Ian Stevenson

[zilch]

Thank you all for the kind words. I do hope that you're right. But an engineer in me will keep doubting. It's my lot in life, I guess.

 

[poeticblue]

Also, I can’t really comment on Ian Stevenson as I haven’t researched him yet. When I get the time I will. I just felt to make a ‘somewhat’ brief response to another post you made within this thread. I hope that was ok

 

[poeticblue]

Thank you all for the kind words. I do hope that you're right. But an engineer in me will keep doubting. It's my lot in life, I guess.

You’re not the only engineer to join this forum. One of my best forum members (a friend here) is an engineer actually . They don’t post as much anymore but that’s ok.

 

[angelapdx]

It's not a happy moment for me. I miss my mother to the point that it really hurts and keep looking for her, but all that is left is her grave, ashes, and my memories. I haven't found anything that could turn me into believer. The world is quite amazing with its physics, biology and unknown origin. I still 'pray' to be wrong and I'm happy if your beliefs make you happier, but I can't see anything but wishful thinking in this afterlife / paranormal business.

This post was not meant to attack anyone's views. I just express mine.

I am feeling similarly lately. I was drawn here from a depression that left me mourning for my grandparents again and then my kitty died suddenly at a young age this Saturday. I've heard some about pets sometimes showing up so I have been mindful but not seeing any signs and it has left me questioning this whole journey that I have been on searching for answers. I've also tried other things, like talking to spirit guides and meditating without having any of the experiences that others describe.

Part of me wonders if it is the grief and depression holding me back. I wish I could see and feel the things that other people seem to see and feel.

I'm sorry for the loss of your mother! She must have been a wonderful lady!

 

[mac]

It's not a happy moment for me. I miss my mother to the point that it really hurts and keep looking for her, but all that is left is her grave, ashes, and my memories. I haven't found anything that could turn me into believer. The world is quite amazing with its physics, biology and unknown origin. I still 'pray' to be wrong and I'm happy if your beliefs make you happier, but I can't see anything but wishful thinking in this afterlife / paranormal business.

This post was not meant to attack anyone's views. I just express mine.

Your posting isn't attacking anyone or attacking anything you consider to be their beliefs or wishful thinking. Those who know/understand are no longer believers anyway, no longer wishful thinkers. They've passed that point of not-knowing, uncertainty or rejection. Yet others will be almost convinced but maybe still afraid or unable to allow themselves to make that last step into persuasion. We each have our personal path to tread and for some it's one of fear, frustration and rejection of the notion of survival.

Some seekers will find that the experience and conviction of others works for them too. It's sad that other seekers find no such reassurance. There's no easy way - it appears - to reach out to these individuals and comfort them and I can offer no easy explanation for why things are so hard.

 

[mac]

Thank you all for the kind words. I do hope that you're right. But an engineer in me will keep doubting. It's my lot in life, I guess.

It's not necessarily the engineer in you - I'm a scientist / electronics guy yet my background doesn't result in my being a Doubting-Thomas. Such attributes are purely of this physical domain. When it comes to survival neither electronics nor science has any part to play - for me. Others' mileages may vary.

BUT using your personal engineering attributes, why would an engineer even be here on an afterlife discussion forum website? If you're convinced we knowers are simply wishful-thinkers or believers, why do you associate with such air-heads?

That last question is rhetorical, by the way.....

 

[poeticblue]

It's not necessarily the engineer in you - I'm a scientist / electronics guy yet my background doesn't result in my being a Doubting-Thomas. Such attributes are purely of this physical domain. When it comes to survival neither electronics nor science has any part to play - for me. Others' mileages may vary.

BUT using your personal engineering attributes, why would an engineer even be here on an afterlife discussion forum website? If you're convinced we knowers are simply wishful-thinkers or believers, why do you associate with such air-heads?

That last question is rhetorical, by the way.....

 

[mac]

I am feeling similarly lately. I was drawn here from a depression that left me mourning for my grandparents again and then my kitty died suddenly at a young age this Saturday. I've heard some about pets sometimes showing up so I have been mindful but not seeing any signs and it has left me questioning this whole journey that I have been on searching for answers.

