DEATH AND AFTERLIFE
I.
Study death, but only insofar as it allows you to appreciate the precious joy of life .RSR
One thing common to every living thing is that it will die. It is therefore natural to be curious about the process of death. This article is written to present one view or theory on the process of death and the afterlife.
Most explanations on this subject are complicated or are made difficult by the use of foreign or unfamiliar words. Therefore, I will try to keep this intentionally very simple so that it can be easily understood.
From the earliest of times people have pondered death and its aftermath. The theories as to what happens after death have evolved over the millennium and today all major religions today (Christians, Jews, Buddhist, Muslims, Hindus, etc.) have some form of belief in a heaven and a hell. These beliefs vary greatly from religion to religion. Almost all ,except Christianity, see Hell as something that one can earn one's self out of in some fashion. The idea that if you don’t do exactly what some religious person tells you to do or you will burn in Hell for eternity is a Christian concept that should be repugnant to everyone and is clearly unrealistic and not in keeping with the idea of God. It was clearly adopted to be a control mechanism.
The Egyptians had the Book of the Dead where the soul underwent a journey through many test and eventually arrived in the Underworld to reside with Osiris (their heaven) or to Ra in the Furnace in Kar (their hell). The Greeks believed that the average person went to Asphodel Meadows (their heaven) or to Hades (their hell). Romans believed similarly to the Greeks in that after death the average soul traveled to Elysian Fields (their heaven) or to likewise to Hades (their hell). The Vikings believed in Oden’s castle. The Native Americans went to reside with the Great Spirit in the sky or roamed the Earth. Hindu’s believe that a person’s last thoughts and emotions determine his/her future in the afterlife. Buddhist believe that one can earn one’s soul out of hell through the use of new or accumulated Karma and good works.
Personally, I find that Theosophy, which is not a religion but rather an open minded method of studying religion, science and philosophy offers the best explanation. Unfortunately, it often uses Sanskrit or other foreign words and phrases that are so unfamiliar to Westerners that it is difficult to follow and understand the Theosophical explanation. Theosophy rejects the traditional concepts of heaven and hell and instead sees the Universe as a mechanism where an equilibrium of Universal Justice and Harmony are sought. It does not envision an anthropomorphic God as an old man with a beard sitting on a throne in the sky, but instead it accepts the concept of God as a type of Universal Consciousness which exist in everything. It supports a life after death, but does not explain it clearly, and it does acknowledge reincarnation.
Recently, the in the Christian Church seems to be leaning toward adopting Theosophic beliefs. Please watch the video below by a Christian Bishop on this subject. You may find his explanation it surprising:
I.
Study death, but only insofar as it allows you to appreciate the precious joy of life .RSR
One thing common to every living thing is that it will die. It is therefore natural to be curious about the process of death. This article is written to present one view or theory on the process of death and the afterlife.
Most explanations on this subject are complicated or are made difficult by the use of foreign or unfamiliar words. Therefore, I will try to keep this intentionally very simple so that it can be easily understood.
From the earliest of times people have pondered death and its aftermath. The theories as to what happens after death have evolved over the millennium and today all major religions today (Christians, Jews, Buddhist, Muslims, Hindus, etc.) have some form of belief in a heaven and a hell. These beliefs vary greatly from religion to religion. Almost all ,except Christianity, see Hell as something that one can earn one's self out of in some fashion. The idea that if you don’t do exactly what some religious person tells you to do or you will burn in Hell for eternity is a Christian concept that should be repugnant to everyone and is clearly unrealistic and not in keeping with the idea of God. It was clearly adopted to be a control mechanism.
