"I sent my Soul through the Invisible,
Some letter of that After-life to spell:
And by and by my Soul return'd to me,
And answer'd: 'I Myself am Heav'n and Hell"
― Omar Khayyám
One day people may understand that heaven and hell are states of consciousness, not places that you "go" when you exit the body.
Perhaps you've heard the well-worn saying, "You create your own reality"? Well, there is truth in that statement. There are other things to consider when considering creating that reality, of course, but the principle, in general, is true. Your life may be impacted by things, but in your assessment, you should see how you were (are) part of that equation, and additionally, choose how you wish to respond to it.
You create a heavenly or hellish situation by means of your consciousness. Awful (or wonderful) things may happen to and around you. You have a choice as to how to respond when they do. If you do "X" what does it net yet? If you do "Y" what does that do for you? You have to look at that, but also begin to take note of the building blocks that connect everything. Like those Russian stacking dolls, see how one thing is connected to, or leads to another. Hypothesize about how this situation came about. Then ask yourself, what is your own part in the whole thing? How do your thoughts and actions exacerbate the overall situation?
"The mind is a universe and can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven."
― John Milton
YES, THINGS WILL HAPPEN (SEEMINGLY) TO YOU.
MY point is that while things may happen to you, of no volition of your own that you can see, you do have a choice about how to understand that situation. In this way, you can create a hell or even a heaven for yourself. You may feel embittered, or angry, or like a victim, and choose a hellish consciousness to sit with. Or, you may still feel angry and know something happened to you, but choose to look at it as an opportunity for learning and growth. You are not choosing to see yourself bustled about by the winds of fate, but rather as part of the greater system where there is something for you to see/know/understand about the bigger picture of life.
When you can do this, life can seem more purposeful, things can seem less opportunistic, less chaotic, less fated.
"There are no other heaven and hell outside the human mind. Goodness is heaven, hatred is hell. Acceptance is religion, sectarianism is blasphemy. Love is holiness, discrimination is sin."
― Abhijit Naskar, Illusion of Religion: A Treatise on Religious Fundamentalism
It's not easy to begin to take responsibility for your life. That indeed is what can be the hell or heaven of how things roll out for you. One thing can lead to another, and on and on. If things are bad now, focusing on them that way cannot bring the justice or satisfaction you ultimately seek. The only way out of the hell you could be in is to try and seek some kind of understanding, a kind of silver lining. Then, move forward with that understanding.
All threats of hell, and hopes of paradise.
One thing, at least, is certain - that is life... flies.
The flower that once has blown, forever dies.
~ Dorothy Ashby, "Heaven and Hell," The Rubaiyyat of Dorothy Ashby
Heaven...hell. Even if you want to maintain a belief in some outer location you go after life in the body ends, so be it. But do consider the possibility that while you are here in the body, your life can be made better by your state of consciousness. You make it heaven. You make it hell.
Think on that. Really. Think on that.
© 2018. Egyirba High. All Rights Reserved.
Feel free to share this post with others, as long as you include the copyright information and keep the whole posting intact. If you like this piece, please share it with others. You can like me on to see more of my writing and my personal and spiritual journey.