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The Metaphysical View of Death and Life After Death Part 4

At times the soul undergoing transition"Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or
is led across rivers with the aid of anthe golden bowl be broken, or the
escort. In Greek myths, Charon, thepitcher be broken at the fountain, or
boatman, was assigned the task ofthe wheel broken at the cistern."
guiding souls to the Otherside. Hermes,(Ecclesiastes 12:6)
acting as psychopompos, led deservingWhile the indwelling soul is incarnated
souls to Olympus. The ushabtis, orin the physical form, the sutratma
statuettes buried with the dead amongremains intact, connecting the lower
ancient Egyptians, could conceivablyform to the higher principles. It
represent escorts or soul-bearers, asidefunctions primarily as a channel for
from the usual interpretation ofdivine life forces--the energies
scholars of them being servants in theemanating from the Monad. In sleep and
afterlife. In other religions, thein the astral state, when the
escort of the soul is the Angel ofawareness-principle roams about in the
Death, the grim reaper wielding a scythehigher dimensions, this cord serves as a
as depicted in one of the cards of theconnecting link between the material
Major Arcana of the Tarot--although thebody and the astral form. So long as
average Christian sees that being not asthis cord exists intact, the soul is
an escorter but as an avenger. Muslimsbound 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 ofprocess, the soul loses its connection
the soul do not always fetch departingwith the physical body. A person may be
souls from the Otherside. They may, inin a coma, or in a cataleptic state with
fact, also come from our physicala resemblance of death, but so long as
dimension aiding souls in theirthe cord endures, it is always possible
transition. What we are intimating isfor 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 mysticAnother point to consider concerning
or psychic the power to act asman's occult anatomy which is relevant
psychopompos, or guide of the soul. Ourto our discussion of the process of
own personal experience may suggesttransition 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 havecollectively speaking, may be considered
personally mastered the art of occultas the records of the unfolding soul, or
mobilization, or attained a spiritualityas the soul's "book of life." They
of a high degree:correspond to "Kiramun-i-Kaitibun," the
We (I, me, myself) once had a dearrecording angels in sufi teachings.
friend who was a Theosophist. AlthoughOccultism teaches the existence of three
there were decades of physical yearsseed-atoms--the mental, astral and the
between us, we were rather close. Onephysical seed-atom. These atoms register
day, we received a call informing us ofall of the thoughts, feelings and
her demise. Her passing was sudden andactions of the incarnated soul. They are
unexpected. Wondering what her conditionrecords of the quality and nature of the
was like in the bardo, that night wesoul, and may be thought of as the
decided to be by her side to offermemory book of all the experiences of
assistance. And so with affirmations,the soul's past incarnated lives. They,
intense mind-programming, and a strongtherefore, also contain the records of
desire, we spontaneously attained aone's karmic history. It should be noted
projection without strenuously goingthat although Buddhism teaches
through the usual steps as taught inreincarnation, 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 athat which reincarnates are the karmic
certain place, to a certain spiritualtraits of the awareness-principle.
guide or master with whom in the astralAlthough we will not consider the
state we were well acquainted with. Whenquestion of what survives and
we reached our destination, we said toreincarnates, it is interesting to know
her: "from hereon you are on your own.that these "karmic traits" correlate
We shall meet again." After bidding herwith the contents of the seed-atoms.
farewell, we were once again back in ourThe mental seed-atom is associated with
physical body.the soul's consciousness and mental
All along the projection, we were lucidworld of thoughts and ideas. In the
and aware--aware that a part of us wasphysical body it resides in the pineal
asleep in bed; while another aspect, wasgland. One's feelings, negative and
active in another world. This is one ofpositive, are registered in the astral
the signs indicating that the experienceseed-atom. The liver is the temporary
was not a dream. Soul-travel as we havehome of this seed-atom. The physical
mentioned before, is a mystery to theseed-atom abides in the heart. It is
average religious devotee. Eventhoughassociated with the life-principle
mystics, prophets and saints havewithin the body. In the death process,
alluded to this particular occultthe seed-atoms emerge out of the
ability possessed by man, the averagephysical body in sequence, as we shall
person still remains unconvinced andsee presently.
