The images of heaven and hell are described well by the story of two groups of people who try to eat their delicious stew with spoons having long handles strapped to their arms. People in one group were happy and contented after enjoying the delicious stew. The other group could not figure out how to eat the stew and so was found to be famished and dissatisfied. The reason for the difference between the two was clear: the first group, representing heaven, helped each other to eat the stew, extending their long spoons, filled to the brim, to each other and thus making an impossible situation possible. The second group, representing hell, remained selfish and did not think of helping each other. Had each of them in the second group thought of the person sitting opposite him, they would all eat and be satisfied. One group fed each other while the greedy thought only of themselves!
Heaven and hell are but our own creations, depending on the way we deal with situations, challenges and problems in this world. If we are mindful of the needy and less fortunate ones, and care for them, this world cannot but be a heaven. When we are able to extend hands of love and care, there can no more exist a needy person who should go to bed with empty stomach, a lonely person who feels hopeless and worthless, a child who should sacrifice his or her childhood to labor in factories, fields and workshops, and a young woman who should sell her body to earn money for her family. The experience of helping a needy person as well as being helped by a generous person is indeed heavenly. When there is the spirit of sharing, caring and understanding, this world becomes heaven! And this heaven continues to the next world - an eternal heaven!
