Spiritual practice as a bridge between this life and the next
Introduction
In this blog I try to integrate a few of the themes that I’ve described in previous blogs about spiritual awakening – themes such as the wide range of experiences that people report in the context of awakening, the many and varied paths to awakening, and then combine those with my fascination with recent research and observations about the possibility of an afterlife, as contained in such sources as the essays submitted to the competition organised by the Bigelow Institute for Consciousness Studies (BICS) to research the survival of human consciousness after bodily death. For those who have not seen these essays, they take a broad, non-sectarian approach to the afterlife and they suggest, not just continuity of consciousness, but also continuity of something resembling our current personalities and also the idea that how we conduct our lives now has implications for our experience of the afterlife.
I’ve broadly divided this into sections on:
• Awakening as a lifelong and beyond-life practice
• Embracing diverse experiences as pathways to awakening
• Integrating evidence-based and experiential approaches
• Exploring some existential and ethical implications
• Preparing for transformation and continuity
• Developing a global perspective and beyond
I have then subdivided each section into thoughts on this life and thoughts on the afterlife plus a couple of practical implications. And in case it isn’t already obvious, I should say now that much of what follows is speculation consistent with personal experiences, grounded in research and systematic observations. In other words it’s imaginative but possible and worth exploring!
Awakening as a lifelong and beyond-life practice
In this life: In previous blogs I have described awakening as a shift in awareness, often marked by experiences like living more fully in the present moment, observing emotions with greater detachment, feeling connected to all life and so on (see https://herethewaking.blogspot.com/2025/03/the-many-ways-people-experience.html for example). It suggests that awakening is not a one-off event but a process of letting go of illusions and aligning with a deeper sense of presence. I suggest that it is helpful to take on a regular practice such as meditation, centring prayer, or self-inquiry to foster conscious awareness. These practices help dissolve the ego’s grip, which often leads to experiencing pure awareness. The focus is on inner work to engage more fully with life.
In the afterlife: If the evidence presented in the BICS essays is correct, spiritual awakening may well continue post-death. The implication is that the state of consciousness cultivated in this life may carry forward. For example, heightened awareness or unresolved egoic patterns could shape one’s experience in the afterlife. This suggests that preparing for the afterlife involves developing a clear, conscious state now, as this may influence the quality of existence beyond death.
Practical implications: Engage in daily practices that enhance awareness. Approach life as a training ground for a continuous journey of awakening, where mindfulness and compassion are prioritised over more ego-based pursuits.
Embracing diverse experiences as pathways to awakening
In this life: As I mentioned in the previous section, spiritual awakenings can manifest in many ways. In addition to awakening not being a single event, this diversity suggests that, similarly, there is also no single path to awakening. It therefore makes sense to remain open to personal and unique experiences that challenge our worldviews. Awakenings can even be triggered by crises or exhaustion, implying that even difficult experiences can be opportunities for growth.
In the afterlife: The research suggests that afterlife experiences may also vary widely, from vivid encounters with deceased loved ones or others, to memories of past lives, to reviews of one’s own life and more. If consciousness retains individuality and memory, as some evidence indicates, the afterlife may involve continued exploration of spiritual truths through diverse phenomena, such as communication with other beings, or integration of past-life lessons.
Practical implications: Stay open to non-ordinary experiences (e.g., dreams, including lucid dreams, synchronicities, intuitive insights and many more) as potential catalysts for awakening. In life, explore spiritual practices from various traditions to find what resonates. In preparing for the afterlife, cultivate curiosity and flexibility, recognising that post-death experiences may be as varied as those in life. I think it pays to avoid rigid beliefs about what awakening ‘should’ look like in either realm.
Integrating evidence-based and experiential approaches
In this life: This blog is based on the idea that true awakening requires direct experience, because intellectual understanding, e.g. reading spiritual texts, is insufficient on its own, although extending spiritual reading into Lectio Divina has been effective for some. However, this blog also encourages an open-minded exploration of spiritual ideas, as sources of inspiration for practice, for example. The BICS essays, particularly that of Delorme, Radin and Wahbeh (2022), emphasise the importance of empirical evidence, such as NDEs or mediumship, to validate the survival of consciousness. Together, these suggest a balanced approach: grounding spiritual exploration in personal experience while remaining informed by rigorous research.
In the afterlife: The BICS findings imply that the afterlife may involve phenomena, such as after-death communications or meetings with spiritual teachers, which could support experiences of awakening in a non-physical state. If consciousness persists, individuals might continue to learn and grow through interactions with other entities, as also reported by out-of-body experience (OBE) practitioner Jurgen Ziewe in his book ‘Vistas of Infinity.’ Ziewe has reported encounters with various entities during his OBEs, including some that could be described as afterlife spiritual teachers or guides. Similar themes are explored in the works of well-tested medium Suzanne Giesemann (see Giesemann, 2016, as an introduction to her work). There are many more such explorers...
Practical implications: Combine experiential practices (meditation, yoga, etc.) with study of credible research on consciousness and the afterlife. Engage with communities or resources (e.g., IANDS, IONS, BICS publications) that bridge science and spirituality. This dual approach prepares one for awakening in life and equips the consciousness to navigate potential afterlife experiences with discernment.
