[Robert]

I probably haven't captured all the possibilities and there could be some overlap. For example, there could be a cycle of reincarnation in which you work out your karma, for example, and then transcend to a higher plane. Please try to provide a rational for your choice if you can. I think it is also possible to have two choices. One choice is based on reasoned rational thought and the other choice is based on emotion and want.

Although I current lean towards the "Eaten by Worms" theory, I once leaned towards an afterlife and reincarnation. The countless stories of people who died and were revived, and then told very similar stories about what happened to them while they were dead, were very influential to me. You can't simply say that all those stories were fabrications can you? It would be interesting to know why these stories are so similar. Perhaps it's the way the brain is wired (by evolution perhaps) to operate as the body dies.

[HappytheStripper]

Originally Posted by Robert I probably haven't captured all the possibilities and there could be some overlap. For example, there could be a cycle of reincarnation in which you work out your karma, for example, and then transcend to a higher plane. Please try to provide a rational for your choice if you can. I think it is also possible to have two choices. One choice is based on reasoned rational thought and the other choice is based on emotion and want. Although I current lean towards the "Eaten by Worms" theory, I once leaned towards an afterlife and reincarnation. The countless stories of people who died and were revived, and then told very similar stories about what happened to them while they were dead, were very influential to me. You can't simply say that all those stories were fabrications can you? It would be interesting to know why these stories are so similar. Perhaps it's the way the brain is wired (by evolution perhaps) to operate as the body dies.

A question not many people ask although a question most people consider - the worm theory and all being a fear of death perhaps?

Is this a question of a physical nature or is it more spiritual? Because this question can be answered in many more ways than just 2.

James Redfield of The Celestine Prophecy chose to think death occurs for a reason and reincarnation to be possible in order to learn the lesson of the sacred self and if we dont learn it in this lifetime we certainly learn it in the next. What happens between life and death is either conscious or unconscious depending on the age of the soul and the souls ability to learn the lesson.

The question I seek to answer is what happens when the soul has learned. Buddah was said to have learned and released from the eternal cycle of birth life and death.

Question still remains unanswered "what happens when you die". Look back to the pyramids of giza also. The egyptians believed you ascended to the cosmos. Is this where we came from. Maybe in order to find out what happens when we die, we need to figure out how we got here and why?

[michellemfry]

Other: Cremation

[HappytheStripper]

Originally Posted by michellemfry Other: Cremation

Lmfao thats not where my Dad went! I do love you sense of humour though. Nice one chick!

[Robert]

Originally Posted by HappytheStripper Is this a question of a physical nature or is it more spiritual? Because this question can be answered in many more ways than just 2.

For question #2, there would be no soul that separates from the body at death. For the other questions there must be an independent soul and the body may still be eaten by worms.

The existence of a soul would complicate the Theory of Everything which must unify and explain both the physical and spiritual aspects of reality.

Originally Posted by HappytheStripper Maybe in order to find out what happens when we die, we need to figure out how we got here and why?

Good point this one.

[Mr. Nobody]

What happened to you before you were born? Symmetrical question with the same answer

[Guille]

What happens before you were concieved or after you die is just that you stop existing. I would have said that you are eaten by worms, but that would be wrong, because you would not longer be you: the body on which your mind and being relied on is eaten by worms. The reason why we think we are still ourselves before being concieved or before dying is because we tend to think that start and end are processes, periods. But they are not: they are just infinitesimal points.

[zeroca]

I choose the veriant: you are reincarnated and your body is eaten by worms, as "you" means - soul, i.e. the same soul is reincarnated in another body.

[Guille]

Originally Posted by zeroca I choose the veriant: you are reincarnated and your body is eaten by worms, as "you" means - soul, i.e. the same soul is reincarnated in another body.

Hi zeroca,

This is a plausible theory, but I use Ockhams razor and therefore I choose mine: I can explain the universe without the need of the idea of soul.

[baudrunner]

The existence of a soul would complicate the Theory of Everything which must unify and explain both the physical and spiritual aspects of reality

.

Not necessarily.

I honestly do subscribe to my anthropocentric Universe theory. Carl Gustav Jung referred to the "Universal Unconscious". Since, according to my belief, Consciousness precludes the nature of Universal evolution it is perpetually present. We sentient life forms are like the intersections of the mesh that sieves through this Universal unconscious and are by the process of birth or rebirth afforded the opportunity to develop a unique identity. The mind is linked to the Universal Unconscious and it has the potential to survive the cessation of the corporeal harbour of the spirit wherein we develop this identity. Consciousness must be represented by a very powerful energy.

It is said that when Jesus died on the cross the Gates of Heaven were opened. I interpret this to mean that 2,000 years ago the spiritual development of individuals had attained a state of evolutionary advancement that potentially qualified them to enter that spiritual domain wherein dwell the preserved identities of other spirits from across the Universe who were so qualified and who are to all intent and purpose immortal.

Belief is a potent force that guides our spiritual selves. We must believe in our spiritual potential lest we lose the opportunity to release ourselves from the cycle of life and death and find that the end really is no more than worm food when we wake up dead.