
“What happens after you die?” That’s a question that most people, when they are being honest with themselves, have probably asked. Whether you have an answer, or may be unsure, the fact that you are taking time to explore this important question shows sincerity and a desire for answers.
Some people don’t look for the answer to this question until they are at, or near to making the transition from the physical world. At that point it can be difficult to find clear answers with worry, stress and sometimes illness. This can cut us off from connecting within, and with our innate wisdom.
When people have a deeper understanding of the natural process of returning to their true home, it can make a fundamental difference in how they live today and in their transition from the physical world. Click for more about the Real You or Soul. This awareness dispels doubts and fears that limit them from their dreams and desires, and helps people feel good about where they are at now.
If you have a feeling for the Real You, you will know that:
You Are Spirit. You Come From Spirit. You Return To Spirit
Answer To “What Happens After You Die?”
The Real You or soul feeds energy into your physical body through what’s known as the the silver cord. The soul (halo above the stickman) and connection to the body is shown in this diagram to the right.
When your physical body dies, you sever the silver cord. The human body no longer has the life force to keep it functioning. Being made up of the elements of the physical world, the body “returns to the earth”. The Real You, or soul, is no longer limited by gravity. You can leave planet earth and return home to the Universe, Cosmos, God, the All—you choose the word that’s right for you. Some religions refer to this home as heaven.
If you are too caught in the physical world, you can continue to think about the things or people here and become what’s known as an “earthbound soul”. Instead of returning home, you are still drawn to this world, and you remain close to the earth plane, though you are in the world of spirit.
The illustration at the top of this page shows some of the characteristics and thinking that can keep souls caught in life on earth, rather than a clearer state of consciousness in the universe.
Theory or Experience
The answer to the question “What happens after you die?” is only theory unless you have experience to back it up. How can you have an experience for what happens after you die while you still have a physical body?
One way is to experience yourself beyond the boundaries of the physical world. It is taking the time to realize you are a sensitive being and noticing energies that influence you. What do we mean by “energies that influence you”?
Influenced by Energy in My Environment
I’ll provide one example of what I am discussing. One time I had to go to a busy New York City Courthouse for a real estate case I was involved in. I was with my attorney when I saw the person I had the case against and his attorney. We began to discuss the matter in the hall outside the courtroom. I quickly felt intense hostility toward the person I was fighting in the litigation.
Although I was in a legal dispute, fortunately I realized that this intense feeling of anger and even hatred was not called for on my part. It was not even me, but it was a feeling I was picking up from the environment. The opposing person and his lawyer were also belligerent. I realized that we were all being influenced by the angry energy that was outside the court room where many other people argued their cases.
Realizing what was happening, I ended the discussion and we arranged to meet in a more relaxed place later in the week. What a difference in the way it felt. We both argued our points and were each determined to get what we felt was right. But, the overall feeling was not as heated as before. Shortly afterwards, our attorneys were able to work out a settlement. I found this was better than being angry and stuck in our positions and going to the expense of fighting out the matter in court.
Maybe you can relate to what I shared. You probably have experiences of your own where you notice how you are affected by particular environments you are in, or by certain people.
Experiencing People Passing On
Sometimes, in my lectures, my audience will have questions about relatives or friends who died. Many attendees say they have had feelings of loved ones and close friends still being around them after they passed on.
This sensation is normal: we can draw around us those with whom we have an affinity or closeness. This can happen until we have a bigger picture of our existence as a soul with a body and understand how we help ourselves and other souls who have transitioned.
Symbol of the States of Consciousness Around a Person
In the figure to the right, the lower two ovals is a state of consciousness that is more confused or negative. The Protestant religion calls this hell. Eastern religions refer to people experiencing bad karma. Science has defined this condition as various states of depression or mental illness.
You can see many of these souls with various attitudes shown as earthbound souls in the top image on this page. They no longer have a body, but were too caught up in the physical world.
We can feel these souls or energies when we dwell on these confused ways of thinking. . On the other hand, if we keep ourselves more positive and directed, we stay tuned into a clear higher source of energy, our guides or angels.
Above this lowest level of confusion are the lines next to this stick figure to the right. These lines represent the in-between states of consciousness that people can experience. The Catholics call these different levels limbo.
People can be higher up in these levels of consciousness and what they are doing in the physical world. They can be successful in their work, involvements in the community and have many accomplishments. But, if they do not have an understanding of who they are and what they are here on planet earth for, they are in this state of limbo.
Experiencing Outside Energy or Influences
As you take time to notice what is going on with your experiences, you will understand how people who pass on can still be around and influence you. You will have a feeling for “What happens after people die?”
Can you think of a time when you were agitated and you kept thinking about the situation. Did you become more upset? When you dwell on something you attract more of it. Earthbound souls are drawn to a similar agitation or upset energy.
On the other hand, can you recall a time where you had a challenging situation, but you followed the high road. You may have looked for a solution and took action to help out in the situation. Did that work out better for you? Did it feel better?
Higher State of Mind
When a person has a feeling and understanding of who he or she is as a soul with a physical body, they are on the path to raising their state of consciousness. We are often committed to other people and things in the physical world. The key, however, is to start with being committed to ourselves and what we are here on planet earth for.
As William Shakespear said, “This above all: to thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man”.
“What happens after you die?”
It’s important to clarify this area of life from your own experience and wisdom vs. some one else’s beliefs. This way you will truly be secure and free from the fear of the unknown. You can live your life to the fullest and gain the most on your journey.
Passing on is like going through a doorway that goes from the physical world to the spiritual. You leave your body behind and you take your state of consciousness with you. The outside world often puts great emphasis on having material possessions, but those possessions are part of this world.
You can enjoy the physical world while you are here, but your investment in the Real You, or your state of consciousness, is what matters. Your state of consciousness or awareness is what you take with you when you transition back to the world of spirit.
Whatever your state of consciousness when you pass through this doorway is where you go in the world of spirit. Like attracts like. If a person does not have a clear understanding of his or her life beyond the physical world, he or she may remain around the earth, as we discussed.
If you are more aware of your true self as a soul or spiritual being, you can return home. If you learned what you needed to learn, you “graduate” from the earth plane. If you still have lessons to learn, you can regroup your life and reincarnate to evolve further.
Delving Further into “What Happens After You Die?” and other Topics
Want to learn more about life after life, spiritual guidance or angels and having clarity and a deeper sense of meaning about your life? Subscribe to the Inner Living E-News. You can also attend other courses or receive a private consultation.
Learn More:
Read About Spiritual Well-Being