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