| Undergoing transition. The Occult Tradition. | | | | |
| Transition and the after death state. The | | | | Connecting the various bodies together, like |
| Clear Light. At | | | | beads on a string, is the sutratma. This |
| times the soul undergoing transition is led | | | | sutratma is sometimes referred to as the |
| across rivers with the aid of an escort. In | | | | "silver cord." This term comes from one of |
| Greek myths, Charon, the boatman, was | | | | the books of the Old Testament. |
| assigned the task of guiding souls to the | | | | |
| Otherside. Hermes, acting as psychopompos, | | | | "Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the |
| led deserving souls to Olympus. The ushabtis, | | | | golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be |
| or statuettes buried with the dead among | | | | broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken |
| ancient Egyptians, could conceivably | | | | at the cistern." (Ecclesiastes 12:6) |
| represent escorts or soul-bearers, aside from | | | | |
| the usual interpretation of scholars of them | | | | While the indwelling soul is incarnated in |
| being servants in the afterlife. In other | | | | the physical form, the sutratma remains |
| religions, the escort of the soul is the | | | | intact, connecting the lower form to the |
| Angel of Death, the grim reaper wielding a | | | | higher principles. It functions primarily as |
| scythe as depicted in one of the cards of the | | | | a channel for divine life forces--the |
| Major Arcana of the Tarot--although the | | | | energies emanating from the Monad. In sleep |
| average Christian sees that being not as an | | | | and in the astral state, when the |
| escorter but as an avenger. Muslims call this | | | | awareness-principle roams about in the higher |
| Angel of Death, "Izrail." There is a | | | | dimensions, this cord serves as a connecting |
| possibility that escorts of the soul do not | | | | link between the material body and the astral |
| always fetch departing souls from the | | | | form. So long as this cord exists intact, the |
| Otherside. They may, in fact, also come from | | | | soul is bound to the physical body. Once the |
| our physical dimension aiding souls in their | | | | cord is severed, as occurs in the death |
| transition. What we are intimating is that | | | | process, the soul loses its connection with |
| the mastery of astral projection or lucid | | | | the physical body. A person may be in a coma, |
| dreaming actually gives the mystic or psychic | | | | or in a cataleptic state with a resemblance |
| the power to act as psychopompos, or guide of | | | | of death, but so long as the cord endures, it |
| the soul. Our own personal experience may | | | | is always possible for life to return--it is |
| suggest this, as we will relate below, | | | | possible to "raise the dead," so to speak. |
| however, we are not implying here that we | | | | |
| have personally mastered the art of occult | | | | Another point to consider concerning man's |
| mobilization, or attained a spirituality of a | | | | occult anatomy which is relevant to our |
| high degree: | | | | discussion of the process of transition are |
| | | | the seed-atoms. These atoms are vortexes of |
| We (I, me, myself) once had a dear friend who | | | | energies which collectively speaking, may be |
| was a Theosophist. Although there were | | | | considered as the records of the unfolding |
| decades of physical years between us, we were | | | | soul, or as the soul's "book of life." They |
| rather close. One day, we received a call | | | | correspond to "Kiramun-i-Kaitibun," the |
| informing us of her demise. Her passing was | | | | recording angels in sufi teachings. Occultism |
| sudden and unexpected. Wondering what her | | | | teaches the existence of three |
| condition was like in the bardo, that night | | | | seed-atoms--the mental, astral and the |
| we decided to be by her side to offer | | | | physical seed-atom. These atoms register all |
| assistance. And so with affirmations, intense | | | | of the thoughts, feelings and actions of the |
| mind-programming, and a strong desire, we | | | | incarnated soul. They are records of the |
| spontaneously attained a projection without | | | | quality and nature of the soul, and may be |
| strenuously going through the usual steps as | | | | thought of as the memory book of all the |
| taught in occult books and schools. Moments | | | | experiences of the soul's past incarnated |
| later, we were by her side, leading her to a | | | | lives. They, therefore, also contain the |
| certain place, to a certain spiritual guide | | | | records of one's karmic history. It should be |
| or master with whom in the astral state we | | | | noted that although Buddhism teaches |
| were well acquainted with. When we reached | | | | reincarnation, they do not believe in a |
