READ THIS FIRST

If you haven't read the "Introduction," please do so; it will help you understand how and why this book is put together the way it is. It is not like any other. It is more about remembering the pathway to Truth and removing the rubble in our way.

There are books that set out to prove the existence of Heaven through the experience of others. This is wonderful, since if one person can experience Heaven, we all can. This text is very different in that it sets out to prove the existence of Heaven because it must be, because it has always existed. However, proof and heaven are two of the most misunderstood words in any language. It has been necessary, to refine their definitions to even have a chance. These definitions aren't new, merely forgotten by many.

It has even been necessary to invent the structure of this book, as it doesn't fit well into existing genres. It's a problem of expectations. Here we are building an argument and it would be helpful to read it and consider it, in order. This will help you gain a stronger understanding of Heaven 2.0. It is most effective if you read all parts of the argument, which tends to build sequentially; it isn't just a collection of facts.

It is necessary to find the flaws in our usual assumptions and definitions and look at the evidence around us with new eyes, else we continue to miss the mark. The most important way to approach this subject is that you must be open to seeing both proof and Heaven differently.

Proof is more than what a mathematician or scientist may require. In a way, it is like a jury. Proof is what the members accept as verification and fits in with the facts and their experience. Many people believe in Heaven, but don't remember why and would be hard put to explain it logically. We set out to do this.

If one is to consider understanding Heaven, it is helpful to start with core assumptions and consider your beliefs as to who we are, how we got here, where we are going and what the "end" will look like. Some assumptions are wrong. It is why we look to atheists to point out the problems of Heaven 1.0. Heaven 1.0 doesn't work for many people, precipitating the need for an upgrade.

There are many spiritual belief systems; Wikipedia mentions 4,200 different religions. Christianity is reputed to have over 33,000 denominations. They are wonderful, are "good enough" and work great — until they don't. This book is for those for whom traditional ideas are inadequate, though not necessarily wrong. This book provides a deeper explanation and corrects minor misunderstandings based on the belief that we are a physical body. If you need more, once you realize you are already in Heaven, answers will flow to you from Heaven regarding life's dilemmas, without need of somebody to tell you.

Looking at the problems atheists have with modern religious ideas really is a good place to start, since they are willing to point out areas of inadequacy. It is very useful to review their thoughts, since if they can be answered, it might be beneficial for all concerned. All believers want a deeper understanding and a stronger belief. Those who are stuck and no longer believe, might want to figure out what is holding them back. We must look at what the atheists are saying, not in anger, but in gratitude because they point out blind spots in what is being taught by many of today's teachers. This book is an encouragement for those who are seeking on their own, choosing not to wait until traditional command and control sources change what they teach.

The great religious teachers lived hundreds of years ago and yet, despite the passage of so much time, mankind does not seem to have made a lot of progress. Could it be that we have built barriers to keep our lives pretty much as they are, spiritually? There have been wars, genocides, slavery, and many forms of anger and trauma throughout history and it appears they are still happening today. It is for this reason that these blocks must be looked at because if we do not become aware of them, we will continue to do what we have always done; as the saying goes, the more things change: the more they stay the same. Truth often becomes cliched because it is the Truth.

We really have to talk about why people say they want to go to Heaven, but would not give up their body to do so. What is going on? Very few people would go to Heaven TODAY, if given the choice to continue living on earth or die to go to Heaven. Maybe we aren't too sure that Heaven exists or we don't understand what it is really like. Maybe we just like it here.

[An aside: most suicides do so to get away from a painful situation or to punish someone else, not to go directly to Heaven. However, some suicide bombers seem to reason this way: do the will of Allah and go to heaven immediately.]

If you think about it, we really do value our bodies and are really "attached" to them, literally and figuratively. We are highly focused on the five senses in the here-and-now. Even if we hate our bodies and what is happening to them, we remain steadfast in thinking only about its welfare.

Despite the fact that our lifetime is limited and has a beginning and an end, it is the only life we think we know. The fact that we must use words to communicate is a barrier to people understanding each other. Unfortunately, words mean different things to different people, especially if it is a different sub-culture or language. The temporary nature of our lifetime as an individual and the need to use indirect symbols to communicate (words) constitute barriers to meaningful discussions about Heaven. For now, that seems to be all we have. Those who can communicate directly (i.e. psychics or empaths) are often discounted.

