Tattva-viveka
why do we think that we will live forever?
Madeleine Brodd - January 23, 2007 7:38 pm
Haribol everyone! 
I'm wondering why we live as if we will never die?, we don't even think about it, that one day we will leave this body. Is it because we originally are an eternal jiva? or is it because we're in illusion? 
PEACE OUT!
Madhavi
Madangopal - January 24, 2007 12:55 am
You have wisely answered your own question: the reason is both that our nature as spirit (one in quality with the supreme spirit) is sat - eternal; AND we are currently in illusion, identifying with an asat (temporary) concept of self. We WON'T die, but that asat self concept will be mercilessly crushed by our own attachment to it.
This reminds me of the saying that there are two types of crazy persons in this world - 1) the sense enjoyer who will suffer the cost of separate desire; and 2) the pure devotee who is mad, caught up in lila and forgetful of this world. Both these people live as if they will never die. One is living the eternal life right now, the other is in (seemingly) eternal bondage.
Nanda-tanuja Dasa - January 24, 2007 3:15 am
This reminds me of Yaksha Prasnam section of Mahabharata which tells the conversation between Yamaraja disguised as yaksha and Yudhishthira Maharaja.
PRASNAM 120
YAKSHA:
“KIM AASCHARYAM?”
“WHAT IS SO WONDERFUL?”
YUDHISTIRA:
“AHANYAHANI BHOOTAANI GACHCHANTI IHA YAMAALAYE /
SESHAAHSTAAVARAM ICHCHANTI KIM AASCHARYAM ATAH PARAM //”
“FROM TIME IMMEMORIAL, COUNTLESS NUMBER OF LIVING BEINGS TAKE TO THE ONE WAY
ROUTE TO THE ABODE OF DEATH, DAY AFTER DAY. YET, THOSE WHO SURVIVE AT THE
END OF THE DAY BELIEVE THAT THEY WILL BE HERE ALIVE FOREVER. WHAT CAN BE
MORE INCREDIBLE THAN THIS?”