There was a big queue in the corridor outside and it was a bit of a push and shove. Someone had jokingly hung a single picture in the crowded corridor saying "God's Waiting Room" - at least I think it was an attempt at humour. Probably to alleviate the rising tension when people I saw the two Elevator doors. As a notice proclaimed simply in the middle Heaven or Hell. Two lifts and two choices, and as you got nearer we all started to see the writing on the walls next to it. Scrawled in various handwriting were words like loyalty and hope for the lift to Heaven, and greed and envy for the one to Hell. Pretty much your bulk standard I guess, but up till then we all thought there'd be someone at the front designating your chosen vehicle. I mean you always suspect someone tells you where to go, and judges you right? Well, hate to break it to you, but you're pretty much on your own in that department. Of course, the longer you wait to get near the front the more nervous you get. And let me tell you, there's a lot of unrest in that lobby as you're approaching those doors. A lot of introspection is going on, and on the whole, people are overly ciritical of themselves or worse, they just don't see their true sclves clearly at all and won't admit their faults.
"Hey where's all the Angels?" someone asked openly, " I don't see any. Is that just me or is it a bad sign?" "Nah, I don't see them either," said an elderly Latino lady next to him," but on the bright side I don't see Demons either." She smiled reassuringly at the young man and patted his shoulder. Most people were quiet. I think the lack of structure and organisation had them confused. When they died they never expected to all be lumped together. I think most of us expected to just wake up in a blaze of light surrounded by dead people we knew. Well, the lucky ones amongst us hoped anyway, but we were obviously wrong. I glanced around and I could see anxious tension on a lot of faces and very few smiles. I couldn't help thinking how is this helpful to God? Seems a bit cruel to leave you in the dark like this. You wake up and find yourself in a huge crowded lobby being carried slowly along in a throng of strangers heading for two doors. Clearly one was more appealing than the other, but to my surprise I did see a few people with their heads down shuffle on voluntarily into the Hellevator!
As you'd expect most chose the door on the left to Heaven. Whether they were being optimistic in their own assessments, or just plain truthful I couldn't tell. At one point I saw a nun, a biker Hells Angel type, a young skinhead with piercings and a girl with tatts, crammed in with several elderly mean we expect God to know, or his minions at least the blessed Angels. But nobody was pointing the way, and there were no voice overs or Heavenly directions. People just got in and when the lift was full it took off. But here's the crazy thing. This is what had us all the more confused. As the Heaven lift got full and the doors shut we had this sense that not always was it going up. And on the rare occassions the Hell lift shut when it was full, they too didn't necessarily go down. The closer we got, the more we realized the truth of this passengers who looked like butter wouldn't melt. I guess you cannot always judge by appearances, and I'd bet you'd find it may be some of those old folks may not belong there...who knew right? And believe me, it gets you feeling even more suspicious of this whole selection process.
I finally got to the front and had decided I warranted going in the Heaven elevator. I mean, I'm no angelic cherub but I did my best and tried to do right by people. So I figured I'd be optimistic and let them beat me down if I were wrong. I'd already formalized several lines of self defence, just in case I had to justify my existence or fight my corner. I looked around and noticed again we were a mixed bag of people. It seems we were from mixed cultures and faiths. We still wore the same garb we'd died in, and some kind souls had already swapped clothing to help a stranger out. But nobody seemed in the mood to mock or snigger, they were too busy contemplating the life choices that led them to this point. "Hey press the button," some stroppy guy at the back said when he felt he was getting a little squashed in. A young girl at the front dutifully obliged. There seemed to me such a lovely racial mix and I wondered why when someone spoke I could understand them. I'd been listening in, and surely not all of them could speak English? But no matter the look of anyone, they could all understand one nother and situation.
