Jdee,
I think it might help you to read some of the books and articles that are out there on this subject. I think Bruce Moen's books were especially helpful (to me) in presenting the issues surrounding the afterlife in a clear and convincing manner. Your journey is just beginning, and knowedge plus experience equals wisdom (or it can!). You might also enjoy some of the books on Near Death Experiences, as they seem to give the most immediate "evidence" of our souls' survival.  The more you learn, the more exciting it gets. A last thought: My mother (who is over there in the spirit world now) used to say to me, when I was anxious about something, "don't worry, whatever you are feeling now, it will change. Just give it a bit of time."  Sounds silly, but its true. Fear and anxiety won't last. They are not your natural state of being. Peace and happiness are your natural state. Go and play football, and hang out with your friends! On-line, I recommend Victor Zammit's site. Just Google his name and it will take you there. Lots of info there.

Dawkins is basing that idea on the fighter pilots experiencing something akin to an NDE when that are met with extreme G-forces. If the brain thinks it is dying, which it is in that case, who's to say they aren't experiencing an NDE? Chris Carter rebukes that theory quite well in his lastest book on NDEs I've posted about it a few times.

Hi, jdee190. WherrabootsinGlesgauryefrae? Ah'm anauld soothsideranhuvbeenlookinintae suchmatters fura loat oyears. Dinnae worry.

I think its a good idea to face your fears, but sometimes one has to give that a rest for sure. I read what these guys have to say sometimes and my problem is that I tend to at least half believe anything I read at the time I'm reading it and then I ponder for awhile or read someone's refute of what I just read. Lately I've gotten to where I can usually refute in my mind as I'm reading a materialist argument which is helpful, but I would not stop reading the other side's arguments because once you reach a point where you can refute as you read along the materialist stuff is not so scary. Only you can find out for yourself. I hope you don't let your fear hold you back.

The crux is that living a life on Earth as a human is designed to be convincingly temporary, real, and all there is. Death, and the threat of death, is meant to be convincing. The primary Earthly illusion - dying - enables the soul (after it has lived and died on Earth) to realise and become conscious of the fact that it lives and is immortal, of which it could not appreciate or comprehend before it had experienced a convincing life and death on Earth. Subsequent to and stemming from the primary illusion is a wide spectrum/gamut of earthly feelings that exist between, and as a result of, living and dying on Earth. Each and every feeling, sentiment, seeming reality and misconception on the spectrum/gamut of Earthly living enables the soul to realise and become conscious of a corresponding talent/ability/virtue that is innate within the spectrum of itself, of which it could not be aware of before it experienced its convincing opposite or lack of, on Earth. So I wouldn't be too concerned about not having experienced evidence of an afterlife - we are meant to be subject to a false reality. We usually only slowly and gradually become aware of its falseness and of the trueness behind the scenes, and of the relationship between the two. It is one of the most efficent teaching/unfoldment/self-realisation methods in the Universe. There are several sub-streams/classes within the Earth method/school, the larger ones being the various religions and races; others being the sciences, arts, philosophies, and wider group experiences. And each stream/class has its better and least better individual attitudes or means of travel/study. A way of moving along in any class is to believe in your own existence. Look into yourself, into the "I", and recognise that you the "I" exist as a central conscious entity. Delve into this and become more conscious and familiar with it - with your self. Together with exercising belief in your self, and gradually growing that belief in your self into knowledge of your self, also treat those around you kindly and fairly. This will help you whatever sub-stream/class you are in. It doesn't mean you'll have out of body experiences, but life will certainly be more interesting and enlightening, and your soul will feel like it is moving towards its fulfillment. Try it and see.          

jdee: 

I say use the fear, ride it like a surf, don't let it overpower you, and it will take you through new doors.  These thoughts wouldn't have even occurred to you (along with these fears) if you weren't ready to embark on some new course of knowledge.  You will find out so many wondrous things if you keep asking questions and pushing forward!  Bob Monroe was afraid, too!  But it didn't stop him from pursuing Afterlife Knowledge!

Jdee,

I think that we are sometimes scared of an 'end time' like we are scared of spooky stories when we are kids. We sometimes even like to thrill each other with the most dramatic stories we can imagine. But, even one ordinary life has its moments of sheer terror. There are moments in an ordinary life when one can be so frightened that your hair practically stands on end, and what I have found is that these moments seem to last forever. There is some other kind of sense that turns on in such an instance, and we experience life with full attention.

Imagine the very worst you can think of, and then imagine that there are other human beings there with you. What will be most important to you? Because you are a human being, you have inner strength you just cannot imagine yet. You come from a long line of ancestors who lived through turbulent and frightening times. You are not just a piece of junk that happened to fall onto the planet but a specialized creature who will know what is most important when the time comes.

Not only are we humans survivors here. We are survivors of our own human experience, and our minds have the ability to experience more than one 'timeline', more than one 'lifetime', in fact, an entire universe in one moment.

Think about what it might mean to share the 'mind of God' -- in whatever way feels right to you. What would it feel like to be part of something much greater than what you perceive as 'you' in this moment. Each of us has this capability. We have infinite potential. What matters is that we dream about what we really love, what inspires us to continue in this life, to take that risk.

There will never be a more beautiful day than this day. There is infinite potential for love in this day. When we stop fighting with what is natural, we find that there are gifts to be found in each niche, no matter where we plant our feet. Each will find his way.

Here on this site, we maintain hope that after death is simply our next life, in an afterlife which we help to create and maintain. Possibly, another life here, possibly not. But what I have studied over years leads me to believe that there is much more than our minds can see and understand in our present state of being.

To be 'scared' is also a step away from being in awe, from being in state of wonder and curiosity. The more still we can become, the more wonders we are able to notice. So, just be bright. Shine your light.

Thank you b2. Although you addressed it to Jdee, I appreciate it as well. I especially appreciate the fourth paragraph.

And thank you too Betson, for your hope-wish for me. Although I wonder if my post might have been misunderstood. When typing it I was not aware of having any fear, but rather, of suggesting the teaching effect of fear (and other Earthly conditions) upon the soul. Regardless, you prompted me to spend some time further identifying and looking at my fears, and solidifying their recognition into concrete thought so they can be (hopefully) adequately dealt with, or best managed. It is an interesting subject - fear. It can be so pervasive within us, permeating even through all our layers, and yet can be difficult for us to even be aware of its existence, let alone face it and deal with it. It seems there is more of it in me (in us all?) than I realised. I have spent a lot of time studying this subject in the past, from its physical level, and thought I had a pretty good handle on it, but I am glimpsing more now. We seem to have potential for it at every level of human existence, from lowest to highest and throughout the inbetween. I think it is playing a more significant role in human affairs and development than I was previously aware of. I intend to further study it, both generally and within myself. Thank you for your prompt.