Death. Then what?
Where do we go after we die?
What will heaven be like for you?
Through the ages, people around the world have faced the ultimate reality in many different ways. Many philosophers, religious leaders, celebrities, and political leaders have written their answers to this fascinating question. Excerpts from some of their published observations follow. Many of the condensations in this volume do not explain how the person came to their conclusions, or the circumstances surrounding their visions into the hereafter. Hopefully, you will be intrigued by many of these excerpts and read the original works. Most are first-hand opinions or experiences, but a few essays and a fictional story or two are also included.
In other writings, many people have described near-death experiences. A common theme seems to be a tunnel, a light, a person in charge, and friends and family members with warm greetings. While this may be the immediate next step after death, is it possible this is only a waiting area? A temporary paradise/purgatory or way-station before the final destination? Do these visits give us a "sneak-preview" of an even grander heaven further along the road? Some of those experiences are included here.
The views of the hereafter held by the people next door fascinate us as much as the views of the famous. By computer modem, THE question was asked of people around the world using the "handle" Heaven's Gate. Their views are also published within. Contributions to subsequent editions can be sent to: mail@borleyrectory.com on the Internet.
If we agree with the theory that matter can neither be created nor destroyed, it stands to reason we will continue in some form or another after we experience earthly death.
If matter is eternal, then so is time. Is it possible that time as we understand it will cease to exist in the eternities? For practical purposes of discussion, perhaps we need to hang on to our concept of time in order to construct a possible scenario of life after death? Or even life before birth?
Just what WILL we be doing 1,000 years from now? 10,000 years from now? 1,000,000 years from now?
With unlimited time available to us, is it possible that many different views of the hereafter in this book are correct? Can we skip around from one eternity to the next? Have a few hundred reincarnations, watch the earth spin into the sun, and experience all the other possibilities - one at a time - on some other sphere or plane of existence? After all, what else will there be to do?
Death has always fascinated the people of this earth. Many of our actions and thoughts are influenced by our perceptions of what awaits us after we die. Perhaps even some violent crimes are ways of arrogantly challenging death and its possible consequences?
Views of hell are not the main focus of this work, but the subject is unavoidable when talking about the hereafter.
One part of heaven for me will be to experience fully all the things I missed while alive on this earth. Lots of football, basketball, exploring lost treasures, playing music, sailing, flying, and eating all those things doctors told me to stay away from. I imagine we will be able to breath while under water, and do all manner of things not even thought of on this earth.
One has to ask an obvious questions about heavenly sports; can there be a loser? How about eating; can it be much heaven for a cow to give up its life so we can eat a hearty steak?
If the streets in heaven are paved with gold, and if there are golden thrones, who makes the gold and who does the paving work? Surely, it can't be heaven for the workers? On the other hand, even if they are laborers, won't they at least be in heaven?
If being in heaven means roaring over the dunes is a 4 by 4, who will build the truck and who will maintain it?
If being in heaven means palaces and thrones and kingdoms, then will the servants also be there? Will it be heaven for them, or some degree of punishment (read "hell") because they are servants and not rulers? In their off-duty hours, will they have access to the same heavenly places as their rulers?
If the hereafter is a succession of carnations, where does it all end? How can a person 33 lives down the road improve to a better life if he doesn't remember all of his previous lives so he can correct the mistakes? Once Nirvana is reached, do ultimately reincarnated people explore the same heaven as those who simply died and went there in the first place?
For some, heaven will be the absence of the more painful things we encounter on this earth. For them, heaven will still be earth, but without disease, war, pestilence, crime, and taxes.
If earth becomes heaven, where do the "things" come from that make it heavenly?
These questions belong not only to the author. While researching this book, I was literally flooded with resource material. It seemed every book store has free tabloids full of discussions on the higher planes. Newspapers and magazines frequently highlight these mysteries.
The local library has several shelves of books dedicated to the subject. In fact, this library has 12 copies of its most popular book, Embraced by the Light, by Betty Jean Eadie. The waiting list was at 12 when I signed it, and it took several weeks for me to get a copy. Twelve hard-to-get copies in a library that serves less than 100,000 people!
Throughout this research, a few terms continued to reappear. Terms like: God, nature, Satan, death, and eternity. It is all related. The more you read, the more these terms become more connected. If there is death, the next question is, "Is there life after death?" In logical sequence we ask, "If there is a hereafter, is there a God? If there is a God, is there a soul? If there is a soul, is there immortality?" Or, we might ask, "What about ghosts?" As Susy Smith says in Life Is Forever, "If one apparition is ever definitely authenticated to be the actual conscious surviving reverent of the deceased person he purports to be - then the survival of some aspect of the human soul has been proved."
Our heavens seem to be extensions of what we know - our earthly experiences. It's as if a veil had been drawn over our eyes, and we are not allowed to imagine the possibilities.
Even I have a desire to complete unfinished business on this earth, before wandering off into the eternities. However, what happens after all the games have been played and all the different lives have been visited?
The ultimate heaven for me, will be a reunion of my family. Alone, without family, can there really be a true heaven?
As a single parent, I have often wished to meet that perfect soul mate who would stand closely by my side not only on this earth, but throughout the eternities. Is it only a coincidence that years ago I gave this yet unmet partner the pet name "Angel?"
As our earthly imaginations fail us, sometimes we can only sense what heaven will NOT be. We seek to remove the cords that bind us to misery, problems and woe, without being able to see what glorious and wonderful things the hereafter may have in store.
You are invited to shake those chains and dream. What adventures await us as we break loose from these earthly bonds and soar through the eternities?
Let us begin.
Note: A conscientious effort has been made to acknowledge every copyright owner quoted in this book. Subsequent editions will credit any inadvertant ommissions brought to my attention.
Copyright 1994 by Vincent O'Neil