a particular religion or philosophy (frequently not looking at the contradictions or obvious inconsistencies). Others have not yet bothered to ask the questions. During our lives we see people with all manner of ideologies who are making an effort and seeking the truth. And they are asking lots of questions–not just the ones that are asked in this book. Each person filters information through their own senses, experiences, morals, beliefs, logic, reasoning, and faith. Even without faith in an Ultimate Source, these experiences confirm or move us closer to, a fuller and truer sense of reality. Enlightenment is ours as we embrace the Truth.
We can know what is right by external experience and also by internal experience. We are in possession of the mental systems of logic, reason, and intuition and also the higher senses of the personality and the Spirit who generously shines light into our hearts. Our intuition, of course, can be accurate or inaccurate. Yet we also know we can correct our ideas and beliefs as we acquire more information (external), spend more time in refection (internal), gain more experience (practical), or live according to value-based principles (spiritual).
IS GOD NECESSARY?
I am convinced there is an afterlife. But why hold such a belief? My faith comes from an a priori foundation: the existence of a good God. I choose to believe God is Reality (all of it) and each of us is an important piece of his grand scheme. I have no doubt he is thoughtful of all our needs–individually and collectively. A Divine Person who loves us has designed everything. The grand purpose is fostered by the angelic corps who where created for service.
I willingly share my beliefs but I cannot prove God’s existence to someone else; it is one of those certainties we can know only in our heart of hearts.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN OUR BODY DIES?
There are five components of the self: body, mind, personality, soul, and Spirit. The fusion of these constituent elements produces a uniquely self-aware person in fraternal relationship with other persons.
In order to experience our resurrection we will be provided with a new body: an energy system with mobility, dexterity, all of our current senses, plus more. This next body will be partially physical and partially spiritual.
When a physical body dies, the mind associated with the brain is disconnected from its energy system. The mind is not a stand-alone entity. It is never disconnected from its divine source. It is a gift from, and a part of, the Infinite Mind. All valuable memories and Earth experiences are recorded. They are uniquely yours and will be reintegrated into your new mind/body/soul consciousness upon reassembly. Mind is superimposed on energy and energy is responsive to mind.
During our Earth life the personality is seated in the mind circuits. As we mature spiritually, our identity is gradually transferred from the material-intellect to be increasingly associated with our emerging soul. After death the personality is totally identified with the soul.
This reassembly takes place far away from Earth, but within the physical universe. Thus, with a new body, a renewed mind, our same personality, the unique soul we formed on Earth, and the Spirit entity to dwells within each of us, life can be re-imposed on the new system allowing self-consciousness and self-awareness to return.
We will look back on what happened during our Earth life after we are on the other side.
Thank you for considering these mysteries. I honor your genuine conclusions.