The Egyptians had the Book of the Dead where the soul underwent a journey through many test and eventually arrived in the Underworld to reside with Osiris (their heaven) or to Ra in the Furnace in Kar (their hell). The Greeks believed that the average person went to Asphodel Meadows (their heaven) or to Hades (their hell). Romans believed similarly to the Greeks in that after death the average soul traveled to Elysian Fields (their heaven) or to likewise to Hades (their hell). The Vikings believed in Oden’s castle. The Native Americans went to reside with the Great Spirit in the sky or roamed the Earth. Hindu’s believe that a person’s last thoughts and emotions determine his/her future in the afterlife. Buddhist believe that one can earn one’s soul out of hell through the use of new or accumulated Karma and good works.
Personally, I find that Theosophy, which is not a religion but rather an open minded method of studying religion, science and philosophy offers the best explanation. Unfortunately, it often uses Sanskrit or other foreign words and phrases that are so unfamiliar to Westerners that it is difficult to follow and understand the Theosophical explanation. Theosophy rejects the traditional concepts of heaven and hell and instead sees the Universe as a mechanism where an equilibrium of Universal Justice and Harmony are sought. It does not envision an anthropomorphic God as an old man with a beard sitting on a throne in the sky, but instead it accepts the concept of God as a type of Universal Consciousness which exist in everything. It supports a life after death, but does not explain it clearly, and it does acknowledge reincarnation.
Recently, the in the Christian Church seems to be leaning toward adopting Theosophic beliefs. Please watch the video below by a Christian Bishop on this subject. You may find his explanation it surprising:
II.
A poem by Mary Elizabeth Frye states in part:
“Do not stand at my grave and weep; I am not there, I do not sleep…do not stand at my grave and cry; I am not there, I did not die.”
Our bodies all contain DNA and that makes us as humans all similar, but different. The same is true with our souls. It too has a form of spiritual DNA which makes our afterlife experiences both similar, but different. Physical DNA appears to be a receptor allowing our spiritual DNA to bind to a physical living body thus allowing consciousness to attach to and flow through the flesh of the body.
The task here is to try and evaluate the similarities in each afterlife experience, and to acknowledge the differences. All are basically the same, but each is somewhat different.
For as long as man has walked the Earth some have come close to death and came back to tell others what they experienced. The story of these near-death experiences (“NDE’s”) have been interpreted by those who have experienced it and to those to whom it was told in many, many different ways. The interpretation of those NDE’s has influenced man’s beliefs within the various religions and has become a part of the dogma and tradition of many religions. It still is happening today.
Please watch the videos below and focus on how the NDE’s are interpreted. All are different, but there is a thread of sameness throughout.
A poem by Mary Elizabeth Frye states in part:
“Do not stand at my grave and weep; I am not there, I do not sleep…do not stand at my grave and cry; I am not there, I did not die.”
Our bodies all contain DNA and that makes us as humans all similar, but different. The same is true with our souls. It too has a form of spiritual DNA which makes our afterlife experiences both similar, but different. Physical DNA appears to be a receptor allowing our spiritual DNA to bind to a physical living body thus allowing consciousness to attach to and flow through the flesh of the body.
The task here is to try and evaluate the similarities in each afterlife experience, and to acknowledge the differences. All are basically the same, but each is somewhat different.
For as long as man has walked the Earth some have come close to death and came back to tell others what they experienced. The story of these near-death experiences (“NDE’s”) have been interpreted by those who have experienced it and to those to whom it was told in many, many different ways. The interpretation of those NDE’s has influenced man’s beliefs within the various religions and has become a part of the dogma and tradition of many religions. It still is happening today.
Please watch the videos below and focus on how the NDE’s are interpreted. All are different, but there is a thread of sameness throughout.
Today we are able to access such a large number of near death experiences ,both ancient and modern, on the internet that it enables us to more fully compare and evaluate what generally happens after death than was possible in the past. The first parts are easy, the latter stages can only be imagined from the information available to us.
Generally, an after death experience occur in the following seven steps known as the "Six Stages of the After Life Experience" :
1. As a person nears death, but is still in the process of dying, the first thing that occurs is that, while the body is still alive, one’s whole life flashes before one's eyes in a type of complete life review which is almost instantaneous.
