Life itself is mysterious and so is death. I believe that science is working around the clock to discover answers as it could. I am quite sure too, that one of the things it is trying to unravel is the mystery of what happens after a person's life ceases. Well, I could be wrong :)
But I'd say science is not the only one after the discovery of what goes beyond death, because I have been boggled too these recent years after being exposed to our culture and tradition. Coming home after being away for years, I became fascinated by the tales I have been hearing about some people's dead relatives who, apparently, are complaining about things they don't like. Some let their predicaments known by making their relatives sick. From then on, there had been many questions on my mind and I just couldn't shut them up.
I have heard similar stories in some of the countries I have been to, and even watched some on movies. And somehow, people who had experienced it believed them to be real. And it challenged my interest so much so that it makes me wonder a lot especially when hearing someone I know passing away. For this reason, I kind of wished to discover even just a bit of what really happens after death.
People have different beliefs when it comes to this subject. For some, they believe of reincarnation, the dead coming back as another being, or a bird or another. Others believe that one goes to heaven where he lives in eternal happiness without sickness and death or to hell where he suffers forever. And some think that the spirit of the dead lives in another realm just close to us. And many other beliefs out there.
Of course, I have no intention of questioning other people's beliefs nor make a controversy out of their experiences. I do respect them. But I am just astonished beyond my wildest comprehension.
One incident that really aroused my curiosity and perplexed my already befuddled brain, was an experience of someone I know. She was a healthy gal who suddenly got weak and couldn't get up on her own. She was having seizures on her legs down to her feet (I personally saw it). Her parents brought her to the hospital, had laboratory exams and all, but all tests came back normal. Her relatives were not convinced so they took her to another hospital in the city, but the results were the same. They went on to get a third opinion and went down to Manila and sought the help of medical specialists (neurologists etc), but they came back because her tests were all normal too. I can only assume that the Doctors were baffled by her condition.
Her parents and relatives, decided to seek the aid of someone called a "menbuyon," a person who can see or talk (apparently) to one's dead relative. According to first-hand story, they were told by the "menbuyon" that the girl's grandmother wanted her socks removed because she doesn't feel comfortable wearing them. And she also wanted her blanket changed because it was already dirty. They further sought the help of a native priest who advised them of what to do. They then set a day to open her granny's grave and for some reason, the girl became better which made them believe that what the menbuyon said was true.
The day they opened her granny's grave, they found out that she was indeed wearing socks and her body was still looking fresh when she had been dead for many years already! And just how did the menbuyon know that she was wearing socks?
They were mystified (I was too upon hearing the story from the gal), so they had some rituals performed by a native priest, removed the socks on the granny's feet, placed her back inside her new coffin (yes, they changed her coffin too), changed her blanket (not really the kind of blanket we know of, just a plain white thin cloth), then offered a mass which was officiated by their church's priest. It is also noteworthy to add that they butchered two pigs as part of tradition. After everything had been done, the young girl miraculously got well and as far as I know, she is healthy up to this very day.
So yes, I still wonder... but then I understand that there are secrets best kept as they are. And I believe the mystery of what really transpires after death is one of them. But if science will be able to uncover it one day, then perhaps, it is meant to be.
And lastly, let me share one great quote that somehow sums up how mysterious life is.
“When all the words have been written, and all the phrases have been spoken, the great mystery of life will still remain. We may map the terrains of our lives, measure the farthest reaches of the universe, but no amount of searching will ever reveal for certain whether we are all children of chance or part of a great design.”
This is my entry to the weekend-engagement topics by 
Thank you and have a fabulous new week!
