What Is Your Idea of Heaven?

All cultures have some version of heaven. What would you want to experience after death to call it heaven?

Oct 11, 2024

Heaven is … 1. Christianity Concept of Heaven: Heaven is depicted as a place of eternal peace and communion with God, free of pain and suffering. Often imagined as a celestial city with streets of gold, it is a place where believers are reunited with God and other souls. Description: The Bible, especially the Book of Revelation, describes heaven as a place of immense beauty and light, with a new Jerusalem coming down from heaven (Revelation 21). It’s also a place where God wipes away every tear and where there is no more death or sorrow (Revelation 21:4). “The street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass… And the city had no need of the sun, for the glory of God illuminated it.”— Revelation 21:21-23 (New Testament) 2. Islam Concept of Jannah: In Islam, Jannah is the equivalent of heaven—a paradise of physical and spiritual rewards for the righteous. There are different levels of Jannah, with the highest reserved for prophets, martyrs, and the most pious. Description: Jannah is described as a lush garden with rivers of milk, honey, and wine, abundant fruit, luxurious garments, and palaces. It’s a place of eternal peace, where those who enter are free from worldly suffering (Quran 47:15). “Therein are rivers of water unaltered, rivers of milk the taste of which never changes, rivers of wine delicious to those who drink, and rivers of purified honey.” — Quran 47:15 3. Hinduism Concept of Svarga or Moksha: Hinduism has multiple realms of paradise, often referred to as "Svarga," a temporary heaven, or "Moksha," the ultimate liberation from the cycle of rebirth (samsara). Description: Svarga is a celestial paradise where souls can enjoy pleasures and luxury before reincarnation. It is described as a place of gods, lush gardens, and celestial music. However, the ultimate goal for Hindus is Moksha, which is the union with Brahman (the supreme reality) and freedom from the cycle of reincarnation. “The dwellers in Svarga move in celestial cars, radiant as the sun, decked with ornaments and garlands, clad in celestial robes, and engaged in the sport of the gods.” — Mahabharata, Book 3, Vana Parva 4. Buddhism Concept of Pure Land and Nirvana: While Buddhism doesn’t emphasize heaven in the way other religions do, certain sects, like Pure Land Buddhism, describe a heavenly realm known as the Pure Land. Nirvana, however, is the ultimate state, free from suffering and desire. Description: The Pure Land is depicted as a paradise presided over by Amitabha Buddha, filled with beautiful landscapes and peace where souls can work toward enlightenment. Nirvana, on the other hand, is beyond physical realms—more of a transcendent, peaceful state free from suffering. “In this Buddha-field, they live happy lives amidst lotus flowers as large as wheels, abounding with good qualities.” — Larger Sukhavati-vyuha Sutra (Pure Land Buddhism) 5. Ancient Greek Religion Concept of the Elysian Fields: The Elysian Fields, or Elysium, is a place in the Greek afterlife for the blessed dead, a paradise for heroes and the virtuous. Description: Elysium is described as a beautiful meadow with gentle breezes, where the souls of the virtuous enjoy rest, music, and peace. It was seen as a final resting place separate from the darker realms of Hades. “There the blessed live with hearts unwounded by sorrow, in meadows of perfect happiness.” — Homer, The Odyssey, Book 4, describing Elysium 6. Ancient Egyptian Religion Concept of the Field of Reeds: For the ancient Egyptians, paradise was known as the Field of Reeds, a reflection of an idealized Egypt. Description: It was envisioned as a place with lush vegetation, where the deceased could continue their favorite earthly activities and reunite with loved ones. Souls in the Field of Reeds had to pass judgment, being deemed virtuous to enter. “You shall be free from all sorrow, grief, and pain, and you shall walk freely in the Field of Reeds, and eat your fill.” — Book of the Dead, Chapter 110 7. Norse Mythology Concept of Valhalla and Folkvangr: Norse beliefs included two paradisiacal realms, Valhalla (for warriors) and Folkvangr (often associated with Freyja). Description: Valhalla is a grand hall in Asgard where warriors who died bravely in battle live with Odin, feasting and preparing for Ragnarok (the end of the world). Folkvangr, Freyja's realm, is also a peaceful and beautiful place for fallen heroes. "The glorious hall of Valhalla... there daily they fight; and when the evening comes, they feast." — Snorri Sturluson, Prose Edda, Gylfaginning 8. Judaism Concept of Gan Eden and Olam Ha-Ba: Jewish tradition speaks of Gan Eden (the Garden of Eden) as a paradise for the righteous and Olam Ha-Ba (the World to Come) as a state of spiritual bliss. Description: Gan Eden is often viewed as a paradisiacal garden, representing closeness to God. Olam Ha-Ba is more about spiritual peace and unity with God rather than a physical location. “The World to Come… there is neither eating nor drinking, but the righteous sit with their crowns on their heads and enjoy the radiance of the Divine Presence.” — Babylonian Talmud, Berakhot 17a 9. Native American Beliefs Many Native American tribes have unique beliefs about an afterlife, often featuring Happy Hunting Grounds or celestial realms where the soul experiences peace. Description: For example, the Plains tribes believed in a "Happy Hunting Ground" where the soul could live free, surrounded by nature and game, reflecting an idealized version of earthly life. Other tribes see the afterlife as a return to a world of ancestors and spirits. "When we die, we shall all go to the Happy Hunting Grounds, where there is always game in abundance.” — Chief Seattle, attributed, reflecting a common Native American belief. 10. Chinese Folk Religion and Taoism Concept of Heaven (Tian): In Taoism and Chinese folk religion, Tian is heaven, the dwelling place of divine beings and ancestors, while Taoism often focuses on immortality and spiritual harmony. Description: Heaven is envisioned as a realm of order and peace where ancestors reside, maintaining a connection with the living. Taoism emphasizes harmony with the Tao, a mystical force, leading to an existence that transcends earthly desires. "Tian, Heaven, rewards those who are virtuous, with good fortune, peace, and harmony.” — Analects of Confucius, Book of Rites