2. One then has the feeling that one is floating above the place of one’s physical death and can see and hear everything that is happening very clearly.
3. A bright light appears near and one has the feeling of being drawn or pulled into and then traveling through the bright light tunnel.
4. As one exits the tunnel one enters a brightly lighted room or place where one sees deceased family, friends and/or historic figures and has an overwhelming feeling of love and peace.
5. One is then met by a being that brings that welcomes, then brings that person to a place nearby where one can review his or her entire life. It is not a judgment by anyone else , it is one judging oneself and a general life review.
6. At this point one is sometimes offered a choice to: go back to one’s former life or to proceed in the afterlife. If death was sudden and unexpected and the body is capable or resuscitation this may occur earlier in the process .
We know the consequences of what happens if one chooses to go back to his/her former life and we know what happens when one chooses to be soon reincarnated. What we do not know, and probably can never know for certain, is what happens if one chooses to remain in the afterlife for a longer period of time after the life review.
It is at this point we are forced to begin to make assumptions. This is mine based on my reading and research however, I fully acknowledge that this is pure speculation .
I base my theory on an old Hermetic writing, probably taken from much older knowledge, that states in part:
"That which is Below corresponds to that which is Above, and that which is Above corresponds to that which is Below, to accomplish the miracle of the One Thing."
That quote simply means that whatever happens on any level of reality also happens on every other level. This principle is often used in the context of the microcosm and the macrocosm. The microcosm is oneself, and the macrocosm is the Universe. The macrocosm is as the microcosm and vice versa ; within each lies the other, and through understanding one’s self, a person may understand the Universe. It is similar to the theory that our Universe is a matrix made up of a hologram where everything is based on mathematical formulas that repeat themselves into infinity and eternity. It also means that to look inward, into one’s own self, can reveal the meaning of the entire Universe. A further example could be that what happens in one level of the electromagnetic spectrum , happens in all levels.
If that were true , then the afterlife must be similar to our life here on Earth. It must be organized among many souls into a hierarchy similar to the way it is organized in life and must contain a vast diversity of forms. Each soul being attracted to like thinking and feeling souls.
After death and unburdened by a the limitations of a physical body we almost immediately see things as they really are . The Universe is large and we are free to roam the Universe , explore and , with the help of other consciousnesses , expand and improve it. Our consciousness is not limited by distance, time , speed or the other know laws of the material Universe. Eventually, our consciousness will once again want to become a part of the material Universe to experience it, improve it or just enjoy it. In our afterlife we realize that the Universe is a much larger, complex and wonderful place than we ever imagined or could comprehend when we were burdened with the limitations of a physical body in the material Universe.
It follows that we must ask ourselves the the question “What purpose does life in the Material Universe serve?”.
The answer that logically follows is that it is a natural progression from the Spiritual Universe and was created to see how far we could take it and what we can turn it into. It is our thoughts that have created the Material Universe and it is our thoughts that mold it into what is and into what it will become.
Through our thoughts we not only improve and advance the Material Universe, we advance and improve our own souls and those of all others. Therefore, our existence in the afterlife (or Spiritual Universe) is much like our life in on Earth (or Material Universe). There is much work to be done and knowledge to be learned in both places. The purpose of life is to leave the Material Universe better than we found it , the same would be true of the Spiritual Universe.
I could continue explaining, but there is no reason. It is simple and logical. Our afterlife is simply a reflection of our physical life. It is similar, but different.
III.
THEOSOPHICAL CONCEPTS
Lastly, I must make a humble attempt to explain the Theosophical view of Death as I understand it, but in simple, easily understood language. It is my personal belief that words are no more than labels for ideas and that, at best, the labels that can be used to describe ideas the best are the ones that can simply and easily convey the idea for which they stand. It is not important to dwell on the word, but is vitally important to grasp the concept. Theosophical terms will be in parentheses.
