Do you really like the idea of eternity?

Question

It seems every religion I encountered, say you'll go to heaven or hell when you die, Buddhism said reincarnation. Do you really want to live in eternity? I think it's tiring to exist eternally don't you?

Doesn't it seemed a little tiring?

answergrl, you're thinking what I'm thinking.

Answer 1

Heimi, when I was in the monastery I experienced Eternity and it was wonderful! To be in communion with God is bliss. To talk of tiredness or boredom is looking at things through human emotions.

There was no sense of time and it was always now. Everything always new and as seen for the first time. Everything is filled with God's love and nothing to fear or be anxious about.

I haven't been there for a long time but I was there numbers of times and I remember quite well. I know what I have to do to return to that state but it is easier said than done.

The way there is a kind of paradox because you have to work so hard to get there and yet in another sense it is easier to go there than to be in our ordinary state of consciousness. And again, no work is really necessary if only we fully submit ourselves to the will of God who loves us so much.

But it's hard for us human's to give up our own will to God or to understand what that means. Because it doesn't mean to do nothing or to be passive to what's going on about us.

God tells us what do do in the book of Genesis. He only gives Adam and Eve 1 commandment. Only 1! can you imagine? they could do anything they wanted to do and it was ok with God except for 1 thing.

They couldn't eat from the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. (Now, I am going to reveal 1 of the secrets of the universe. I wonder if anyone will get it? I'm completely serious now.)(Does anyone see my ego and arrogance here? It's here and I apologize but what I'm saying is true.)

The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil is the idea that we humans can decide what is good or evil to do all on our own. That we don't have to obey the cammandments and teachings of God that are in the Bible.

Satan says that the commandments and teachings in the Bible are lies and that we won't suffer negative consequences if we break His commandments or go against His teachings. Oh no. God would never do that.(Satan told Eve that if she ate the fruit she wouldn't die as God had warned her).

Eating the fruit of the Tree of The knowledge of Good and Evil is actually breaking God's commandments and going against His teachings because then we will have to suffer the negative consequences of doing that. When Adam and Eve broke God's commandment they were thrown out of The Garden of Eden (out of Heaven, out of Eternity, out of Nirvanna, out of Samadhi).

I hope something that I said helps a little.

Answer 2

Living for eternity... meaning living forever. You won't remember anything after death. You have no memories after you die. Your brain basically rots afterwards, thus destroying any memory. You won't have an IDEA of eternity because you'll never experience it. You sleep while alive, but wake up. You die and have no records of your afterlife or life. This is the scientific reason. The religious belief that you'll live on for eternity is actually pretty awesome. You can live out your life, happily with friends and family. Paranoia is gone, all struggles are gone, everything evil is gone. This is the religious reason. When the universe dies, its much likes the scientific reason. You're not going to be around when it happens anyway, and I don't think Heaven is actually in the universe. The Universe will die in 3 ways: Cosmic Rip, Big Chill, or Big Crunch. Depending on all the dark energy, matter, or flow is in the universe, any one can happen. But all these things have one thing: The time they come about is a LONG time. Therefor, you will not even know about, you will not be conscious when it happens. And with the Big Crunch, it is likely that when the universe comes into one point (singularity) another big bang will happen :).

Answer 3

Well, if I had to believe in any of those, I'd pick reincarnation. Eternity in heaven would get sooooooooo boring, what kind of God wants to be worshipped for ALL TIME? And lets not even start on hell...

But as for reincarnation, you can't actually remember any of your past lives, so eternity isn't so bad. I mean, its possible (probable?) that you've ALREADY been existing for eternity, and that doesn't seem so long, does it?

Either way, I don't really think it's possible to stop existing, even after you die. We're all made out of the same stuff that has been around for billions of years. So you better get used to it, buddy!

Answer 4

The Christian idea of eternity is that when Christians die, they are in a place of perfect beauty and happiness and goodness and every other wonderful adjective you can think of, forever. Time really isn't an issue, because it just doesn't matter any more.

Now, I'll admit that the concept of eternity is a little freaky when I try to visualize it. I know, however, that what I can imagine as eternity and what eternity truly is (and more importantly, what eternity in Heaven truly is) is much different. The eternity I can't imagine is far better than the one I can, so I'm not worried.

Answer 5

It is only tiring to live for all of eternity if you will keep this body. Since as the apostle Paul wrote in 1Cor 15:52-54

in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory."

The resurrection body will not be disease or injury prone. Age will not be a factor nor will the word "tired." It is a non issue in the resurrection. Boredom is a side effect of the fall, the multiverse is a very big place. To explore God's creation will keep you occupied for a very long time. Ever had a very interesting conversation? Try it with perfect beings with perfect minds and bodies that never tire.

Answer 6

No.

Personally, I find that it would be almost frightening, as well.


When I first understood the meaning of "eternity" many years ago, I was outright terrified. It wasn't so much the definition, but the *feeling* of it.

Usually, as I lie in bed at night, having already finished my prayers, I'd think about eternity. And all of a sudden, I'd get a sudden jolt of fear. My eyes would bolt open, and I'd intake air quickly. I guess you could compare it to a falling dream, but instead, it was just a feeling I encountered when considering the concept of eternity.

Since then, I understand it better. But I still don't want to live forever on Earth, nor in "Heaven." As an atheist, I think that I should focus on the life I've already got, because that's what matters. You're only guaranteed one life, and once it's gone, it's gone. You can't get it back.

Answer 7

Well if one would never get tired or worn out, board and so on I think it wouldn't be half bad. Also as long as there is no sickness or anything, and I could be with the ones I love and like then I say bring it on. I do have to say as far as death goes I look at it more as a way to get some peace and quiet, no one bugging me, no schedules to keep, oh it sounds so good! Either way if there is or is not an after life, I am looking somewhat forward to the idea of not having to deal with all the things that go on in this world. =)

Answer 8

You might want to try it. When you go to heaven, you go for eternity. When you go to hell, it also maybe for eternity. So, which one do you choose. I think Buddhism says if you die sinful, you'll be reincarnated in this world (read: hell). If you reach a state of enlightenment, you'll reach Nirvana. Choose, which one you like.

Answer 9

It's true. There has never been a civilization of athiests. We are hard wired to believe in eternity. Whether or not that's a good thing or not, it's too soon to tell. Sometimes each day is like an eternity, each heart break, each pain. Sometimes there is not enough time to have all the fun you want to have. Either way, we are stuck with whatever the truth is.

Answer 10

oh yes, in heaven for eternity any day. It means in heaven nothing ever becomes dull or routine, it is new and different all the time, it is your mansion, whatever you fill it with here on earth, your happiness will be complete, but you must understand that the person who climbs the highest here on earth, will have a happiness that will exceed that of the one who , say gets a crown of mercy, over the crown of sainthood earned by lovin loving and more loving. Which is hard sometimes to love our neighbor that much. With jesus all is possible, so trust in him, he will get us there, if we cooperate with him.