| our destination, we said to her: "from hereon | | | | "self" that reincarnates. To Buddhists, that |
| you are on your own. We shall meet again." | | | | which reincarnates are the karmic traits of |
| After bidding her farewell, we were once | | | | the awareness-principle. Although we will not |
| again back in our physical body. | | | | consider the question of what survives and |
| | | | reincarnates, it is interesting to know that |
| All along the projection, we were lucid and | | | | these "karmic traits" correlate with the |
| aware--aware that a part of us was asleep in | | | | contents of the seed-atoms. |
| bed; while another aspect, was active in | | | | |
| another world. This is one of the signs | | | | The mental seed-atom is associated with the |
| indicating that the experience was not a | | | | soul's consciousness and mental world of |
| dream. Soul-travel as we have mentioned | | | | thoughts and ideas. In the physical body it |
| before, is a mystery to the average religious | | | | resides in the pineal gland. One's feelings, |
| devotee. Eventhough mystics, prophets and | | | | negative and positive, are registered in the |
| saints have alluded to this particular occult | | | | astral seed-atom. The liver is the temporary |
| ability possessed by man, the average person | | | | home of this seed-atom. The physical |
| still remains unconvinced and skeptical as to | | | | seed-atom abides in the heart. It is |
| its reality; or from another perspective they | | | | associated with the life-principle within the |
| fear it as a satanic gift. However, at least | | | | body. In the death process, the seed-atoms |
| the Bahái'i faith firmly states the | | | | emerge out of the physical body in sequence, |
| possibility for one to experience the | | | | as we shall see presently. |
| afterlife while yet still alive and embodied | | | | |
| on earth. Many modern saints such as Padre | | | | According to occultism in general, in the |
| Pio were adepts of soul-travel. | | | | beginning of a manvantara, or cycle of |
| | | | manifestation and creation, the First Cause |
| Soul-travel, or astral travel is a natural | | | | emanated from Itself streams of energies of |
| mode of rest for the incarnating soul from | | | | varying densities; or Spirit vibrating in a |
| the vicissitudes of everyday life. This | | | | whole spectrum of frequencies. These |
| usually occurs through sleep, but may be | | | | energies, structured electronically in high |
| induced through various means. It is through | | | | and low densities, are the various |
| this occult faculty that knowledge of the | | | | dimensions, planes, realms, or mansions of |
| various dimensions may be gained. Ancient | | | | the manifested Cosmos. In the Qaballah, these |
| Greeks were familiar with the art of astral | | | | dimensions and planes are referred to as the |
| projection. In their myths there are many | | | | 4 worlds and the sephiroths. According to |
| references to heroes visiting the underworld, | | | | theosophical teachings, there are seven |
| such as Hercules, Aeneas, and Odysseus, or | | | | planes that concerns man's present evolution. |
| sorceresses such as Medea accompanying Jason, | | | | These seven planes are collectively called |
| the captain of the Argonauts in his | | | | the cosmic physical plane. Though there are |
| adventures--although she in her astral body. | | | | higher planes, we will not consider them, as |
| These myths probably refer to the astral | | | | they have very little to do with man's |
| aspects of the secret initiations of the | | | | evolution, and are far beyond our status as |
| ancient Mystery Schools. | | | | human souls. |
| | | | |
| The Occult Tradition | | | | The seven planes, in theosophical teachings |
| | | | are called: Logoic, Monadic, Atmic, Buddhic, |
| Before explaining the death process from the | | | | Mental, Astral, and Physical. Certain Sufi |
| occult and metaphysical point of view, we | | | | teachings refer to these various planes as: |
| ought to possess some knowledge of man's | | | | "Alam-i-tabi-at," "Alam-i-surat," |
| occult anatomy, for man's hidden structure | | | | "Alam-i-ma'na," "Alam-i-malakut," |
| and physiology play an important role in the | | | | "Alam-i-jabarut," "Alam-i-lahut," and |
| release of the soul from its confinement to | | | | "Alam-i-hahut." Each of the seven planes |
| the form and the disintegration of the | | | | mentioned are subdivided into seven lesser |
| physical body and they are, therefore, a | | | | realms making 49 in all. The various heavens |
| pertinent factor to our understanding of | | | | and hells (realms of joy and suffering) which |
| transition. It is also of some relevance to | | | | the human soul sojourns and dwells are to be |
