Life Beyond Death
An ongoing inquiry into purpose of death,
the nature of life after death,
how we can prepare for death,
and how we can assist the dying.
Stage One - The 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.
Everything that happens during life, and after death, is the nature of personal experience unfolding in Consciousness. Death is simply a transition from one experience to another, a transition that we've made many times before. But every time, it's new. While the Earth experience takes place on the physical plane, life beyond death takes place on the inner planes of creation.
Everything that happens after death is governed automatically, by laws of nature. Just as the growth of the fetus in the womb and the contractions of labor are automatic functions which bring us into physical life, there are equally natural and automatic functions which carry us out, and into the next phase of evolution. So, we can relax and allow ourselves to be carried by Cosmic Intelligence, which beautifully manages the whole process.
Immediately after death of the body, there's usually a lapse in awareness, which may be brief or last for many months of Earth time. Eventually, we awaken to discover that we're alive, and there is no death. After years of living with a physical body, the weight is suddenly lifted and the immediate freedom and ecstasy is beyond anything we've experienced during life on Earth. At the same time, we catch a glimpse of the whole panorama of creation, from the physical plane, which we're now leaving, through the inner planes of creation, all the way to the Divine realm.
During this stage, we see our entire past life displayed, as if on a cinema screen. Only now, we not only see the events of our life, but also feel the emotions and the sensations of each event. After this review, we leave the Earth plane and move deeper into the inner planes of creation. We may have the sense of traveling through a dark tunnel or valley, seeing a beautiful white light, feeling peace and warmth, and feeling the presence of God, angelic beings or a beloved spiritual master.
This initial cosmic view offers a window of opportunity for final liberation. At this moment, it's possible to recognize Infinite Consciousness as our own true nature, thus breaking the bonds of ignorance and stepping off the wheel of birth and death forever. In other words, to merge completely with Infinite Consciousness, like a drop of water slipping into the ocean.
This opportunity is described in various Buddhist texts. But unless we're prepared through years of meditation, it's unlikely that we'll recognize the opportunity, or have the presence of mind to take the leap. Due to residual tendencies, it's more likely that we'll become engrossed in the continuing experience of our separate existence. This experience leads us into the next stage of life beyond death.
