What if..

Recently when I was flying to California, gazed out ( I heart window seats ) and marvelled the pristine blue sky and the puffs of clouds ( always seem soft and fluffy but never touchable ) started pondering over certain things. I am not too sure about the conclusions that can be derived, so I thought I'd post it and see if you guys could provide any insights.

We have always imagined the Heavens to be above and beyond, somewhere way beyond the sky. Somewhere way beyond what telescopes, satellites, objects in space can see/show us images of. Yet, I always picture heaven with light blue background, demi-gods sitting on puffs of clouds, enjoying the day :) (I wonder if this image is influenced by the numerous mythology themed serials that have been aired on tv, or the various Amar Chitra Kathas that I have read ) .

We always look up, towards the sky, but always bow our heads in prayer. When death takes her toll, we always become one with the soil, with the earth, yet we say the soul reaches the heavens above. Any form of prayer, we kneel on the ground, or lie flat to rever the idol before us. The earth, the soil , we walk on provides the foundation to our lives. Provides a sure footing for us. Plants, Roots everything needs a base that comes only from the earth. Then why is it that we say the heavens are above. . and refer to the netherlands or sometimes hell as below the soil, deep inside the earth?

Is heaven really up in the skies or is it buried inside the depths of the earth? Or is heaven on earth?!