Does Heaven Have An Address?

DOES HEAVEN HAVE AN ADDRESS?

With this Wednesday, September 5th, comes my dad’s third Bladder Cancer surgery. The most recent and unfortunate news that his cancer metastasized further, felt like a bullet to the heart. We (as a family) have done everything humanly possible to try to stop the spread of this destructive illness.

Sitting in my parent’s house discussing the next plan of attack to destroy the cancer; my father with a calm voice looked over at us and uttered these profound words “Does heaven have an address and if not … how do you get there?” My mother and I let out a small nervous chuckle. Without missing a beat my mother responded. “Well, when it is your time to go to heaven you will feel it and you will know it’s time. You will not be asked to go to heaven until you have completed your journey in life.” Dad laid back in his comfy chair; perhaps to contemplate if his journey in life was complete.

After leaving my parent’s house that evening, I spent the rest of the week trying to figure out just how I felt about the journey to heaven. I do believe that your soul goes to a much kinder place after death. But do I know it’s a place called heaven? I was raised Catholic as a child and I still attend Catholic mass today; but now on my terms. I have always been more spiritual than religious. I often think I could easily practice Buddhism. Approximately 300 million people practice Buddhism; which makes it the fourth largest of the world’s religions. I truly believe in Karma, the law that every cause has an effect, i.e., our actions have results.

However, attending Catholic mass with all its pomp and circumstance, brings me back to my childhood. A time and place where I felt safe. I sometimes worry because I do tend to lean more spiritual than religious, I might be shown the long, wet and windy road to the afterlife. Gosh I hope not … I might just stick a pair of galoshes and some Dramamine in my afterlife luggage!

With my dad’s operation looming this week, I will be searching for my true faith. Whether I pray to God or meditate (meditation a yoga practice I dearly love) and call on Buddha for enlightenment … I will be searching. Does Heaven Have An Address?