9. Where is the World Beyond

It would soon become clear that the world in which the soul lives after the death in the material world is not a remote existence somewhere far above in the space. We know for instance, that X-rays penetrate through solid objects, whereas for a living person even a wall restricts movement. Heat and cold too pass through physical barriers to a great extent. That is to say, the movements of extra-sensory finer elements are not restricted by physical objects. On the other hand, though material barriers obstruct our activities, we hardly ever feel the presence of the finer elements of nature surrounding us. Thus, without being conscious of it we move around freely like a fish in this vast ocean of air enveloping us. The souls of the dead are composed of such extrasensory finer element and therefore have a total freedom of movement in this world. The world beyond does not have an existence in some remote part of space. It is a world within this world itself. The world of souls is omnipresent on this very earth and in the cosmic space beyond this planet. Residents of the other world can choose their abode at will anywhere-on earth, in water, on hills, planets, stars or intervening cosmic space and make arrangements for their existence according to their convenience.

One must be aware that the soul also carries with it the ideas, traits, convictions and experiences of mortal life. Since while living, man is engaged in many activities of housing, clothing, and food throughout life, habits and convictions pertaining to these functions take deep roots in his psyche, which is an integral part of the soul. It is difficult for a common man to conceptualize a life without a house, food and clothing. The soul assumes a body form - known in the spiritual parlance as Sukshma Sharir. It acquires sense-perceptions (Indriyas) corresponding to those in use while living according to the totality of convictions of the person, whose body it was associated with before death. The habits and convictions also produce virtual house, food and clothes etc. as desired. The activities of living, eating, and wearing clothes are, however, imaginary, since a non-material being does not require material conveniences. Nor can it make use of them. The souls which assume the state of ghosts and spirits (prait) because of strong worldly links, choose specific places (described later) for their stay. In the normal course, the other souls select any place for their living and have no specific choice; the other souls select any place for their living and have no specific choice. The difference in sex is retained, though this too is conceptual in the astral body. The effeminate men and masculine women choose the desired sexual status after a brief period of asexuality (genderless ness). In the succeeding birth the individual adopts the sex according to this changed outlook. Such events are, however, exceptions to the norm. Generally very few are interested in changing the gender.

In the other world one becomes free of all physical handicaps of this life. For instance, retarded, crippled and physically disabled individuals are relieved of their infirmity in the astral body since such shortcomings are possible in the physical existence only. Besides physical disabilities are temporal and for the duration of one life only. They are not carried forward from the preceding life-cycles. For this reason, they have no impact on the psyche which is a component of the astral body.

In the astral world, whenever desired, a soul can interact with another soul. However, the souls perceive each other only for exchange of thoughts and ideas. This inter-perception and telepathic interaction is possible only when the souls themselves intend to do so. Otherwise they remain totally unaware of presence of each other. This meeting between the two souls takes place as an interaction of two energy forms. During the inter-communication the souls are indifferent to each other's body forms, since in the astral world, these have no relevance whatsoever. Similarly, the name, clothes and food too being each soul's prerogative and personal conceptions, cannot be seen by others. It is, however, possible to know whether one is happy or unhappy, peaceful or trouble, from a kind of glow emanating from the astral bodies.

In the astral world, whenever desired, a soul can interact with another soul. However, the souls perceive each other only for exchange of thoughts and ideas. This interperception and telepathic interaction is possible only when the souls themselves intend to do so. Otherwise they remain totally unaware of presence of each other. This meeting between the two souls takes place as an interaction of two energy forms. During the inter-communication the souls are indifferent to each other's body forms, since in the astral world, these have no relevance whatsoever. Similarly, the name, clothes and food too-being each soul's prerogative and personal conceptions, cannot be seen by others. It is, however, possible to know whether one is happy or unhappy, peaceful or troubled, from a kind of glow emanating from the astral bodies.

The concepts of heaven or hell (discussed later) too are soul's own and are invisible to the others. Though the astral bodies can communicate with each other in this manner, it is not possible for them to share happiness or sorrow. Some souls prefer to live with the deceased friends and relatives and form communities. Such communes, however, exist only in the lower state of the astral world. Considering the futility of permanent associations in course of several cycles of life and death, the elevated souls prefer to live in isolation and make solitary endeavour for further enlightenment. The souls do not remain confined to geographical boundaries. Nor they are under the command of some superior entity. They are controlled by their own conscience.

The spiritual benefits of rites and rituals like Shraddha, tarpan, etc. and those performed for the dead like placing wreaths, or building monuments for the deceased accrue to the dear ones in this world only. These acts of virtue or donations hardly help the souls living in the astral world, since they are not performed by the latter. It is an established law of spirituality that fruits of virtue are non-transferable. Nevertheless, such expressions of gratitude and reciprocation of goodwill by the survivors of the family do provide a sense of contentment to the departed soul. Whenever it is feasible and opportune, it tries to help extra-seniority (e.g. providing an aspiratory thought). The departed soul tries to help the former near and dear ones in this manner.

Acts of mourning and expressions of sorrow hurt the departed souls. It disturbs their peace. It is, therefore, advisable to severe feelings of attachment from the dead as early as possible and only prays to God for them to rest in peace.