These are theories and interpretations on what happens when we die based on talking toothers and my life experiences.
We are all afraid of death because it is the unknown. Everyone has their own interpretation of death and has different beliefs on what happens when the time comes. Some turn to religion and others have their own theories. I have my own religion, and I believe that is something that varies from person to person. I am not saying that any of these theories are right or wrong, they are just hypothetical situations about death that have come to my mind.
The Nothing Theory
This theory is exactly as it sounds. Nothing happens when you die, you just cease to exist. This theory may be grim, but it gives life a whole new meaning. If this theory were true, when you look at the universe and how large it is and how time is eternal, we are only a small speck given roughly 80 years to make a difference on this planet, and then we disappear forever. There will never be anyone like us ever again. This theory has the ability to motivate us to live our lives to the fullest and to become self-actualized people. People who live life fully and vividly before time runs out.
The Lesson Theory
This theory is based somewhat off reincarnation. We live several lives, all to learn lessons. When we die our souls returns to a "heaven" like place where they are conscious and have a passion for knowledge. There they can recall all their past lives, and the lessons learned from each. This "heaven" like place is our home, but with our constant thirst for knowledge, we are given the opportunity to come back to earth and be reborn into a different life and time. we are reborn with no memory of the "heavenly" place or our past lives. This is because, in order to learn the absolute most, we must start with a clear state of mind. When we die from that life this cycle can repeat forever or we can remain in the "heaven" like place.
The Religious Theory
This theory is very common and I have thought about it a good amount. In this theory, you live out your life being the best person you could possibly be. When you die, there are only two routes available for you, Heaven (an eternal paradise) and Hell (an eternal state of loneliness and suffering). At the end of your life, if you were a genuinely generous, selfless, and loving person, you would go to heaven as a reward for your good behavior. If you were a cheap, greedy, and selfish person, you would go to hell as a punishment for your bad behavior.
In the end, (literally), Death as terrifying as it is, is not escapable. We will all face it some day, and then we will truly know for ourselves what happens. Leaving the living gussing away.
