What Happens To You After You Die?

Even though it is a universal fact that ‘Death is the ultimate truth of life’ and no one can evade it; humans have always pondered and wondered and even worried about death. And thus, no doubt certain questions such as - What happens to you when you die? What exactly is death? What happens after death? - must have crossed most of our minds at some point of our lives. Though, the truth is that no one exactly knows what happens to one after death and furthermore given the fact that when a person is born again they do not have any kind of knowledge of their prior existence/previous birth. However, a good number of researches/studies with regards to past life experiences and some religions clearly indicate to life after death. So, the next question that generally comes up in the mind is as to where do we go in the after death and is there reincarnation (re-birth)?

Well to understand this aspect, first we need to understand that human beings are not just merely made up of physical body and mind but also have ‘Soul’ or ‘Spirit’ (commonly referred as Atma in Hinduism) which is eternal. Thus, the term death can be understood as the permanent separation of our physical body and mind from the soul. In medical science, this point at which the soul leaves the body is referred to as ‘bodily’ death as when a person dies the physical body and mind ceases to exist. However, the rest of the existence or soul - which is the essence of who we are - continues to live on. As per some views, this continued existence often takes place in a spiritual realm while some popular beliefs of religions such as Hinduism, Christianity, Buddhist, and Jainism believe that the person may be reborn into this world and begin the life cycle over again, likely with no memory of what they have done in the past. As per these religious beliefs when all the accounts of karmas (good and bad actions of a person which is the cause and effect of its happiness and sadness/suffering that it undergoes in life) are finished, the Soul leaves the body and goes to the Soul or Spirit world. The Soul or Spirit world can be understood as the waiting period until we are reincarnated by the Supreme Power/God; when our soul will reunite with our new body which can be human or even animal or any other living form. It is at the time of reincarnation (re-birth) process that each of us will be assessed and evaluated individually by the Supreme Power/God based on our Karmas (actions), desires and choices. That is why it is said that one should do good deeds and Karmas as the life after death will be based on that. As it is believed that good karmas are rewarded and performance of bad Karmas lead to punishment.

Alternatively, as per some views after one dies there is also a possibility that its Soul becomes one with the Supreme Power/God which is also known as ‘Liberation (Moksha or Salvation or Enlightenment)’. Basically, when we merge with the Supreme Power, we are liberated from the cycle of birth and death and Karmas. However, this is possible only when we move on the path of soul realization which means experiencing the life events not with the mind rather you see the events of life happening as a whole and also perform events/actions without any wish to get desired result.

In the end we can only say that till date, the age-old question of ‘What Happens after You Die’ is still without answers. Even after all these centuries have passed by but still no one can really prove as to what exactly happens. We only can rely on certain studies and statements from the various religions which believe that death is more than just a physical process. Although there is a relationship at present between our body and mind and soul, this will definitely come to an end and our body and mind will separate from soul forever. In short, it is the soul which is considered to be the most important aspect of death as it is the Soul is a permanent entity and does not take birth nor does it dies but as long as you have not become the Soul (Self Realized), you will experience fear of death and worried about it. 

Lastly, to conclude I would like to cite the religious sayings of Lord Krishna in Bhagavad Gita wherein he explained that death is not an end of life, rather it is like changing of a dress. As we change our old and torn clothes, similarly a soul also changes its body at the time of death. Also, whatever state one thinks at the time of his death to that state he will achieve after death. In short the consciousness of a soul or a person is of most important at the time of death. Because according to souls consciousness soul will be awarded a new body. Finally, freedom from the cycle of reincarnation (re-birth) is the means to attain eternal bliss.