Where Do We Go?

Of all the mysteries of the Universe, one that affects us greatly as individuals is the question of what happens at the end of our present life. Because those who have passed that point have been unable or unwilling to provide unequivocable evidence, it remains a mystery that will only be solved for us when we reach that point in our existence. However, it is beneficial to us, in our Journey, to ponder the possibilities and examine which of those are more likely.
Although most people believe that there is some existence for us beyond death, there are some who are convinced that we possess only a physical body and that when that body ceases to live, we not longer exist. This possibility may be fearful for many of us to consider. However, our experience consists of what we perceive, whether it be of a physical, intellectual, emotional or spiritual nature. If it is true that we cease to exist at the moment of our death, we would cease to have any perceptions at all. In other words, we would not know that we do not exist, and wouldn’t have to worry about it.
On the other hand, if we continue to perceive anything at all, that would be, in itself, an existence. In other words, it is a win-win situation. We either would be unaware, or we would have a continued existence. Again, there would be nothing to worry about.
There are religious and cultural beliefs that claim that individuals are re-born in another physical body. The usual reason given for this necessity is that the human soul, or essence, must continue to perfect and grow before it is ready to progress toward a “perfect” or “enlightened” state. Although much of this view appears to be logical, it assumes an end to spiritual progress. This begs the question, “What do we do when we reach the end?”. Would we be content to “sit around” and celebrate our enlightenment. This assumes there is a limit to our progress. It would be more logical to envision an existence in which we would be permitted to continue our progress.
Most Christians believe that our ultimate destination is Heaven. Although there is a diversity of thought regarding what actually occurs in Heaven, it is generally considered to be a “final reward”, a place or state of being in which there is nothing but joy and contentment. Again we must consider whether we would be content in an existence in which there is no change or growth.
Still others subscribe to the belief that our spiritual essence continues on in this World as ghosts or apparitions. Many of us have experienced things that might lead us to believe this as well.
One of the basic principles of Universal Spiritualism is our continued progress through the Universal Realms, each allowing for new and more advanced experiences and opportunities for spiritual growth. Before our physical birth in this World, our experiences were such that we were able to comprehend our new environment and use that understanding to acquire the skills and knowledge needed in that phase of our Spiritual Journey. However, we have no certain knowledge of where those lessons were learned.
We must also consider those situations in which an individual reaches his physical death without having acquired necessary skills and knowledge to succeed at an “entry level” in a more advanced Realm. Is there an opportunity for those individuals to acquire “remedial instruction”? Many people die young in life and many more reach old age without having experienced much spiritual growth. Would they be thrown into another existence without possessing even the basic skills necessary to survive there?
When we consider the possibilities, perhaps it would be a mistake to assume we have to choose one. Perhaps the next destination for individuals depends on the circumstances. We might consider the possibility that those who are not ready for “promotion” might return to another physical existence. We have no real reason to believe that to be impossible. Of course, we might ask, “If reincarnation is a reality, why don’t individuals have memories of their previous life?” Our recorded memories of events and physical experiences are stored in the physical brain. An individual suffering from amnesia is no less a spiritual being because he or she lacks memories of the past. Spiritual knowledge acquired becomes a part of the spirit and becomes an integral part of who and what we are. It is the spiritual knowledge that guides us toward making decisions that aid us in our Spiritual Journey.
A variation on this scenario involves the transcendent nature of the spirit. When we are removed from this Physical Realm, we are also removed from the ordinary Space-Time we experience. There is also evidence to suggest that many versions of our own Space-Time exist. For example, consider an individual who encounters a fork in a road while taking a walk. That individual may choose either the right or left forks. Let us assume that if he chooses the right, he will continue down the road until he finds a nice place to enjoy his picnic lunch. The day ends well and he arrives at home happy and content.
Now let’s assume that he chooses the left fork instead. He encounters a rocky hill, loses his footing and falls off a cliff to his death. Which of those possibilities is real? Perhaps each of these are equally valid. There is a well accepted interpretation of quantum theory which holds that the position and velocity of subatomic particles is not determined until it is detected or observed. For example, an electron occupies all possible positions simultaneously. When it is detected, it is found at one of these possible locations. In other words, there exists a reality for each possible state. If this is possible at the quantum level, it is logical to assume that it could be true for the macro-world as well.
Perhaps an individual who has not progressed sufficiently to survive in a more advanced Realm returns to the same life in another version of the same Space-Time. In this way, many of the same lessons and choices would be presented and that individual would have the benefit of spiritual knowledge already acquired to perhaps deal with those issues differently.
At this point, one might ask how the other individuals encountered through life would exist in this alternate reality. If we accept the notion that all possible versions of Space-Time co-exist, then the “new reality” would include “versions” of those individuals who interacted in that manner. This possibility then begs the question, “Does that mean that we are, in fact, many different individuals?” If would not be logical to assume that each “version” of ourselves is a distinct spiritual being. We may assume, however, that all of the realities in which we play a part contribute to our “total self”. Perhaps we have already experienced many of these realities and the lessons learned have contributed to our present state. It may be true that at some point in our existence we will “play out” those scenes not yet experienced. Our spiritual “essence”, not limited to ordinary Space-Time as we understand it, has an infinite amount of “time” in which to experience an infinite number of events.
For those who reach the necessary skill and knowledge level, there would be promotion to a more advanced Realm. It is not possible for us to comprehend what this existence would be like since our minds are limited to an understanding of the Physical Realm in which we now live. I believe it is possible, however, to catch glimpses of other Realms through meditation, prayer and collective spiritual experiences. Even a basic understanding of where we are headed would help us in the choices and decisions we make in this life. To have some understanding of the goal will help us along in our Spiritual Journey and help prepare us for what lies ahead.