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

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

Over the years, many people have written to me about the information on this web site. Below are some of the more frequent questions and answers.

Index

Where do you get your information about death and dying?

The information on this web site is revelatory in nature. It was given to me as a "download" from the Spiritual Plane. I have no proof of the information given here, nor philosophical arguments to support it. If this material resonates with your own inner guidance, please take it and use it in your spiritual journey. Otherwise, it's not for you.

Does everyone go through the same stages of death?

Each person's life is completely unique. Nevertheless, there are certain stages of life that we all go through, such as childhood, adolescence, adult hood and old age. In the same way, each death is unique. Yet there are definite stages after death that almost everyone goes through. In this web site, I've tried to explain the most common stages of experience after death. According to my guidance, this description is accurate as a general overview.

Aside from what you suggest in your web site, how can I prepare for death?

Live your life in simplicity and honesty. Try your best not to harm others. Keep in mind that our similarities far outweigh our apparent differences. As we do to others, we do to ourselves. This spiritual law is as practical as the laws of physics.

Find a spiritual practice and teaching that helps you feel connected to the Divine and resonates with your soul. Practice it every day.

Your life is a commitment that you made long ago. Keep in mind that simply fulfilling that commitment to the end is a great accomplishment.

Cultivate love, kindness and generosity in your dealings with others. Love is the underlying current that runs through the entire cosmic creation.

Do these simple things and know that it will all be good in the end. When you pass over, you'll be met by your guides and taken to the next phase of your spiritual evolution.

Our beloved dog just passed away. What happens to animals after death?

All conscious intelligence survives death. But animals are different from humans in the sense that members of each species share a group oversoul. After death, animals awaken on the astral planes for some time and then merge directly with their group oversoul. Some animals share a very close relationship with humans, which is likely to result in "rebirth" into human form when the time is right. This would include many of the more advanced mammals, such as dogs, cats, cows and horses, to name a few.

My mother has a terminal illness and has decided to stop eating. Should we try to make her eat? Do you have any advice or are there any special prayers I can offer?

During a terminal illness, the body eventually stops processing food and there's no longer any desire for it. At that point, it's natural to stop eating. This is not widely understood in western society. But people who are more attuned to their bodies and the rhythms of life, are naturally drawn to this practice. (see Terminal Illness)

If you feel inclined to pray, then pray for her quick transition...that she will make a clean break from the Earth plane and move on to her highest spiritual evolution. Also, after she begins to lose consciousness, you may wish to read to her from the Instructions for the Departed. (see Instructions for the Departed)

After 14 years of clinical depression and bad luck, I don't have any reason to live and want it all to end.

Please trust me when I tell you that your conscious experience will not end with the death of your body. You will gain nothing by committing suicide and will gain everything by completing your life on Earth. During human life, it's difficult to see the bigger picture. Your remaining natural life span is just a blink of an eye in terms of your total soul experience. You may never be able to change your painful or difficult circumstances during this life. But I do know that after your natural death, you will be very pleased if you stayed the course.

The idea that suicide will solve anything is an illusion. If you cut your life short, the pain you experience now will be waiting for you on the other side, further compounded by the pain of having murdered your human body.

I suggest that you do some research and read the testimonies of people who attempted suicide and had experiences on the other side. And feel free to call me if you need to talk.

My son was in an accident and died the next day from traumatic brain injuries. Can you tell me if he suffered any pain?

There's no way to know for sure what your son experienced. But usually, when an accident occurs like the one you describe, the subtle body leaves the physical body just before impact. The conscious intelligence sees what's happening and decides to push the "eject" button. It's like when you're having a bad dream and you make the decision, "enough" and wake yourself up. Like that, the subtle body "pops" out and hovers over the scene for a while. I doubt that your son experienced any pain at all.

A few days before my mother passed away, she told me she saw her grandmother at the foot of her bed. When I asked her why she had come, she said, in a very matter of fact way, "to tell me I'm in good hands". My mother was not on any medications and was in a very clear and alert state of mind. Do you think this is possible?

This is not only possible, it's very common. People often experience visitations from a deceased relative or friend, shortly before their final passing. In this case, the person's soul (spiritual body) is communicating with their conscious mind. In other words, the soul projects a familiar form in order to prepare the person for their transition to the next world. These visions usually appear a week or so before death. It can happen on their deathbed or even during war, where soldiers have reported such visions prior to their death in battle. Thank you for sharing this beautiful story.

If a person is suffering advanced dementia, how does this affect his or her experiences after death?

Dementia is a brain disorder and does not affect the experience after death, any more than a broken leg or disease of the physical organs. There is no carryover from physical disorders. The experiences after death are based primarily on the psychic impressions (positive and negative) which have accumulated from the life just lived.

