Heaven and Hell Are Mere States of Mind

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 3 June 2025 2025 This pertains to Mr V A Mohamad Ashrof's article, "Mercy over Wrath: Questioning the Eternity of Hell". It's time we realised that hell or heaven is not a place but a state of mind. Swedish scientist and mystic Emanuel Swedenborg wrote a book Heaven and Hell (1758) in Latin. In this seminal book, he wrote, "Heaven is not a place, but a state of mind." So very true. The concept of heaven is not necessarily a physical place, but a state of mind or being. It suggests that feelings of peace, happiness, and contentment can create a sense of heaven within oneself, regardless of external circumstances. This perspective highlights the importance of cultivating positive thoughts and emotions in order to experience a sense of heavenly bliss within oneself. From Files) ----- By focusing on inner peace and positivity, individuals can create their own version of heaven in their minds and hearts. So is hell. It's also a state of mind. Remember, hell is not a punishment, but a consequence of our actions. Hell is not necessarily a place of punishment inflicted upon individuals by a higher power, but rather a natural consequence of the actions and choices we make throughout our lives. The suffering experienced in hell is a result of the negative energy and harm we have brought upon ourselves and others. In essence, hell is a reflection of the wrongdoing and negative behaviour that we have engaged in, serving as a necessary reckoning for our actions. This perspective challenges us to take responsibility for our actions and strive towards making positive choices in order to avoid the consequences of hell. When we are able to cultivate love and harmony with those around us, we create a sense of heaven on earth. By treating others with kindness, empathy, and respect, we foster positive relationships and create a sense of community that brings joy and fulfilment to our lives. The true paradise can be found in the beauty of human connection and the power of love to bring us closer to one another. The opposite of it, is hell. Heaven is the realization of our true nature, which is divine. Heaven is not a physical place, but rather a state of being that is achieved when we come to understand and embody our inherent divinity. This realization of our true nature as divine beings encompasses qualities like love, compassion, and wisdom, and allows us to transcend ego and connect with the universal energy that flows through all of creation. In essence, heaven is not something that we seek outside of ourselves, but rather a profound inner journey of self-discovery and self-realization. Fariduddin Attar says that Heaven glitters with the effulgence of Self. Au contraire, hell is the absence of love and light. Hell is a place which is devoid of warmth, compassion, and enlightenment. In this understanding, hell is not just a physical place of punishment, but rather a spiritual state characterized by the absence of love and light. Without these fundamental virtues, individuals are left to languish in darkness and suffering, unable to experience the joy and connection that comes from feeling loved and embraced. Hell is a dungeon of darkness within us. This serves as a reminder of the power of love and light in our lives, and the importance of cultivating these qualities in order to transcend the darkness of hell. Hell is where our ego reigns supreme, leading us to endless misery. When we let our ego control our thoughts and actions, we are driven by selfish desires and insecurities, often leading us down a path of endless misery. In this state, we are blinded to the needs and feelings of others, and make decisions based solely on personal gain and validation. This selfish mind-set can ultimately alienate us from those around us, leaving us feeling isolated and unfulfilled. It serves as a reminder to keep our egos in check and prioritize empathy, compassion, and humility in order to find true happiness and peace. In hell, we are consumed by our desires and fears. Our desires and fears become all-consuming and overwhelming in hell. In this place of torment, we are trapped and controlled by our deepest wants and anxieties, unable to break free from their grip. Our fears dictate our every move, while our desires drive us to act impulsively, ultimately leading to our downfall. In this way, hell is a place of eternal suffering, where our innermost struggles and weaknesses hold us captive for eternity. Hell is a state of mind that keeps us bound to our lower nature. The concept of Hell is not necessarily a physical place of punishment, but rather a psychological state of being that prevents us from reaching our full potential. It implies that Hell is rooted in negative thoughts, emotions, and behaviours that hold us back from living a fulfilling and purposeful life. By allowing ourselves to be consumed by our lower nature, we are trapped in a cycle of negativity and self-destruction. Thus, in order to break free from this mental prison, we must strive to overcome our lower instincts and transcend to a higher level of consciousness. By showing concern for the well-being of others and putting their needs before our own, we can free ourselves from the self-imposed prisons of anger, resentment, and fear. Compassion allows us to connect with others on a deeper level and to understand their struggles and pain, leading to a greater sense of unity and harmony. By embodying selflessness, we not only alleviate the suffering of those around us but also uplift our own spirits and create a more positive and uplifting environment for everyone. Ultimately, cultivating compassion and selflessness is not only a path towards escaping hell but also a gateway to experiencing the true essence of heaven on earth. There is a profound sense of harmony and oneness in heaven that connects individuals with each other and with all living beings and elements of the natural world. This unity implies a deep spiritual connection and understanding of the interconnectedness of all life, fostering a sense of peace, love, and compassion. Through this perspective, heaven is portrayed as a place where all beings are united in a shared experience of interconnectedness and harmony, transcending individual limitations and divisions to find a sense of wholeness and connection with the entirety of creation. On the other hand, Hell is a place, defined by separation and conflict. In this realm, we are trapped in our own illusions, unable to see past our own self-imposed limitations. This could refer to the inner turmoil and struggles we face when we are disconnected from our true selves or when we allow negativity and falsehoods to cloud our judgment. In Hell, we are lost in a maze of confusion and discord, unable to find our way back to the light. This serves as a reminder to confront our illusions and strive for inner peace and clarity to avoid being consumed by the darkness of Hell. In hell, our connection to the divine essence within us is severed. It suggests that in moments of darkness, despair, and spiritual emptiness, we may feel lost and disconnected from our true selves and our innate connection to the divine. When we are consumed by negative thoughts and emotions, it can be challenging to access the light and love that resides within us, leading to a sense of isolation and separation from our higher purpose. This is a reminder to strive for spiritual alignment and to nurture the divine essence that dwells within us, even in the darkest of times. To encapsulate, Heaven is a place of ultimate peace and happiness, devoid of suffering and pain. In this state of eternal bliss, we are said to be in eternal harmony with ourselves and the universe, experiencing pure joy and contentment. Lastly, all religious and spiritual symbols, metaphors, allusions, insinuations and allegories must be pared down to their simplest definitions, so that we all can understand and implement them. Taking and defining things as they seem, can often be misleading. So, it's not just enough to read between the lines but one must also read between the words. ----- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. 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