The contemplation of what happens after death has captivated the human mind for centuries. Among the many questions that arise, one of the most common is whether or not we can see our loved ones once we pass away. In this article, we will delve into this intriguing topic and explore the various perspectives and possibilities surrounding it.
Exploring Different Cultural and Religious Beliefs
Regardless of how you interpret this liminal space, death and the afterlife are an essential part of global cultures. What happens when you die is a topic many religions and non-religious people alike explore and debate.
Christian Heaven, Hell and Purgatory
The most commonly discussed afterlife is the one in Christian cosmology. When you die, your spirit goes to the gates of Heaven, where Saint Peter checks if your name is on the list to decide if you can enter or not. If it’s not, you go to Hell. If you’re a non-believer or follower of a different religion, you also go to Hell.
But if you were a devout Christian, your spirit may be sent to Purgatory. This spiritually neutral place is where souls complete penance for their sins before they’re allowed into Heaven. But according to many Christians, once you go to Hell, there’s no escaping.
Buddhism’s Rebirth
In Buddhism, death does not mean the end of life. A person’s soul is reborn into a new body in a never-ending cycle known as Samsara. The life you experience is a consequence of past actions or karma. Buddhists believe that Nirvana is achieved when one releases themselves from Samsara and reaches an enlightened state.
Islam’s Judgment, Barzakh and Jannah
When you die as a Muslim, your soul enters a phase where you are judged by Allah based on your deeds, actions and intentions. Much like Christian beliefs, the good go to heaven while the bad go to hell.
But before the Day of Judgment comes, there’s an in-between stage known as Barzakh. In this liminal space, the soul can still eat, drink and sleep while it waits for an angel to visit on the Day of Judgment.
Hinduism’s Dharmasala and Devaloka
In Hinduism, souls are in three types of worlds depending on their karma at the time of death:
- Dharmasala: Souls that have good karma are allowed to stay in the place they chose in their lifetime. They watch their family members pray for them but are unable to communicate back.
- Ksharoka: Moderate sinners end up here, which is like Earth with weather and merriness.
- Narakoka: This world below Earth is where souls with bad karma end up suffering.
- Devaloka: Souls with good karma get to experience the paradise that is Devaloka before they reincarnate into a better life.
The Existence of an Afterlife
So what happens to us after we die? Many believe that when someone passes away, they move on to an afterlife. In fact, in a recent YouGov poll, 72% of Americans said they believe in an afterlife. However, the majority of those who do were not sure what it entails. These are some of the most popular answers:
- 50% of Americans believe in life after death in a spiritual sense. This means that they think that the soul continues to live on in some form or another
- 45% of Americans think that when we die, we go to heaven or hell
- 43% of Americans think that the concept of an afterlife is symbolic and they continue to live through the memories of their loved ones
- 19% of Americans think that the soul is reborn in another living thing
- 17% of Americans believe in life beyond death through science, such as cryogenics where the body is frozen until there’s treatment for whatever killed them
One thing that many have in common is that they believe that their loved ones who have passed away continue to exist in some form.
A recent study published on the Ology Journal found that belief in an afterlife can be a powerful source of comfort. It can actually help people better cope with the grieving process.
Another study published on Future Science OA found similar results. The researchers concluded that whatever people believe about the post-mortem fate can be very helpful as long as it offers comfort and hope.
Whether you believe in an afterlife comes down to your religious and spiritual views. This afterlife is not exclusive to humans but also animals, as many cultures believe we will reunite with our pets once we die.
In conclusion, we are not able to access heaven as a physical place before we die. However, there are signs our departed loved ones can send us from beyond.
Spiritual Encounters and Signs
While direct communication isn’t possible, it is believed that the deceased can offer signs and messages via spiritual encounters that can be readily interpreted.
Precognition
Mediums may be able to acquire some knowledge or information from the deceased that only the living are privy to. In some cases, precognition exists in these messages where the living are forewarned of things to come. For example, if your deceased loved one communicates to the medium that they see you getting hurt or injured in the near future, this would prompt you to be extra cautious and avoid potential accidents or mishaps.
Mediums can also connect with spirits of individuals who perished tragically or suddenly and have a strong desire or a deep sense of urgency to communicate what they know. This enables the living to prepare themselves for upcoming challenges or events and take necessary precautions.
It’s important to note that not all negative messages from the deceased about potential dangers are accurate and you should always use your own judgment and discretion when acting upon such messages.
Dreams
Many people believe that their deceased loved ones communicate with them through dreams. While dreams of the departed may initially seem like coincidence, some people are able to discern whether their dream is just a product of their subconscious mind or if they are genuine spiritual encounters. This recognition may come from feeling a profound sense of peace and comfort in the dream—even if the dream was emotionally heavy—or receiving unexpected answers to important questions about the future.
