Immortality
The concept of immortality has always been one to contemplate. It seems that ever since the beginning of time, human beings have been wired with a thirst for immortality and eternal life. History has proven that the concept of immortality is not a new one. There have been many cultures with ideas of immortality and life after death. Through the ages, the idea of immortality has been woven into the lives of countless civilizations. There are two types of immortality: physical and spiritual. A few groups have both types, but most cultures believe in either one or the other. Some cultures in the past, and even those that exist today, share the same ideas of immortality, but the majority of them hold different beliefs.
The most popular religions that are practiced today have adapted some ideas of immortality. One of these religions is Christianity. Christians believe that after the second coming of Christ every person on Earth will be resurrected and then their souls would go to one of two places: some would go on to reside with God in Heaven, and the others would be eternally separated from Him and would live in terrible anguish. Catholics believe in purgatory, a place where souls who have been saved are purged of their sins before they can move on to Heaven. The religion of Islam shares some similar beliefs. They also believe that everyone possesses an eternal soul that will live in eternal Paradise or Hell, depending on how one lives their life. On the day of judgment a person’s place of existence in eternity is decided.
Hinduism believes that after the death, an immortal soul is reincarnated. They believe that people repeat a cycle, called samsara, of life, death, and rebirth. If they live their life well, their karma increases and their following station in the next life will be higher. If the opposite occurs, and they live their life poorly, their following station in the next life would be considerably lower. Eventually after they have chances to perfect their karma, the soul is freed from the cycle and can then live comfortably. In Hiduism, there is no continuous Hell.
Buddhists believe that a person goes through three cycles, much like in Hinduism: birth, death, and then rebirth. Buddhists do not believe in an eternal soul. They believe in a collection of memories, desires, and habits. After their death, a person is reborn as a human or some other form, depending on the result of karma.
The concept of immortality is not always one that is only expressed through religion. The ancient Egyptians intertwined the concept of immortality in their every day life. Ancient Egyptians believed that their ruler, the pharaoh, was divine. The pharaoh would rule in the name of the immortal sun god. Most pyramids that currently stand in Egypt were built especially to make sure that the pharaoh would have eternal comfort in the afterlife. These pyramids would be filled with gold, food, clothing, portraits, and more. These objects would accompany the pharaoh when he would pass on. Pharaohs and royalty were not the only ones who dedicated time and money preparing for their journey. Artisans, workmen, and their families would also prepare to the best of their abilities.
There are also concepts of immortality found in myths, legends, and epics. One of the earliest epics ever written is the Epic of Gilgamesh. Written by the Sumarians, it aims to illustrate the human need for immortality and the lengths someone would go to get there. Gilgamesh sets out to receive immortality after his companion, Enkidu, dies. He travels to visit Utnapishtim and his wife, both of whom survived the Great Flood, to ask for the gift of immortality. After two failed attempts, and a final return to Uruk, Gilgamesh realizes that immortality can be achieved by mortals through lasting works of culture and civilization.
The above mentioned are just a few of the different ways that immortality has been expressed through time. Whether it be through religion, epics, legends, or different aspects of life, it is clear that the concept of immortality has always been one to linger in the minds of humans. As long as human beings use their imagination to dream and pass down their beliefs from generation to generation, the concept of immortality will always be something that will linger in their minds.