Namaskar Oct 2012

Spiritual Science Research Foundation
Life after Death
Dr Zubin Nalladaru
Most humans are so busy with their everyday they fail to address a
very important question ‘What happens after one sheds this
physical body?’
Scriptures and traditions have something to say. They prescribe
rituals or prayers for departed family members. For example,
Parsees offer prayers for their ancestors for a fortnight in the month
of August and Catholics celebrate All Souls Day when they pray for
their departed loved ones. But the inquiring and doubting mind
requires proof of the type of existence after death. If one
contemplates the issue, one realizes the way one lives today,
determines one’s tomorrow. If we are good students, we will most
probably have good careers; if we are good to people they will likely
be good to us.
The Divine created the laws of nature which operate irrespective of
our faith in them. We are part of nature and nature’s laws also
apply to us. However what baffles the mind is when doing good
leads to bad consequences, which is when good people suffer. The
only answer is there are accounts from previous lives that have to
be settled. That is why we see good people suffering in this life.
SUBTLE BODY AND REGIONS OF EXISTENCE
Members of the Spiritual Science Research Foundation who have
an activated sixth sense have found when a person dies, only the
physical body ceases to exist. However, the rest of his existence or
consciousness continues. The existence of the person minus the
physical body is known as the subtle body (linga deha) and
comprises of the mental, causal (intellect) and supra-causal (subtle
ego) bodies. (These bodies are similar to the layers of an onion.)
After death, this subtle body goes to one of 13 subtle planes of
existence, other than the Earth plane, and depending on the deeds
and desires of the individual during their lifetime. There are seven
negative planes and seven positive planes. The Earth plane is the
only physical plane of existence and also the first plane in the
hierarchy of positive planes.
The subtle bodies of individuals who have done righteous deeds
and engaged in spiritual practice for God-realisation go to one of
the positive planes of existence. On the other hand individuals
who’ve indulged in unrighteous acts or spiritual practice for the
control or detriment of others, go to one of the seven negative
planes of existence. Subtle bodies that go to any of the negative
become ghosts.
The importance of the Earth plane of existence
Earth is the only plane where we can make rapid spiritual growth
and settle our give-and-take account of previous births, because
having a physical body enhances our spiritual growth.
WHAT DECIDES WHERE WE GO AFTER DEATH?
At the time of death the physical body becomes inactive and the
vital energy used for the functioning of the physical body is
liberated into the Universe. This vital energy at the time of death
propels the subtle body away from the Earth. Just as the weight of
a projectile decides how far a rocket will propel it, similarly the
weight of the subtle body decides which plane of existence it goes
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to after death.
The following characteristics add to our weight and increase the
probability of our going to one of the lower regions of existence:
• Excessive attachment to worldly things and selfishness
• Abundance of unfulfilled desires
• Feelings of revenge
• Too many personality defects such as anger, greed, fear, etc.
• A large ego wherein a person identifies himself with his body,
mind and intellect as opposed to the soul within.
These characteristics can be reduced with sustained spiritual practice
according to six basic laws of spiritual practice. Psychological
improvements with self-help books or trying to be nice are
temporary.
Acts to attain positive planes of existence are those done with the
objective of God-realisation. They are acts done:
• Without doer-ship, i.e. doing activities in life with belief that
God Himself is getting it done for me and hence I cannot claim
any credit.
• Without expectation of appreciation.
• Without expectation of results.
• More than the acts themselves, it is the attitude or outlook
behind the acts that count.
• The mental state at the time of death
If a person is actually doing spiritual practice such as chanting the
name of God at the time of death, then the influence of desires,
attachments, ghosts, etc. are minimal compared to his state when
not chanting. This makes his subtle body lighter. Hence, if he
passes away while chanting, he attains a higher plane of existence.
Also, if at the time of death the person is in a state of surrender to
God’s will, then he attains higher plane of existence. This is
because the person who is in a state of surrender on earth is less
likely to increase his ego after death. Also, the responsibility of his
well-being in his life after death is undertaken by his spiritual guide
or Guru.
Due to lack of spiritual practice, most people in the current era go
to either the Nether world or one of the lower planes of existence
after death because the proportion of demerits (incurred due to
wrong doings on Earth) is approximately 30%. Demerits typically
include malice towards others and an over abundance of desires.
Hence following a path shown by an evolved spiritual guide
removes or reduces suffering in this life and ensures we go to a
plane conducive to continuing spiritual practice until we reach the
final goal of merging with our Creator.
As we go further into the current Era of Strife (Kaliyug), there is
less likelihood of people going to the higher planes of existence.
Once we go to the lower planes, we stay there and experience severe
unhappiness for centuries until we completely pay for our demerits
and get a chance to be reincarnated on Earth.
Dr Zubin is a member of the Spiritual Science
Research Foundation, a non-profit
organisation in the US and Australia which
aims to educate society on the spiritual
dimension and how it affects our lives.
dr.zubin@spiritualresearchfoundation.org/
www.SpiritualResearchFoundation.org