The Alphabet Method
If mediums cannot hear verbal messages from the spirit, they may utilize a simple, time-tested technique referred to as psychic mediumship alphabet board. The process uses letters of the alphabet and numbers as well as words such as “yes,” “no” and “goodbye” written on a board or large piece of paper. The medium places their finger on an item called a planchette which then moves over the letters and numbers to spell out messages, provide answers and enable communication between two worlds.
While mediums can use these tools to assist in delivering messages from beyond, sometimes no tools are required at all. As with any form of reading or psychic services, clarifying questions are essential in order for a psychic medium to do his or her best work. If you have specific questions you wish to ask a loved one who has passed on, it’s important you prepare for your reading by reminding yourself exactly what it is you want answered and why.
Dreams: A Window to the Beyond
Chances are you’ve already experienced the sensation of seeing lost loved ones in your dreams. You’re not alone, as many bereaved persons have reported the same experience. It may surprise you that more than 80% of bereaved persons have experienced a dream about their deceased loved ones, according to a study by the National Library of Medicine.
The study explains that seeing lost loved ones in dreams is a normal part of the grieving process. This makes sense—our subconscious mind works tirelessly while we sleep to manage our emotions, thoughts and feelings. So even though our conscious mind may not be thinking about our deceased loved one, our subconscious continues to process the loss and helps us manage our grief.
Think of seeing your loved one in your dreams as an extension of your ongoing relationship with them. Even though they have passed on, they continue to comfort you and make their presence known to you in their own special way.
While these dreams can be comforting, it’s important to keep in mind that dreams don’t necessarily provide a direct connection to the afterlife. Instead, they serve as an opportunity for you to maintain an emotional connection with someone who has passed on.
Here’s an example: Let’s say you’ve recently lost a loved one, such as your spouse. In your dream, they communicate with you from beyond the grave and give you advice on how to manage your finances or a health condition. At first glance, this advice may seem eerily prophetic. But if you examine your surroundings with a critical eye, you may realize that you’re already aware of the solution.
Your subconscious mind holds onto knowledge that your conscious mind may not fully grasp. So when it presents information from a familiar face—such as a loved one who has passed on—this allows you to process the solution more easily.
To summarize: Seeing lost loved ones in dreams is a normal and natural part of grieving. It doesn’t necessarily connect to the afterlife, but it does serve as a comforting way for us to maintain our relationship with them.
Scientific Perspectives on Life After Death
Scientific Perspectives on Life After Death
For many people, scientific evidence is necessary to accept the possibility that we can see our loved ones after death. Luckily for you, there is no shortage of scientific evidence and studies investigating life after death and deathbed visions.
One common perspective asserts that we can see our loved ones after death because of the brain’s release of dimethyltryptamine (DMT) during death. DMT is a powerful hallucinogenic substance that occurs naturally within the body. It’s suspected to contribute to dreams and near-death experiences such as leaving your body, seeing a bright light or reviewing your life.
In 2018, an international research group found DMT in the pineal gland in live rats. This finding is significant because it provides evidence for DMT’s production in humans and animals. The study also raises the possibility that the body releases DMT in response to stressors like dehydration, oxygen deprivation and temperature changes.
We don’t know how much DMT the brain releases during actual death, but it’s an interesting perspective to consider. Could this be why so many people report seeing their loved ones during their final moments?
The 2019 AWARE study further supports this theory. During a four-year investigation, researchers cataloged out-of-body experiences in patients who suffered cardiac arrest. They noted several common features among the patients who reported seeing lights or people, hearing voices or experiencing the feeling of being pulled toward something. These common features align with what we’ve heard about near-death experiences.
And when we look at individual cases, there are numerous stories of people seeing their loved ones during near-death experiences. Perhaps the most famous example is neurosurgeon Eben Alexander. In his 2012 memoir, Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon’s Journey into the Afterlife, he tells readers about his incredibly vivid near-death experience where he saw his sister whom he hadn’t seen in years.
Dr. Alexander believes his neocortex wasn’t functioning properly during his hospitalization, but he still experienced a conscious experience while his brain was inactive.
When evaluating these scientific perspectives, it’s important to remember there is no concrete evidence supporting any theory. But it’s interesting to consider that biological and neuroscientific processes could come into play during dying and near-death experiences!
Near-Death Experiences: Insights into the Unknown
A variety of religious traditions offer similar insights, suggesting that the death state is a temporary pause before we continue our journey through spiritual development.
Faith in an afterlife can provide a sense of comfort and predictability to the unknown experience of death. However, religious texts and teachings are not scientific evidence. They can’t prove whether the afterlife is real or what it looks like.
