Life Beyond Death
The purpose of death
The nature of life after death
How we can prepare for death
How we can assist the dying
How We Can Assist the Dying
We have evolved a science of birth...but we are sadly in need of a science of death. When a child is coming into the world, we bustle about in intelligent endeavor; yet when a lifelong friend is about to leave us, we stand helplessly about, ignorant of how to aid, or worse, we bungle, and cause suffering instead of helping. Max Heindel, The Light Beyond Death
In addition to the customary care and compassion that we give to the dying, there are some specific things we can do to help them prepare for the spiritual journey that lies ahead.
Before death, and afterward during the transition period, inspirational music or chanting will help the dying person attune to higher planes of experience. For example, if the person is Christian, we might play Gregorian chants or other music associated with the Christian traditions. From the Vedic tradition, the Vishnu Sahasranam is a special Sanskrit chant, which helps prepare the subtle body for the various stages of life after death.
The period before death can be difficult as the body is shutting down or being consumed by disease. During this time, it's easy for the mind to become overwhelmed and unable to manage with daily life. This is the time for friends and family to step in and take over the dying person's daily responsibilities. This is especially true for a mother with small children. She needs to know that her children will be protected and cared for.
The last thoughts before death set the tone for everything that follows. Anything we can do to reduce worry and create an uplifting atmosphere will help make for an easier passing.
Transition Period
After death, the psychic connection with the body is not severed at once, but disintegrates gradually over 24 to 36 hours. During this period, loud noise or jarring motion can be distracting or even painful to the departed. It's important to always remember that the departed are not dead. The body is dead, but the awareness is still very much alive and sensitive to the thoughts and feelings of loved ones for some time after passing. If you think of them as dead, they will feel your thoughts and this can be confusing or hurtful to them.
Likewise, it's important to avoid loud or overt grieving in the presence of the body. Some grieving is natural at first. But try to remember that the departed can hear, and often see, everything in the room for some time after the body is dead. If they hear weeping or emotional upset, they'll naturally want to console you and let you know that they're alright and not dead. But you won't be able to hear them and this gap in communication can be frustrating and upsetting for them.
Sometimes, the departed can be disoriented after death. Or, they may feel so alive and fresh that they're unable to grasp what's happened. This is particularly true in cases of sudden death. In some traditions, it's customary to read instructions aloud to the departed, to help orient and guide them through the stages of death. (See next chapter: Instructions for the Departed)
Whether you feel inclined to read aloud or not, feel free to speak to the departed and tell them you love them. Or through prayer, send your love to them and ask the Divine to guide their passage. In whatever way you can, feel your love for them and remember that they are not dead. This actually will help them in their passage. And it will help you to bear the loss of their physical presence.
Contacting the Departed
In general, it's not a good idea to try to contact the departed, either directly or through a so-called "medium". There are very few genuine and honest mediums in the world. Often they exploit grief and fear at a time when people are most vulnerable. Or, the medium may contact a ghost (astral shell) who pretends to be the departed soul, with malicious intent.
Even if a true medium does contact the departed, such contacts are usually made on the mental plane. But the departed are moving beyond the mental plant, toward the Spiritual Plane. As a result, any contact from a medium pulls against the natural flow of evolution.
Know that your loved one is still very much alive on the subtle planes. Keep their picture and feel your love whenever you think of them. Tell them that you love them and miss them. They will not be able to hear your words, but they will feel your love. Words and thoughts do not reach the Spiritual Plane. But love is like a beam of light that will reach your loved ones where ever they are. They will feel your love and know it is you sending it. And they will return love to you along the same beam.