At this point it would be useful to digress for a moment and review the basic elements of a human life which all of us have, which are the Human Body and the Human Soul ( together referred to as the "Human Constitution"). We exist in the Material Universe as both body and soul and each of those two elements have their own distinct characteristics.
The Human Constitution is made up of Seven (7) separate elements as follows:
7. The Atma- the highest level is the Universal Consciousness, which creates, maintains and builds the Universe (with the assistance of each individual Manas). That Universal Consciousness is often referred to as God. A Sanskrit word that means "self"; a ray of the Absolute ;not individual ; is omnipresent; a universal one ; contains the cognizer, the thing cognized and the cognition, all three in itself and all three one ; contains everything ; the one universal principle ; and it is simply a ray of light.
6. The Buddhi- Within the Atma (God), an individual piece of the Universal Consciousness is formed into an individual spirit or soul which is capable of distinguishing that thing from every other thing, i.e. individualization. It is from the root word "budh" (to be awake; to understand; to know); a feminine Sanskrit noun derived from the same root as the masculine form "Buddha": it refers to the intellect, the faculty of discrimination; called spiritual soul: the Monad- the one unit.
5. The Manas- is the repository and storehouse for the individual emotions, experiences, knowledge and memory of one’s existence as a separate entity. The acquired level of memory, emotions, experiences and instincts of each individual soul is acquired in the development of each individual Buddhi/Manas from mineral, to plant, to animal and finally to human. It is the fifth principle in human beings. It is generally the "mind" it is from the root word "man" or "to think": it is the Higher Ego ( pronounced "egg-O") ; Individuality-, self-awareness ; the human soul ; it adds to Atma-Buddhi something of itself, and thus, assimilating itself to the Monad that reincarnates in a body life after life ; the Manas is immortal.
4. The Kama Rupa- or animal soul ,consisting of the base emotions and instincts of each individual.
3. The Linga Sarira- (Astral Double, Astral Body of each individual) that is the higher product of the first two .
2. The Kama Prana- or life energy that powers the body of each individual. At birth each individual has a different amount of life energy and it is physically represented by the Aura. Some believe that we can demonstrate scientifically that all living things have an Aura by the use of Kirlian photography. Regardless as to whether that is true or not, the Aura is simply the light given off by the "Life Energy" of the body of a living thing during the process of life.
1. The Physical Body- the physical individual human being.
The collective experiences and memory of everything that has ever ‘lived” is stored in the God’s mind and is known as the Akashic Record .Any individual, given sufficient training, may access that record. There may be no linear time in the Akashic Record and many individual prophets, seers and holy men of the past may have been able to access the Akashic Record to make accurate predictions about the future.
Note: the “Akashic Record” is not really a Theosophical term, but has been widely adopted and used by Theosophist.
The three parts of the soul ( Manas, Buddhi and Atma , together known in general terms as a Monad , or combination of three things) are also referred to as a "Ahamkara". It is what reincarnates.; what is called the "soul".
All of this together creates the separateness of an individual's consciousness and gives one the impression of a separateness from all other things. In truth, it is all one with the illusion of separateness, speed, distance and time.
The period in the stage after death and before rebirth (Bardo) is characterized by three stages:
First, there is the time in the welcoming and reviewing (Gestation) period described above as the "Six Stages of the After Life Experience ";
Second, there is the time after the gestation period and before rebirth, where the soul goes into a time of work, learning and development (Devachan) and,
Third, there is rebirth (Reincarnation) and the process then repeats itself many times as the Universe evolves.
The soul is attached to the body at conception and remains with the body until death. The soul first leaves the body when the body is near death, but it remains still spiritually attached to the body for a short time. That accounts for the almost universally reported cases of a person who undergoes a NDE recalling that he/she floated in the air above the body and results in the ability of that person to describe, with great accuracy, the events that took place around the body as it dies. In the Bible this is referred to as the "silver thread".