skeptical as to its reality; or fromAccording to occultism in general, in
another perspective they fear it as athe beginning of a manvantara, or cycle
satanic gift. However, at least theof manifestation and creation, the First
Bahái'i faith firmly states theCause emanated from Itself streams of
possibility for one to experience theenergies of varying densities; or Spirit
afterlife while yet still alive andvibrating in a whole spectrum of
embodied on earth. Many modern saintsfrequencies. These energies, structured
such as Padre Pio were adepts ofelectronically in high and low
soul-travel.densities, are the various dimensions,
Soul-travel, or astral travel is aplanes, realms, or mansions of the
natural mode of rest for the incarnatingmanifested Cosmos. In the Qaballah,
soul from the vicissitudes of everydaythese dimensions and planes are referred
life. This usually occurs through sleep,to as the 4 worlds and the sephiroths.
but may be induced through variousAccording to theosophical teachings,
means. It is through this occult facultythere are seven planes that concerns
that knowledge of the various dimensionsman's present evolution. These seven
may be gained. Ancient Greeks wereplanes are collectively called the
familiar with the art of astralcosmic physical plane. Though there are
projection. In their myths there arehigher planes, we will not consider
many references to heroes visiting thethem, 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 asour status as human souls.
Medea accompanying Jason, the captain ofThe seven planes, in theosophical
the Argonauts in histeachings are called: Logoic, Monadic,
adventures--although she in her astralAtmic, Buddhic, Mental, Astral, and
body. These myths probably refer to thePhysical. Certain Sufi teachings refer
astral aspects of the secret initiationsto 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 knowledgementioned are subdivided into seven
of man's occult anatomy, for man'slesser realms making 49 in all. The
hidden structure and physiology play anvarious heavens and hells (realms of joy
important role in the release of theand suffering) which the human soul
soul from its confinement to the formsojourns and dwells are to be found in
and the disintegration of the physicalthe Mental and Astral regions. In the
body and they are, therefore, aupper regions of the Mental subplanes is
pertinent factor to our understanding ofto be found what is called the Causal
transition. It is also of some relevanceplane. This is paradise proper where
to know the structure of the variousmost souls go to rest before
planes or dimensions. We shall,reincarnating in the physical dimension.
therefore, consider these two essentialTibetan Buddhism refers to the Physical,
topics briefly before discussing theAstral and Mental planes as the six
process of transition from the occultworlds: 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 severalhumans. These descriptive realms
bodies, principles, or vehicles.symbolically refer to human behaviour
According to Theosophy, these principlesand evolutionary development with a
bodies are seven in number: Monad, Atma,predominating characteristic vice: for
Buddhi, Higher Mental/Causal, Lowerinstance, pride, envy, greed, hatred,
Mental, Astral Body, and Ethericignorance, and desire. These six worlds
Physical. Christianity divides man'sare 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 severalspiritual 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 factcorrelation with the six worlds that
based on the teachings of the Agelessthey vibrate in harmony with:
Wisdom; it is to be found underlying allCausal-Higher Mental Planes - World of
spiritual traditions in one form orgods - Saints, masters . . .
another. The Initiates of ancient Egypt,Lower Mental Planes - World of Asuras -
for instance, had a clear understandingPhilosophers, heroes . . .
of man's subtle anatomy as we can seeHigher and Mid-Astral Planes - World of
from the following suggestedPretas - Average man
correspondence with the TheosophicalLower Astral Planes - World of Animals -
system:Purgatory, temporary abode of average
Physical Body - Khatman.
