G'day,

This is a confusing subject. I don't have all the answers here, but I will do my best to explain what I know.

There is a kind of split that occurs at death.

There is a lower aspect, which could be described as an egregore or living thought form, which is created through the act of living and self awareness. This aspect can be said to be contained by the flesh and substance of the physical body. This can also be related to the Real Time astral body, which is generated from the substance of the physical body. This part is likely what can become a ghost after death.

There is also a mental aspect, similar to the above but generated by the mind. This is more enduring. This is the part that has the afterlife experience.

The higher aspect can be called the spirit. This is the mysterious part that can be said to come from our oversoul collective. It comes from there and returns there after death. This would be the aspect that lives many lives.

What is commonly called The Soul is, I think, brought into existence through suffering and or spiritual practices and deep thinking and life experience. Everyone possesses the potential to have a tangible Soul aspect, but this does not always happen.

The idea of spiritual development is to activate the Soul aspect and, after the split that occurs at death, to reunite the higher aspects. This is what is called 'the sacred marriage' i think.

There appears to be a lot of information on this subject, but it is generally conflicting and confusing.

The realization of the above and how it all fits together is a work in progress.

Robert