Nirvana

My first introduction to Nirvana was in 1991. Kurt Cobain was singing melodic tunes in a gym filled with tranced-out teenagers. I have to admit that hook was catchy. My second introduction was in ministers training class when we studied the twelve major religions of the world. I often compared my idea of heaven with a Buddhist's version of Nirvana. Not the same. Nirvana is a state of desirelessness whereas heaven is a state of having one's most fundamental desire fulfilled. Similarly, they are both places where one is oblivious to pain, worry, or fear. Nirvana is the most common term used to describe the goal of the Buddhist path. The literal meaning is "blowing out" or "quenching." It's hard to imagine a place with no wants, no needs, and no desires. It's definitely not on Earth. Interesting enough, almost every major religion has their version of this place for some it is a mindset, and for others, it's another plane of existence. Whatever you believe or don't believe, Nirvana, Heaven, the afterlife sounds like a better place. It sounds like a place I definitely would want to go, as long as it doesn't smell like teen spirit. Pun intended.
 

"What we think, we become."- Buddha

Proverbs 18:21 (KJV) Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

"Your beliefs become your thoughts, Your thoughts become your words, Your words become your actions, Your actions become your habits, Your habits become your values, Your values become your destiny." -Mahatma Gandhi