Life Beyond

[Fiamma Nevada]

A Pagan friend of mine committed suicide recently, and I am wondering what Druids believe about where you go after death if this is how you die.

Thanks.
~Fiamma

[Shaun Hayes]

Hi Fiamma

I can only give my opinion here but it is my deep belief that we are all on a unique and personal journey. To prescribe a one size fits all solution just does not seem to deal with the enormous variances in each of our stories. For this reason I entirely dismiss the christian idea of punishment for suicide. I think those who are driven to this step have generally suffered enough don't you.

I prefer to say life after life, not life after death so I would not be too worried for the future of someone I knew well who committed suicide, though I would be desperately sorry that their life had come to that point and would be equally concerned for those who were close them. In saying this I certainly would not advocate or suggest to anyone that suicide was the best answer, life has a way of surprising us often, if we give it a chance. I lost a nephew three years ago to suicide and I know how devastating it can be for a family to cope with the terrible emotions that other forms of death do not share.

I hope this helps a little


In the peace of the grove


Shaun.

[Lailoken]

So sorry for your loss Fiamma. In Druidry, there really is no set belief on what the afterlife is, as some Druids believe in it and others don't. I try not too think about the nature of the afterlife and divinity too much because there is just no way of really knowing. You can read about it from many sources, ask people about their ideas of what it is, and eventually, develop a concept of the afterlife that fits in with your beliefs. But at the end of the day, they're just opinions because we just can't really know for sure. I've always took comfort in the idea that people go exactly where they believe they will go, and hopefully in the case of someone who has committed suicide, find the peace and happiness that they lacked here on earth.

[Frog]

A Pagan friend of mine committed suicide recently, and I am wondering what Druids believe about where you go after death if this is how you die.

Thanks.
~Fiamma

Hello Fiamma
As Lailoken said, within the druidic community there are many thoughts as to what happens when you die, as it depends on the person's spiritual beliefs. typically though, it would fall into two areas of consideration - the end of the physical body and the destination of the soul (the life source).
Typically, the physical body is used as nutrient source for other living items. As for the life source, that is cause of speculation and belief.

I'm sorry for you that your friend chose the route they did to resolve whatever problems they were facing; I hope that you will find the strength to remember the good times that you shared.

Peace and Blessings
Frog
/|\

[Oneonine]

Pythagoras and Virgil both opposed suicide.

[Attila]

I think that the general feeling on the other side will be that of sorrow, there are many ways in which people are helped on the other side, so I think a suicide ‘victim’ would find comfort and time to retreat from whatever it was which caused her/his anguish.

The main problem in a rebirth context is that suicide may weaken the integrity of the soul [Imho], that there may be an innate feeling that it is a way out in the next life. It is better to gain strength through life to help make it through for yourself and children etc, there are many times especially during the teenage years, where we may be more susceptible to suicide and yet we have the rest of our lives ahead of us.

This is why as I see it, suicide should not be condoned nor vilified in any way. Spiritually the soul simply needs help, so why on earth would any wise being or entity wish harm upon someone! One thing we should know is that although it may be lacking on this side, wisdom prevails on the other side.