I have to tell you that signs, symbols and messages may not be as commonplace as might be supposed. That you are aware of no signs to suggest either your grandparents or your pet are around means either there aren't any or that you've not seen/recognised 'em. BUT that doesn't mean they've not survived - it only means you're not convinced of it. As with all journeys in life, some will be more arduous than others. Your search for answers may be similar to many BUT with a significant difference. YOU'RE here on ALF whereas many are not. Would you not think that's pretty important and significant for you?

Missing the presence of your loved ones, their presence, their company, their love and their comfort is what happens when people die - even pets - period. They're gone for now but not forever.

I've also tried other things, like talking to spirit guides and meditating without having any of the experiences that others describe.

You've just joined me in the 'me too' club! Those things don't work for everyone or perhaps for more than a comparative few.

Part of me wonders if it is the grief and depression holding me back. I wish I could see and feel the things that other people seem to see and feel.

Been there, done that! Grief and depression often need grief and depression counseling. Others' experiences of the sort you'd like may not be coming your way and in my view likely do not come the way for many.

 

[bluebird]

Just an observation and I hope that Convolution doesn’t mind me bringing him into the conversation. So here it goes:

You Zilch, and Convolution may feel like your hearts has been torn out. Convolution lost his brother and you lost your mother. It may feel like a piece of you is missing which is probably why you both along with millions of others feel like they need solid, scientific evidence of a life after this life. Sadly to say, I don’t believe that will happen anytime soon in our lifetime. If reincarnation does exist, maybe in our next rounds of lives, there will be a scientific way to validate life after this life. I highly doubt it though, since afterlife studies is of a metaphysical nature not science.

The death of a loved one does not mean that they are permanently gone. ‘Death’ or ‘Life after Life’ is simply a transition to a different realm of existence to another. Nothing is ever dead, forgotten, nor lost. Our family, children, animals, and/or loved ones just don’t disappear into thin air when they die. The fact that certain members continuously talk about their deceased loved ones and have managed to find their way to these forums, should prove somewhat of evidence that a possibility of an afterlife does exist. We wouldn’t have doubt of an afterlife if we didn’t think that there was a slight possibility that it does exist.

I have a question I hope you will answer, poeticblue. I'm just asking for your opinion about this; I'm not asking for proof.

You're correct when you say that for some/many people, the death of a close loved one is very much like constantly feeling your heart is being ripped out of your body and torn apart. Given that, why do you think we (humanity, all of us) are not "allowed" (if that's the right word here) to know for sure that our dead loved ones continue to exist in an afterlife, and that we will be with them again? I'm not talking about scientific proof, here, but about a deeper knowing, an experience of communication with the dead loved one(s) which would leave no room for doubt.

You know I am agnostic regarding the existence of god. One major reason for this is that if a god or Gods does exist, it/they does not provide/allow that sort of proof for everyone. If there is an all-powerful god, it could do that.

I would be interested in other members' opinions about this, as well.

 

[poeticblue]

I have a question I hope you will answer, poeticblue. I'm just asking for your opinion about this; I'm not asking for proof.

You're correct when you say that for some/many people, the death of a close loved one is very much like constantly feeling your heart is being ripped out of your body and torn apart. Given that, why do you think we (humanity, all of us) are not "allowed" (if that's the right word here) to know for sure that our dead loved ones continue to exist in an afterlife, and that we will be with them again? I'm not talking about scientific proof, here, but about a deeper knowing, an experience of communication with the dead loved one(s) which would leave no room for doubt.

You know I am agnostic regarding the existence of god. One major reason for this is that if a god or Gods does exist, it/they does not provide/allow that sort of proof for everyone. If there is an all-powerful god, it could do that.

I would be interested in other members' opinions about this, as well.

I’ll respond tommorow to your post BB if you don’t mind. I’ve drafted a response but I don’t want to post it just yet.