Regardless of your cultural or religious origins, I’m sure you know some form of heavenly exitance after death. I will note one interesting fact: most cultures and religions present the idea of heaven as an idealized existence without pain and suffering but otherwise a fairly human experience. Heaven depends on how that culture experienced life (battles, hunger, hunting, philosophy, gods, obedience).

Heaven is an idealized version of life on Earth, without the “bad parts”

That makes sense to me, as it is a human derivative. A story or interpretation of what an afterlife would look like for the “good boys and girls” is expectedly limited to human imagination.

For the religious among you, it is a factual representation of what awaits us after death, as described by divine forces who dwell there. Since I'm afraid I have to disagree with these beliefs, I find the descriptions of heaven a rather mundane, human, limited creation. It is part of the “carrot and a stick” equation for herding the human animal to do as you wish.

Still, the idea of existence after death is a fascinating topic.

First, no one can know for sure until they depart this realm. Even near-death experiencers experience what they expect, and it's always in tune with their beliefs.
Second, the more one delves into the nature of reality, the more it makes sense that this realm—life on Earth—is something of a game we play for whatever reason. It all seems more like one of the dreams or possible states of existence than some firm, material reality as we perceive it.

It begs the question, then, from what kind of existence do we emerge into this “simulation, dream world, illusionary realm?" One would assume we return there after we complete the game of life.

Alternatively, what else is there if this is just one of all possible realms, dimensions, universes, and dreams?

What is heaven for you?

What would you perceive as heaven from your perspective and preferences? We’re not searching for the truth today. No one can know and we will all find out soon enough, anyway.

We’re designing a heaven that is ideal but plausible from our point of view:

What is heaven?
Where is heaven?
Who goes to heaven?
What is life like in heaven?
What do people do in heaven?
Is there a time limit or life span to existence in heaven?
Can one get out if bored, for example?

Please do it now before reading any further, for I do not want to infect you with my ideas.

Heaven becoming hell

Before I reveal my ideas of afterlife possibilities and ideals, I will briefly discuss two major problems I envision with heavenly existence.

There is no one heaven for all tastes and cultures

Drinking ourselves stupid, bedding dozens of virgins, fighting the Gods for eternity, or living a pious life will not satisfy the definition of heaven for all of us. These ideas reflect the dominant majority of a time period, religion, and culture.

