Need to Know - is this all there is?

[Moonstruck]

 Just lately I've needed to know for sure.....is this life all there is?  What's "out there?  After death..is there another realm, another spiritual place, other higher beings (those who've passed on or whatever) trying to communicate with us? What's there?  This can't be all there is...can it?

I find myself watching for signs, symbols, messages, answers to requests & prayers....some kind of tangible "thing" to reassure me it's worth keeping on...trying,hoping, striving, improving, feeling, sharing, caring for my own health, listening to others, having fun, exploring other philosophies and beliefs - breathing in nature, delighting in pets - what comes after?  Is there any point to doing all of this stuff?  Why do such bad things happen to good people?

How do we forgive ourselves....the more compassionate and loving we are, the more guilt we feel if loved ones are sad.......and we can't fix them!  How can we change into cold uncaring people...so that we, ourselves, hurt less? That way it wouldn't matter to us, if people we loved were suffering, would it?

Has anyone had "proof" of any kind of anything else existing? Any distinct messages from "the other side"  ...is there one?....feeling scared and pointless today, sorry folks......x

[Simona]

hello moonstruck

aha I have.   i have had too many experiences not to believe.  i would like to share more but i now know this is not the place for it.    all i can say is maybe stop looking and let the experience find you.   you will know when it does

[Moonstruck]

Oh Simona...now you are teasing.....I'd love to know your experiences.....but if you feel it inappropriate here I guess you're the better judge of that......you have me fascinated though.....if you change your mind, please let me know what you've experienced...if you can......thanks for replying.

[blondguy]

Morning Moonstruck 🙂

I feel pointless and scared a lot in the first place...but to answer your question..(complex however a good one)

I watched a current affairs show in the 80's and a little 9 year old girl was in hospital without any chance of recovery.....That 9 year old girl was responsible for me realizing that even with my GAD and Depression....every single day I am alive is a bonus (yes even though a struggle)

(The reporter asked her if there was anything she wanted.....she only wanted a new teddy)

That was an angel giving me a reality check Moonstruck

Nice work on here by the way

Paul (Woof!)

[JessF]

Hello Moonstruck, this is a perfectly natural question to ponder, our place in the universe and all that. But I think it's worth exploring why you are asking the question at this point in time, and on a depression forum.  

Think of the other times in our lives that we ask the question, "is that it?". It's associated with disappointment, being let down, and unhappiness with how things are.  Think about it - we wouldn't ask that question if we were satisfied with the status quo.

What would you like to imagine exists beyond this realm that is better than your life now?  And what changes could you make in your life to bring that universe into this one?  Belinda Carlisle sang that heaven is a place on earth (also hell, but that's for another thread haha)!

[Neil_1]

Hi Moonstruck

Very good thread you’ve created here with your excellent post and questions.

And judging by some of the responses, well firstly there’s not a lot of call to say that there is – and I in my own mind don’t think that there is and that I have the same questions as you raised as well.

All this – the buildings, the trees, the roads, rivers, people rushing about doing things that in the greater scheme of things, they think are so so important – when in the twinkling of an eye, a person can be taken.   For that person, I believe it’s the total end.  Nothingness.  My opinion on this is not founded on anything, it’s just what I think will happen.  It’ll be like going to sleep but not dreaming – that’s it, it’s over there ain’t no more.

Oh boy, I wish there was something else – maybe that could turn around a lot of my negativity to this question.

I don’t know if I’ve taken your question to a different place with my response?

However for your comment on how to become cold, uncaring people.  No no no, don’t ever do that.  I know a couple of people like that, and I believe their lives are riddled with anger, misery and sourness.  You wouldn’t want to be like that.  Continue being the wonderful, warm-hearted, kind person that you are – someone who feels love and responds in kind.

I think just keep on going as you are – though hopefully tomorrow you will be less scared – but with regard to pointless, you (and no-one) is ever pointless.  We are all here;  we have made up our own way of life and are living that.  Sure some of us wish that things were better, but for the time being, this is what we’ve been dealt with and how we’re playing the cards.

