If someone were to offer you a pill that would give you instant immortality, would you swallow it?
[Aside: I would like to try to avoid religious or moral issues and simply take the question at face-value.]

I think that one's response to this question is quite telling.

• Did you answer "yes" or "no" or "I don't know"?
  
• Did you hesitate before you answered?
  
• Are you still thinking about it?

Depending on these - and I'm sure other - factors, I think you can learn about yourself, how you perceive life and your beliefs about the future. These are some points that I feel the question raises.

How attached are you to the material aspects of life?

Very few of your belongings are going to exist for eternity. Wealth may come and go.

What is you attitude towards your relationships?

Do you feel you can cope with your friends, family, partner, children passing away as you live on? Do you feel that they are what keep you going and that to be without them will not be worth it? Maybe it is simply not what you would want. Are you, in fact, dependent? Perhaps you feel that their love can be replaced by other rich relationships in the future. But, remember, that you will continuously have to go through the loss of each "lifetime" of relationships. Loss is part of life, but can you keep going with "lifetime loss" after "lifetime loss"?

How comfortable are you with change?

Everything in your life is no doubt going to keep changing with time - new jobs, different homes, altering life circumstances. Perhaps too much change is too unsettling for you, or perhaps you thrive on the new.

How excited are you with life?

Do you feel that there is enough on the planet to keep you occupied for eternity? Perhaps you fear tiredness and boredom. Celebrating life may not be part of your way.

Do you believe you are in control of your life?

Perhaps you think that life is great and for eternity life can have its great moments. Perhaps you think that life currently leaves much to be desired and you are not so sure if you can face an eternity of this. By the latter, you are, in effect indicating that you do not have much faith in your ability to improve matters and make changes. Maybe you perceive the required personal development as being too difficult.

So now, going back to your response to the question. You may have the same reply, you may have changed it, you may now have a reply where you didn't previously.or some further ideas.

• What does this say about you and your life?
  
• Have you had any realizations?
  
• Is there anything that you feel you need to change or consider? (Even if you will not be venturing into eternity on earth)

You may also be interested in reading:
What Are You Denying Yourself?
The Value of Knowing Your Values
Why To Focus On Strengths And Not Weaknesses at Work
Life Lessons We Can Learn From Dogs

