Studying the afterlife and the ongoing voyage of the soul is an unusual persuit which may be of interest to the spiritualy intruigued and perhaps to those who are recently bereaved -
I am both. I have collated this information because I am curious to know more about the possible paths of our spirits after we leave this Earth. Perhaps I am configuiring the information to serve as a guide for my own soul once I physically discorporate. I have avoided drawing too much specific detail from any one religion, sharing a more generalised overview that many religions and spiritual traditions might relate with to some extent, along with more detailed passages shared from Frederic W. H. Myers co-founder and later president of the Society for Psychical Research. .
In religious and mythological cosmology, the 'Seven Heavens' is term used to refer to seven levels or divisions of Heaven. The concept, derived from ancient Mesopotamian religions, can be found in the Abrahamic religions such as Islam, Judaism and Christianity as well as some Indian religions such as Hinduism. Sometimes these heavens are also referred to as spiritual planes, realms or as dimensions, I will use the term Planes here.
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On The Seven Planes of the Spirit World
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The First Plane - The Earth Plane, is the densest of the spiritual planes and comprises correspondingly lower vibrations. Those souls who are too powerfully attached to certain people on Earth or who cannot accept they have died may stay attached to this plane for a period of time until they can resolve these issues.
I would take this to mean that souls who find themselves at this point may move on when they are ready to let go, unless they need to remain longer for healing purposes as might be the case in certain circumstances.
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The Second Plane - The Astral or Emotional Plane, has two levels;
Firstly, The Lower Level of The Astral Plane, which may seem dark or foreboding - Buddhists would call this the 'Bardo' and Catholics would call it Purgatory. Whilst in this plane, those here would go through a period of reflection which provides them with further understanding of their life on Earth and their progress along their path towards fulfilling their soul purposes.
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Frederic W. H. Myers confusingly calls this plane ‘Hades’. Myers asked us however to avoid the negative connotations associated with the name, for this is not a hellish domain but an intermediate plane; a temporary stop-over designed for healing and regeneration. As Myers pointed out, each person will experience the intermediate plane differently, according to his or her experience.
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For example Francis, having lived her life as a nun, apparently woke up after her death in a kind of Catholic Rest Home run almost entirely by sisters of the faith, many whom she had known in life. Francis resided at this rest home during her own convalescence and after her healing was complete, decided to remain there to assist other new arrivals. Hugh Benson describes the scene as an on-looker presumably acheived through his ability as a medium or divine messenger:
''This great ray was the downpouring of life – a healing ray – send to those who had already passed here, but who were not yet awake. When they were fully restored to spiritual health, there would be a splendid awakening, and they would be introduced to their new land. I noticed that there were quite a number of people seated upon the grass in the grounds, or walking about. They were relatives of those who were undergoing treatment within the hall of rest, and those whose awakening was imminent.''
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Following this period of reflection and healing, the soul will then be assigned to the next required plane of experience for their development - for example Reincarnation or Ascension.
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Secondly, The Upper Level of The Astral Plane, which is lighter and less dense because here the vibrations are much faster - this is more of a halfway station between Earth and the Spirit World.
An analogy for the upper plane might liken it to a spiritual airport, a reconfiguring and departure point.
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The Third Plane, The Plane Of Illusion which is also spoken of as The Summerlands, is described as a dimension distinctively Earth-like in appearance and within close proximity to the Earth itself (not in terms of space as we know it, but on a vibratory level). It is the most populated of the afterlife dimensions and where the majority of Earth souls will spend their time between incarnations. Communication between Earth and the spirit world is easiest from this near-Earth dimension, therefore it is the most well-described of any afterlife dimension. When souls describe spending their time in the afterlife swimming in crystalline lakes, living in beautiful homes ringed by the most fantastic gardens, playing games, enjoying art and music, and generally recreating the kind of earthly life they could never have enjoyed on earth, they are describing the wonders of the third plane. For the devout who anticipate nothing less after death than what their Earthly religion has promised, the third plane also delivers as they manifest their religious beliefs here, therefore this plane is variously called ‘Heaven’, ‘Nirvana’, the Devachanic plane, or just ‘the Spirit World’ and it is exactly what you’d expect: the best, most beautiful version of Earth you could imagine.
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Myers himself was perceptive enough to see the third plane for what it is: a self-created analogue of the Earth for those spirits who would be uncomfortable or unprepared with anything more abstract. For souls who come through death completely unprepared, the Third Plane is like a kindergarten; a safe place for guides and teachers to (re)introduce souls to their spiritual heritage. For the slightly more prepared soul, the Third Plane may be a stop-over; a ‘club med’ for those on the way to the learning or teaching spheres.
At this point, according to Myers, a soul has two choices, the first option is to be reborn on earth or another planet to challenge oneself in the intense joys and pain of physical life. The second option is to stay in the spirit world, but begin preparing for spiritual progression into the higher planes.
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The Fourth Plane - The Plane of Unity, is described as a realm of pure consciousness. The Akashic plane is also in what is also called the lower Devachan, which corresponds to the Fourth Plane. The soul is now free of any need for reincarnation on the lower planes and Earth. Many selfless caring souls here work together to bring spiritual enlightenment to the lower planes and to the Earth. It is interesting to consider that a number of prophets and spiritual teachers who have transmited healings, messages and teachings directly from the divine higher power may have done so from this plane.
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The Fifth Plane - The Plane Of Flame, here the soul takes on the form of a flame and can travel the universe at will. It can grow in understanding and while it still retains its individuality it becomes part of a 'soul group' - of spirits who vibrate at the same level or who are at the same level of understandings. Myers also tells us that fifth plane is where in his terms the 'group soul' is perfected, and no member of this union may ascend to the sixth plane until all members have progressed to the fifth. More progressed members of the group soul spend a long time at this level, awaiting the rest of the group to join them. Often, they provide guidance and assistance to the fledgling members of their group, as they strive and struggle through their incarnations and challenges. Perhaps this aspect of the group soul is the ‘higher self’ that we so often hear mentioned by spiritual teachers?
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The Sixth Plane, The Plane Of Light, is also called The Divine Plane and comprises a realm of cosmic consciousness where the unity of evolved souls is so perfected that a kind of universal being exists, which may be close to what we think of as God. Souls that have acsended to this plane have lived through all the relevant aspects of the created universes and have completed their growth process. They have no need for matter or form and exist purely as 'white light' . Fulfilling their soul purpose of the evolution of consciousness they are now so in accord with the Creator that they become the pure thought of the Creator. Of the sixth plane, Myers has little detail to share, what he describes is the ascension into pure consciousness; nearly incomprehensible to us form-addicted creatures on Earth.
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The Seventh Plane - The Spirit Plane or Seventh Heaven itself, is the realm of of God the Creator. In this dimension, souls enter full partnership with God. Everything we do, on Earth and in the higher dimensions, is directed toward that final transformation of divine union.
Myers speaks of this plane with great reverence, though we get the sense that such a state is inconceivable;
''The soul who enters that Seventh state passes into the Beyond and becomes one with God. This merging with the Idea, with the Great Source of spirit does not imply annihilation. You still exist as an individual. You are as a wave in the sea; and you have at last entered into Reality and cast from you all the illusions of appearances.''
For those who believe this outlook including myself, it is a beautiful way that souls may unfurl and develop to fulfil their ultimate soul purpose and become a part of the shimmering
infinity of divine transcendental love.
Best Wishes
TitusL
Sources
Spencer David - Expression Of Consciousness
The Road to Immortality – The Seven Spiritual Planes
Various Descriptions of the Afterlife Realms