Within a relatively short period of time the soul separates from the body and begins its transition into the afterlife of the Spiritual Universe.. It is during that period of time, during a NDE, that people report that they travel through a tunnel towards a bright light.
When one arrives at the light the first thing that is activated after death are two specific emotions within the whole of one’s higher emotions (MANAS). People with NDE’s report a feeling of overwhelming love and peace and in seeing loved ones approach and comfort them. Some of whom they recognize and some of whom they may not, yet each has great love or attachment to the recently departed person. This may arise as the concept of Reincarnation and is very complicated and may involve more than a direct soul to body reincarnation. Actually, the reincarnated may be a soul of a person closely related to the soul of the deceased, but that is a topic in and of itself that will not be covered in depth here.
It is at this point a person may be given a choice or command to return to one’s damaged body. It depends upon the condition of the body of that person that is left behind . True physical Death does not occur until it is impossible to resuscitate the body and use its remaining life energy.
The experience differs because, if one’s life has been cut short through some uncontrollable event (accident, murder, war, etc.), that person’s life was incomplete and that person may be given the choice to reincarnate into the former body or, if that is not possible, into a new body very soon after the death experience.
If a person has lived a long life that has been relatively meaningless that person may remain in the afterlife for a long time to be retrained and reeducated before allowing to reincarnate. If a persons has lived a long and meaningful life that person may have a short stay in the afterlife or, if the person’s life was so exceptional that nothing new would be gained by that person reincarnating, that person may remain in the afterlife a very long time to help retrain and re-educate others.
During the initial afterlife process upon exiting the light tunnel, one’s life is again replayed and reviewed. It is not a judgment to most. However, at this point the hopelessly evil are not sent to hell, but are sent to a place where their soul is disassembled and only the higher levels ( Atma and Buddhi) are retained to be reused to form a new soul and the remaining memories, emotions and experiences are wiped clean from that soul as though the life of that individual had never happened (Avichi).
Perhaps the Hindu’s are correct in their belief that one’s last thoughts and emotions play a large role in ones future after death, but not necessarily for the exact reason they believe. It is because of that processes that are built into every human spiritual DNA are involuntary and automatic. One’s last thoughts before death will automatically be a full life replay of the details of one’s life. It follows that one must live a good, clean, moral, compassionate and ethical life so that one’s last thoughts are of those things that are the most worthy to promote the elevation of one’s soul into the future after death and beyond. Therefore, what is important are the actions of a person throughout one's life and a near death redemption or absolution would be insignificant.
SUGGESTIONS TO AID ONE IN THE IN THE PROCESS OF DYING
It is therefore very important that when a person is dying that he or she not be disturbed by loud noises or a excessive displays of emotions in order that the dying process can be completed in a peaceful and uninterrupted manner.The playing of soft ,soothing music in the background would be helpful, if not for the person in the process of dying but to help calm those around the dying person.
Because the Soul can remain with the body for up to an hour after physical death , it is important to retain that calm peaceful state for up to an hour after physical death to assist the physically dead person make a smooth, peaceful and loving transition into the next life.
One very old practice is to get a reasonably sharp object such as the tip of a ball pen, put it gently on the very top of the head (fontanelle - the soft part of the skull) and simultaneously whisper very gently and softly into his/her ear that everything will be alright, all worldly issues will be handled by the family or others and that it is time to go and he/she should EXIT his/her consciousness from the point of the head. This is to ensure that the dying person will have a a smooth transition and a good rebirth.
The whole point of this process is to make everything as loving, peaceful and beautiful as possible for the person dying and for the family and friends present at the time of death.
Well, so ends my review and theory of the process of dying and the afterlife. It is subject to change and modification as new evidence come forth to justify any such change. I thank you for reading this and invite you to make any comments or suggestions you may feel are appropriate. Please keep an open mind and think for yourself.
Scott Ramsey
April 22, 2015
Generally, an after death experience occur in the following seven steps known as the "Six Stages of the After Life Experience" :
1. As a person nears death, but is still in the process of dying, the first thing that occurs is that, while the body is still alive, one’s whole life flashes before one's eyes in a type of complete life review which is almost instantaneous.
