Heaven, Hell, and What Happens When We Die

And how this matters to your mental health

Deep down we all know what happens when we die. But if you have forgotten like most people, I’ll remind you below. But first, let’s talk about Heaven and Hell.

Heaven isn’t a place you go when you die; neither is Hell. These are states of being we experience in the present moment.

They are mental states, quite simply. They are metaphors.

Physical events can inflict severe pain, which one might liken to Hell. Similarly, there are fleeting moments of euphoria — whether through drugs or sex — that some may call Heaven. Yet, in either case, these are transient experiences. They fade or diminish with time.

Your mental state tends to be relatively stable. While you may oscillate between periods of joy and sorrow, most of your time is spent in a default state. This default state shapes how you perceive the world—it isn't you per se, but it is the lens through which you view everything.

Hell can be described as a prolonged mental state characterized by unhappiness, uncertainty, depression, anxiety, ungratefulness, cynicism, pervasive negativity, and a lack of motivation. It’s essentially an intense, inward focus on oneself that leads to distress and discomfort. It’s like an uncontrolled selfishness that has spread through its host in the manner of a virus.

In this condition, dishonesty often thrives; lies are the currency of hell. Drugs and alcohol may offer temporary relief, but they are far from a cure.

You can often gauge someone's state of mind by their level of cynicism, by their behavior in your presence, and by how they regard others.

A person who views everyone around them as a threat is living in their own version of hell. The constant judgments—"She's ugly," "He's fat," "I'm better looking than them"—are telltale signs of such a hellish mindset.

You probably know someone like this. They have a compulsion to mock everything, to audibly express every negative feeling, to meet every creative endeavor with disinterest or an impassive expression. To them, nothing is remarkable.

Why? Because they don't create, they can't seem to find beauty in the world. Consider the sorrow of not being able to appreciate a breathtaking sunset because you're too consumed with self-image—that is their reality. That is their hell.

If you get too close to such individuals, they can drag you down into their negativity. It's reminiscent of the famous painting, The Last Judgment" by Hieronymus Bosch, or Dore's "The Divine Comedy" where the damned are desperately reaching up from hell—not to escape, but to pull others down into their torment.

Psychologists may offer complex theories, and science may attribute such outlooks to brain chemistry, but in my view, the explanation is straightforward.

Negativity, pessimism, and cynicism are not just unproductive mental states; they can be detrimental to your very survival. There is a distinction to be made between evolutionary biology's explanation, or modern neuroscience's default mode network—our ingrained caution that once protected us from predators like lions—and the constant state of unfounded fear.

Understanding the difference between being situationally aware, such as being alert while walking through an unsafe part of town, and living with the perpetual fear that every place is dangerous and every person is a potential attacker is crucial.

If humanity operated under such negative assumptions all the time, our progress would be severely hindered. We wouldn't seek food, venture into new territories, or foster growth; we would be perpetually embroiled in conflict. The fact that our world has become more civilized and that such negative individuals are now in the minority—though still posing a risk—supports the idea that optimism, love, empathy, and connectedness truly are our superior default states.

Discussing this could take hours, but let's pivot to the concept of heaven.

Many people believe heaven is about predictability, wealth, the ideal romantic partner, fame, or entrepreneurial success. From my experiences with four billionaires and numerous multimillionaires, most of whom are plagued by their own personal hells, I can assert that heaven is not about monetary wealth, luxurious homes, or private jets.

Heaven transcends all of that. It is a state of true peace of mind, the kind that Buddhists describe but struggle to replicate on a larger scale. This is what is meant in the biblical story of the Rich Young Man, where we find the phrase, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God." This Kingdom of God is not some distant afterlife—it is a state of being that can be achieved in the here and now.

In fact, when examined metaphorically the Bible repeats this theme time and again. Most notably in the tale of Job, "the perfect and upright man" who, despite losing everything, refrains from cursing God.

Job had everything, lost it. "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away." Through his trials, he discovered gratitude for creation itself, recognizing that there is no greater marvel than the world around us.

Consider standing beneath a 3,000-year-old giant sequoia tree — in that moment, one can sense that it represents everything, and we are fortunate to witness and partake in this magnificent existence, whether it be a simulation, game, or another inexplicable reality.

Understanding and appreciating the magnificence of creation is akin to the biblical metaphor of "the rich man going through the eye of a needle." Imagine a wealthy man, indulging in luxury, suddenly stripped of everything, becoming humble enough to pass through the eye of a needle — but this can only happen if he sheds his inflated ego.

You have to get really small to fit through the eye of a needle.

The true humility and awe experienced when kneeling before the Creator allow one to embrace both their own insignificance and their profound significance within the grand design. For Job, his reward for gratitude in the face of suffering was to have his fortunes doubled — not solely in material wealth but in a richness that transcends monetary value. It's a richness born of understanding and living life with a sense of profound thankfulness.

It's not about being angelic; in the scriptures, even angels face destruction when they obstruct the divine will. God, it seems, values effective humans who recognize their place, and strive each day to draw nearer to Him, all the while knowing they can never attain His divinity.

The consensus among many rabbis is that God's active role in our world is limited; He checks in, but largely, He wants us to engage with the world He created. Whether this life is a test or something else, the essence is not in knowing but in participating with gratitude.

For those who find joy in simple, divine creations — a dog's affection, a child's smile, the growth of a family — these moments are the true gifts. What greater blessing could there be than witnessing and being a part of God's creation as it flourishes?

