It is incredibly difficult to successfully debate a topic from the standpoint of emotion and since most people can not universally agree on a faith based approach this article will deal with the subject of survival after death from a logical, scientific and rational standpoint. The above thought notwithstanding it is not often that both religious and scientific factions agree on anything, but there is one fact that both can agree on: humans are physically and psychologically programmed for survival.

“Hardwired” for Survival

            Within the realm of the mind the conscious and subconscious psychological processes create barriers on numerous levels as a form of protection against comprehending things it is not prepared to bear. In regards to the above thought we know that traits such as denial, suppression and rationalization all are facets of these protective psychological barriers. At the opposite end of the spectrum the physical body also has defense mechanisms such as the immune system and nerve based reactions to pain. Even when incapacitated due to traumatic injury the body, without the aid of conscious thought, still protects itself by “posturing*.” Through this example medical science has learned that the mind and body react in an instinctual, self preserving manner even without the aid of conscious thought. 

A Rudimentary but Profound Link

            As off topic as this next example may sound it actually does provide a strong example of survivalist behavior – and a link to the paranormal. Early one morning I observed a morning dove building a nest. I watched it fly back and forth collecting small twigs and other debris to build its nest with. During the time of this observation I began to think about the survival instinct in humans vs. other animal species. By building the nest the dove was exhibiting a behavior that was necessary to fill a basic instinctual need, that of shelter and protection. Through the observation of this primordial instinct I deduced that brain mass / density does not have an effect on basic self preservation and survival instincts for life requirements from species to species. As rudimentary of an observation as this may be I found it to have a profound link to both humans and the paranormal.     

            How so? Human psychology has developed beyond basic instinctual requirements by employing the learning process via reason, logic and application. The progression of human thought processes above this primordial level of thinking, which is based solely on instinct, shows that some individuals, while having certain aptitudes, can supplement these skills through experiences such as life events, learning ability, and academics thereby enhancing their chances for survival. It is through this very ability, to learn and disseminate knowledge, that our mind and thought processes have evolved beyond our most simplistic needs for survival. The basic needs of protection, such as in the home, is still a primary instinct that is engrained into our being and, much like the dove, our basic needs such as food, shelter, protection, etc. must be met for our physical survival. What about our psychological instinct for self preservation though?  

The Will to Live

            Our instinctual survival of mind and body is supplemented by our conscious will – a will to exist – a “drive to survive.” Encompassed by this drive to survive is a mechanism that you have probably heard mentioned many times, that of “fight or flight.” This too is a basic governing instinct that causes us to “fight” when we feel threatened or it may cause us to take “flight” should we feel that we are overwhelmed by danger. If it is true that paranormal investigations and the data that they provide offer supporting evidence into life beyond death it would not be much of a stretch to say that our survival instincts can carry on beyond the physically manifested realm. Many advocates of survival after death say that when we die we transition from a physical world to a non-corporeal one. If these advocates are indeed correct then this is what we have been leading up to – the ultimate question – does this “drive to survive” terminate with the end of the individual’s physical existence or does it somehow manage to carry on without a physical shell? This is the ultimate question…the one answer that we are groping for…and as age progresses the shadow of the hands on the clock of our lives lurch ever forward toward the midnight hour.

* Posturing is a medical term used to indicate the involuntary reactive positioning of the arms when a traumatic cranial injury has taken place. The position of the arms depends on the type of brain injury.

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