Many belief systems rely on just that – belief - Soul exists after the death of this physical body, to comfort us when we lose a loved one, or face the fear of our own approaching mortality.

Through the spiritual exercises of Eckankar, we can consciously experience all planes of existence. There, I have visited departed relatives, notable historical figures, and great spiritual teachers. I have also shared these spiritual exercises with family members, and assisted them as they transitioned from this lifetime. My most recent opportunity was with my father.

As his death approached, he began to worry. He had attended church, prayed, and studied his bible.  But as death approached, he was painfully unsure of what would actually happen next and where he would eventually end up.

I offered to show him the places I had visited in my spiritual exercises and dreams. This was where his dearly departed relatives waited for him to help him make a gradual transition into his next reality. He was both shocked and relieved that I could, and would, do this with him.  

Our family surrounded him, closed our eyes, and began singing an ancient name for God called HU. Singing HU raises our vibrations, allowing us to fearlessly travel beyond the limitations of the physical body, free to move in any state of consciousness we choose. I led my father on a journey to a beautiful Temple on the Astral Plane, guided by the inner form of my Spiritual Teacher, Sri Harold Klemp, the Spiritual Leader of Eckankar. We were met at the Temple by its guardian, Gopal Das, and my father’s late twin brother, Dom.  Uncle Dom looked young and vibrant. My father looked down and saw that he too looked as he did in his prime, and was so happy. We stayed there for a short time, then our escorts explained that it was time to go, but that my father could return and visit as often as he wished. When the time came to leave his physical body permanently, he would be familiar with traveling to this place. These Masters, my uncle, and other family and friends, would be waiting there to help him make this final journey. 

My father, and family were transformed by this experience. Eventually, Dad became weaker and could only whisper, and subsequently was unable to speak. However, in the middle of the night we were awakened by him shouting in a clear, loud voice, “Dom, where were you? You were supposed to be here!” In true form, my Dad was impatiently waiting for my uncle to join him, to journey together to visit the other side. The next day, the hospice nurse called us all into Dad’s room and he left this physical world permanently. I was extremely grateful for the gift of peace and love I was able to share with him and my family. 

Personal spiritual experience leads us beyond belief – beyond faith – into true knowingness. That knowingness is a gift that lasts a lifetime, and a gift of love for others.