2. One then has the feeling that one is floating above the place of one’s physical death and can see and hear everything that is happening very clearly.
3. A bright light appears near and one has the feeling of being drawn or pulled into and then traveling through the bright light tunnel.
4. As one exits the tunnel one enters a brightly lighted room or place where one sees deceased family, friends and/or historic figures and has an overwhelming feeling of love and peace.
5. One is then met by a being that brings that welcomes, then brings that person to a place nearby where one can review his or her entire life. It is not a judgment by anyone else , it is one judging oneself and a general life review.
6. At this point one is sometimes offered a choice to: go back to one’s former life or to proceed in the afterlife. If death was sudden and unexpected and the body is capable or resuscitation this may occur earlier in the process .
We know the consequences of what happens if one chooses to go back to his/her former life and we know what happens when one chooses to be soon reincarnated. What we do not know, and probably can never know for certain, is what happens if one chooses to remain in the afterlife for a longer period of time after the life review.
It is at this point we are forced to begin to make assumptions. This is mine based on my reading and research however, I fully acknowledge that this is pure speculation .
I base my theory on an old Hermetic writing, probably taken from much older knowledge, that states in part:
"That which is Below corresponds to that which is Above, and that which is Above corresponds to that which is Below, to accomplish the miracle of the One Thing."
That quote simply means that whatever happens on any level of reality also happens on every other level. This principle is often used in the context of the microcosm and the macrocosm. The microcosm is oneself, and the macrocosm is the Universe. The macrocosm is as the microcosm and vice versa ; within each lies the other, and through understanding one’s self, a person may understand the Universe. It is similar to the theory that our Universe is a matrix made up of a hologram where everything is based on mathematical formulas that repeat themselves into infinity and eternity. It also means that to look inward, into one’s own self, can reveal the meaning of the entire Universe. A further example could be that what happens in one level of the electromagnetic spectrum , happens in all levels.
If that were true , then the afterlife must be similar to our life here on Earth. It must be organized among many souls into a hierarchy similar to the way it is organized in life and must contain a vast diversity of forms. Each soul being attracted to like thinking and feeling souls.
After death and unburdened by a the limitations of a physical body we almost immediately see things as they really are . The Universe is large and we are free to roam the Universe , explore and , with the help of other consciousnesses , expand and improve it. Our consciousness is not limited by distance, time , speed or the other know laws of the material Universe. Eventually, our consciousness will once again want to become a part of the material Universe to experience it, improve it or just enjoy it. In our afterlife we realize that the Universe is a much larger, complex and wonderful place than we ever imagined or could comprehend when we were burdened with the limitations of a physical body in the material Universe.
It follows that we must ask ourselves the the question “What purpose does life in the Material Universe serve?”.
The answer that logically follows is that it is a natural progression from the Spiritual Universe and was created to see how far we could take it and what we can turn it into. It is our thoughts that have created the Material Universe and it is our thoughts that mold it into what is and into what it will become.
Through our thoughts we not only improve and advance the Material Universe, we advance and improve our own souls and those of all others. Therefore, our existence in the afterlife (or Spiritual Universe) is much like our life in on Earth (or Material Universe). There is much work to be done and knowledge to be learned in both places. The purpose of life is to leave the Material Universe better than we found it , the same would be true of the Spiritual Universe.
I could continue explaining, but there is no reason. It is simple and logical. Our afterlife is simply a reflection of our physical life. It is similar, but different.
III.
THEOSOPHICAL CONCEPTS
Lastly, I must make a humble attempt to explain the Theosophical view of Death as I understand it, but in simple, easily understood language. It is my personal belief that words are no more than labels for ideas and that, at best, the labels that can be used to describe ideas the best are the ones that can simply and easily convey the idea for which they stand. It is not important to dwell on the word, but is vitally important to grasp the concept. Theosophical terms will be in parentheses.
