Casting off the surly bonds of Earth...

[sandyRoe]

When the time comes for me to make the transition from this life to the next I shall probably be alone and, despite my bluster here, quite frightened.
I take solace from the thought that there is a God. Why would AB atheists seek to deny me that crumb of comfort?

[sandyRoe]

OK. I've contacted the Ed and asked that it be left alone. I suppose it can serve for me as a reminder to think again before I hit the 'submit' button.

[naomi24]

Thassa boy! :o)

[pa___ul3]

to be honest Sandy, I'm a little envious that you have that kind of belief that you would be going to a better place, to maybe be with lost loved ones etc. I just don't believe that but like it when loved ones do. My grandad is 100% atheist but I think he does hold some hope that there is another place where he can be with my nan again, at least I hope he does. I think that's how I'll be, not necessarily expecting anything, but having an ounce of hope to cling on to!

[Khandro]

//do you mean that Earth is hell or that hell is a place on Earth?// Neither, either, or both; it depends on the mind.

[pa___ul3]

I think I get you Khandro! Although it's a sad mind that feels that Earth is hell and I think they'd be better off without such religious beliefs.

[naomi24]

//I think I get you Khandro!//

I don't.

Khandro said //I personally believe that 'hell' exists, but it is right here on earth.//

... so //Neither, either, or both; it depends on the mind.// is not an answer.

[Ankou]

Type Your Answer Here...i think clarificaiton from khandro on 'what' is hell (in their view) would be in order. if it can be here, there, everywhere and nowhere, then what is it?

[Khandro]

Many people faced with being incarcerated for only a few days without their usual amenities or contact with others would find this situation 'Hellish'. Within Tibetan Buddhism there is a meditation retreat which lasts for 3 years, 3 months, 3 weeks and 3 hours, at its most arduous form this takes place in a mountain cave. Simple food is brought near to the entrance, but the bringer is never seen nor contacted. I have met a very high ranking Lama, now in his seventies, who has done this retreat, THREE times. As I said; everything depends on the mind.

[naomi24]

Khandro, but you said you personally believe that 'hell' exists, but it is right here on earth. Is earth hell for you?

[boxtops]

sandy, don't delete it, and don't regret it - I think this is a fine thread, and has brought out some reasoned and kind answers.

[Ankou]

sitting in traffic can be considered 'hellish' but that is far from any theological explanation that i would consider profound.

[ludwig]

My computer must have a virus. It's mischievously inserted the words 'I agree with Naomi' into one of Ankou's replies. :o)

[jomifl]

You must have Ludwig, it isn't on mine. :-)

[Khandro]

Yes hell can exist on earth . I live in a beautiful quiet village of only 360 people, with a non-existent crime rate. The Sunday before last at 10pm a 27 year old mother of two children aged 3 and 5, in a fit of temper, stabbed her husband through the heart with a kitchen knife, killing him outright. It seems the children will have to go into care. She is in prison awaiting trail. I think she is in hell. http://www.thebuddhis...he_Wheel_of_Life.html

[ludwig]

Are you a buddhist then Khandro?

[Clanad]

You may not have intended it sandy, but the title to your question nearly replicates the opening line of this rather ancient poem in praise of flight... most pilot's know if by heart (or at least a few lines):

High Flight
by John Gillespie Magee, Jr.
Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth,
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds...and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of...wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up, the long, delirious burning blue
I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, nor even eagle flew.
And while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space...
...put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

[Clanad]

Whatever...

[sandyRoe]

Another on the joys of flight.

I know that I shall meet my fate
Somewhere among the clouds above;
Those that I fight I do not hate,
Those that I guard I do not love;
My country is Kiltartan Cross,
My countrymen Kiltartan's poor,
No likely end could bring them loss
Or leave them happier than before.
Nor law, nor duty bade me fight,
Nor public men, nor cheering crowds,
A lonely impulse of delight
Drove to this tumult in the clouds;
I balanced all, brought all to mind,
The years to come seemed waste of breath,
A waste of breath the years behind
In balance with this life, this death.