Keep searching for the positives, keep the appointments going, if you feel they are helping, keep with the meds, keep with the ‘feel-good’ mechanisms and hopefully something might turn around, even just a smidge for you (for all of us – you see, I’m not talking just to you here, but I’m including myself in this as well).

Kind regards

Neil

[Simona]

here is an extract from the novel 'my antonia'.    i think you may like it. i keep it on my facebook page because it's very special to me

The earth was warm under me, and warm as I crumbled it through my fingers...I kept as still as I could. Nothing happened. I did not expect anything to happen. I was something that lay under the sun and felt it, like the pumpkins, and I did not want to be anything more. I was entirely happy. Perhaps we feel like that when we die and become a part of something entire, whether it is sun and air, or goodness and knowledge. At any rate, that is happiness; to be dissolved into something complete and great. When it comes to one, it comes as naturally as sleep.”
― Willa Cather, My Antonia

[Starwolf]

Hi Moonstruck,

The Universe is a masterpiece of engineering. Everything has its place, everything has a part to play in the big picture. Nothing in it is pointless. We are part of this big picture but being limited beings, we can only have limited perception of it and so...limited understanding. I don't think the ant crawling at the bottom of a giant tree has any clear idea of the totality of the tree.

Quantum physics  tells us the Universe is limitless. Our probes are so puny in the face of it all. There are things too vast and intangible for us to comprehend. It doesn't mean they don't exist.

Simona, I agree with you. Signs are out there. At first, we may give them names like "chance" or "coincidence" but when they keep repeating themselves, one must find a different explanation. And you are right, this "knowing" cannot be passed on. It is very much an individual quest.

I wish you all peace of mind.

[Moonstruck]

Thank you all for your input....I guess I do "know" or believe...that we are all part of a greater something...and that there are too many coincidences to be coincidences...at my core I know it's not pointless. 

Jess F (I feel like I am replying to Angela Lansbury here) was on the right track, thinking there maybe something getting me down just now...that I am thinking such deep thoughts and desperately seeking answers.......my son who I love more than anything in the world is feeling depressed, confused, worried about where his life is going, where it has gone wrong etc....and when he tells me, I try, I try so hard to say the right things...but invariably end up making him feel worse! I go into "Mother Mode' and point out possible pitfalls, dangers etc involved in some of his decisions.....making me appear "negative" instead of encouraging.....I sit on the other end of the phone sometimes holding back tears and saying nothing...because I am so scared of making him feel worse...he has told me I make him feel worse...I just don't seem to know the right thing to say to cheer him up, give him hope and I feel so helpless and a hopeless Mother...that I can't fix it!

A couple of really close friends have died over the past year and I can see and hear them SO clearly...as if they are standing beside me...I know this is just wishful thinking because I loved them dearly.....as if I am waiting for postcard, email, or phone call from them...telling me what it's like "over there"!!!!  Just what do I expect for goodness' sake ?

May try and listen to Desiderata on u tube - the original hit version recited by Les Crane is about the best I reckon..."you are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars..you have a right to be here"...luv you all...(you too Neil, even though you reckon there is   "no there"....there!

[blondguy]

Hey Moonstruck

This is an excellent post!

Les Crane Desiderata was played on the radio when I was in early high school....Its one of those tracks that just sticks in your mind. Its a perfect track for reflecting on ones life and is very inspirational.

I have added it to a couple of my Cd's and have it on a slow rotation (playback) when I am driving. It settles the nerves and brings a true feeling of calm.

Hi Neil....I choose to believe there is something happening after we pass.....not in a religious way but in a spiritual way. You are an intelligent guy Neil and combined with a heart of gold you are well entitled to say that there is 'nothing there'...

After euthanizing my Border Collie (Jack) in December I just seem to know that I will see him again one day....and the 65kilo Alaskan Malamute in my pic...Harley 2 Sox....I will see him also....I am probably over spiritual but I know I will.

My big brother still 'visits' me occasionally too...I feel its relevant to this post...

Starwolf & Simona have articulated this matter well. I find even reading JF's post that I am in primary school waiting for Angela Lansbury to scold me 🙂 Belinda Carlisle had a better track JF...Summer Rain.....soothing!

Kind Thoughts Nice People

Paul