Do you believe in an afterlife?

I'm honestly torn on the issue. I lost the love of my life to cancer, but we made an agreement before she died. If possible, she would reach out to me, and I would know it's her because we have a word that she'll use. It's been years now, and I've yet to see or hear that word. I've lost confidence that I ever will.

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Entwistle · 56-60, M

The personality ends at death,it only started to develop after we were born.
However the mental stream continues in a very subtle form..like in a dream world.
Then due to attachments and desire it takes rebirth. Those are the Buddhist teachings at least.

Eoghan · 31-35, M

@Entwistle I'm starting to think the Buddhists are the closest to figuring this all out.

Entwistle · 56-60, M

@Eoghan Same here. Thoughts without a thinker...the self is but another thought.
There is no 'i''.

reflectingmonkey · 51-55, M

@Entwistle what you just mentioned there is one of the most fundamental differences between hinduism and buddhism. in advaita vedenta the "I" is the true self but in Buddhism even the "I" is an illusion. oddly Buddhist version is even closer to a true "non-duality" which advaita is supposed to be all about. I have not yet fully understood how the concept of reincarnation in buddhism can be compatible with the notion of "no-self".

Entwistle · 56-60, M

@reflectingmonkey You are correct re the difference ideas of anata and atman in Buddhism and Hinduism.
Your lack of understanding about How reincarnation can be compatible with the idea of 'no self' is a common misunderstanding.
This may surprise you but Buddhism doesn't teach reincarnation,it teaches rebirth ..a totally opposite idea to reincarnation.
Rebirth in Buddhism ..there is no self that travels from moment to moment even when we are alive,let alone a fixed self that transmigrates after death.
Subtle mind is a stream,not a fixed thing..nothing is any fixed state ever..

Entwistle · 56-60, M

@reflectingmonkey None duality is the realization that what is experienced is not separate from mind. Mind and everything 'out there' are one and the same. We create the illusion of duality..'Me and everything out there'.. that's the illusion!.. the idea of a 'self' automatically creates.
Can you separate your awareness of a 'cup' from the cup itself?
There is no cup out there from its own side..the cup is a concept.