As we pass through our fifties, most of us begin to develop a sense of our own
mortality, and to wonder about the possibility of an afterlife.

Now, personally, I have never been able to believe in the teachings of organised
religion; it has always seemed to me that it is much more to do with exercising
power and influence over a population than anything else. At the same time,
however, I have always found it intellectually impossible to accept the idea that
life should be cut short by the death of the physical body; the human mind is just
too wonderful in its scope.

It has also seemed obvious to me that those who purport to believe that physical
death brings about the extinction of the soul, often use this as an excuse to
behave abominably, often to the detriment of humankind.

For me, the first - and only - crumbs of comfort came from the books of Robert A
Monroe. The first of these, "Journeys Out of the Body", records in concise
language the experiences of a man who was able to attain the Out Of Body
Experience more or less at will and, in my mind, explains both our dreams and
their purpose, and the life to which they lead. But, of course, that's only what
I think; you must make up your own mind.

Monroe also went on to write "Far Journeys" and, if you have either doubts or
fears about the continuation of existence after your physical death, I recommend
both.

Curmudgeon

"It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others."