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 - Khabsrelevant parts of man's occult anatomy
In average cases, the bodies directlythat are directly involved in the death
involved in the death process and in theprocess. We shall now see how they fit
afterdeath state are of the firsttogether in the soul's birthing process
five-the physical body, etheric, astral,into another realm. It should be noted,
lower mental, and causal. In certainhowever, that there are variations in
conditions it may involve the first twothe death process. We shall be
or three.considering the normal process of death
Each body or principle hasfor the average person, but before we
energy-centers fully developed anddo, let us consider how occultism
functioning, or in the process ofadvocates the method of assistance to
unfoldment. These energy-centers arethe dying.
called chakras in Hindu occultism andOccultism teaches the necessity for
there are seven of major importance. Inabsolute quietness surrounding the
the physical body the endocrine glandsdying. The moanings and wailings of
and the plexi correspond to theserelatives and friends should be kept at
chakras. The following are the Hindua minimum and away from the presence of
terms for these chakras as well as theirthe one undergoing transition. The
correspondence to the glands and theirdying's sense of perception is
location:heightened during transition and is
Muladhara - gonads - base of spinefocused strongly on the bardo, and,
Svadishtana - spleen/pancreas - navaltherefore, it is imperative at this
Manipura - adrenals - solar plexusstage that nothing disturbs the dying
Anahata - thymus - heartperson. To do so would distract the soul
Vishuddha - thyroid - throatfrom liberating itself in the early
Ajna - pituitary - center of eyebrowsstages of the bardo and prevent it from
Sahasrara - pineal - crownbeing reborn in a higher realm. It is
Every vehicle of consciousness possessessaid that orange light in the room of
chakras, some of which are notthe dying helps the awareness-principle
functioning to its full potential orto maintain consciousness so that it
fully-developed as yet in the averagewould not miss the Clear Light of the
human being. Chakras are channels andfirst stage of the bardo. Oneness and
transformers of energy. They receive theidentification with the Clear Light is
influx of energies originating fromwhat causes liberation for the
higher spheres and distribute thosesoul--liberation from the necessity to
energies to a lower principle. Thereincarnate. Sandalwood incense and
frequencies or qualities of thesechanting of mantras also aid the dying
chakras are associated with one'sto remain focussed and mentally alert.
evolutionary development; this accountIn the Tibetan tradition, certain
for the many colours attributed to themguidance is given verbally to the dying
by various authorities who oftenpilgrim, that it may recognize the
seemingly contradict one another. Thesevarious stages of the bardo and what it
chakras vibrate at a rate determined byshould do once they are encountered and
the quality of the indwelling soul.experienced. Occultism advocates similar
During transition the soul escapesassistance to the dying, since the basic
through one of these portals. One'spurpose underlying both systems are one
evolutionary development determinesand 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 isone of the lower regions of the cosmos
favorable for the soul to be releasedwhich causes evolutionary stagnation.
through the crown chakra or other higherThe techniques for aiding the dying as
centers; escape through the lowerwell as dying fruitfully is well worth
centers results in a transition to oneknowing--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, throughmaintaining of one's mind and
the solar plexus chakra. This is becauseconsciousness at a lofty level through
the manipura chakra is associated withconstant meditation and mental
the qualities of self-centeredness, andreflection in everyday life. This
is the normal expression andpolarizes the consciousness in the head
polarization of the average person.chakra and facilitates the recognition
Aspirants and servers of humanity oftenof the dawning light in the first stage
emerge out of the heart chakra, as thisof the bardo. Dying consciously is more
chakra is related to an expanding loveadvantageous than dying in an
for all sentient beings. Enlightened,unconscious manner for the above reason.
spiritual souls pass out of the physicalStrangely enough, depending upon our
form through the crown chakra. Thisperspective, highly evolved souls are
major center is associated with pure,aware of the time and onset of their
lofty thoughts and feelings, with adeath. This inner knowing is derived
sense of oneness and identification withfrom intuitive impressions from the
all beings. It is this crown chakra thatOversoul, or Higher Self. Such initiates
Hopi Indians believed to be the exit ofare knowledgeable of the process of
the soul at death. Occultism declaresdeath and they transit in full awareness
that the point of exit indicates thewithout a break or a hiatus in their
realm that the indwelling soul wouldconsciousness. Some even attain what is
sojourn, whether it be in the lowercalled "the Rainbow Body." This is the
regions of "hell," or in the uppertransformation 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 toalluded to in the biblical passage
as the "silver cord." This term comesconcerning the prophet Enoch, where it
from one of the books of the Oldis said that he walked with God "and was
Testament.not.



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