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Future Anthropology 2: Are You Ready for Immortality?

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[Photo by lucigerma via Envato Elements]

Technological advances are gradually turning immortality from fantasy to reality, but is humanity ready? We can reorient our consciousness to an eternal existence now to bring more truth and meaning into our lives.

Have you ever thought about how long you would like to live if given a choice? As I’ve gotten older, I’ve naturally thought about how much time I may have left and what I could do with it. I’ve long known the benefits of defining precise goals, so rather than leaving the years of my life up to chance, I set a vision for it and set about doing whatever I could to live that long. I even wrote a book about it, I’ve Decided to Live 120 Years, as a personal guide to a long, healthy, fulfilling life. When I published that book eight years ago, the idea of living so long sounded like science fiction to many. But today, advances in science and technology are turning that possibility into reality. Some experts even predict that people alive today could live to 150 years or more.

Billions of dollars are now being invested in life extension research. Some scientists believe biological immortality—stopping or even reversing aging—could become achievable within this century. At the same time, discussions are expanding around a different kind of immortality: preserving human memories and consciousness digitally, allowing us to exist in a new form.

People are already spending millions in hopes of living just a few months or years longer. For some, that extra time could mean completing a meaningful goal or spending more precious moments with loved ones. But immortality is not just about adding time—it’s about living forever. And that raises a whole new set of questions.

Do We Want to Live Forever?

Before we celebrate the idea of eternal life, we need to ask a deeper question: Would biological immortality truly be a blessing?

The moment we ask that, we realize immortality isn’t just a scientific or medical issue—it’s a fundamental human question. It invites us to reflect on who we are and what kind of life we truly want to live. If a hundred years without meaning can feel empty, what happens when we stretch that emptiness into eternity?

It’s precisely because our time is limited that we strive to find meaning, set goals, and push through challenges. The fact that suffering has an end gives us hope. But if time becomes infinite, how will that change our sense of direction and value? What will motivate us then?

This is why preparing for immortality isn’t just about enhancing our bodies—it’s about elevating our consciousness. We must ask ourselves: Are we ready to live forever with purpose and meaning?

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The Most Powerful Way to Prepare for Immortality

Most people identify themselves with their physical bodies. We believe it’s natural to be born, grow old, and die. But what if science allows us to regenerate our bodies completely, or even upload our consciousness to a digital platform? Are we truly prepared for that shift?

If we think of immortality as simply “not dying,” it could actually lead to greater confusion and suffering. Living forever with our current emotional maturity and awareness might not be a blessing at all. Without a shift in consciousness, even endless time could feel hollow.

The truth is this: our essence is already immortal. It has never changed. What gives our body life isn’t just the flesh, but the consciousness, information, and energy that flow through it. From a scientific standpoint, energy does not disappear—it only transforms. Human consciousness and energy are no different. What we call “death” is simply a transition from one form to another, not the end of existence.

When we truly accept this, our relationship with aging and death begins to shift. We no longer fear wrinkles or physical decline. Death becomes not an end, but a transformation. What matters most is not how much time we have, but how we live each moment—with awareness and intention.


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When Immortality Becomes a Blessing

We spend so much energy preserving and protecting our bodies. But our bodies are not who we are—they are the vehicles for our purpose. That doesn’t mean we should neglect them. Rather, we can honor our bodies as sacred tools for experiencing and expressing life. Just as we eventually replace an old car, our bodies may change—but our essence remains.

Even if science makes biological immortality possible, it won’t guarantee happiness. Without a shift in consciousness, it could lead to anxiety, boredom, competition, and disconnection. If we continue to see ourselves only as material beings, immortality might become another form of obsession—something to control, hoard, or fear.

If life extension is available only to a few, it could deepen inequality and social conflict. And if our identity remains tied to time and space, infinite time may bring not fulfillment, but a deeper sense of disorientation and emptiness.

The only way to truly prepare for the age of immortality is to recognize that we are already eternal. Once we accept that, we can begin to live with greater clarity and responsibility—not just waiting for the future, but shaping it. Science can then become a tool to support our spiritual growth and collective well-being, not just our physical survival.

People often ask, “If immortality depends on future technology, what can I do now?

And I respond this way: “Yes, the development of technology may lie in the hands of scientists. But the meaning of immortality—what we do with it, how we live it—that responsibility belongs to each and every one of us.”

Then I add: Love.

Love yourself, not just in moments of success, but also in times of doubt and difficulty. Love the people around you. Be fully present in each moment, and let gratitude rise in your heart. Share that gratitude freely.

This is what gives immortality its soul. This is what makes eternal life a blessing, not a burden. To love, to grow, to give—again and again—that may be the most meaningful thing we can do as immortal beings. And perhaps, the most beautiful thing we will continue to do for all eternity.

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