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the Bible must be read with a mix of metaphorical and literal interpretations, (emphasis on the prior), to derive the true meaning from stories like Job. What I see in Job is, desiring too much can lead us down a dark path of cynicism and victimhood, where we blame others, which is essentially blaming God’s creation. This blame game traps us in a personal hell.

True freedom is escaping the prison of our own mind. It’s found in the flow state, in love, or maybe in a moment of euphoria on MDMA at Coachella. Gratitude is the gateway to this freedom.

Not to be confused with self-love. Self-love is a misleading concept associated with eating cookies and binge-watching television to "relax."

Not that any of that is a bad thing so long as you keep in mind what the book says about self-love. Matthew 22:37 There are only 2 commandments "Love thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." And "...Love thy neighbor as thyself."

On a side note, this is why I call myself a Christian. Matthew 22:37.

I came to experience my own profound peace and gratitude not through reading books or meditating on gratitude, but through a personal awakening that shifted my perspective from worry to appreciation for the smallest comforts.

Curious about my turnaround? I was like Job: I had everything and lost it all. Two years of grappling with that loss led me nowhere, just deeper into depression, self-destructive behavior, and a near-constant flirtation with suicide.

I am not one to shy away from a problem and I through everything I had at it. Still no improvement, despite reading over a thousand books in my life, hundreds on self-improvement. Hundreds of hours of mindfulness meditation, years of psychotherapy.

Then one day I went surfing. I'm not very experienced. I paddled out on a small board, way too small for me and I into a storm in waves that should've killed me. I was alone, no one was in the water. Deep down I sort of wanted to die perhaps.

I got sucked out by a riptide. And I was losing my bearings, the waves were so high that I couldn't see shore for a moment. And it was foggy.

I got pulled out about a mile and then I just stopped. I didn't give up, I relaxed into it. I stopped paddling and accepted that I would probably die. And interestingly enough it was peaceful. No panic, no sadness, just peaceful and calm.

On some level, I think 40 years of my trying to control everything came to an end and I realized for the first time, I have no control. This ocean, this universe will eat me up and spit me out. But that's not the feeling I got. The feeling I got was love.

I don't recommend you do that. And there is more to this story, specifically how I came to believe in God again (later post).

After my awakening, I shed my cynicism and started seeing the potential in everything and everyone. I've always been a hard worker, building businesses and earning millions. Yet, my perspective on work and life shifted dramatically.

It was no longer about working relentlessly for money and control. Instead, it became about working in silence, embracing gratitude for each moment, and accepting the lack of control I had over life.

This mindset brought me freedom, a slice of heaven on earth. And though I lost much, God returned to me double what I had before, and I’m only beginning. I'm just getting started in my new life and new venture.

Through my experiences, I’ve come to realize that life is infinitely richer with a connection to God. And I mean connection outside of any religious institution. I don’t go to church or align with a denomination; I simply read and interpret the Bible on my own terms.

To those seeking to foster a sincere, unpretentious sense of gratitude, you don’t need to hit rock bottom first, or surf into a storm. If you've already been through your own hell, you're fortunate; all that's left is to rediscover beauty and love. That's where you'll find the essence of what I'm talking about.

Cultivating this daily isn't just about having an epiphany; it's about consistent, mindful sacrifice. That's the foundation of my relationship with God.

And this is how I do that.

I live by a daily philosophy I've dubbed ‘PAY GOD FIRST’—it's a non-negotiable trio of practices.

Firstly, I prioritize physical strength. I believe God wants me to be strong. This is a physical world, our bodies must be robust—running 10 miles with ease or completing 100 pull-ups in under 15 minutes are benchmarks of capability. But it's more than that; physical discipline builds mental resilience. Whether it's weights or any form of rigorous exercise, the goal is to grow stronger each day. Whatever that means for you.

Secondly, passion is our compass. Whether it's a creative calling like music or art, or something like building homes, mathematics, or even simple joys like cooking or playing with your dog, it's essential. This desire we feel is the voice of God or the universe. Ignoring it can lead to despair. Moreover, provided we are present for the hour, it frees us of our mental burden. It puts us in a flow state. It's better than mediation. I dedicate a minimum of one hour daily to this pursuit. It's not just an activity; it's silencing the cacophony of unfulfillment.

Thirdly, offer yourself to the world. Engage on social media, spark conversations, make connections, and provide encouragement. Support others in achieving their desires, and you'll find your own paths form. The effort can be as simple as truly listening during a phone call or being present for your children. The impact of your generosity scales with its breadth.

'Pay God First' operates on the principle that acting under God's watchful eye motivates us to persist. Consider God as your leverage, the ultimate hack for transcending self-imposed limitations.

I extend this message to you as someone who's made it through the eye of the needle. Consider me a hand guiding you through to the other side.

My hope for anyone who reads this is that you realize your potential, as God wishes you to. Remember, life's challenges are a game designed to be won through effort and perseverance. When setbacks occur, don't surrender to frustration. Don't smash the controller against the wall. Or kick your Play Station. Just keep playing, 'Pay God First,' and the path to your desires will unfold.

Oh, yeah, what happens when we die? We reunite with God. That part of us that is “no self” is absorbed back into the field of energy from which we came. There is no pain, only eternal love. It transcends our concept of heaven because it is not of this world. I suppose I will do an entire post on this soon.

I wholeheartedly believe you can achieve all that you want, and that's what I desire for you.

RISUN