At this point it would be useful to digress for a moment and review the basic elements of a human life which all of us have, which are the Human Body and the Human Soul ( together referred to as the "Human Constitution"). We exist in the Material Universe as both body and soul and each of those two elements have their own distinct characteristics.
The Human Constitution is made up of Seven (7) separate elements as follows:
7. The Atma- the highest level is the Universal Consciousness, which creates, maintains and builds the Universe (with the assistance of each individual Manas). That Universal Consciousness is often referred to as God. A Sanskrit word that means "self"; a ray of the Absolute ;not individual ; is omnipresent; a universal one ; contains the cognizer, the thing cognized and the cognition, all three in itself and all three one ; contains everything ; the one universal principle ; and it is simply a ray of light.
6. The Buddhi- Within the Atma (God), an individual piece of the Universal Consciousness is formed into an individual spirit or soul which is capable of distinguishing that thing from every other thing, i.e. individualization. It is from the root word "budh" (to be awake; to understand; to know); a feminine Sanskrit noun derived from the same root as the masculine form "Buddha": it refers to the intellect, the faculty of discrimination; called spiritual soul: the Monad- the one unit.
5. The Manas- is the repository and storehouse for the individual emotions, experiences, knowledge and memory of one’s existence as a separate entity. The acquired level of memory, emotions, experiences and instincts of each individual soul is acquired in the development of each individual Buddhi/Manas from mineral, to plant, to animal and finally to human. It is the fifth principle in human beings. It is generally the "mind" it is from the root word "man" or "to think": it is the Higher Ego ( pronounced "egg-O") ; Individuality-, self-awareness ; the human soul ; it adds to Atma-Buddhi something of itself, and thus, assimilating itself to the Monad that reincarnates in a body life after life ; the Manas is immortal.
4. The Kama Rupa- or animal soul ,consisting of the base emotions and instincts of each individual.
3. The Linga Sarira- (Astral Double, Astral Body of each individual) that is the higher product of the first two .
2. The Kama Prana- or life energy that powers the body of each individual. At birth each individual has a different amount of life energy and it is physically represented by the Aura. Some believe that we can demonstrate scientifically that all living things have an Aura by the use of Kirlian photography. Regardless as to whether that is true or not, the Aura is simply the light given off by the "Life Energy" of the body of a living thing during the process of life.
1. The Physical Body- the physical individual human being.
The collective experiences and memory of everything that has ever ‘lived” is stored in the God’s mind and is known as the Akashic Record .Any individual, given sufficient training, may access that record. There may be no linear time in the Akashic Record and many individual prophets, seers and holy men of the past may have been able to access the Akashic Record to make accurate predictions about the future.
Note: the “Akashic Record” is not really a Theosophical term, but has been widely adopted and used by Theosophist.
The three parts of the soul ( Manas, Buddhi and Atma , together known in general terms as a Monad , or combination of three things) are also referred to as a "Ahamkara". It is what reincarnates.; what is called the "soul".
All of this together creates the separateness of an individual's consciousness and gives one the impression of a separateness from all other things. In truth, it is all one with the illusion of separateness, speed, distance and time.
The period in the stage after death and before rebirth (Bardo) is characterized by three stages:
First, there is the time in the welcoming and reviewing (Gestation) period described above as the "Six Stages of the After Life Experience ";
Second, there is the time after the gestation period and before rebirth, where the soul goes into a time of work, learning and development (Devachan) and,
Third, there is rebirth (Reincarnation) and the process then repeats itself many times as the Universe evolves.
The soul is attached to the body at conception and remains with the body until death. The soul first leaves the body when the body is near death, but it remains still spiritually attached to the body for a short time. That accounts for the almost universally reported cases of a person who undergoes a NDE recalling that he/she floated in the air above the body and results in the ability of that person to describe, with great accuracy, the events that took place around the body as it dies. In the Bible this is referred to as the "silver thread".