A one-size-fits-all heaven is an illusion because we are all so different. It doesn’t exist. Unless heaven is essentially a personalized dream world (hint, hint), it won't be heaven for all.

I discussed this issue with the idea of creating a utopia. It cannot exist, as we don’t all agree on what utopia is. There is no way to satisfy all. Therefore, it’s much better to allow people the freedom to create their own versions of preferred governance and unite with like-minded people.

Utopia for you might be a prison for me. Heaven for me might be hell for you.

Perfection, abundance, and ease are not always ideal

If everything were heavenly perfect, there would be no struggle, no growth, no suffering, no falling and getting back up, no goals to achieve, no obstacles to overcome, and no way to prove ourselves.

How do people usually handle extreme boredom?
How do people handle infinite abundance and lack of limitations or struggle?
Don’t we get bored of even the best things in this world?
Isn’t eternity a very long time to just “enjoy life?”
If the religions are right - how fun is life serving God, in this life or the next?

I know this seems like a non-issue, but I suspect there are reasons why people who have it all continually find things to struggle against, fail and become better at, and find ever-new challenges to overcome. It’s human nature—for winners and the upper echelon of achievers, anyway.

For some, drinking, lying on the beach, or getting high is the pinnacle of existence. Personally, I’m neither, but I can envision plenty of problems either way.

What is my vision of an afterlife and heaven?

I wrote an eight-part fictional story about an old man who died and went to heaven called "Am I Dead? My afterlife experience." Enjoy!

Heaven or hell is a state of mind

I interpret heaven from religious sources as a state of mind right here, on Earth. You can create a heaven or hell for yourself, and it all depends on the quality of your thoughts. It is not a place, and it’s not somewhere we go after death. This is it. Life is heaven or hell, and we’re the only ones determining that quality.

The afterlife is an ethereal, non-corporeal existence

Essentially, I believe (key distinction for I know nothing) that we are more than this meat suit—the body. We use the body, but we are the witnessing awareness behind even the thoughts in our heads.

Everything has led me to understand existence as a mind thing, whether that’s a dream, a mind simulation, the mind playing games by imagining material existence, or some game we enter voluntarily.

"The Universe is mental" is not just a cute saying but the closest thing to the ultimate truth I can think of. If you venture down the rabbit hole of quantum physics or mind-over-matter ideas, you will never see your reality in the same way again.

Any existence outside this life on Earth thing would seem to be one of the following:

Another game, world, dream, or simulation for the mind to play with, imagine, create, and experience.
A repeat of the same game with a different character because what the hell else is a mind without problems, needs, and desires going to do? You can call this mind the “one mind - God” or interconnected separate non-corporeal beings, existing only as mental entities.
An existence as a pure mind without limitations and problems of material existence. No body to feed and protect, only the mind or multiple minds, ethereal beings, existing and finding ways to entertain or challenge themselves.

Does God get bored of being God?

What would you do for fun if you were such a mental being?
What would excite you?
What would you create, if you were God, to know thyself or experience anything?

One of the reasons I do not fear death is because I choose to entertain the possibility that there is an existence after death. Why? Because why not? I don’t have a choice in dying, but I do have a choice in how I perceive it.

I chose to see it as a transition into an ethereal form of pure mind or, alternatively, another game of life to play. Either way, it’s not something to fear. A new adventure awaits!

Death and the possible afterlife is the ultimate frontier. I am an explorer and adventurer at heart. I love thinking about grand ideas, the impossible, and the unknown, so existence beyond this form is exciting as it opens up infinite possibilities.

My heaven is exploration and love

My version of heaven, then, is not some life of peace and harmony, drinking, and bedding women. Admittedly, I'm a fan of the second. That is part of this life and can be arranged relatively easily with the proper arrangement of the mind. As proposed above, it is a continuation of what I enjoy most in this life.

Heaven would be an existence of pure love and infinite exploration of the unknown. Imagine the possibility of knowing all there is to know and exploring all of the Universe or infinite possible universes without a body to drag you down. Visiting or creating planets and other galaxies, or better yet, other realms of existence altogether.

Now, that, ladies and gentlemen, is heaven for me. It is what I would prefer to experience after this life has played out if I had a say in it.

Let me guess - we won’t be in the same heaven, will we?

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Master the Mind - Master the World

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