Our lift took off, upwards thankfully I noticed. I could see a few relieved smiles. There was a panel at the side of the interior like there usually is. But instead of the lift having buttons signifying floors, it just had one button. I was glad it was for open and close and not self destruct, I guess we all got lucky. It was a smooth ride and I felt like I was floating but it wasn't long before the lift stopped. A ping, and the doors automatically opened. We couldn't see much, it was like me. It felt very wrong and I assumed it did to others because nobody made a move. But the left doors remained open. There was some awkward shuffles and movement and a few expressions of impatience. Then just as I thought well someone get out or press the button, the young girl at the front started smiling and stepped through. "Oh, this is me after all," she declared calmly, " I can see it clearer now, and I feel right, this is my place." And no sooner had we all watched her go than the elevators doors shut and it set off again. This time however I swear it felt like we were travelling sideways at a slight incline.
Ping. Another stop and I still couldn't see anything but a foggy mist. This time the hesitation was less with a little Chinese lady at the front, she just went straight away. But after, the lift doors stayed open. Someone pressed the button to go but we stayed motionless. I couldn't see the last who'd gotten off but I heard her voice.
"Well aren't you coming?" she asked. We all looked at one another to see who she was speaking to. Another Chinese gentleman about her age stepped forward hesitantly. I could hear the lady mumble, "silly old stubborn fool. I waited fifty years for you and now you want me to leave you behind?" "just nervous my dear," he said and was lost to view as he too stepped out. Again the doors shut and the lift took off. From time to time I'd seen people holding hands, and I didn't know if it was for comfort or familiarity. At least the crammed lift was a tiny bit more comfortable now. This time we ascended for quite a while.
Ping. My anticipation this time felt odd, it was starting to go through my mind as to what was happening here? Was it the longer you stayed on the better? Were we being ranked in some way? I couldn't make out where these people were heading when they got off the elevator. Therefore I couldn't make any determination about what they were stepping into, good or bad, right or wrong. This time the view was still too cloudy, but it felt better to me. Four more people got out. One of them was from a couple who stood at the back with the stroppy man. The elderly guy left just stood there mouth agog when his lady friend got out. "Aren't ya comin' Rajit?" she asked as she disappeared into the nothingness. "No my love," he cried tears of sorrow or regret, "I don't think this is me, my place. It doesn't feel right." "Don't ya wanna give it a go to be with me?" came her reply. And to Rajit's credit he moved reluctantly towards the door but couldn't step through. He tried with some effort, but some natural barrier seemed to be holding him back. "I'm sorry my love." No sooner had he said it than the stroppy man stepped forward and tapped him on the shoulder. "Sorry bud, I think this is my stop too. No sooner had Rajit made way for him and the man had disappeared, than we were off with a tearful Rajit still with us. Everyone felt uncomfortable, and worse for poor Rajit. There was a few mumbles of condolence and "I'm sorry" but for the most part it was a sobering experience. It seemed even couples were being sorted into some natural law of separation. But where it led we didn't know, and whether we'd see them ever again we still had no clue.
Ping. After a further two stop the doors open and there were a dozen of us left. Instantly I felt this was my stop. When I looked out I could see a wonderful field with meadow flowers and a wood in the background. It looked lovely, and I was being drawn silently to it. I stepped out and looked back. Nobody else came with me. I wondered just how many levels upwards or along they had. Perhaps there were millions of stops that elevator made? But as I was thinking the doors shut and within seconds someone was talking to me. "Hey there Walt. I'm kind of a friend of yours but I know to you I'm a stranger. I'm here to welcome you." A large African well built guy was there in front of me as if by magic. "Hello," I smiled hesitantly, "how do you know me?" I must have looked confused. "I'm a fan of your writings. Let's say we've seen them over here and they appeal to me. You could say you and I are on the same wavelength." He reached out his big warm hand and I shook it politely with a smile. "Nice of you to meet me man," I said. "I was hoping for a reception a bit earlier. What's happenin'?" "Sure Walt," he grinned this big huge grin that lit up his face in such a warm inviting way, "I'm Ibrahim, come walk with me and I'll explain. But you do know you're dead right?" "Well Durr, yeah," I said deadpan. And we both started laughing at ease. Ibrahim was a gregarious sort of guy and I warmed to him instantly. I had like a million questions already and I wanted answers all at once. But he was kind and patient in his responses. We chatted as we walked "It's good you know that Walt. Some people believe it or not are in denial.. They are hard spirits to deal with." "Spirits?" I ask curious." Is that what we are now, are we not ourselves any longer?" Oh yes Walt, we are the same people we were. But now we're in our spiritual bodies and the soul we were exists inside that, not the earthly body." "Is that why I don't feel my aches and pains any more?" "Well yes, and that's why you still feel you. All yourself, just the personality you were as you died." "Huh," I sort of hide my smile," I bet that doesn't please some people. A lot of folks I know think they become all holier than thou the minute they die." We giggle a while and start to take a shortcut through the fields and I admire the flowers and insects. I hadn't even questioned what I was seeing. There were insects in Heaven, and flowers and things I recognized. Not fluffy clouds and Angels playing harps....well at least not in my realm anyway. Ibrahim started roaring with laughter.
