By death of the body is meant dissolution, of course. For when this physical body is disintegrated, the soul is no longer a captive to time and space and its life becomes much more real.

In another sense, body means much more than just the physical body; any body -- earth-body, mind-body or even heart-body -- seems to exact something from soul so that it does not fully realize its complete union and unity with God.

Again, death of body may mean death of influence of body. This is a most wonderful process. When one has completely realized God while in the physical body, when one has attained to liberation, the form of the body remains -- one still has a chemical body but there is a marvelous change in it.

The old physical atoms fall away and are displaced by finer particles. These are more attenuated and are filled with the life-force which flows forth from the heart -- not with the blood so much as around the blood like magnetism flows around an electric wire. This living magnetism produces a living light and sometimes this light can manifest. Thus Jesus Christ has said, "Let your light shine before men."

This light was also seen in Moses when the Glory of God shone upon him and it is called "Kevod" by the Hebrews. This is the living breath and life of God. It is also manifested in Mohammed whose inner light was so great that sometimes he cast no shadow. It was this attainment that gave him the right to be called Mohammed. By Sufis this light is called "Nuri Mohammed".

This spiritual physical body is called by the Buddhists "Nirmanakaya" or body of transformation. It can be dissolved instantly at so-called death, which certainly was true in the historical cases of Moses, Elijah, Jesus Christ, Kabir and many others. There is not always instantaneous dissolution because if the body is kept whole or parts remain, they help to sanctify the earth. So Mohammed was placed in a tomb and the remains of Buddha placed in stupas.

Explore More Daily Bowl of Saki