Rather than offering a single answer, humanity has produced a vast tapestry of explanations shaped by theology, philosophy, mysticism, and lived experience. This essay explores how major religions, indigenous traditions, Eastern philosophies, Western esoteric systems, and modern spiritual movements understand the soul’s relationship to Earth after death.
1. Ancient Egyptian Beliefs
The ancient Egyptians held one of the most elaborate and influential views of the afterlife. They believed the human being consisted of several spiritual components, including the Ka (life force), Ba (personality), and Akh (transformed spirit).
The Ka remained close to the body and tomb
The Ba could travel between the physical world and the afterlife
The soul underwent a judgment process in the Duat (underworld)
Continue reading…
