Questioning Your Non-Existence?

Question

Have you ever really thought about what it would be like when you've passed? I mean seriously wondered what it's going to be like? I'm not afraid of dying, I'm afraid of not existing anymore. I struggle between this thought and faith in God that I will be in Heaven with my daughter. The feeling is too strong that I get panic attacks and suffer terrible anxiety from it. I try everyday not to think about it as it feels morbid. And it's been a while since this has happened. But now my other daughter is starting to ask me questions about death and understanding more of our religion. I don't know if I can handle answering them. I feel she is asking the same questions that will trigger my emotions. I don't want to tell her that when you die, there's nothing. No feeling, no love, no life, just blackness. It's too scary to think about. Has anyone ever felt this way? Can anyone relate to this feeling? What should I say to her? Please help.

Answer 1

The simple answer, no matter what you believe is this.

When you die, one of two things is going to happen.

Either you move on to another level, at which point you will look back and know how silly your fears were.

Or you do actually cease to exist, in which case you won't even know because you won't be capable of thought.

You have no control over it, relax and live and don't fear death! It's part of life!

Answer 2

I can't honestly say that i have been in your shoes but, if you believe in your religion and have faith in God, think of death as another journey. Life was one long trip and death is another trip. Don't forget, everyone will have to take both trips. There is nothing that you can do about it. The only thing in your hand is the destination of the second trip. It is up to you where you end up after passing through death.

You can try explaining to your daughter something similar to the above but, make it like a fairy tale. When one dies, they go to heaven where there is music, nice beaches, very good people that you can play with and etc.

Hope that I have lessened your burden a little and try to find somebody to talk to. Wish you all the best.

Answer 3

I have had thought about the non existence to the point it sent a chill down my back. Is kind of freaky. But, I also have children I must raise and make productive citizens of along with the other hustle and bustle of life, so I do not have many chances to let my thoughts stay in one spot for very long. I will say this though, when my oldest asked about death and what happens I did not lie to her. I told her straight out "I don't know honey." Kids are very smart so there really isn't any B'S'ing them. Tell your daughter the truth! You don't know and you hope to have a very, very, long time to wait and find out. Tell her about the beliefs of the religion you have faith in and what you think or hope happens. Then proceed to tell her what other faiths, and cultures believe. She will make her own thoughts and decisions on this subject as she grows and understands the concept.

Answer 4

Oh yeah I know that feeling. It just chills me to the bone. Once I start thinking about it I have a bad habit of thinking about out constantly for about half an hour. If I were going to tell a child about this I would compare it to sleeping. If you are religious though, why don't you just explain how your religion views death? You don't have to explain the emptiness that it could be. That emptiness might not even exist, we will never know till we get there.

In response to Ladyofathousandfaces I have a similar idea to yours. Except I think that it could be possible that we are just reliving our lives over and over again. Like most people say when they are faced with death, their life flashes before their eyes. So I often thought maybe Im not really here right now, but because I'm dying my brain goes into shock and replays my life. Then once I die in the replay it starts all over again. It fills like life time after life time, but in reality its only fractions of seconds.

Answer 5

yes i have problem question that at one time in my life, but i do not do it anymore for the reason you have stated. I know what it will be like, i worry about the ones that i will be leaveing behind more then me passing away, and going on to a higher plain. I really think that you will be surprised what you may find after you have passed on.

But here is another thought for you, i wrote a paper on this one, how us not existening, but we are only someones dream, and when they are awake we are asleep, and when they sleep we are awake, now i am not going to get real deep into it, but i think you have the idea. So they pass us on to others they know, and our life gets worse, for some it may get better. So just give that a short thought for a few sec.

Answer 6

Well, if you have faith, you are in for a wondrous experience by all accounts and rest assured you will be reunited with loved ones.

Non-believers will just expire and decay away like a leaf in the fall - the natural order of things.

As a parent it is your job to raise your kids so they have fun and learn to be independent, responsible adults. This too is the natural order of things.

It is not healthy nor helpful to dwell on death. It is prudent to realize that it is inevitable, and to make certain plans such as a will, living will (in the event of accident or terminal illness), and spell out who should care for under-aged children. But please don't obsess on this subject.

Talk with your local clergy or seek assistance from professionals who can discuss this with you to get you back on track to enjoying this life!

Answer 7

I have been answering a lot of similar questions. Sometimes questions are raised with accompanying insults to the believers which is not proper. Question and Answer must stand for trying to learn from each one. Those who are not ready to accept one's opinion deserve a respect for what he stands for.YA may have seen such appalling words and not good for the community. Yes, you are very right. We are each made to be happy and self- inflicted suffering is not the message in the Book only when it comes that you should deal with it and not be sunk by it but carry those with dignity as a human being.

Answer 8

Learn and practice the method in http://deeplyrelax.com so you will be prepared next time, and repeat in your mind the word: "easy". Tell your daughter that you don't know the answer to this, and to ask at sunday school, etc.