i don't know if anybody already suggested this but... if you really want to know an ancient description of what the after-life is supposed to be like read The Tibetan Book of the Dead, it describes in full-detail the entire process of the cycle of life, and how to get out of the cycle of rebirth. For a more contemporary viewpoint of heaven, hell, and purgatory (for lost souls) read the Divine Comedy. Very vivid imagery of heaven, hell, etc etc...