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