It is also important to note that this book uses the word "Heaven" and seldom the word "God" because of the enormous baggage that the word "God" carries in people's minds. It is also important to realize that God is not a person in the same sense that we are a separate person. On the other hand, for those who seek a "personal relationship" with God, you cannot get more personal than Oneness. Ultimately there is only one "Person." Oneness transfigures ideas of individuality and specialness as we remember our native Nondual state of Reality. We will also use synonyms for Heaven 2.0 to include Oneness, All-That-Is, Life, Truth, all capitalized. Oneness has many names: see chapter 4.

Our job in life is the undoing of ideas of separateness and remembering that we are Love incarnate and an inseparable part of All-That-Is eternally. All-That-Is is just a name for looking at all that exists, in any way or fashion. There are many ways to accomplish this release of our sense of individuality, but expressing Love for our neighbors and forgiving them when needed is often a big part of it. Once we find out what it feels like to be really one with others, aloneness loses all attractiveness.

This is why Parts One and Two are written the way they are. If you don't know all the obstacles that must be dealt with, it will be difficult to make progress. In other words, one must really want to move past the evidence of the senses, words, definitions, and other evidence against Heaven. Miss that and you miss the main point of this text.

Part Three starts with a strong reasoned argument that if Heaven 2.0 is All-That-Is, then It is all-powerful, all-knowing, all-loving, eternal, everywhere-present and more. Properly understood, It cannot be otherwise. This view of Heaven is ancient, yet new age. It has been known throughout history. We examine many different kinds of evidence, including channeling and near-death experiences. It is important to talk about the amazing innate abilities we have, things such as free will, the ability to create, to believe, to inspire and to image.

Section Four looks at the value of faith and trust in our search for Heaven 2.0. Building a belief system you can believe in and one that is strong enough to support your faith is the primary goal of this volume. It is a guide to peeling away the false beliefs that get in the way and adding new ideas that strengthen our resolve. Recognizing what is false is the key. The use of parables, stories, and myths are often helpful in our remembering that we are already in Heaven. There is nowhere else.

It is helpful to note that when you find a pathway that works for you, stay on it. Try not to wander off in search of "something better." All pathways eventually lead to Truth and all good paths require study and learning a mental discipline. This takes time, effort and commitment. Regularly changing paths sets one back because you have to start all over again with a new discipline and shows lack of effort and commitment. Don't fall asleep again and forget.

The closer one comes to the end goal of remembering Oneness, the more important it becomes to see Oneness in all we meet, even politicians we don't like. One guide to evaluate a path is how important an all-encompassing Love is on that path. It is said the only real answer to every question is Love. Once you understand why that is so, you will have no problem restructuring your life to make that your experience as well. If the path helps you do this, all is well.

The final section, Part Five, the FAQ's, is presented with a sense of humor and a hint as to what it looks like when we "approach" Heaven 2.0. It might be different than you expect. Heaven 2.0 is an upgrade from the first version of Heaven, which is very much like our physical planet Earth, where we get to keep our bodies and live in them forever. Creating Heaven on Earth is literally Heaven 1.0. It sounds attractive because it maintains separate identities. Waking up is much easier than creating a Utopian illusion of togetherness. What we have forgotten is how much fun Heaven 2.0 is and much, much more. The FAQ's point out some of the chaff or false ideas surrounding our thoughts about Heaven 2.0.

It is important to overcome the fear of Heaven and the accompanying guilt, as did the young man in the parable of the Prodigal Son. It is worth it for Heaven 2.0 is really All- Loving. Imagine a party with everyone you have ever loved and the ones you thought you hated, you love even more! The idea that we are separate from Heaven is insidious and a part of many theologies. With it comes error thinking that leads to exactly what we have now: chaos and insanity mixed in with the love and caring.

There is a much better way of looking at Life.

THANK GOD FOR ATHEISTS

There are many people who don't believe in Heaven, especially the 1.0 version. We should be grateful to atheists and agnostics for highlighting the areas of faith that don't make sense and work toward a) finding the truth and b) clarifying inconsistencies.

It's very useful to look at atheists' arguments since their reasoning tends to illuminate the entire process of proving Heaven. As many have noted, our best efforts should be geared toward finding what is false in life more than trying to determine what is true. Everything appears to be true when it's seen or heard, but not everything is as it appears.

