Devachan

Devachan, in Theosophy, is a state of blissful consciousness experienced after death and before rebirth. It is often described as a "heaven-world" or a "mental paradise" where the individual ego, stripped of its physical body and lower desires, spends a period assimilating the experiences of its previous life.

The concept of Devachan is rooted in Eastern spiritual traditions, particularly Hinduism and Buddhism, and was popularized in the West through the teachings of Helena Blavatsky and the Theosophical Society.

Key characteristics of Devachan include:

• A State of Subjective Experience: Devachan is not a physical place but rather a state of mind created by the individual's own thoughts and aspirations. It is a continuation of the individual's mental and emotional life, purged of the lower, more material aspects of the personality.

• A Period of Rest and Assimilation: The purpose of Devachan is to allow the individual to process the karmic results of their previous life, to assimilate the lessons learned, and to prepare for a new incarnation.

• Duration: The length of time spent in Devachan varies depending on the individual's karma and the intensity of their spiritual aspirations.

• Absence of Suffering: Because Devachan is a purely mental and emotional state, it is free from the physical pain and suffering of earthly existence. It is a period of peace, happiness, and fulfillment.

• Idealized Reality: The individual in Devachan experiences an idealized version of their former life, free from the imperfections and disappointments they encountered in the physical world. They are surrounded by the people and things they loved, and they are able to pursue their interests and passions without limitation.

• Eventual Dissolution: Eventually, the mental energy that sustains the Devachanic state dissipates, and the individual prepares for a new incarnation based on the remaining karma.

It is important to note that the Theosophical concept of Devachan differs from traditional Western notions of heaven or hell. It is not a reward or punishment, but rather a natural process of spiritual evolution. The experience is ultimately subjective and determined by the individual's own thoughts and actions during their lifetime.