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The Life Beyond Death2200
The difference in the period of soul-slumber in varying cases, above noted,
arises from the fact that the soul during its slumber period discards the
lower portions of its mental nature (as well as its Astral body) and awakens
only when it has reached the highest state of development possible for it,
when it is able to pass on to the particular plane or sub-plane for which
its degree of development calls. A soul of low development has very little
to “shed” in this way, and soon awakens on a low plane. A soul of higher
development, on the contrary, must shed and discard sheath after sheath
of the lower mental and animal nature, before it can awaken on the plane
of its highest attainment. When we say “shed” or discard, we mean rather
prepare to shed or discard, for the actual process of discarding or shedding
these lower fragments of personality occurs immediately after the first stage
of the awakening, as we shall see in the next paragraph.
The soul feeling the impulses of re-awakened life, stirs itself slowly and
languidly, as one does in awakening from a sound slumber in earth-life.
Then, like the butterfly throwing aside the chrysalis shell, it slips away from
the Astral body, and in rapid succession unconsciously discards the lower
principles of its nature. This occupies but a short time, and occurs while
the soul is slowly regaining consciousness. At the moment of the actual
awakening, the soul is free from all these worn out shells and encumbrances,
and opens its eyes upon the scenes of its new activities and existence in the
Astral World.
Each soul is destined to dwell on the plane of the highest and best in itself,
after the dross of the lower elements has been discarded. It awakens on the
plane in which the highest and best in itself is given a chance to develop and
expand. The soul may, and often does, make great progress on the Astral
Plane, and during its stay there, may discard more of its lower nature as it
passes to higher and still higher planes or sub-planes.
It is a beautiful fact this of the soul dwelling on the plane of its highest
and best. The student immediately recognizes that this answers the longing
of the soul; and the aspiration of the heart. There is often something within