Exploring some existential and ethical implications
In this life: In these blogs, I suggest that spiritual awakening can alleviate suffering by shifting focus from ego-based desires to conscious engagement with a wider reality. Awakening practices thus become tools for living more ethically and compassionately, as we recognise our interconnectedness. Again, I recommend readers look at my blog (Forster, 2025) to appreciate just how transformative awakening experiences can be – experiencers’ lives are often never the same again.
In the afterlife: If consciousness survives, as BICS research suggests, the ethical choices made in life may influence one’s afterlife experience. For instance, unresolved karmic patterns or lessons from past lives, as explored in some BICS essays, may shape post-death growth. This implies that the afterlife is not static but a continuation of spiritual evolution, where ethical awareness and practice remain relevant.
Practical implications: Live with intention and integrity, making choices that reflect compassion and awareness of our inter-connectedness. Reflect on how actions in life might influence future states of consciousness, both here and potentially in an afterlife. Practices like forgiveness and gratitude can help resolve karmic or emotional burdens, preparing one for a smoother transition into post-death existence.
Preparing for transformation and continuity
In this life: In this blog I also emphasise the perspective that awakening involves accepting impermanence and just quietly observing those parts of the mind that wander off into the past and future. This prepares individuals for the ultimate transition of death, reducing fear and fostering trust in the process of existence.
In the afterlife: BICS research, particularly studies like Professor Pim van Lommel’s on NDEs, suggest that death is a transition to another state of consciousness rather than an end. If spiritual awakening continues, it may involve adapting to new forms of existence, such as an interesting variety of non-physical realms, where consciousness evolves through new experiences and lessons.
Practical implications: Approach death as a continuation rather than a cessation, using spiritual practices to build resilience and trust in the unknown. Explore NDE accounts or afterlife research to reduce fear and cultivate a sense of continuity. Focus on releasing attachments, and embracing change to align with the transformative nature of both awakening and the afterlife.
Developing a global perspective and beyond
In this life: In these blogs I encourage people to take responsibility for their own consciousness, which appears paradoxically to help develop kindness and compassion towards others. This suggests that personal awakening contributes to a broader shift in human awareness, addressing the underlying causes of some of the wider problems we face.
In the afterlife: BICS research, including Robert Bigelow’s own interest in cosmic implications, hints that consciousness may interact with a larger universal framework post-death. Essays exploring phenomena like xenoglossy or Encounters with Known Decedents Not Known to Have Died (EKDs) suggest that afterlife consciousness might connect to a collective or wider intelligence. This implies that awakening in the afterlife could involve a broader understanding of humanity’s place in the cosmos.
Practical implications: Engage in practices that connect personal awakening to collective well-being, as described above. Contemplate humanity’s role in the universe through study or meditation, preparing for a potential afterlife perspective that transcends individual identity. Support initiatives like BICS and IONS that explore consciousness in a cosmic context.
Conclusion
Approaching spiritual awakening as a continuous process across life and a potential afterlife, reframes existence as an ongoing journey of consciousness. Key implications include cultivating awareness through daily practice, embracing diverse pathways to awakening, balancing experience with evidence, living ethically, preparing for transformation and adopting a cosmic perspective. By integrating these principles, individuals can navigate spiritual awakening positively and with purpose in this life, and prepare for a potential afterlife with openness, reducing fear and enhancing connection to the greater mysteries of existence.
"Silence is God’s first language." St John of the Cross
“Everything else is a bad translation.” Fr Thomas Keating
A Sample of Sources
BICS: The Bigelow Institute for Consciousness Studies https://www.bigelowinstitute.org/
Delorme, A., Radin, D. and Wahbeh, H. (2022). Advancing the Evidence for Survival of Consciousness. Accessed on 8th January 2024: https://www.bigelowinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/delorme-radin-wahbeh-survival-consciousness.pdf
Forster, P. M. (2024) Awakening and the afterlife. https://herethewaking.blogspot.com/2024/01/awakening-and-afterlife.html
Forster, P. M. (2025). The many ways people experience awakening. https://herethewaking.blogspot.com/2025/03/the-many-ways-people-experience.html
Giesemann, S. (2016). Awakening: Lessons from beyond the veil. https://suzannegiesemann.com/books/e-booklet-awakening/
IANDS: The International Association for Near-Death Studies https://iands.org/
IONS: The Institute of Noetic Sciences https://noetic.org/
Kilrea, K. A., Taylor, S., Bilodeau, C., Wittmann, M., Linares Gutiérrez, D., & Kübel, S. L. (2023). Measuring an Ongoing State of Wakefulness: The Development and Validation of the Inventory of Secular/Spiritual Wakefulness (WAKE). Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/00221678231185891
Leichtman, R. (2020). How to Navigate the Path to Spiritual Enlightenment (and What to Do After) https://insighttimer.com/blog/what-do-we-do-after-enlightenment/
Ziewe, J. (2015). Vistas of infinity: How to enjoy life when you are dead. ISBN 978-1-326-35338-4
Key words
afterlife, awakening, consciousness, death, meditation, NDE, OBE, spiritual practice,
Link
https://herethewaking.blogspot.com/2025/06/spiritual-practice-as-bridge-between.html
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