There is so much great information here. So may anecdotal experiences of great significance and insight. But I see so little description of the great beauty, awe, and spiritual "inspiration" that I associate with the afterlife. Is it really so matter-of-fact? If you agree, as many of us do I think, that religion can be a path to enlightenment (excepting the many examples of wrong-headed dogma and crowd control that we all recognize), isn't the great art that has been inspired by the faithful since ancient times a real and important part of our spiritual journey? 

Yes. There is so much beauty. So much to be thankful for to see.

The beauty is that aspect of our experiences - which makes the experiences worth of exploration.

Some time ago - we even developed a supportive audio technology, that helps to restore the natural susceptibility (sensitiveness) to beauty through sound. Some samples here:

http://planetaziemia.net/stroiciel.htm
(headphones rather recommended)

You can translate the article via translate.google.com

Beauty's really difficult to talk about! Look at all the viewers of this topic (103 when I wrote this) but not many are commenting.
Is every quality that gives awe or wonder also a quality of beauty?  I don't know the answer, I just thought of the question.

betson wrote on Oct 23^rd, 2011 at 4:56pm:

Is every quality that gives awe or wonder also a quality of beauty?  I don't know the answer, I just thought of the question.

I often try to describe beauty and find it nearly impossible to put into words...I guess I'd say it is indescribable.  I find myself simply describing what it does to me.

As to your question, to me that awe and wonder is beauty.