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
Stage One - Life Review and Cosmic Panorama
At the time of death, this very experience [mind's ultimate nature] arises effortlessly. At this moment, mind arrives directly at it's own ground. It's just like coming home.
As soon as we realize that we've died (or in some cases, just before the moment of death) we experience the first of two life reviews, in which we see and feel every detail of the life just lived; not sequentially, but all at once, in a single flash. A second and much longer life review takes place later, during stage three.
After the life review, there is usually a lapse in awareness, which may be brief or last for several days of Earth time. Eventually we awaken to discover that we're alive. And miracle of miracles...there is no death! The initial sense of wonder and freedom is beyond anything we've experienced during Earth life. And at the same time, we witness the whole range of conscious experience, from the physical plane, which we're now leaving, through the subtle planes of experience, all the way to the Spiritual Plane.
This cosmic panorama provides an opportunity to recognize Divine Consciousness as the one underlying reality and to sever our attachment to individual consciousness, thus ending the repetitive cycles of birth and death. But unless we're prepared for this opportunity, it's unlikely that we'll recognize it or have the presence of mind to take the leap. Residual desires from the past exert a strong attraction, pulling awareness back to individual consciousness. And this leads directly to the next stage of life after death.
