People get VERY VERY angry when I present karma without its mystical element; I remember a guy receiving the same de-mysticized answer about karma from a deeply realized zen master at a workshop and the guy wasn't too happy. Why do we humans so DESPERATELY want to live forever??
2007-06-05 12:34:19 · 9 answers · asked by yappy 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
For some reason, I like fran's answer...Anyhow, the ego is the main factor here. By ego I am refering to someone's "self-image". If a person got rid of their ego, there would be nothing to be afraid of losing when death came around.
The the ideas of afterlife, reincarnation, and karma probably had very profound effects when they first came about. Yet, so many people suck on the finger instead of looking at the moon, to use a buddhist analogy.
2007-06-05 12:55:24 · answer #1 · answered by hrld_sleeper 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, the goal in Buddhism and Hinduism is ego-extinction.Reincarnation is not a goal but a means that should be shortened so that one can come to Nirvana,extinction like the "blowing out of a candle".
Maybe people want to live forever because we are hard-wired to yearn for it?
2007-06-05 19:40:58 · answer #2 · answered by James O 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i dont want to live forever...i just want to go through life knowing i done some goodint his world..and leave with good memorys...
i know i won't go up to heven yet as i did do bad things when i was younger...but in my next life i will mend my ways and be even better....
then maybe after my next life i will get the chance of becoming that peaceful spirit....
lol....wooohoooo....life in all aspect shud be cherished....2 weeks ago i was with my gran when she passed away...n it makes u realise how short life really is people...get out there show people u care...tell them u love them....anything just make this world a better place for the people who have to live here after we are gone...xxxxx
2007-06-05 19:39:41 · answer #3 · answered by julie60988 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The survival instinct is so ingrained in us that most people crave the security of eternal life. But people should consider that nothing which lives is eternal, nothing that is which is living according to accepted definitions of living.
2007-06-05 19:39:43 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
We don't live as humans forever, and it doesn't matter what we want in this life right now because once our mind changes... it's changed. All things change. But you're right, it's often very misunderstood by many.
_()_
2007-06-05 19:36:54 · answer #5 · answered by vinslave 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't. Afterlife might be cool but eh, I definitly don't care either way.
Jewels, you won't leave with any 'memories' if you don't believe in the afterlife. So basically you want to die happy.
2007-06-05 19:37:16 · answer #6 · answered by Veritas et Aequitas () 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When we are young we want to live forever. as a geriatric nurse, I have dealt with the elderly. They do not want to go on living forever. they almost always tell me, that they are ready.
2007-06-05 19:37:06 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fear and ignorance make them want to live forever.
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2007-06-05 19:36:10 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
we are all masochists
2007-06-05 19:37:39 · answer #9 · answered by sage 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