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	Jocelyn 1/18/2009 4:35:31 AM
	Yeah, I'd definitely chose immortality. Once you've tasted love, you just know you want it to last. It couldn't help but last. After all the searching I've found out that the meaning of life is in one simple word - LOVE. And heaven? To be able to love forever. :-)
	CG Walters 1/18/2009 6:35:06 AM
	No thank you. What that would offer is the immortality of this particular body---actually an expanded space/time continuum within which this body exists. The core consciousness is already immortal--of which I, CG, is a segment--, it's just a matter of being able to perceive that eternal and continuous consciousness that gives true immortality. Blessings to you and all you hold dear, CG
	Giovanna Garcia 1/18/2009 10:25:29 AM
	Hi Juliet No, I wouldn't take the pill. I think it will take away the value of life for me. Part of the reasons I make the best out of everyday is that I live everyday as my last day, becasue no one every know when is their last day. If their is No Last day!? Thanks for the question :-) Giovanna Garcia Imperfect Action is better than No Action
	Alik Levin | PracticeThis.com 1/18/2009 3:16:28 PM
	If you'd ask me "Would You Choose To Be Impactful?" i'd say yes w/o hesiation. If I positively touch people lives the way it'd live longer than me I'd be imortal
	Bruno Logreco 1/18/2009 5:04:07 PM
	No, I would not take the pill. I'm not attached to anything - material objects come and go, as do jobs and everything external me - attachment is identification and if something should happen to that something what happens to you? Everybody is here until its time to go, it's part of life - I also believe that at the end even the person that loves you the most is going to hurt you - Some things are just beyond your control. I love change - Bring it on, all shapes, sizes and colour - I love the unknown. I think this comment and the words I write on Morning Java will lead anybody to believe that I LOVE LIFE, and that is because I AM in control of my life. Happy Sunday!
	Daphne 1/18/2009 9:29:52 PM
	Hi Juliet, Excellent post to get us to think about who we are and what we want. I'm with the commentors who would not take the pill. It would be like a caterpillar taking the pill because he did not know it would mean that he would never become a butterfly. Our present life is part of a movement that is eternal. Death is part of that cycle, a brief stop on the way to becoming something else. Matter can neither be created nor destroyed - when we die, we still exist, just in a different form. Thanks for the challenging question!
	LifeMadeGreat | Juliet 1/18/2009 10:23:58 PM
	Hi Jocelyn That is such a beautiful realisation and wonderful tone to set. Thank you! Hi CG Very interesting point. I hope I have understood you correctly. So you are basically saying that we could experience more and a greatersense of being if we accessed the true, expanded consciousness. Hi Giovanna Yes, the existence of a last day is a motivating factor. Good point. {Aside: I am ENJOYING these comments SO MUCH!!!} Hi Alik Ah, so immortality doesn't necessarily mean that you physically have to have an eternal life. Interesting. Hi Bruno So, am I correct in saying that your view is that death is part of life and without it, our experience of life would be fundamentally different? Hi Daphne So you see life as a small part of a greater journey. I love your analogy with the caterpillar and butterfly. Thanks for all of the great comments! Juliet
	Justin 1/18/2009 10:29:55 PM
	My immediate response was hell, yes, I'd take the immortality pill. I cannot imagine ever being finished learning, exploring and growing.
	LifeMadeGreat | Juliet 1/18/2009 11:08:35 PM
	Hi Justin I love your enthusiasm for life! It is inspiring. Thank you. Juliet
	CG Walters 1/19/2009 2:53:11 AM
	Yes, Juliet...it my belief (and experience) that our perception of self is a contrived limit. Our senses are often used more as tools of filtration than perception. Pardon the philosophy...but, I am a novelist, who focuses on the multi-dimensional nature or our loves and our lives--the source of the motivation, inspiration, etc for one's reactions to their life and love in this world may not originate here in this time/space continuum
	Lance 1/19/2009 6:13:17 AM
	Hi Juliet, Would I take that pill? As tempting as it might seem - I believe there is something greater waiting for us beyond here. So, no - I wouldn't take that pill. I'm drawn to it's possibility because of the great unknown beyond our existence here. Yet, I have faith in a greater world beyond here - a heaven - where life in renewed over and over again...
	Lee Ann/Living Introverted 1/19/2009 6:39:51 AM
	Nope. I figure that when this body is done, there will be something else for me (my energy, spirit, whatever). I don't feel any clinging attachment to the body I'm in or this world. Don't get me wrong, I am happy in my life, and I do all that I can to care for my body. While I'm here, I will do all I can to learn, grow and enjoy. I don't have any desire for this to end any time soon. It's just that I think when it does, I'll be OK with it and move on. Thanks for making me think!
	Karl Staib - Work Happy Now 1/19/2009 9:09:14 AM
	What an amazing story that would be. The immortal person would be able to help out so many generations with their transitions. The thing is how much could a brain hold. Let's say I took the pill and after five or ten years people started noticing that I didn't age. Would I freak them out? Would I have to keep moving from country to country to avoid scrutiny? I think that we age and die for a reason. There are times that it's painful, but we live on through the people we share our lives with. This method of immortality gives us a chance to pass on our knowledge, but not have to deal with all those other issues.