NDEs are one way people have tried to understand what happens after death. These accounts offer a rare glimpse into the afterlife, even if they can’t provide conclusive answers. Near-death experiences are personal and subjective, meaning others will need to trust the NDEer’s interpretation.
While many accounts describe NDEs the same way, it’s important to approach them with a critical but open mind. NDE accounts are often colored by people’s belief systems and culture for better or for worse.
For example, Lester’s NDE takes him to a heavenly realm filled with peace. He’s surrounded by his deceased family members and Jesus himself. His experience confirms his faith in Christianity.
In contrast, non-denominational spiritualist Valerie describes her NDE as being a serene, dark void of pure energy. Religions aren’t mentioned at all. Her time wasn’t even spent with loved ones who have passed away. Despite being met with trepidation by an unknown figure, Valerie returns with an NDE that confirms her belief in an undefined higher power.
Both Lester and Valerie experienced near-death states that validated their beliefs about the afterlife. This suggests that the mind has some influence on how we perceive heaven.
But science doesn’t provide solid conclusions either. There’s still much we don’t understand about NDEs and if they can be trusted as previews of life after death. The only thing we know for sure is that some weird stuff happens in the brain during an NDE. Not enough to paint a complete picture of what a real near-death experience really is, though.
We might never have all of the answers about life after death until we pass on ourselves. But research can help us better understand what happens when someone dies from an NDE perspective.
The Power of Memories and Love
Even though there’s no concrete evidence to support that spirits exist, it doesn’t mean the love you have for your deceased loved ones isn’t real. The World Health Organization estimates that nearly 3 million people in the United States die each year. There are people every day who have to learn how to navigate through their losses and deal with the fact that they’ll never see someone they love again. It seems pretty grim until you start to think about it differently.
You can’t see an individual’s thoughts or memories, but just because you can’t physically see them doesn’t mean that they don’t exist. In the same vein, memories don’t vanish just because a thought is not actively on your mind. Memories of loved ones and the love you have for them stick with us until we pass on ourselves.
It’s a comforting thought to know that the love you have for others is strong enough to carry on even after you’ve passed on yourself. And who knows? Maybe one day we will find concrete evidence that spirits actually do exist. Until then, take comfort in knowing the memories and love you have for your deceased loved ones are all around you.
There are plenty of ways to honor and remember your loved ones after they’ve passed away. Whether it’s by keeping their memory alive at home or building a memorial online, keeping those memories close is one way relatives can begin to heal after a loss. Even if they’re not physically present, it doesn’t mean they’re not with us in spirit.
Whether a loved one passes on due to health conditions like cancer or unexpectedly in an accident, their memory will always be alive within our hearts. Visit groups like My Life Line to connect with others who share similar experiences and join the conversation.
We’re all going through this thing called life together. Even though everyone’s story is unique unto themself, it’s comforting to know that there are always people out there who understand your pain. You’re never alone when you’re surrounded by love.
Finding Comfort and Peace in the Uncertainty
While there are many theories and stories about spiritual encounters, it’s important to remind ourselves that myths will always exist to enrich our beliefs. Consider that before organizations such as scientific or medical institutions became prevalent, different cultures believed in the power of myth.
Even scientific theories as we learned them from our history books today were once myths. Medical science was once guided by religious beliefs, and medicine men were the equivalent of doctors.
Myths can still bring comfort to people who are grieving the loss of a loved one. In The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Charlie writes a letter to his friend and says, “Maybe it’s like you said before. Maybe we can choose what we want to believe.”
He was talking about religion but this is a valid concept for many things, including encounters with and messages from our dearly departed. We can take comfort in the thought of seeing our loved ones in the afterlife or seek clarity through signs they send us, as long as we choose to believe in them.
If you’re struggling with your beliefs, readings from mediums may help you find comfort. Mediums can help people communicate with their departed loved ones by picking up information from them. Psychics can pick up information about someone’s life or future from their personal energy.
You might be hesitant about seeking out a medium because you don’t want to be scammed or taken advantage of while you’re vulnerable. While there are instances of people pretending to be psychic when they’re really con artists, there have also been dozens of cases where people have received accurate information from psychics who were able to connect with their loved ones.
Rosie McKee is a medium and certified psychic from New Jersey who has provided readings for several people going through grief. She wants people looking for readings to find peace and positivity through their experience.
“One message that I get continuously is that our loved ones want us to know that they are still around us. They don’t want us to live in that deep despair or sorrow, because it holds us back from moving forward with our lives,” she says.
While the question of whether we can see our loved ones after death remains unanswered, the belief in the existence of an afterlife and the possibility of reuniting with loved ones brings solace to many. Whether it is through spiritual encounters, dreams, or simply holding onto the memories we have, the connection we have with our loved ones can transcend the physical realm. Ultimately, each individual finds their own sense of comfort and faith regarding this profound question.
