Rituals After Death

After death there are a number of rituals to observe to speed the journey of the soul. There are several poor who can't afford these rituals. What is the purpose of these rituals and do they in fact help the journey of the soul?

Rituals are only an aid. Do you truly think my son, that without these rituals the soul would not go on, on its onward journey? And do you think that the non-practice of these rituals result in earth-bound spirits? Rituals are an aid and when carried out correctly with their true essence, perform vital functions, true. But are the only essential means of a soul’s starting its journey? Not at all. The poor, my son, perform no rituals but having connected to the essence of universal truth merely give their own energy to the soul to move towards the light. And that would be far more effective than the rich who perform the rituals as a social norm to be followed.

The soul’s desire to go towards the light or not, is not reliant upon rituals. Rituals have a significance and a purpose. And you may speak to our son here (Sohrab), and he will give you that part of an earlier discourse which has discussed the significance and purpose of rituals.  But to your question we answer, no certainly not.  You can dispense any ritual. If the essence of that ritual is within you, you do not need that ritual. And so rich or poor, good and bad, are not the criteria for the soul’s journey. Your mental conditioning might make you think that a murderer would certainly become an earthbound soul. Not true!  He has as much opportunity and as much help from our side to approach the light as any other. We have said this before. The decision to go towards the light or not is entirely that of the soul. How do these prayers help? Once again, if they are prayed not as mere words, but with the full realisation of the essence of the prayers, they will emit an energy and create an energy field, in which the soul can find a strength that it might draw upon if it so desires, in order to reach the light. It will create an energy field, by which the soul will be able to easier observe, that several loved ones and friends from our world are already around the soul, waiting to escort the soul on its journey.

And for these prayers is a priest required? You may use one, if you do not have the required knowledge, yes. But yet, the essence of the truth of prayers lies not within the priest but in you. And if you are lacking in that essence, the priest’s prayers are merely words. Is it essential for the priest to know the essence? No! Because the prayers are being guided by you. Any ritual, any prayer is futile unless the one offering the ritual or prayer has completely acknowledged and realised its essence.