	julie 1/19/2009 12:56:40 PM
	Absolutely not! :) My first reason is taken from a human viewpoint... that I believe in Heaven and reincarnation and soul agreements and purpose and the whole process of humanity's evolutionary experience of creating and living Love. I want to reconnect in Heaven, acquire new purpose, new avenues to be love and to offer love. I want my soul to offer itself in as many ways as necessary, to renew its offerings over and over and over again... Sheer bliss!...to be of service... Life's SO precious, and the very nature of time adds the thrill of excitement, of discovery, of the momentum of energy... If I were immortal, there'd be no reason for thirsting after life. It sounds absolutely awful. ;) The thought of continual renewal and change (in Heaven/with Source/whatever we call it) brings me incredible joy. The thought of not having this brings me a feeling of emptiness. Taking it out of human terms, my expanded (and not very eloquent) answer is this: Life is continual. There is no beginning, no end, and our souls don't die. My understanding is that time is a man-made construct, therefore, all that ever "was" and "will be" simply IS...always. And that "we" are simply shape-shifting, so to speak. Death, then, is simply a matter of our human forms becoming other forms in other places...
	Liara Covert 1/19/2009 2:04:44 PM
	Faust is a story about a man who makes a pact with the devil for immortality in exchange for furthering human knowledge. Faust desires youth, energy, and opportunities to build on his human experiences. He resists moving on to explore divine knowledge. In literature, Faust is damned and his soul belongs to the devil as the result of his quest for human immortality. Is this meant as a lesson? A superstition? A scare tactc? It is up to each person to decide for himself and possibly make such a pact if the personal opportunity arises. I share part of Julie's perspective and very much appreciated that she also shared this on my blog. I recently wrote a post that explored the immortality issue in a paritular context. Interested readers may find it here: http://blog.dreambuilders.com.au/journal/2009/1/9/what-if-your-relatives-lived-forever.html Further to what has been mentioned here, it is one thing to become aware of certain beliefs about immortality. It is another to begin to explore how your own beliefs influence your choices during physical existence. Some people become very altruistic. They grow to love others more unconditionally, show compassion to strangers on a regular basis. Some people reflect on how and where they live, what they eat, and evolve to behave very differently based on deliberate intention and an understanding of wider consequences. Still other people choose make the most of each moment in the contxst of self-interest. They aim to acquire the most money and things in the shortest period of time. Still others give every belonging away and devote themselves to a different kind of life. The variety of choices point out that different levels of awareness exist and even when you reach one, you could behave very differently than other people who are partly on your wavelength.
	Evelyn Lim 1/19/2009 8:43:46 PM
	I won't choose immortality in the physical world either. In a sense, we are already immortal. We move from one state of consciousness to another. It is a continuum. No beginning. No end. There is also much that we can experience at a different state of consciousness. It also means that it is important that I live well today in my current physical form. I experience all-there-is - love, peace, joy, happiness, light, etc. A lover of life and a creator of my own experience!!
	LifeMadeGreat | Juliet 1/19/2009 10:19:49 PM
	Hi CG Thank you for expanding further on your comment. I appreciate your input. (And philosophy is most welcome ;) Hi Lance I think that your temptation to take the pill is an indication of how much you enjoy life and your purpose here. That is great. Hi Lee Ann What strikes me about your comment is its sense of "the present". It seems you are living in the now - and enjoying it. Wonderful. Hi Karl Interesting "how much could a brain hold". As humans we seem so limited. Hi Julie So each life is an opportunity to make the most of. Immortality is made up of lives. Hi Liara Thank you for sharing Faust's story. It seems that our human experience will always be deficient as we can't access the full extent of divinity. Hi Evelyn I fully agree to the philosophy of making the most of every moment. At the end of the day, that matters whether we are immortal or not.
	Mark 1/20/2009 6:51:38 AM
	This is a great question. I think most of us at first say yes I would love to be immortal in this body, however with caviats. One, does immortal mean that my body would not age any further? Would I be okay with living while all whom I love would die before I do? (that could happen even when you are mortal, so I would come to the conclusion that I could). The bigger question is, what am I missing by being immortal in form? That is, we do not know what is behind the curtain, we don't know if we would be missing out on an incredible part of our journey. Given that thought, I would say, no, I would not want to be immortal in form. My belief is that we are immortal in spirit and that this form we inhabit is but one leg of our journey.
	Emma 1/20/2009 7:28:29 AM
