11 Days of Wander – Foreword

There are many beliefs, many theories, and many interpretations about the afterlife.

Some believe that after we die, we go to a beautiful and peaceful place meant only for those who are good at heart—the good-intended. This place is called heaven. On the other hand, some believe that one may fall into a dark pit illuminated by flames, scorched by fire, meant for those who disobeyed divine laws and sacrificed others’ love, life, and happiness for their own selfish achievements. This is a place of suffering often referred to as Hell.

Others believe that the soul is trapped in a constant cycle of death and rebirth, driven by desires and cravings for worldly attachments. This cycle is known as Samsara. Their mission, or ultimate goal, is to break free from this spinning wheel and achieve liberation, freedom from all desires and cravings. In Hinduism, this liberation is called Moksha, and it signifies the merging of the individual soul (Atman) with the universal reality (Brahman).

Some views of life emphasize suffering as a central theme, portraying existence in Samsara as filled with pain rather than exotic or romantic notions. The soul, or “deep self,” is bound in Samsara by the laws of karma. In this belief system, past actions greatly influence future lives, determining whether one is reborn into favorable or challenging circumstances. Sins and misdeeds may result in temporary punishment in Naraka (a form of Hell), where the soul atones for its wrongdoings before continuing the cycle of rebirth.

Fortunately, there are many ways to escape this cycle of death and rebirth. These include performing rituals, practicing yoga, gaining spiritual knowledge, and understanding one’s connection with nature. When a soul achieves Moksha, it is liberated, like a drop of water merging with the vast ocean. It becomes one with the cosmic Brahman, often described as “the unitary ground of being that transcends particular gods and goddesses.”

All these attempts to understand what happens after death are not mere fantasies. While they remain unproven, they represent profound philosophical and spiritual efforts to make sense of the unknown.