Despite what you believe, would you rather there be nothing at the time of death, or do you wish that your experience does continue in some way, be it reincarnation or whatever.

And for all the athiests, would you rather there not be a god (Any kind of god not just xian) or do you think life would have more beauty knowing it was created from a conscious source rather than chance.

Are you happy for your life just to be a segment of moments in history or would you rather it have more meaning where love plays a much bigger part in life than just being something that facilitates survival?

Call me a romantic, but I'd rather the consciousness continue after death and constantly grow and evolve and experience ever higher feelings of love and unity of spirit. I think our interactions and experiences and hardships and everything we go through would be much more beautiul knowing it was for the betterment of all of life.

I'm not after any arguments in this thread. There are too many in this forum and they get tiresome. Let's keep it lighthearted.

quote:Originally posted by ---Beany---

And for all the athiests, would you rather there not be a god (Any kind of god not just xian) or do you think life would have more beauty knowing it was created from a conscious source rather than chance.

I think life would be far less beautiful if there was an omnipotent god behind all of this who allows so much pain, suffering and evil in this world.*

But of course I would love to live an eternity in everlasting happiness; it sure sounds alot better that not existing anymore.



*Please, lets not highjack this thread into telling others why there opinions are wrong and keep it to just answering the OP's questions, so he can see where people stand.

I would much rather know what is true than have a wish with which to shape truth.

I would perhaps like consciousness to continue, but even that isn't a big deal. I'm content as it is.

Actually, I think an eternity of happiness would be rather boring. What is happiness without the contrasting sadness? Nothing. You can't simply have one without the other, lest it becomes your everyday disposition, at which point, it loses its value. Part of what makes happiness and joy so grand is that they are temporal. The feeling fades, normalcy resumes, and we eagerly await and cherish future bits of happiness we experience. To have happiness everlasting would spoil it, spoil us; we'd become numb to the feeling.

However, I do love life. Should I have a wish, I would probably opt for non-transcendent reincarnation. Basically, we would all live multiple lives, but retain nothing. When I would die, I would later open my eyes as a newborn, only it would not be "me". I would retain no memories of this life, no resemblance to personality or anything else. I would actually be someone else. The beauty of such a system would be that

1) there would be no baggage in being reborn. One would not grow up longing for their former family and friends. No bad memories or fears. A clean slate.

2) With that clean slate, one would be able to experience life, all over again, as it was their first time.

Just as out of the cells composing you as you developed fired their first synapses in the brain, spawning what you now realize as "you", as both your conscious and subconcious being; and when you pass away, those firings will cease; a fetus elsewhere will begin the development of its being, and a conciousness will spawn.

I suppose it's all rather confusing, though. http://www.totse.com/bbs/confused.gif (http://www.totse.com/bbs/confused.gif)

I want pizza! http://www.totse.com/bbs/biggrin.gif (http://www.totse.com/bbs/biggrin.gif)

I want 'god' to be the worlds global conscienceness(sp?). That would be awesome if we found out that really we live in a spiritual democracy http://www.totse.com/bbs/biggrin.gif (http://www.totse.com/bbs/biggrin.gif)

quote:Originally posted by ---Beany---:

Despite what you believe, would you rather there be nothing at the time of death, or do you wish that your experience does continue in some way, be it reincarnation or whatever.

The laws of physics seem to demand a continuation of some sort, however I would not wish to remember a lot of this life. I'd like to forget the shitty bits, where there was suffering or where I fucked up(but not forget the lessons learned).

I would like to continue at a higher state of consciousness, where my mind only held joy, and, in a good place, like a rainforest covered montain verging a coastline with great beaches and some special people to share it with. Nice dream!

quote:And for all the athiests, would you rather there not be a god (Any kind of god not just xian) or do you think life would have more beauty knowing it was created from a conscious source rather than chance.

I'd rather we were all on an equal footing, realising the energy of which we are composed is eternal and indestructible(like what we call god)! That eternal energy has always been and always will be. Sentient beings sharing in that energy would realise they are an indivisable, indestructible part of eternal being, without beginning and without end recognising that all others are the same.



quote:

Are you happy for your life just to be a segment of moments in history or would you rather it have more meaning where love plays a much bigger part in life than just being something that facilitates survival?



In the broader sweep of history, has my life much significance? I doubt it, the universe is far greater than one can comprehend such that as Marcus said: 'our lives are like the tiniest speck in the greatest river'.

What is love? Is it possible to define it? Does what we call love, in fact facilitate survival or, is that just something we call love because we want to believe there's more than pain and suffering?

Is it because one desires to believe in love and light, that life is good and one can be happy, so we blot out the suffering of the vast majority of our fellow human beings and live in a delusion we call love?

Namaste http://www.totse.com/bbs/smile.gif (http://www.totse.com/bbs/smile.gif)

quote:Originally posted by ---Beany---:

Despite what you believe, would you rather there be nothing at the time of death, or do you wish that your experience does continue in some way, be it reincarnation or whatever.

