Hi Roberta,

thank you for your response. I definitely wouldnt claim to know! all i can say is that going by near-death experiences and buddhist/neurological insights about the inherent goodness of people, i would imagine that most people are compassionate enough to get there. i think the important thing is probably just to be more kind than unkind. Do you have any thoughts on what happens beyond death?

I have just looked up 1000 armed Chenrezig and teachings on human birth. thank you. the chenrezig imagery is very cool and is definitely an ideal we can all strive towards, i like the visualisation of growing and losing arms you talk about. nonetheless, i dont hold myself or anyone else to the standard of getting to 1000 arms! i feel the universe is quite forgiving.

i suppose the teachings on human birth drive home why suicide is a waste; it’s wasting a precious thing. and silly me in my silly little suicidal state of mind even forgot how much it would hurt the people who love me… another way it wouldnt be compassionate. you really lose sight of these things when you’re in the middle of suicidal ideation.