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