And for all the athiests, would you rather there not be a god (Any kind of god not just xian) or do you think life would have more beauty knowing it was created from a conscious source rather than chance.

Are you happy for your life just to be a segment of moments in history or would you rather it have more meaning where love plays a much bigger part in life than just being something that facilitates survival?

Call me a romantic, but I'd rather the consciousness continue after death and constantly grow and evolve and experience ever higher feelings of love and unity of spirit. I think our interactions and experiences and hardships and everything we go through would be much more beautiul knowing it was for the betterment of all of life.

I'm not after any arguments in this thread. There are too many in this forum and they get tiresome. Let's keep it lighthearted.

I want to enter into a paradise in my second incarnation.

I wouldn't want to cease to exist, yet I wouldn't want all that God worshipping heaven type of afterlife either.

I have to go with something like redzed said. A higher state of consciousness.

I'd like for there to be a god. The idea of complete justice would great; rewards for those who have been "good", and punishment for those who have been "bad".

I'd also prefer an eternity of bliss over reincarnation or nothingness.

However, I do think the universe would not more beautiful "knowing it was created from a conscious source"; at least not if the god in question is omnipotent or posses the ability to better his creation. If that were the case, he could easily create a much better universe; I'd have to settle knowing that this is sub-par, a notion which is not beautiful at all.

quote:Originally posted by Elephantitis Man:

Should I have a wish, I would probably opt for non-transcendent reincarnation. Basically, we would all live multiple lives, but retain nothing. When I would die, I would later open my eyes as a newborn, only it would not be "me". I would retain no memories of this life, no resemblance to personality or anything else. I would actually be someone else.

Really? Personally, that's the aspect I despise most of these reincarnation scenarios. If I cannot remember what I was in a past life, then I'd might as well not lived it. It would be as if tomorrow morning someone were to say to you that reincarnation is real, and that you had lived many past lives... "Great...?" I don't have the pleasure to remember what I did in those lives, and when I die, I won't have the pleasure of remembering this one; there might as well be nothingness.

I think at the end there is nothing, no matter how many times one reincarnates, it will still be the end result. I think it's also possible to have a good life then still end up with a worse life the next time around, and also that it's very possible for one to be confused then maybe catch a glimpse of what's really going on in one life, then forget it all the next time and reincarnate many more times, without knowing why or what's going on or remembering.

Many have said that a lot of us have reincarnated thousands of times. Thousands?

Life will always be suffering, it will always be hunt/hunter/people vs. the elements, basically limited and conditioned. I find it admirable you'd wish to keep going on with this, as to truly make that decision takes balls and strength to willfully undergo suffering.

As for me? I think I'm kind of tired, and would like to see a day everything becomes nothing, no rising, no falling, no wars, no peace, just nothing. Otherwise, I feel there will always have to be suffering of some sort and that it only ends when all life ends... I think even if it reached it's greatest height of being the most peaceful, and loving existence, it would still have to fall, because it is still conditioned to change. I see it as maybe reality going through cycles, constant cycles, forever and ever. I think the only way out is to really just get out...

It's true though, as time goes on in a major scale things seem to get better, people get wiser, more loving, more understanding and accepting. At the peak though I think reincarnation ends and that's the highest we can reach.

I think there is a void or emptiness that is vast and kind of scary, I think when someone finally can face it fully, they can perhaps escape reincarnation forever. All the great masters have seemed to said that is the end goal...

But I say this hypothetically. I've glimpsed what's behind the scenes, I don't know all about this and have faint ideas in my head of what could be memories from a past life. One day I hope to just let it all go, but I'm assuming one has to reach the highest level of detachment in order for that to happen.

Or, to exist as a being like you are in a dream where the reality around you, you created and can control... except to be fully aware and never forget that. That would be interesting, to do that and then go back to nothingness, at will, unconditionally.

Ah, I dont really know what Im talking about anymore so Im gonna stop here.

quote:Originally posted by Rust:

Really? Personally, that's the aspect I despise most of these reincarnation scenarios. If I cannot remember what I was in a past life, then I'd might as well not lived it. It would be as if tomorrow morning someone were to say to you that reincarnation is real, and that you had lived many past lives... "Great...?" I don't have the pleasure to remember what I did in those lives, and when I die, I won't have the pleasure of remembering this one; there might as well be nothingness.

Really! if i could remember my past life i could remember the answer to that damn question i always miss on the test.

Lol but seriously elephantitis man FTW!

quote:Originally posted by Rust:

If I cannot remember what I was in a past life, then I'd might as well not lived it. It would be as if tomorrow morning someone were to say to you that reincarnation is real, and that you had lived many past lives... "Great...?" I don't have the pleasure to remember what I did in those lives, and when I die, I won't have the pleasure of remembering this one; there might as well be nothingness.

