Hi my name is Chris and I am 23 years old and I just went through and am still going through a traumatic experience where before I was very normal everyday college kid funny the best time of his life with the entire world ahead of him and then suddenly I got very ill very fast and It's been 3+ months now and the doctors can't really seem to figure out what is wrong with me.... I have been really scared about the possibility of death and I have come to realize that we are all going to die one day no matter what, it's just inevitable.....now I was raised catholic but there are so many religeons and so many beliefs, how can they all be right/wrong........  I am so scared that when you die that the lights just go out and it's eternal blackness .... of course you won't know it cause your dead but ever since I was born I have come to enjoy being able to think and do things.......and I don't want that to ever stop...wether physical or spiritual, but we don't seem to have a spiritual involvement with this world.....I just wish when people died you could see their spirit leave or we had angels that would regularly come down and speak to us about the spiritual world, I just get freaked out that life means nothing once you die and you just become dust...............how can I be assured that this isn't the case...........I've talked to many people, mostly christians about this and they are like 100% jesus and god are real and you will go to heaven, but there are 1,000 different beliefs about how to get there and what it's like once u are there........like I know 2 people who are very religeous and one says that dogs and cats dont have souls and the other tells me that my dogs are in heaven right now.... well where does the line stop.......is it only humans or is it animals, and if animals do which ones....like for instance, the mosquito that I just squished on the window, is it in a spiritual afterlife, I mean it's only fair to say that, ....it had a life and a purpose, just cause it's not intelligent and doesn't have a personality doesn't mean it wasn't alive.  So what makes us special and what gives us this soul, cause I don't see how my parents deciding to have sex with eachother gives them the right to create a soul.  I could go on all day about this but I want to hear your thought's and sort of give me some comfort that when the lights go out that they won't go out forever........... but I guess there's not a whole lot we can do about that......... I look forward to your answers

~Chris

Greetings Chris,

The Dude above (previous reply, I mean   ) is right when he says there's no substitute for experiencing spiritual dimensions for yourself. In the meantime please take our assurance, that we've had such experiences that proove you will not fall into darkness. Please rely on lovingkindness to be there to greet you.

When we get to heaven we will be guided to an area that corresponds with our beliefs or    our intent to believe. What would you love to have with you in heaven--loving support from friends,  family,  pets? You can describe in your own mind now the perfect scene and surroundings  so that you will be ready for it when the time comes.

Have you had a chance to read yet at the very top of this page: 'What Is the Afterlife?'  Also other people have come close to dying and share their Near Death Experiences (NDEs) on the web and books. They are very reassuring that there is more love in heaven than most of us imagine.  So do imagine it; imagine Love.

You can write here again anytime with questions, experiences, anything.

Love, Betson

Chris--- I will share some experiences with you.
When I was about 7 years old, I wanted to "know" what being dead ment. So, one evening while lying in bed, I closed my eyes and allowed myself to drift into nothingness.  Then I waited in the blackness of nothingness. And waited and waited.  A thought finally came to my mind, "This is stupid. You can't just die and have nothing." Remember, I was analizing this at age 7!  I came to the realization that there was something more to death than just floating around in thick, deep blackness.  I knew there was MORE. 
No one can give a physical description of the MIND.  When our physical dies, we take our "Minds" with us; our memories.  Then we are given COMPLETE MEMORY of ALL that ever was and will be.  Not too shabby for just being "human". 
When my sons were in gramma school, a teacher told them that there is no heaven for animals. My sons came home crying and asked me about it. I said: When you die, do you want to have animals in YOUR heaven?" The both said yes.  "Well, you will have animals in your heaven and your teacher chooses not to have animals in her heaven." The boys said they felt badly for the teacher.
It is all in what you make it.  What do you want in your paradise/heaven/afterlife? 
When we pass, we take what we have learned with us.  But, more important, what have you left behind for other to learn from you???
If you need more reassurance, I have more stories.  I am now 57 and still exploring.  Love and Light--- Carol Ann