IntroDeathtive Philosophy Part 1

You know how when you look back on when you were a kid (provided you're not now a kid) or when you look back on an earlier version of yourself and you think, "Wow, I can't believe that was me," or "I was so naive"? (Nice run-on, huh? Thank you David Foster Wallace.) Anyway, I think that when you die everything is so vivid, that it seems like a dense, blurring fog has lifted. The visual experience is very clean and acute. Din, and the aural experience that surrounds it, is as crisp as the first thin ice of late autumn. Touch is in sync with the added depth of vision. Smell is multi-dimensional and taste mirrors smell in nature and it's complexity. Our awareness understands an expansiveness that we truly can't begin to comprehend. Perhaps if we took all of the unique qualities of special minds over the course of human history, we could begin to fathom the divide, but not actually understand it.

This is how I think I'll transform when I pass on, or what I'll pass into. I mean, something happens. My logic dictates that either one of two things happens:

1. The switch flips and there's nothing and it's completely finished. Empty. There's no more energy. It's as if there's no "yourself". To that which was you, there never was. (Not sure if I borrowed that from someone or not...but I think it gets my point across).

2. We pass "on" or "into" something. Continuation. Purpose.

The former is bleak in one sense and strangely comforting, to me, in another. Bleak because when you're living, not living is a stark opposite. Death is contrary to living. It's a complete 180 (not a product placement, however if you mix them with vodka, they're awesome! paypal accepted). Comforting, because I'll finally be able to rest. Be at peace. I can stop processing, which, if you think about it, is basically what we do. Mentally and physically. I also note that this option flies in the face of most world religions.

The latter is attractive in several ways. One is the "180 Theory" I mentioned above. Another is that it suggests our spiritual selves are on an unending journey beyond this reality. We are not confined to this realm in and of itself. We continue on, and in some cases depending on beliefs, will continue on to join our creator or "possibly" join our creator after journeys through multiple realities.

I think it's the latter. I also think it's multiple realities that we journey through. My reasons for this will follow at a later time. However, as is the case for all of us, I have had specific experiences that have shaped my thoughts on this topic.

I have to note the following. There is a conceptual difference between "think" and believe". I read or heard somewhere, sorry...it escapes me right now, so I'll filter it with the message I got out of the quote: "'Belief' is the enemy of humankind and 'Think' is it's friend". When you say 'I believe this...', you have rendered a decision about something and closed off all other possibilities. For the time being, at least. Remember when you were a little kid and you said to aunt Martha, "Yes auntie, I believe in (and you meant the physical person) Santa Clause"? The belief shift was probably traumatic. So, it's not a permanent decision. It's basically a decision that requires a substantial event to cause reconsideration. When you say, "I think this...", you are saying, "yeah this is where my head might be right now, but I'm still exploring, considering, and open to new possibilities". Believe = Closed. Think = Open.