about the afterlife?

Question

i don't believe if you leave this world unhappy (you haven't achieved what you always wanted) you can still be happy elsewhere - it doesn't make sense, if you were unhappy there, how will you all of a sudden be happy up there, doesn't make sense at all. what are your thoughts. thanx

Answer 1

i dont think of it as an afterlife, but rather a continuation of our spirits life, a after this phase of life here on earth,
and i agree, one doesnt suddenly change, perhaps its like a nice vacation, you dont change but your environment does, and you are able to rest and enjoy the experience, before picking back up where you left off, though you wouldnt return to the exact life here on earth that you had, but you would still be yourself

Answer 2

On Happiness: you should read Immanual Kant's "Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals." Some think that the pursuit of happiness is the motivation behind every action a person makes. For instance, if a man really believes deep down (even subconsciously) eating cheese dogs and greezy chips at every meal will make him happy, heck, he just might end up doing it. However, if you take that a step further and as you will see if you read the aforementioned book, Kant seemed to think that a person can't truly attain any real happiness unless those actions have moral worth or deep drive for goodness for all or even selflessness behind them. Really check out the book, it's short but powerful enough to get you thinking in the right direction.

Further reading would definitely be John Stuart Mill's "Utilitarianism." He points out that there is a difference in quality in pleasures and that as rational beings we will always find the greater pleasure in the use of our higher faculties. In simpler terms, we are not animals, we are rational beings and therefore we are not only capable of greater pain but also of greater pleasure. Think of how a deer goes numb when it knows it is going to die, but a person can be tortured for days without giving up. Flip the coin and there it is. Would you be happier swinging from a tree or flying an F-15? I don't think a deer could fly that plane. If your question is a pursuit of some true happiness at least for this life, put some work into it. Engage your higher mental faculties and you'll not only find some answers you might be looking for, you may even enjoy it.

So, if you want to be happy here, don't just settle for quick easy pleasures like the cheese dog man. The real happiness comes when giving up simple pleasures for the ones that are actually worth attaining: i.e. saving your cigarrette money for a vacation to Copenhagen.

As for the life to come, if you object to reading the Bible or letting something outside yourself define truth for you, well then, that leaves you in charge and you may as well fantasize whatever end you wish. Heck most religions seem to be started that way. Just like so many other people, you too can do whatever you think will help, but when the end comes it might just help more than you know to have read what the various religious books say about what you'll be facing. If you want to read something that will blow your mind, read "The Abolition of Man" by C. S. Lewis. In fact, if you don't read anything else, READ THAT! And bring a dictionary. You'll learn a lot. Look at my sources for the texts online. And use www.m-w.com

Oh, and yes, you should read the New Testament and look for the big picture. The Bible is not always nice in the way it is written, but it certainly is nice in that it can give you hope and something to look forward to, even if you do leave this life unhappy. In fact, wouldn't that be justice after all, to find happiness after a life of pain? Sounds like a fairytale ending to me.

Answer 3

You are right! Our unhappiness can be the result of our wrong decisions and may be the result of the meanness of other people. What matters is that we did what we believed to be right and did our best in any situation. Surely that will be rewarded with happiness in the afterlife.
Any good act shall be rewarded with happiness if not in this life, then in the afterlife. But what is the concept of happiness?
Happiness stems up from unselfishness and good thoughts, words and actions for others and for ourselves, the source of which is love. Isn't that what we live for? To love ourselves and others, and from this root, stems up all our efforts, drives and actions. What makes it difficult for us are the obstacles which are the bad works of others to us and the people we care for.
But isn't anything good we did have its reward of good afterwards? Man by nature is good and we tend to do good because our instincts tell us to strive to attain for the higher good in the afterlife which is eternal. So that is where it gets its sense.

Answer 4

It depends on the reason. Someone could be unhappy here after a bountiful life full of good work and love if they are dying from a painful disease like cancer.
But if you mean that a person that lives an unhappy life full of resentment and self pity couldn't magically change when he dies, I agree.

Answer 5

It is common Logic to visualise after life is akin to the phenomenon before life. If there is after life, then it shall be going back to the status of before life. Happiness is a situation that one has to create from within itself, It is indeed foolish to look for happiness out side your minds. Happiness is present within your mind only, just discover it and let it manifest!

Answer 6

If you don't learn the lesson here, you will take the same lessons forward. However, what you will discover is that there is no death as we perceive it here and that in itself certainly has to be wonderful to experience.