| know the structure of the various planes or | | | | found in the Mental and Astral regions. In |
| dimensions. We shall, therefore, consider | | | | the upper regions of the Mental subplanes is |
| these two essential topics briefly before | | | | to be found what is called the Causal plane. |
| discussing the process of transition from the | | | | This is paradise proper where most souls go |
| occult perspective. | | | | to rest before reincarnating in the physical |
| | | | dimension. Tibetan Buddhism refers to the |
| The Microcosm | | | | Physical, Astral and Mental planes as the six |
| | | | worlds: the world of gods (Devaloka), of |
| Man, the microcosm, possesses several bodies, | | | | Titans (Asuraloka), of hungry ghosts |
| principles, or vehicles. According to | | | | (Pretaloka), of hell, of animals, and of |
| Theosophy, these principles/bodies are seven | | | | humans. These descriptive realms symbolically |
| in number: Monad, Atma, Buddhi, Higher Mental | | | | refer to human behaviour and evolutionary |
| Causal, Lower Mental, Astral Body, and | | | | development with a predominating |
| Etheric/Physical. Christianity divides man's | | | | characteristic vice: for instance, pride, |
| components into body, soul and spirit. The | | | | envy, greed, hatred, ignorance, and desire. |
| concept of man possessing several bodies is | | | | These six worlds are the abodes or |
| also to be found in Hinduism, the Qaballah, | | | | heavens--or hell, as the case may be--of |
| and Islam; and is in fact based on the | | | | souls of varied spiritual development. Below |
| teachings of the Ageless Wisdom; it is to be | | | | we give the evolutionary level of souls in |
| found underlying all spiritual traditions in | | | | correlation with the six worlds that they |
| one form or another. The Initiates of ancient | | | | vibrate in harmony with: |
| Egypt, for instance, had a clear | | | | |
| understanding of man's subtle anatomy as we | | | | Causal-Higher Mental Planes - World of gods - |
| can see from the following suggested | | | | Saints, masters . . . |
| correspondence with the Theosophical system: | | | | |
| | | | Lower Mental Planes - World of Asuras - |
| Physical Body - Khat | | | | Philosophers, heroes . . . |
| | | | |
| Etheric Body - Khaibit (shadow) | | | | Higher and Mid-Astral Planes - World of |
| | | | Pretas - Average man |
| Astral Body - Ka (double) | | | | |
| | | | Lower Astral Planes - World of Animals - |
| Lower Mental - Ba (heart-soul) | | | | Purgatory, temporary abode of average man. |
| | | | |
| Causal Body - Sahu (spiritual body) | | | | Sub-Lower Astral Planes - World of Demons - |
| | | | Hell, temporary abode of evil and wicked men. |
| Higher Mental - Ren (name) | | | | |
| | | | Physical Plane - World of Humans - Physical |
| Buddhi - Khu/Ab (spiritual soul) | | | | world, all types of souls. |
| | | | |
| Atma - Sekhem (power) | | | | Transition and the after death state |
| | | | |
| Monad - Khabs | | | | We have already discussed the various |
| | | | relevant parts of man's occult anatomy that |
| In average cases, the bodies directly | | | | are directly involved in the death process. |
| involved in the death process and in the | | | | We shall now see how they fit together in the |
| afterdeath state are of the first five-the | | | | soul's birthing process into another realm. |
| physical body, etheric, astral, lower mental, | | | | It should be noted, however, that there are |
| and causal. In certain conditions it may | | | | variations in the death process. We shall be |
| involve the first two or three. | | | | considering the normal process of death for |
| | | | the average person, but before we do, let us |
| Each body or principle has energy-centers | | | | consider how occultism advocates the method |
| fully developed and functioning, or in the | | | | of assistance to the dying. |
| process of unfoldment. These energy-centers | | | | |
| are called chakras in Hindu occultism and | | | | Occultism teaches the necessity for absolute |
| there are seven of major importance. In the | | | | quietness surrounding the dying. The moanings |
| physical body the endocrine glands and the | | | | and wailings of relatives and friends should |
| plexi correspond to these chakras. The | | | | be kept at a minimum and away from the |
| following are the Hindu terms for these | | | | presence of the one undergoing transition. |
| chakras as well as their correspondence to | | | | The dying's sense of perception is heightened |
| the glands and their location: | | | | during transition and is focused strongly on |
| | | | the bardo, and, therefore, it is imperative |
| Muladhara - gonads - base of spine | | | | at this stage that nothing disturbs the dying |
| | | | person. To do so would distract the soul from |
| Svadishtana - spleen/pancreas - naval | | | | liberating itself in the early stages of the |