Within a relatively short period of time the soul separates from the body and begins its transition into the afterlife of the Spiritual Universe.. It is during that period of time, during a NDE, that people report that they travel through a tunnel towards a bright light.
When one arrives at the light the first thing that is activated after death are two specific emotions within the whole of one’s higher emotions (MANAS). People with NDE’s report a feeling of overwhelming love and peace and in seeing loved ones approach and comfort them. Some of whom they recognize and some of whom they may not, yet each has great love or attachment to the recently departed person. This may arise as the concept of Reincarnation and is very complicated and may involve more than a direct soul to body reincarnation. Actually, the reincarnated may be a soul of a person closely related to the soul of the deceased, but that is a topic in and of itself that will not be covered in depth here.
It is at this point a person may be given a choice or command to return to one’s damaged body. It depends upon the condition of the body of that person that is left behind . True physical Death does not occur until it is impossible to resuscitate the body and use its remaining life energy.
The experience differs because, if one’s life has been cut short through some uncontrollable event (accident, murder, war, etc.), that person’s life was incomplete and that person may be given the choice to reincarnate into the former body or, if that is not possible, into a new body very soon after the death experience.
If a person has lived a long life that has been relatively meaningless that person may remain in the afterlife for a long time to be retrained and reeducated before allowing to reincarnate. If a persons has lived a long and meaningful life that person may have a short stay in the afterlife or, if the person’s life was so exceptional that nothing new would be gained by that person reincarnating, that person may remain in the afterlife a very long time to help retrain and re-educate others.
During the initial afterlife process upon exiting the light tunnel, one’s life is again replayed and reviewed. It is not a judgment to most. However, at this point the hopelessly evil are not sent to hell, but are sent to a place where their soul is disassembled and only the higher levels ( Atma and Buddhi) are retained to be reused to form a new soul and the remaining memories, emotions and experiences are wiped clean from that soul as though the life of that individual had never happened (Avichi).
Perhaps the Hindu’s are correct in their belief that one’s last thoughts and emotions play a large role in ones future after death, but not necessarily for the exact reason they believe. It is because of that processes that are built into every human spiritual DNA are involuntary and automatic. One’s last thoughts before death will automatically be a full life replay of the details of one’s life. It follows that one must live a good, clean, moral, compassionate and ethical life so that one’s last thoughts are of those things that are the most worthy to promote the elevation of one’s soul into the future after death and beyond. Therefore, what is important are the actions of a person throughout one's life and a near death redemption or absolution would be insignificant.
SUGGESTIONS TO AID ONE IN THE IN THE PROCESS OF DYING
It is therefore very important that when a person is dying that he or she not be disturbed by loud noises or a excessive displays of emotions in order that the dying process can be completed in a peaceful and uninterrupted manner.The playing of soft ,soothing music in the background would be helpful, if not for the person in the process of dying but to help calm those around the dying person.
Because the Soul can remain with the body for up to an hour after physical death , it is important to retain that calm peaceful state for up to an hour after physical death to assist the physically dead person make a smooth, peaceful and loving transition into the next life.
One very old practice is to get a reasonably sharp object such as the tip of a ball pen, put it gently on the very top of the head (fontanelle - the soft part of the skull) and simultaneously whisper very gently and softly into his/her ear that everything will be alright, all worldly issues will be handled by the family or others and that it is time to go and he/she should EXIT his/her consciousness from the point of the head. This is to ensure that the dying person will have a a smooth transition and a good rebirth.
The whole point of this process is to make everything as loving, peaceful and beautiful as possible for the person dying and for the family and friends present at the time of death.
Well, so ends my review and theory of the process of dying and the afterlife. It is subject to change and modification as new evidence come forth to justify any such change. I thank you for reading this and invite you to make any comments or suggestions you may feel are appropriate. Please keep an open mind and think for yourself.
Scott Ramsey
April 22, 2015