What is heaven like?
Four people bowed their heads in silent meditation for a minute, attempting to envision the impossible. What went through our heads?
This question resulted in several thoughts: the usual stuff like clouds and nature, peace, and light. A few comments noted the idea of complete knowledge. Full consciousness, perhaps, a la Caddyshack and the Dalai Lama?
Some folks thought of their struggles with imagining God to begin with. It was hard for all of us to stay within an "envisioning" task.
My own vision was of a journey- hyper fast and starting over clouds, then amongst the stars. At one point my own perspective stopped and reversed- I seemed to see things from a different perspective- not from my own as I seemed to come out from my own perspective and "see" things from- not just another perspective, but from all perspectives. But, suddenly things started to "break down" as my five human senses ended and I took on a new perspective. At that point I was unable to hold the "vision".
What struck me, however, was not all of our descriptions- it was that very few of us could imagine anything that was truly "heavenly". Most, if not all, were actually frustrated or even negative. What is wrong with us that we can't imagine heaven?
I would like to say that we Americans have reached a state wherein we know what it is like to have extended comfort. We don't go hungry- at least not those in my Sunday School. We are rarely cold or too hot. Our lives are not in danger. I wonder if it was easier for past groups of humans to imagine heaven because life was so thoroughly infused with suffering. I bet if we were all living in an Islamic State prison we'd probably have a very clear picture of what heaven was: anywhere but there.
On the other hand, we are humans. All humans must inherently have an issue with imagining the spiritual world, since we so rarely are- if ever- able to experience it. Our physical senses overpower us and leave us blind to the reality of "the spiritual"- hinted about in the Bible and ever-present all-around us, but unable to be "scientifically" proven. How do you test something if the only tools available to you to test things can't test outside of their nature?
And maybe, like many things, its a little bit of both. Rich people, it goes, have a harder time getting into heaven ("Eye of the Needle"). The beatitudes seem to hint at Heaven being reversed from what is important on Earth:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure of heart,
for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
But, of course, we cannot imagine for a moment what something that is beyond us must be like. And so we rely on metaphor. Peaceful looking father figures with white beards. Clouds. Angels with wings. Light. Heavenly mansions. Pearly gates. A banquet.
I'd like to think I'll someday know what all of this is for. What the purpose of it all is. And maybe it will be so powerful and amazing that it will be Heaven- and it will be beyond all current imagination. Hope in that keeps me going. It is, as someone said, all we have.
Four people bowed their heads in silent meditation for a minute, attempting to envision the impossible. What went through our heads?
This question resulted in several thoughts: the usual stuff like clouds and nature, peace, and light. A few comments noted the idea of complete knowledge. Full consciousness, perhaps, a la Caddyshack and the Dalai Lama?
Some folks thought of their struggles with imagining God to begin with. It was hard for all of us to stay within an "envisioning" task.
My own vision was of a journey- hyper fast and starting over clouds, then amongst the stars. At one point my own perspective stopped and reversed- I seemed to see things from a different perspective- not from my own as I seemed to come out from my own perspective and "see" things from- not just another perspective, but from all perspectives. But, suddenly things started to "break down" as my five human senses ended and I took on a new perspective. At that point I was unable to hold the "vision".
What struck me, however, was not all of our descriptions- it was that very few of us could imagine anything that was truly "heavenly". Most, if not all, were actually frustrated or even negative. What is wrong with us that we can't imagine heaven?
I would like to say that we Americans have reached a state wherein we know what it is like to have extended comfort. We don't go hungry- at least not those in my Sunday School. We are rarely cold or too hot. Our lives are not in danger. I wonder if it was easier for past groups of humans to imagine heaven because life was so thoroughly infused with suffering. I bet if we were all living in an Islamic State prison we'd probably have a very clear picture of what heaven was: anywhere but there.
On the other hand, we are humans. All humans must inherently have an issue with imagining the spiritual world, since we so rarely are- if ever- able to experience it. Our physical senses overpower us and leave us blind to the reality of "the spiritual"- hinted about in the Bible and ever-present all-around us, but unable to be "scientifically" proven. How do you test something if the only tools available to you to test things can't test outside of their nature?
And maybe, like many things, its a little bit of both. Rich people, it goes, have a harder time getting into heaven ("Eye of the Needle"). The beatitudes seem to hint at Heaven being reversed from what is important on Earth:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure of heart,
for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
But, of course, we cannot imagine for a moment what something that is beyond us must be like. And so we rely on metaphor. Peaceful looking father figures with white beards. Clouds. Angels with wings. Light. Heavenly mansions. Pearly gates. A banquet.
I'd like to think I'll someday know what all of this is for. What the purpose of it all is. And maybe it will be so powerful and amazing that it will be Heaven- and it will be beyond all current imagination. Hope in that keeps me going. It is, as someone said, all we have.
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