| | | | bardo and prevent it from being reborn in a |
| Manipura - adrenals - solar plexus | | | | higher realm. It is said that orange light in |
| | | | the room of the dying helps the |
| Anahata - thymus - heart | | | | awareness-principle to maintain consciousness |
| | | | so that it would not miss the Clear Light of |
| Vishuddha - thyroid - throat | | | | the first stage of the bardo. Oneness and |
| | | | identification with the Clear Light is what |
| Ajna - pituitary - center of eyebrows | | | | causes liberation for the soul--liberation |
| | | | from the necessity to reincarnate. Sandalwood |
| Sahasrara - pineal - crown | | | | incense and chanting of mantras also aid the |
| | | | dying to remain focussed and mentally alert. |
| Every vehicle of consciousness possesses | | | | In the Tibetan tradition, certain guidance is |
| chakras, some of which are not functioning to | | | | given verbally to the dying pilgrim, that it |
| its full potential or fully-developed as yet | | | | may recognize the various stages of the bardo |
| in the average human being. Chakras are | | | | and what it should do once they are |
| channels and transformers of energy. They | | | | encountered and experienced. Occultism |
| receive the influx of energies originating | | | | advocates similar assistance to the dying, |
| from higher spheres and distribute those | | | | since the basic purpose underlying both |
| energies to a lower principle. The | | | | systems are one and the same, that is, the |
| frequencies or qualities of these chakras are | | | | liberation of the soul from an unfortunate |
| associated with one's evolutionary | | | | rebirth in one of the lower regions of the |
| development; this account for the many | | | | cosmos which causes evolutionary stagnation. |
| colours attributed to them by various | | | | The techniques for aiding the dying as well |
| authorities who often seemingly contradict | | | | as dying fruitfully is well worth |
| one another. These chakras vibrate at a rate | | | | knowing--especially to practicing |
| determined by the quality of the indwelling | | | | metaphysicians. |
| soul. During transition the soul escapes | | | | |
| through one of these portals. One's | | | | What is important to learn is the maintaining |
| evolutionary development determines where the | | | | of one's mind and consciousness at a lofty |
| soul would make its exit. According to occult | | | | level through constant meditation and mental |
| teachings, it is favorable for the soul to be | | | | reflection in everyday life. This polarizes |
| released through the crown chakra or other | | | | the consciousness in the head chakra and |
| higher centers; escape through the lower | | | | facilitates the recognition of the dawning |
| centers results in a transition to one of the | | | | light in the first stage of the bardo. Dying |
| lower worlds. Generally speaking, the average | | | | consciously is more advantageous than dying |
| person evacuates the body, in the process of | | | | in an unconscious manner for the above |
| transition, through the solar plexus chakra. | | | | reason. |
| This is because the manipura chakra is | | | | |
| associated with the qualities of | | | | Strangely enough, depending upon our |
| self-centeredness, and is the normal | | | | perspective, highly evolved souls are aware |
| expression and polarization of the average | | | | of the time and onset of their death. This |
| person. Aspirants and servers of humanity | | | | inner knowing is derived from intuitive |
| often emerge out of the heart chakra, as this | | | | impressions from the Oversoul, or Higher |
| chakra is related to an expanding love for | | | | Self. Such initiates are knowledgeable of the |
| all sentient beings. Enlightened, spiritual | | | | process of death and they transit in full |
| souls pass out of the physical form through | | | | awareness without a break or a hiatus in |
| the crown chakra. This major center is | | | | their consciousness. Some even attain what is |
| associated with pure, lofty thoughts and | | | | called "the Rainbow Body." This is the |
| feelings, with a sense of oneness and | | | | transformation or the absorption of physical |
| identification with all beings. It is this | | | | particles of the body into one's spiritual |
| crown chakra that Hopi Indians believed to be | | | | light during transition, leaving no empty |
| the exit of the soul at death. Occultism | | | | corpse behind. This is alluded to in the |
| declares that the point of exit indicates the | | | | biblical passage concerning the prophet |
| realm that the indwelling soul would sojourn, | | | | Enoch, where it is said that he walked with |
| whether it be in the lower regions of "hell," | | | | God "and was not. |
| or in the upper localities of "heaven." | | | | |