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I shall be obliged if you could explain to me what happens to the soul after death and what merits
we could do for the peace of the departed soul and whether he could see or hear us,
mortals. Is there any truth in what the spiritualists say that we could commune with the
dead through a thing called ‘medium’ and is it really the dead person who answers?

Do not allow yourself to be fascinated by spiritualism, mediumship, crystal crazing, etc.
They will lead you astray. Communication with the dead and talking with the dead are all fads
which have no connection with real spirituality. The purpose of life is different. The goal is to
realize the essential imperishability of your Self. This alone will confer perfect bliss and peace.
The spirit is neither born nor does it die. Like a person passing from one room to another,
the soul passes from one plane of existence to another. In the period between death and rebirth,
the individual works out a certain portion of his Karmas in subtler spheres. At the appointed
time, the soul takes up a new body again.
The best means of ensuring peace for the departed is to do Kirtan, increase your Japa,
relieve other people’s distress by selfless service and charity, and do earnest prayer.
Do not try to commune with the departed soul of your husband. Communion with the
departed soul will stand in the way of its onward march to higher blissful regions and make it
earth-bound. Do not try to drag your husband down. It will disturb his peace. The spirit-guide
which controls the medium is ignorant and deceitful. It utters falsehood.

From "May I answer that" by Swami Sivananda (1987-1963). More Informations on Swami Sivananda: on the Website of Divine Life Society, Photographs of Swami Sivananda, German Pages on Swami Sivananda