A case in point: while "seeing may be believing," it's easy to prove that not everything we see is true. Optical illusions, magic tricks, and edited videos can present information to us that is more propaganda than documentary. Our atheist friends are a big help in finding beliefs that make no sense. As many sages have noted, we all have some of the truth, but none of us has all of it; therefore, it's beneficial to listen to those who ask us to think twice about our concepts about God and Heaven. Many religious books are internally contradictory, and we should be grateful for those who point out these issues, even if they are beloved beliefs that have stood for a really long time. Blind faith is helpful at first, but it is a consistent informed faith that becomes wisdom.

Here are the four biggest and most frequently mentioned areas of conflict between believers and atheists regarding Heaven 1.0:

1. There is little scientific evidence of God.

2. There are inconsistent "revelations" among religions.

3. Religion doesn't adequately address the problem of evil.

4. Some believers make nonsensical arguments in favor of God's existence.

A note: the word "God" and male pronouns are used in this chapter because they are the common and expected nomenclature in discussions of Heaven 1.0. Gender has no place in Heaven 2.0 and "It" will be used to highlight the non-gender aspect of nondual Oneness.

Scientific Evidence for a Physical, Personal God Is Missing

Evidence from the five senses proving the existence of a physical, personal God is hard to come by. What is evidence for a believer is dismissed and reinterpreted by a skeptic. The problem is that people expect a physical heaven, but none can be found. Let's look closer.

Despite the lack of evidence, the belief in a personal very physical God is common and perhaps pervasive in most religions. From the 72 virgins an Islamic martyr might expect to sleep with to Saint Paul's ideas about the afterlife and the final judgment, one can say the importance of a physical body is paramount to many religious belief systems. Some think Heaven is a place and God is a "person" who lives there. Many people's ideas about Heaven are merely an expansion of physical life, but "with benefits."

It should be mentioned here that many Islamic scholars say there is no promise of virgins for martyrs in the Quran. They say it stems from a poor translation of one section, 78:29 — 34. Accepted translations vary from "companions of equal age" to "young full-breasted maidens of equal age." There is no number of companions mentioned in the text. (justislam. co.uk)

Upon examination, most religions appear to assume that Heaven is a kind of quasi-physical place, one where our physical bodies would be happy, perhaps in a "perfected" state of some type. It's entirely understandable how one might come to believe this after reading the scriptures. Either our bodies in Heaven are physical in the same sense as they are here, or they aren't. It's that simple. The problem comes in when people try to combine incompatible beliefs.

However, many theologians' explanations are very clear. The Catholic website, catholic.com, says this about the resurrection of the body after death, even if it's after many centuries:

The Bible tells us that when Jesus returns to earth, he will physically raise all those who have died, giving them back the bodies they lost at death. These will be the same bodies people had in earthly life — but our resurrected bodies will not die, and, for the righteous, they will be transformed into a glorified state, freed from suffering and pain, and enabled to do many of the amazing things Jesus could do with his glorified body (1 Cor. 15:35 — 44, 1 John 3:2).

The resurrection of the body is an essential Christian doctrine, as the apostle Paul declares: "If the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised. If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished" (1 Cor. 15:13 — 18).

It couldn't be clearer.

Most uneducated people throughout history have thought of themselves as essentially physical, and most religious teaching has capitalized on that to start people on the road to faith, hope, and charity. A physical heaven is something people could relate to. Religions talk about Heaven as an eternal place of happiness and reward for good behavior. Thousands of years ago, politicians realized that this idea could also be used as a tool to coerce people into doing what they wanted them to do in this life. They promised a reward after death, and rewards in a physical Heaven are more potent motivators than abstract rewards in a spiritual place.

Catholic Church history describes how, in 325 CE, at the first Council of Nicaea, a Creed or statement of beliefs was voted on, saying Jesus is the only Son of God, born of the Virgin Mary, and sits at the right hand of God. This Creed requires Christians to see the Heaven where God is as a quasi-physical place, not unlike Earth. Just where it's located wasn't specified, but biblical writers seemed to indicate that it's up in the sky. The Bible describes Jesus floating up into heaven (the Ascension), meaning into the sky above (similar to ascents by the ancient Jewish prophets Enoch and Elijah):

... he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!" (Acts 1:9 — 11, New Living Translation)

This conception of Heaven is emphasized in the Gospel of John, who quotes Jesus as saying:

When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. (John 14:3, New Living Translation)