What Happens When We Die ?

There is more to a human body than the physical body. Unfortunately, most people consider the physical body and the material world around them, to be the only reality that exists. They believe this because for them, these are the only things that can be discerned with their own physical senses, and I might add, understood by their rational mind. Unknown to an average person, there are numerous energy bodies (aura) within and around the human body. These energy bodies are:

1. The ethereal body
2. The emotional (astral) body
3. The mental body
4. The spiritual body

Each energy body possesses its own vibration frequency, from the lowest (ethereal) to the highest (spiritual). Such energies are comparable to low frequency electromagnetic energy, today’s technology has allowed humans to develop instrumentation to photograph and measure such energy fields (auras). Energy became closely associated with concept of animating spirit and the human soul. Some spiritual practices, such as Qigong or traditional yoga open or increase this innate energy, and the philosophy behind certain martial arts implies that these energies can be developed and focused by an individual.

Such Western esoteric traditions as Theosophy, Spiritualism, etc., have also taught the existence of an etheric body. Some of these traditions, borrowing from Eastern sources, hold that the “astral” body permeates the physical body and that it has parts or chakras which are analogous to organs (the word chakra is from Sanskrit, meaning wheel). These chakras are described as “vortices of shifting colors, sounds, and densities.” According to Hindu philosophy, there are seven major chakras and twenty-one minor ones.

Parapsychologists have shown an interest in investigating claims of what are commonly called out-of-the-body experiences, or “astral projections.” Persons who have these experiences believe themselves to be able to leave their physical bodies for temporary periods to move around freely in their “astral” bodies, or “etheric doubles.” Many persons who have had these experiences believe that this astral body will be the vehicle for their survival of death. At the time of death, they believe that a kind of umbilical “silver cord” breaks, releasing them from their ties to the physical plane. After these “astral projections,” some persons have provided impressive information about events going on in places that they supposedly visited while in such a peculiar state, and many of their reports have been corroborated. It is difficult to verify the experiences themselves, however, since only a small number of such persons believe themselves capable of producing these states on demand under laboratory conditions. One might suggest telepathy or clairvoyance as possible alternative explanations for the knowledge accumulated during these states but, if the out-of-the-body experience is itself a fantasy, it is difficult to account for the uniformity of the experiences, since common characteristics have been reported at greatly different times and from greatly different cultural settings.

We always wonder, as to how and where we exist in the universe and what happens to us after death- in other words where we go after our spirit leaves our physical body. It is interesting to note that the intense research by spiritually advanced people-with a enhanced sixth sense, have postulated that our overall existence in the universe –physical and spiritual, is sustained among 14 ( 7-positive and 7- negative) planes.

There are 14 main planes of existence in the Universe. Seven of them are positive planes of existence and seven are negative planes of existence. The seven negative planes of existence are commonly known as Hell (Patal). There are numerous sub-planes within these main planes of existence.

The 7- positive planes of existence, occupied mostly by subtle bodies doing righteous deeds and engaged in spiritual practice according to the positive path, are known as the seven positive planes of existence or saptaloka. By positive path, we mean the orientation of spiritual practice is towards God-realization, which is the ultimate goal in spiritual growth. One does not need to be religious to reach God; it’s your personal acts and your own alignment with the astral energies that will allow you to reach God! Religion promotes self discipline and an order to a given society. Fundamental fanatic interpretation of religious teachings brings out evil among otherwise descent human beings.  Doing our deeds for the betterment of humanity and our life sustaining cradle earth, takes us towards a positive learning for our soul. Earth plane is the only physical plane of existence in the Universe and is also the first plane of existence in the hierarchy of the positive planes of existence in the Universe.

Seven Negative planes of existence (narak) : These planes of existence are occupied mostly by subtle bodies that have done unrighteous deeds and are engaged in spiritual practice according to the negative path. By negative path, we mean the orientation of spiritual practice is towards attaining spiritual power, e.g. supernatural powers. This spiritual power is primarily used to enhance one’s control over others or for negative purposes. Thus all subtle bodies that go to any one of the planes of existence of Hell, by virtue of their evil intentions become ghosts. The ghosts (demons, devils, negative energies, etc.) occupying the first Narak, have to face more severe punishment and for a longer duration and are controlled by higher demon and evil spirits. There is a constant struggle for supremacy between the positives-Good and the negatives-Evil. It is up to each of us, with our intellect, to align ourselves, with the positives and help the good win over the evil.

This is our service to God we need to do our part !