The Process of Reincarnation

So what exactly happens when you die? Well first of all, there is no such thing as death since your soul (Atma) is eternal and is non-different from the universal soul (Brahman). They only appear to be different within the appearance of Brahman or what is known as Maya. So to explain the process of reincarnation, we must differentiate them both to explain what takes place after death of the false identity (i.e. the physical body). When we speak of death, what we’re really referring to is the disappearance of the physical body.  The physical body is a projection of the mind that has condensed so much so, it has turned into a "physical experience". This means there is no such thing as an "actual physical body".  It is only seen as such through ignorance or one's deluded perception. Through this deluded perception, we tend to refer to it as a costume made of flesh which we only perceive for a short duration of time. Within this "costume", we use our sense organs (jnanendriyas) and our organs of action (karmendriyas) to gather data which are then carried into the mind (subtle body) for interpretation.  Note: The physical body is not separate from the subtle body, they are just two distinct concepts we use to explain the experience of physicality vs. subtlety.  In truth, there is no separation between them both because it is all just one mind projecting different expressions contained within itself. Either the immaterial mind is expressed as a "physical experience", i.e. physical body, or it is expressed as a "subtle experience", i.e. subtle body. This means it is ALWAYS immaterial throughout this entire process, just perceived differently according to one's attachment.

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The physical organs are:

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1) Jnanendriyas: Sense organs: eyes (sight), nose (smell), ears (hearing), tongue (taste) and skin (touch). 

2) Karmendriyas: Organs of action: Mouth, hands, legs, genitals, anus. 

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All sensory experiences are experienced within the mind (subtle body), though it doesn't appear to be this way since it feels like we experience things "with the physical body". In addition, it feels as if we experience things "out there" as if things are separate from us. This is how deceptive the mind is!

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The subtle body has multiple functions, but for sake of simplicity, it is synonymous with the individual mind.  Your individual mind governs the physical body, because it makes up the data that allows it to be expressed as a "physical experience".  The subtle body is what you operate throughout your entire journey of samsara.  It holds within all the memories, impressions and karmic imprints we carry over many lifetimes (i.e. re-occurring dreams). After death of the physical body, the subtle body (which is superimposed with the physical body--since it makes up its very expression) remains, but as a "subtle experience".  This subtle experience shines forth when prana releases completely from the physical expression, no longer tying one's attention to a "physical experience".  This subtle experience is now held in a subtle dimension, wherever attention drifts according to samskaras or the hidden impressions of the mind.  Therefore, when the physical body dies, you are still aware. There is never a time when you are not aware since your fundamental nature is awareness itself. Life is just awareness taking on different forms and experiences.  

 

With the use of the subtle body, we now operate in the subtle worlds. These worlds are realms or different planes of existence we travel to depending on our karma. In a general sense, if we have good karma, we travel to higher realms, i.e. more truthful states of consciousness. If we have bad karma, we travel to lower realms, i.e. more deceptive states of consciousness.  The less karma/desires we have, the higher/deeper realms we can access since desires don't pull us back to lower states of consciousness.  Having good karma means your vibration is high so you can access a higher vibratory realm that aligns to your specific vibration. Having bad karma means your vibration is low so you are only able to access lower vibratory realms. A higher vibration means more oneness and bliss since everything is more connected and merged together with less individuality.  This is why it is harder to perceive separation in the higher realms since they are causal/astral in nature.  A lower vibration means a more deceiving perception of separation as everything is disconnected, hence there is more individuality and more chances to suffer. The higher the realms, the higher the truth. The highest truth is non-duality which transcends all realms yet is the foundation for them all when experienced through the mind.

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If you still identify with the physical body, when death comes, you are first greeted by your guides, angels, loved ones, etc. who help guide you to the respective realm you belong to. We use the subtle body to travel to one of the realms or lokas. There are a total of 14 lokas (7 upper lokas and 7 lower lokas), though they are infinite in nature. The loka we reside in right now is called Bhur-loka and is where Earth or the "planetary experience" is held in. Bhur-loka is right in the middle between the upper lokas (higher heavens) and the lower lokas (lower hells). Note: This just signifies an expression of consciousness that has both heavenly and hellish qualities. Hell does not mean eternal fires as depicted in dogmatic religions, but just a way to explain an experience that is highly egoic and thus experiences an enhanced version of separation where the truth of Brahman is heavily distorted. 

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All 14 lokas make up the entire universe or the Brahmanda (cosmic egg). This is also referred to as the hiranyagarbha which is the collection of all subtle bodies/experiences. The highest realm is Satyaloka or Brahmaloka where Brahma (the function of creation) resides.  Note: Brahma is not separate from us as it is the very essence of what is being projected as different expressions.  This means all realms are superimposed on one another, so every dimension is already present at your very own center. It only appears to be separate because your attention is glued to the "physical experience".