Is there a hell? And if so, what is it?

Hell is a state of consciousness on the mental plane of experience as a result of negative psychic impressions that are not easily resolved. These impressions create vivid and painful experiences, being the reflection of guilt from past actions. Ultimately, these are self-limiting experiences. But in some cases, they may seem like an eternity.

After death, the sense of separateness dissolves and we experience the interconnectedness of all life. Naturally, the memory of any pain we've caused others is felt sharply, with deep regret. So, the only punishment of "hell" is the acute awareness of the pain we caused others, and the regret that we didn't choose differently. No matter how heavy these impressions are, in time they get resolved and the conscious intelligence is purified and allowed to continue its spiritual journey. No one is damned or condemned.

There is no one alive who has not committed wrong action. Life is not about being perfect. But when we see that we've made a mistake, it's very important to apologize to the ones we've hurt and try to make amends in whatever way we can. This is not esoteric teaching. It's something any child understands. This is why we feel guilty when we've committed wrong action. It's our soul saying to us, "You can do better."

How can a Shraddha Yagya help the departed spirits? Doesn't our karma (our actions committed on Earth) dictate what happens after death?

You are correct that karma cannot be avoided. But it can be mitigated, or shifted slightly in a more favorable direction. Yagyas are the science of propitiation, cognized by ancient seers, for this purpose. Through specific offerings and repetition of mantras, the karma of an individual can be mitigated. Also, through the Shraddha Yagya, the subtle body is ushered on its way to the next level of evolution. And any ancestors who may be stuck on their path are likewise assisted in their evolutionary progress as well.

My wife passed away 2 months ago. Can I contact her through a medium or spiritualist as I have heard? Please advise how best to do this.

In rare circumstances, it's possible to contact the deceased through a medium or spiritualist. But I don't recommend trying to contact your wife in this way. There are very few genuine mediums who can actually do this. And, some unscrupulous mediums take advantage of people in their grief, when they are most vulnerable.

At this point, your wife has gone inward, toward the Spiritual Planes. Even if a medium could make contact, it would pull her attention back towards the Earth plane, against the natural flow of evolution.

I am certain that you will see your wife again after you make your transition. In the meantime, think of her as still very much alive on the inner planes. Keep a picture of her and feel your love whenever you think of her. Tell her that you love her and are looking forward to seeing her again. She will not be able to hear your words, but she will feel your love. Words and thoughts do not reach the Spiritual Plane. But love is like a beam of light that reaches her on the Spiritual Plane. She can feel your love and knows it is you sending it. And she returns love to you along the same beam.

After my parents passed away, we had them cremated. Why is it not a good idea to keep their ashes in our home?

During our lifetime, we develop strong attachment to our bodies. As a result, after death, the body can be an object of fascination for the departing spirit. Sometimes, the body can even be a distraction on the way to the next stage of evolution. Even after cremation, to keep the ashes at home, in familiar surroundings, can be an impediment in some cases. For this reason, it's recommended to cremate the body and scatter the ashes in a body of water or across a wide area of terrain. This helps the departing spirit to sever attachment to the Earth plane.

For older or more advanced souls, the cycle of birth and death is a familiar experience and cremation is not so important. After death, they leave the Earth plane immediately and move quickly through the first few stages of death. But to err on the side of safety, and to encourage a quick and easy passage, it's best to dispose of the body as described above.

My mother recently became ill and died. I feel terrible because I was planning to spend more time with her and tell her how much I loved her. But before I could return, she suddenly passed away. What can I do for her now, if anything?

When our loved ones pass on, it's natural to wonder what we should have done or could have done differently. This is the first thought that comes to the mind. But this was her natural time, just as you will have your time some day.

The best thing you can do for your mother now is to feel your love for her and ask the Divine for her favorable passage. Some pain and sorrow is natural at first. But as best you can, try to turn your feelings and thoughts to the positive side.

Your mother can feel your feelings very clearly now. And also the feelings of others who were close to her. If there is pain and sadness in your heart, she will feel this and will suffer for you and others who are grieving. It's best to cultivate positive and happy feelings. Remember the love that you shared and good times and feel your gratitude for being so lucky to have such a good mother in this life. Above all, don't think of her as dead. She is very much alive on the inner planes and your positive feelings will reach her there and speed her evolution at this time.

If you still feel that you want to do something and can afford it, I would suggest that you arrange a Shraddha Yajna (Yagya) for your mother. If you have a special temple that you attend in India, your priest will help to arrange such a Yajna for her. Or, you may go to one of these web sites: puja.net or, expertvedicastrology.com