IS THERE HEAVEN & HELL?
In order for us to answer this question, we must first understand the concept of heaven and hell.
Popular belief of heaven is that it is a place where everlasting peace and happiness exists. Where there is no more suffering and pain. It is a place where we meet God and live with Him forever. And if you want the kind of ‘heaven’ depicted in the movies, perhaps we probably sing endlessly with angels and all the saints; maybe we sleep on the clouds and have halos over our heads. Well, at least, that’s how the movies perceive heaven.
On the contrary, hell is where eternal damnation is present. It is where all the sinners are sent to be tormented and burned in sulfur and fire. And if I am going to be tormented forever, which is of course awfully a very, very, long time, then I will surely get used to the idea of pain, that it would not bother me anymore. And if all the sinners are there and all the things that are considered ‘sinful’ are available, wouldn’t hell be so much fun since you have endless booze, drugs, gambling and sex? Then again, it would depend on how you view heaven and hell.
Heaven and Hell is never a place but a state. It is not where you head after you die because you don’t have to die first just to experience what it feels like to be in heaven or hell. It is true that in heaven you will experience joy while in hell you will encounter pain, yet all of these things can be achieved now at this very moment.
The happiness that you have been feeling right now is a glimpse of what heaven is all about. Similarly, the sufferings and pain that you are going through is also a taste of hell. Heaven is happiness multiplied several times. To know what I am talking about, close your eyes and recall a happy and memorable event. It maybe when your boyfriend proposed to you or when your first child was born. Perhaps, it may be when you won the lottery or passed the Bar exams. Just recall that moment and relive the feeling that you had during that time. Notice the emotions. Feel the light and happy sensation that it imparts. Try to hold that thought and feeling. And imagine the feeling multiplied a hundred fold. That intense feeling is heaven in itself. And imagine if you can retain that feeling forever? You will be in eternal bliss.
The exercise that I have outlined above is a simple meditation. There are a lot of meditation techniques out there but they only have the same goal, which is for you to achieve happiness and peace of mind.
By the way, if you want to experience hell, then you can just perform again the exercise but this time, choose a painful memory. But for sure you don’t want to do it, or do you?
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