 

In the appearance of maya, most people having the "physical experience" or "experiencing Earth", will go to Swargaloka when they die. This loka is generally referred to as heaven which many people report experiencing during near death experiences (NDEs).  Swargaloka is heavenly, serene, tranquil and full of beauty. Most people who go there do not want to leave because of the majestic beauty. Once you have fully crossed over through the tunnel of light, you have now officially entered your realm. For those who have not officially crossed over, their energies will still linger in the physical world.  These energies and are usually referred to as ghosts or spirits.  These jivas will eventually cross over with time when they have come to fully accept their outcome (i.e. physical death).  

 

In the subtle realm, it is another life and adventure in itself. Just like you had a life-long journey of experiences as a human being on Earth, you will also have a life-long journey of experiences as a spiritual being in the subtle worlds. You will continue to learn, grow and play in these worlds with your soul groups (i.e. those with a similar vibrational frequency).  In fact, we not only use this subtle body after death but we use it every night when we go to sleep. This is because the dream world IS the subtle world. It is a world imagined within your mind! With dreams however, your subtle body will always have its silver cord (i.e. sushumna) or the pranic cord attached to the physical body. This is what keeps the physical experience (i.e. physical body) alive while we journey inward with the subtle body in our dreams. When this cord is severed, the physical body dies. This is because the prana or the life force energy which is part of the subtle body withdraws from the physical body causing it to decay as it no longer governs and sustains its illusory existence. It is at this point, you start to journey utilizing the subtle body. 

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Upon entering a different realm, you are expected to have a life review. This life review is conducted by higher guides who will assist you in understanding the lessons and life experiences you have gathered from your recent life in the physical realm. These higher beings serve as counselors.  Since the subtle realms expresses data differently, time also operates differently. One can go through an entire life review very fast while understanding their mistakes and also perceiving things from the perspective of others who have been hurt because of the poor choices made on Earth. This is how we truly learn and grow. Earth is simply a school we choose to enter so that we can evolve to a point where we no longer need to go there for our spiritual evolution.

 

The subtle world is also a place to rest and enjoy. It is another world of experience in itself. Unfortunately, it is only temporary. Eventually, your desires to experience life in the physical realm will arise again as the mind projects a "physical experience".  You will be carried to plan out your next life with higher guides. Some of your family members in your ancestral lineage may choose to play different roles with you and all will agree on a time and place to enter back into the physical world.  There will be contracts in place with other soul members which you will be destined to meet in order to grow from these specific encounters and experiences.  This is required to make up for past mistakes and to further evolve your spiritual maturity.  It is ultimately desires or samskaras (deep latent impressions) that causes one to re-enter life into the physical world, no one else. You are never judged by anyone. It is the divine law of karma that carries you to experience different lives depending on what you want to experience. It is all aligned to a greater divine purpose. 

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When you enter back into the physical world, being led by your samskaras, you forget everything. It is a new beginning. It wouldn’t truly be a new beginning if you remembered your past lives or the events that happened in the subtle worlds prior to your incarnation. However nothing is truly lost as it remains hidden in the subconscious mind (causal body). We all have the ability to uncover this information within if we choose to but only a very few will do so.  It is these deep impressions however that influence us in our current lives which is why nothing is ever truly forgotten.  All lessons you have learned and experiences you have gained from prior lifetimes affect us in our current position.  You only remain unconscious of them.

 

​​​Nonetheless, life starts over again. And this process will continue on for what seems like an eternity; perhaps for an innumerable amount of lifetimes. As you evolve more, you will not go back to swargloka, but instead be carried to higher lokas. It is only when you evolve to a point where you fully master your emotions, senses, mind, etc. that you will no longer be confined to the laws of reincarnation by having the need to come back into a physical experience. Instead you can remain in higher realms where God consciousness resides. For those who reside in these higher realms, they have the option (not requirement) to come back to the lower realms to help others evolve. It is done out of compassion and love. There are beings who are from these higher realms who are living amongst us now.  Some of them are not even aware of their true power but will eventually be conscious of it as time goes by.  These are the Sages and Rishis whose homes are much more heavenly than Swargloka.  In the casual realms where they reside, there are only thoughts about God and their plans to enlighten other souls.  If they choose to incarnate to a physical realm, it may very well be their last mission to help uplift humanity as a final salutation before merging with the absolute.  

 

No realm is permanent in nature as with all things in duality. All realms are subject to change though you can live for almost an eternity in realms like Brahmaloka.  This realm is the abode of truth and where the highest truths of Vedic knowledge reside. It is where enlightened souls extract their knowledge from in order to spread to beings confined to lower realms of existence. However, no matter how long you stay, you will eventually need to incarnate into a different realm due to boredom or the freedom to express un-manifested desires. This process will continue on until you break free from it by fully extinguishing all karma/vasanas until you abide as the truth (i.e. non-duality).  

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