hola

[Tom]

The astral planes are convenient to think of as having seven layers. These layers would be distinct because of "like attracts like" in operation to condense regions into distinct layers. It is the same with the physical. There are different environments in the physical and some are more pleasant than others. Just as there is individual karma, there is group karma. The people living in a region on the planet or a plane of the astral are similar enough to be able to see each other because of shared karma. If people could just die and not reincarnate then they could escape their karma through death. Reincarnation goes both forward and backward, in that in addition to future lives we have had past lives. Exactly how far back do we go? In Buddhism there is no limit going back and no definite beginning. What we see here and now is a result of consciousness. We are connected by group karma as well as karma on an individual level. A single Creator or God is only needed if there must be a definite beginning and if we are willing to avoid asking too many questions about that Creator or God.

[dovelady]

right on, Arie!
i only disagree on one thing...the "bad or whatever" don't become extinct.
they have to right their wrongs however many lifetimes it takes for them to learn the lessons.
as you get older, it seems you think about this stuff a lot more. at least it has been that way with me.  
keep reading and learning...that way you can make good choices.
white light to all.......dovelady

pray for peace.

[Arie]

Hey everyone......I've been pondering some stuff today and I just felt like sharing.

I've been evaluating all of my beliefs lately as you all know.....and somehow I feel this natural happiness/positive attitude.  You know you here in books all the time that you have a choice to have a positive attitude or a negative attitude.  Well....I've tried that in my past and it only works for so long.  I doubt if anyone can fake it for more than a day.  Anyone understand what I'm saying?  Well I wanted to list all of my beliefs and see what you guys think.

If you think you can refute anything I would love to hear your arguments.

I believe there is a God some Higher Power.....whatever you want to call it.
I believe this because I don't understand how we could come from nothing into something.....there must be a creator.

I do believe in life after death because I have read of many testimonies of near death experiences.  People being dead for days, hours etc.

I believe we are all eternal because of near death experiences.

Some people say that "bad or wrong people or whatever" people become extinct after death.  But to counter this argument is the proof of suicide near death experiences.....and suicide is not a Godly act at all.....to me this makes sense.

I believe we can pray/talk to God because since God is God ofcourse he has the power to hear us....if he couldn't here us then God has no power and therefore isn't God.  Does that make sense?

I believe if there was a God in time and space....he would have only positive qualities...like goodness...beauty...joy....passion....love etc etc.

I don't understand how God in time and space could have a negative quality.....it doesn't make sense.

I guess this about sums it up.....I would love to hear all of your comments.

I was thinking about something else today......prayer or talking to god or worship is meaningless unless you really want/feel like doing it.  If you pray just to avoid a bad place in the afterlife then thats just stupid.  That means fear is controlling you....am I right?

Comments? Thanks everyone.

Adios