"No Walt. Not here," he said. "At least I haven't met them yet, and I've travelled a lot of our plane." Hey, did you just read my mind?" I asked nervously and a tad suspicious. "Sorry mate, I've been here a long time and you're my first welcome in a while. I'm kinda out of practice." I was startled but there was no malice in this guy I felt, he just felt good to me. "That's cool. I guess, like you say, we're on the same wavelength. It feels nice and right being in your company." "Ah, that's good Walt. You'll learn you've been brought to the right plane or realm of existence for you. Here there are many people on a similar Journey as yourself. Like minded spirits if you will. We're of a similar mind and yet we are different. We're here to grow and learn, just as we were on Earth. And yes, some just want to chill and relax soaking up the scenery and exploring. That's okay, you'll find time runs different here, it feels different too. In fact, a lot of what you encounter here is about feelings. You'll learn to trust those feelings as you spend more time here." "Is that how the lift works?" Ibrahim turns to me astonished. Then he's got that big old grin on his face and he puts his hands in the air like he's celebrating some wonderful revelation. I smile at his exuberance. "Yes Walt!" he says, it's exactly how the lift works. There's a natural order to things, a Divine sense of guidance here. You'll find it affects the Spirit a lot more than it did your earthly body."
I was feeling the long stems of grass in my hands and I didn't just feel glad, I felt complete. I was concentrating on a few blue butterflies that were dancing round a sunflower head that towered above me. And as I focussed hard on them I felt this weird convergence, like a trickle of love slipping through.
"It's them and their joy of flying that you feel," said Ibrahim.. "But how?" "Why Walt, we're all built from the same Great Spirit. That Divine spark in us is in all things and links us with all sentient life. We're all linked, that which was alive is alive still after death. Why should humans be the exception, why not animals or pets, insects or even trees? We are all made up of atoms and the same building blocks of the universe. That's how Natural Law works, God's Law, and we're all part of creation. Why shouldn't we feel a connection? Especially now we are at a higher frequency, on a different level, a spiritual plane of existence?" It took me a long silence to think on this. As I continued walking I'd so many questions I had to form some semblance of order to them in my head. And to his credit Ibrahim was patient with me an waited. I thought I heard him say "I'm here when you're ready" but no words had come out of his mouth. I wasn't spooked by it, I felt a comfort in truth, like waves of soothing energy being sent towards me.
"Ibrahim, how come my family and friends aren't here to meet mc? " I asked. "I mean, no disrespect or anything, but didn't anyone from my past wish to come greet me?"