	A few years ago I wouldn't have chosen immortality, but today I definitely do! There was a time when I was not comfortable with the era in which we live (take one guess as to why I'm an archaeologist) and definitely not with change. I stuck everything out the longest possible. I even had a minor nervous breakdown when my husband suddenly shaved off his long hair, because it was a massive symbol of all the changes he was very rapidly going through at that time and I had no sense of what direction he was going in and if there was room for me. Now that I am a little older and more comfortable in my own skin, I am excited to see where this world is going. I want to be alive for as long as I am able to enjoy learning new things and developing as a person. I have certainly more things on my to do list than there is time for in just one lifetime. I have also recognised that my past discord with modern society as a detachment that would indeed be useful in immortality; in a way I'm using it to study the now.
	Evelyn 1/20/2009 2:13:39 PM
	Hi...for me i think, i will not swallow the pill. Its so because even if I will die later on, I believe that there is still life after death. So the best thing maybe I would do is to live my life in accordance to God,s law so I will inherit God,s second life after death... Thank you
	Tom Volkar / Delightful Work 1/20/2009 3:38:33 PM
	Can I just try it for a few hundred years perhaps? :) Vampires don't appear to be that happy to me. Guess I really wouldn't want it but the thought is appealing on one level at least. I'd finally be able to say and believe, "I have all the time in the world."
	Arswino 1/20/2009 8:59:23 PM
	Hi Juliet, great questions. They are very useful for reflection of our life. If we believe in God, I think we all choose to be mortal. Like Evelyn said, there is still life after death. Tom is right, do vampires appear to be happy? :). I also remember the Highlander movie I watched a long time ago. If we become immortal, how much sadness we will get seeing our beloved people pass away continuously. It is horrible, Juliet. Thanks for your reflection.
	LifeMadeGreat | Juliet 1/20/2009 10:28:55 PM
	Hi Mark I like that you look at the realities of life i.e. your loved ones could die before you anyway. Good argument you've presented here. Hi Emma I am really touched by your story, openness and positivity. Thank you for sharing. Hi Evelyn So, a life that is not necessarily the same as what we are currently experiencing. Hi Tom No cheating I'm afraid ;) {For those who want to take a look, check out Tom's latest post on "Time and Money"} Hi Arswino Tom's comment on vampires also got me thinking about them ;) I think to much, so I tried not to take the concept further ;) I also saw that Highlander movie. It was very haunting. In that light, immortality is not appealing.
	snigdha 1/21/2009 12:02:17 AM
	Hi, Juliet .. a mind-streching question. My answer is No and I go with what the others have already said and aptly said .. no point repeating. I would just observe that death is like being on the edge, from where either you fall or fly!! The suspense is exciting to explore... so, no pill for immortality !! Ha,ha.
	J.D. Meier 1/21/2009 12:59:54 AM
	My gut says no, but my mind says, hang on a sec ... not so fast. I don't think I'd want to go immortal alone. While I'm self-reliant, it's the people in my life that color my days. As I lose people in my life, while I don't replace the holes in my heart, I continue to grow my heart around the holes, and add people into my life. A friend of mine said you have to think like a river not a lake. A lake is static. A river flows people in and out.
	Bruno Logreco 1/21/2009 2:50:43 AM
	Yes - without death life would not be as we know it.
	LifeMadeGreat | Juliet 1/21/2009 4:03:43 AM
	Hi Snigdha I like your curiousity and sense of adventure. Hi JD Thank you for such a heart-felt reply. Hi Bruno Yes. Perhaps if immortality was the norm, the concept of immortality wouldn't even exist.
	Evita 1/21/2009 10:17:08 AM
	Hi Juliet! What a wonderful question!!!! Well to be honest my first answer is yes, I would love to live forever BUT not by taking the "pill" BECAUSE I know I will not always feel this way. Here is what I mean... right now I love the experience of life and know I still have a lot to do on this Earth in terms of valuable contribution, etc - so when I think about death, as beautiful of a transition as it is and as much as I do not fear it - I want to full heartedly keep living on. However, perhaps as my soul is satisfied one day that I have learned all I wanted to learn and experienced and contributed all I wanted to then I know I will be ready to merge back into the fully spiritual. However there is also one more thing to consider....what if we were able to evolve so high here in the physical that we could attain a full spiritual connection... WHAT IF WE COULD "DIE" and EXPERIENCE the spiritual realm right here and now without actually dying? There were masters after all on this Earth that lived in full communion with their spiritual self and even though they were in the physical, were able to extract themselves from it completely. Thus for them there was no true separation between the spiritual and the physical. They were able to access both simultaneously. I know it is possible and so that alone makes not be able to answer your question fully one way or the other for certain. Thanks for the great reflection :)
	LifeMadeGreat | Juliet 1/21/2009 12:09:25 PM
	Hi Evita This is a wonderful leap in the conversation. So now it is a matter of overcoming our human limitations and experiencing all that we can, but right here without any physical transition. Thank you for that addition. Juliet
	Stacey Shipman 1/21/2009 6:06:20 PM
	I would not take the pill. I have no real attachment to material things...I do a lot of clearing at my house. As far as being in control of my life...I can only do my best, but walking the earth with so many other people leaves a lot out of my control. And at the end of the day I think that is where a lot of fear comes from - not having control and so desperately trying to control. That and not knowing what happens next.. my curiosity stays fresh.
	Chris Edgar | Purpose Power Coaching 1/21/2009 7:19:50 PM
