As I have mentioned a few times, I am learning more about Buddhism. As such I am reflecting upon death, not in a morbid, shit I’m dying sort of way, but in the eternal question, “What is next?” My Catholic upbringing tells me that this life is it. Live it well, live it good. That will impact upon what happens to my soul, hopefully going up to heaven where for eternity the Maple Leafs win the Stanley Cup, Manchester United win the treble and the Washington Redskins are Superbowl Champs.
Buddhism denotes a much different belief. Does how I live now impact what comes next? Has this life been effected by how I lived in the past? Does this explain feelings of déjà vu? Do previous lives effect how I think, how I can feel gratitude for what I have now, contrasting how easy we contemporaries have it compared to our forefathers? Do previous lives impact my karma balance? Have I lived hundreds of lives so far and may experience hundreds or thousands more?
I honestly don’t know. I guess the thing is, regardless of whether it is my catholic upbringing or the Buddhism beliefs that I am studying, the key is all the same. Live well and be kind. Be kind with your words and with your actions, to family, to friends, to strangers. Try to live with no regrets.
I found it funny as I have been mulling this over for a while, one of my beautiful wife's and my favorite shows, Being Erica, also looked at this theme this week.
2 comments:
I must admit that I have wondered for a few years, where do we "go?" after death, or DO we go at all? Do these molecules support me? Once they cease, do I cease as well? I hope not. I don't believe in heaven, or God , or hell, or anything like that, yet I do believe in "Live well and be kind."
Where do we go after death?
We will all find that out eventually.
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