“BARDO”

An excerpt from’ Mahatma Letters’ To A. P. Sinnett: Philosophical& Theoretical Teachings

“Bardo is the period between death and rebirth—and it may last from a few days /years to a kalpa. It is divided into three sub-periods (1) when the Ego delivered of its mortal coil enters into Kama-Loka ( the abode of Elementaries);  (2) when it enters into its “Gestation state”;  (3) when it is reborn in the Rupaloka of Devachan. Sub-period (1) may last from a few minutes to a number of years—the phrase ‘a few years” becoming puzzling and utterly worthless without a more complete explanation;  Sub-period (2) is “very long”, as you say, longer sometimes than you may imagine, yet proportionate to the Ego’s spiritual stamina. Sub-period (3) lasts in proportion to the good Karma, after which the monad is again ‘reincarnated’. The Agama Sutra saying:- -“ In all these Rupalokas, the Devas(Spirits) are equally subjected to birth, decay, old age, and death,” means only that an Ego is borne thither, then begins fading out and finally dies,”  i. e. falls into that unconscious condition which precedes rebirth; and ends the Sloka with these words;  “As the devas emerge from these heavens, they enter the lower world again;” i. e. They leave a world of bliss to be reborn in a world of causes.