But consider all the baggage a previous could place on a person. Imagine being a young child, in a new family, longing for your wife and children from your previous life. Imagine suffering trauma of molestation, abuse, or another tragedy that haunts you for the rest of this life. Would you really want to remember it in the next? I enjoy life now. I've enjoyed learning things and growing. Why wouldn't I enjoy it over again, especially if it seemed like my first time all over again? Furthermore, I don't think it would make this life (or any previous life, or future lives) and more pointless or valuable than if we only lived once, then died. Like I said, it's not like you would be the same person in "the next life". Hell, it could be true and noone would know about it, nor have anyway of knowing about it, and it wouldn't make a difference if it were true or not.

http://www.totse.com/bbs/confused.gif (http://www.totse.com/bbs/confused.gif)

quote:Originally posted by Elephantitis Man:



But consider all the baggage a previous could place on a person. Imagine being a young child, in a new family, longing for your wife and children from your previous life. Imagine suffering trauma of molestation, abuse, or another tragedy that haunts you for the rest of this life. Would you really want to remember it in the next? I enjoy life now. I've enjoyed learning things and growing. Why wouldn't I enjoy it over again, especially if it seemed like my first time all over again? Furthermore, I don't think it would make this life (or any previous life, or future lives) and more pointless or valuable than if we only lived once, then died. Like I said, it's not like you would be the same person in "the next life". Hell, it could be true and noone would know about it, nor have anyway of knowing about it, and it wouldn't make a difference if it were true or not.

http://www.totse.com/bbs/confused.gif (http://www.totse.com/bbs/confused.gif)

Well presumably if reincarnation is a part of life, then we would have grown to accept the reality of reincarnation and its consequences. We would not long for our loved ones because we would accept the fact that they would be another person/being just like we would be. As for trauma, the new life could serve as a way to confront those fears to finally do away with them.

In any case, I wasn't really supporting any form of reincarnation over the other, I was simply intrigued that that would be your opinion. It's a fundamental difference in the way we think. When you say that you would enjoy it all over again, I can't help but think that you wouldn't enjoy anything, because you wouldn't exist. If you were to retain your consciousness then I could definitely agree that "you" would enjoy the other life, but if you do not, then you might as well be a completely different person.

If it were revealed to me, as a matter of fact, that reincarnation in the way you described it was real, then I wouldn't give it a second thought. To me, the Rust of now, it would be exactly the same as if there were nothingness after I died. I wouldn't enjoy or dislike any of it.

quote:Originally posted by Rust:

When you say that you would enjoy it all over again, I can't help but think that you wouldn't enjoy anything, because you wouldn't exist. If you were to retain your consciousness then I could definitely agree that "you" would enjoy the other life, but if you do not, then you might as well be a completely different person.

If it were revealed to me, as a matter of fact, that reincarnation in the way you described it was real, then I wouldn't give it a second thought. To me, the Rust of now, it would be exactly the same as if there were nothingness after I died. I wouldn't enjoy or dislike any of it.

Yeah, you worded it well. It's why I put the http://www.totse.com/bbs/confused.gif (http://www.totse.com/bbs/confused.gif) face at the end of my post. Because thinking about it makes me go http://www.totse.com/bbs/confused.gif (http://www.totse.com/bbs/confused.gif).

http://www.totse.com/bbs/tongue.gif (http://www.totse.com/bbs/tongue.gif)

I can't believe no ones said this yet.

I giant sex orgy, and you get to meet goatse and tubgirl!!

It would be cool if we all had like 10 minutes to take turns playing god. ( I don't believe in god)

I enjoy life the way it is. It's so beautiful, how can you guys wish for something else when you don't even fully understand what's going on within the universe, the planet, the body, everything.

I would hope to find for a fact that some kind of deity exists. I think people go too overboard with being too literal with Bible translations or being too liberal.

It does say in the Bible that you should have a one-on-one relationship with God, and having an understanding of many eastern religions as well I've decided on having my own religion.

In my opinion, a God exists (even scientifically speaking, a God of some sort existing would answer many many questions and make a lot more sense of everything, and coming from life experiences, I may only be 17 but I've thought very deeply about many things I've seen, people I've lost, people I've almost lost, people I still have, and my family and home and friends almost every day since I first realized how to think for myself).

Just thinking about everything in it's clockwork amazes me, and since I am a bit of a D&D fan I wish things were a little more like that, cosmology-wise at least. I'm fascinated by species and astronomy and the idea of new, intelligible races sparks my interest.

However, since there's nothing I can really do about it, I really appreciate life as it is, because I'm never going to understand how things work or why they happen, but I can try to understand the mind of God to the best of my ability.

quote:Originally posted by One Kill Wonder:

I enjoy life the way it is. It's so beautiful.

You know it wouldn't be so good

without what man did. Life used

to suck even worse than it does now.