What is the astral world, how does it relate to us as humans on the spiritual path, and is it the highest level of evolution that we seek to evolve?
—Justin, USA
Dear Justin,
Paramhansa Yogananda says that the astral world is a world of light, energy, and vibrations, to which we return after physical death and from which we come each time we are re-born into a physical body.
Some might call this place Heaven, but there are many levels of the astral world.
As Jesus says: “In my Father’s house are many mansions.” Some “mansions” or levels are places of great beauty, color, music, and joy. Some are darker. None are permanent, but simply a place for us to rest and re-charge our batteries for our next incarnation.
The true Heaven will happen for us when we merge into oneness with God and with all that is; when that happens we will never have to reincarnate again in physical, vibrational, or mental forms or locations.
This kind of “Heaven” is the goal of all spiritual evolution. The astral world is just a stage in the soul’s long journey to freedom.
To read the best of all explanations about the astral world, please carefully read or re-read the chapter from The Autobiography of a Yogi called “The Resurrection of Sri Yukteswar.”