"Why Walt, they will in time when you're ready and if you both wish it. They too will hear your thoughts and may come, or indeed you travel to them. But there's many things you need to learn first about how Natural Law Operates. They went to the plane that was right for them, and you came here as this is right for you. We all move and progress at different rates. We are unique beings, and our souls share common traits but have their own desires and feelings. Here we are pretty much of a similar mind. It may be some of your loved ones are here, but it's possible they're busy. We don't sit idle here Walt, there are things to do and see; things to learn and understand. And maybe in doing so you may ascend to a new level when Natural Law allows. "I'm here for you Walt. I read your poems and have been enjoying what you wrote on Earth. Spiritual beauty finds it's way to all our realms for those it feels right to. It can help us to evolve, to better ourselves, or just give us a feeling of love and assurety. We never under estimate the power good thought and action can bring about, nor the joy of the emotions it releases in others. Feeling and emotions are a large part of the Spiritual Realm. Now we have no ailments, no bodily limits, you'll find your spirit body can do a lot you'd never been able to do in Earthly body." Like fly?" I ask hopefully. He's laughing again. "With time you'll find even that is more possible than you think. But that's why I'm here initially, to help you settle in." "Were you chosen to do that? "No Walt, you might say I volunteered. As s you saw in the Lobby there aren't any police here, only other guides, souls who may wish to help. Your writing gave me so much, taught me more about myself, I wanted to repay that favour."
I was thoughtful again. Kind of felt humbled that this beautiful soul should choose to give up his time to help me. He was obviously more evolved than I. "Oh no Walt, you shouldn't think like that," Ibrahim admonished me." We are all souls with the potential to do more. These planes of existence are not just up or down, heaven or hell, they are overlapping too. Think of it like a huge Jenga tower, interconnecting bricks at random steps all on a leaning object reaching ever towards perfection." "Perfection is what?" "Hahaha," laughs he,"I'll tell you when I get there Walt, but I'm far from that stage myself I fear." "Ibrahim," I'm a little reluctant to ask this in fear of the answer. "Yes my brother," he asks. "Brother?" I counter. "Yes Walt, we all share a link to the Great Spirit, we all carry that Divine Spark, therefore we're all Brothers and Sisters and united by God." "Oh okay," I'm a little overwhelmed by all this. "But what happens in the Hellevator?" I ask. "The lift designated to Hell. Why did we see it going up?"Ibrahim thought a long time before he answered. "I think the best way I can explain it is as this. Some people think they deserve Hell, they create it for themselves. Sometimes it's a bodily constraint, a medical reason they suffered or tortured themselves. Not everyone fairly assesses themselves, it all depends on the person you are. Your own development and attitude plays it's part on your personal assessment. But Natural Law knows. where you're heading, and no matter where you think you should go, it takes you where you belong. Hence, sometimes it goes up and not down for a time." I thought on this before speaking. "Then why not have just one lift? Surely the Heaven lift could likewise go down to for those who think too much or too. highly of themselves? Indeed we saw it going down with our own eyes." "That's true, you observed right and surmised the truth of it. Both lifts work" like that. But for expediency there are two as it's far more likely then to be heading in the right direction for the souls who are in it. And besides, what better way to make a man think before he even sets foot on the elevator?" "Oh," I say, a little confused by the simplicity of it all. And we just lay in the meadowfield and enjoyed the sunshine. It was beautiful here and I felt at peace.
Finally Ibrahim got up and leant me a hand to rise. "Come, I want to introduce you to some friends of mine who live in the wood." I took his hand and stood up easily. I used to ache after this much walking, but I felt wonderful. "You said we can work, rest and play I assume here?" "Yes," each to their own, you follow your heart. You're safe here in this Realm, just as you wouldn't intentionally hurt anyone, neither would they here to you. We learn from each other. Sometimes we may travel far afield to learn from others, or to places designed for learning. My friends will explain it more. I will stay with you for a period, but then I must be off. I've others on a lower plane I'm trying to elevate to ours and I must press on with that work. But don't worry, you'll like my friends and they'll teach you things you need to know. Then when you're ready to venture on you may do so. Nobody holds you back or forces you on here, as I said, no policing. Natural Law is the only confines you will face." "And will I like them?" I ask. "Oh yes," he says with eager enthusiasm, I think you may love them. In fact you know them already very well." And just then I got the picture in his head and it was my turn for my face and heart to light up. "Oh Ibrahim," I was kinda choked, "how fantastic, I haven't seen them in a very long time!" I was where I should be and I felt home.