	Yes, I had the same reaction as CG, that what is actually me is immortal -- and that doesn't sound like airy-fairy spiritual talk to me anymore. It seems like the truth. Thank you for reminding me of this.
	Amanda Linehan 1/21/2009 8:00:40 PM
	Hi Juliet - I didn't have to think about this one at all. The answer is definitely "no." Knowing that I'm going to die one day gives me the courage to do things that I'm scared to do because I won't always be here. Death makes your life more poignant, even if it's an unpleasant thought at the moment. ;)
	Patrick 1/21/2009 8:20:11 PM
	Nope. Somewhere along the lines, I figured out that I need time lines and deadlines to get on with working hard towards my goals and picking myself up everyday to work towards the dreams I have for myself. Without death waiting for me, a big chunk of motivation is gone. I love the idea that life is short, so I'm forced to enjoy it now!
	Ana 1/22/2009 12:55:20 AM
	Definitely I would want to, because I love life, Love to live, give, receive, be loved and love. I just know that deep inside there's no such thing as this. So I just enjoy everyday as if it was my last day.
	LifeMadeGreat | Juliet 1/22/2009 2:50:23 AM
	Hi Stacey I am glad that you mention the difficulties of life. If I understand correctly, death is a movement away from these particular obstacles. Curiosity is exciting! Hi Chris So well put: the real you is the immortal one. I think it's great that you have found a truth. Hi Amanda It's like with anything, if you have too much time, you'll tend to mess around, and end up doing it at the last minute anyway. Only snag is, with immortality there is no last minute! Hi Patrick Death is a motivator. And we can use death to keep us present Hi Ana It's wonderful to see and feel your enthusiasm for life. Thank you!
	Barbara Swafford 1/23/2009 1:46:07 AM
	Hi Juliet - I remember reading something similar on another blog and to be perfectly honest, I don't think I ever came up with the answer - pill or no pill. There are advantages to both. Being immortal you would see so many changes in the world. Another issue I consider is if I had good health. With that, and not having to be reliant on others, might change my answer. So, my final answer is, I haven't decided yet. Haha.
	LifeMadeGreat | Juliet 1/23/2009 6:31:28 AM
	Hi Barbara Good point about whether one is healthy and independent or not. Well, chances are, you won't ever have to decide ;) Juliet
	Trey Baird 1/23/2009 11:59:54 PM
	No I wouldn't want to be immortal. Now, if I could take a pill that would make me live a much longer life, such as 100 years, or even 1000, then yes I would. What if the the world ceases to exist? If existance were to suddenly become a giant blob of nothingness, I wouldn't want to have to sit there and experience it for eternity. I wouldn't even want the option of Immortality with the ability to end it, which would be a form of suicide. What if you had the option of living a life that was twice as long, but in exchange, you were told what day you would die?
	LifeMadeGreat | Juliet 1/24/2009 1:23:45 AM
	Hi Trey I'm really excited by your thoughts on this. Thank you for taking it further. I quite like the idea of a life twice as long, with a set end-date. But, to Barbara's point above, I'd want guaranteed health. Great comment, Juliet
	Believe Achieve - Hugo and Roxanne 1/24/2009 5:30:50 AM
	Hi Juliet, We've always believed our spirits remain immortal, so our answer would be No. Our spirit will live forever in the lives we have touched. And I think knowing death is part of our physical life reminds us to live each and everyday to the fullest. We enjoyed reading everyone's responses. This was a great post! Many Blessings.... Roxanne and Hugo ~ Believe Achieve ~
	LifeMadeGreat | Juliet 1/24/2009 8:36:18 AM
	Hi Roxanne and Hugo I can see from you writings that you live each day to the fullest ;) Yes, I've also enjoyed all of the responses. Juliet
	Ian Peatey 1/30/2009 10:58:34 AM
	Juliet Very interesting question. My answer .. no hesitation .. is 'yes' I would take the pill. I'm convinced that part of me is beyond time and space (immortal) but there are so many things I want to do that life seems way too short as it is. I know that's a great reason to live every day to the fullest ... but even then there's more to do than I can fit in. I'd also love to see my kids grow up and be there for them. And I could always make the decision to go whenever I wanted. Unless the pill also made me indestructible .. then I'd change my answer to 'no' and just request a pill to help me live longer. Another 60 years or so should do it.
	LifeMadeGreat | Juliet 2/1/2009 2:33:16 AM
	Hi Ian I like that you see the world has more to offer than one could possibly fit into a lifetime. Mmm, also seeking another option. Good suggestion ;) Juliet
	Funny about Money 2/2/2009 7:10:53 AM
	No, not a chance. There's a reason for death: it exists so that one generation will get out of the way to make room for the next. If we all lived forever, there would be no reason to have children, and none of us would really live.
	LifeMadeGreat | Juliet 2/2/2009 10:04:50 PM
	Hi "Funny about Money" That is a good point. Thinking about it now, the world does need fresh blood, new ideas, different approaches etc. Thank you for your contribution to the conversation. Juliet
	Werner 3/6/2009 11:14:16 AM
	I'd be happy with a pill which could give a few hundred years of life. This would allow many people who feel they have made major mistakes in their earier years to fix things. Better than suicide I think. Anyway progress is being made on this front but not fast enough in my view.
	LifeMadeGreat | Juliet 3/7/2009 1:55:46 AM
	Hi Werner Interesting view on being able to rectify "mistakes" in earlier years. We certainly would have the potential to develop wisdom. Juliet