As human Beings, a common perception that has been observed is the idea, here we are, and life is short (as the saying goes). People referring to the idea, this is the only time they have lived and once you die; well, who knows. Majority in the world lives with this perception; we grow old with fear of the unknown, and since time flies, no hope. People in religion believe about going to heaven. Confusing enough, they are still grief stricken when a love one dies. If it really is true that heaven is right around the corner, what's the cause for grief and sorrow? Could it be true that when a person dies they are just dead, maybe awaiting for the resurrection? If so, there must be a lot of people waiting. 

If the members of Islam and Christianity and other religions are really convinced that the person that dies goes to heaven; their grief and sorrow is based on attachment or just mere foolishness. The Bhagavad Gita clearly shows in Chapter 2 starting in verse 11; the truly wise person does not grieve for the living or the dead. It goes on to say in verse 12; there had never been a time when a person did not exist and there will never be a time when we cease to exist. Wow! that's a new thought compared to what Christianity and Islam teach.

Verse 12 and 13 in the Gita goes on and shows that the life force (the atma, soul, spirit) will move from one body to the next, living through human cycles, but the "spirit"-life force-doesn't ever die and never will. Upon death the spirit will be put into another womb, going from a different body to another, from childhood to old age, but the spirit does not change. A wise person-one who is truly wise-does not get caught up in the delusion of the body. The delusion is that we are the body; is the ego. The spirit is who we truly are, and the spirit is formless, unchangeable, our true Higher Self. 

The wise person who has been granted the truth of life does not get caught up the pain or pleasure of life, but is indifferent to these things and is unaffected by the worldly feelings, (emotions) that plague people because of their attachment. Yes, it's the attachment to the body of the ego, putting the identity on the body of who we are. It's a lie. Our true Self (spirit), is who we are and it is formless. Our spirit has always existed and always will. 

The Bhagavad Gita shows that our spirit is stuck in the human rebirth cycle and explains the path to break the cycle of rebirth. Transcending the Ego is number one. Non-attachment to the fruits of our own actions. Learning to be indifferent to the results of our action and to results of anything. Being focused on spirituality and the Divine Source and not getting sidetracked. Our number one focus in life should be the Divine. The wise person that is unmoved by sensation and is indifferent to pain and pleasure, that person is in line for immortality. 

This is what Jesus, Paul and Peter taught and even Moses. They just taught it within the culture and era they lived. Willing to offer, to suffer for others, a person has to be indifferent to pain and suffering. Thus, understanding that our spirit (life force, soul) will never die, and has always existed; there is no reason for grief and sorrow, unless you care for the ones that are grief stricken. It's because of their ignorance, you would share in their grief, but not be affected yourself. Jesus set the example.

The spirit is unharmed by the afflictions of the body and the world of sensation. Death is certain for the one born; for the dead, rebirth is certain. We perceive we are going to die, which the body does die, but who we are as spirit: never dies. The apostle Peter referred to the body as a tent at 2 Peter 1:13. If a person who is in religion could take the time with an open mind and read the Gita; the new testament would revel a deeper meaning to the reader. 

The Bhagavad Gita says; the person of firm wisdom, solid integrity, is a person who has given up all desires, all attachments, and rests contented in the spirit, by the spirit. This person knows that satisfaction is only found within and gives up and transcends everything connected with the body: ego, selfish desire, cravings, torments of the heart. The wise person is not affected if something good or bad happens, does not rejoice nor gets depressed. This person is firm and solid in their wisdom, and understands the eternity of the spirit; which dwells within. 

The Bhagavad Gita is the most wonderful, insightful, enlightening, scripture that a person could read. Anytime taken for spiritual seeking is the best time spent.