Death by Alice Bailey

Alice Bailey, a theosophical and esoteric writer, discusses spiritual and metaphysical processes from a deeply symbolic and hierarchical perspective, especially in her book Death: The Great Adventure. While she doesn't offer a literal "step-by-step" physical withdrawal process like a medical description, she presents a three-tiered model of how different levels of spiritual development experience death — or what she calls the process of withdrawal — from the physical form.

Here’s a synthesis of the withdrawal process according to Alice Bailey for the three types of individuals: the Unawakened, the Awakened, and the Masters.

🔹 1. The Unawakened (Average Human)

These are people not yet consciously aligned with their soul or higher self.

Withdrawal Process:

Instinctual and unconscious: The withdrawal from the body happens naturally, without conscious participation.

The etheric body detaches slowly from the physical, usually beginning at the solar plexus center.

There may be confusion or fear after death due to ignorance of the afterlife.

The silver cord (link between the physical and etheric bodies) is broken at death.

After death, the unawakened soul remains in the lower astral plane for some time, processing emotional and mental residues.

Key Notes:

There's often a lingering attachment to the physical plane.

Death may be traumatic if there’s emotional turmoil or strong material identification.

🔹 2. The Awakened (Disciple or Aspirant)

These individuals have begun conscious alignment with the soul and are spiritually oriented.

Withdrawal Process:

The process is more conscious; the individual may even anticipate death with detachment and understanding.

The withdrawal occurs via the heart center or sometimes the head center.

The etheric body is released with less resistance, allowing for a smoother passage.

The person enters the higher astral or mental planes more rapidly.

Often retains memory and awareness in the after-death state.

Key Notes:

Death is regarded as a transition, not an end.

The emotional body is less dominant, making post-death adjustment easier.

The individual may remain aware and even continue service on inner planes.

🔹 3. The Master (Initiate of High Degree)

Masters are beings who have taken advanced initiations and function primarily as the soul or monad.

Withdrawal Process:

Entirely conscious and deliberate withdrawal.

The exit is through the head center (crown chakra), often a point of light or fire.

There is no fear or resistance; the process is an act of will.

The physical, etheric, astral, and mental bodies are discarded like garments.

The Master passes directly into causal or higher spiritual planes, often without the need to return to incarnation.

Key Notes:

Death is a chosen act, often occurring at a moment of high spiritual significance.

There’s no interruption of consciousness — a seamless transition.

May leave behind no residue in the lower planes.

🌟 Symbolic Differences in Death Process

Type Center of Withdrawal Level of Awareness Post-Death Experience

Unawakened Solar Plexus Unconscious Astral plane (confused)

Awakened Heart / Head Partially conscious Higher astral or mental

Master Head (Crown) Fully conscious Direct return to spiritual source

🕊️ Summary

Alice Bailey describes death not as an end, but a graduated process that reflects one’s spiritual development. For the unawakened, it is passive and unconscious. For the awakened, it becomes a process of liberation and transition. For the Master, death is a controlled, intentional, and sacred act of withdrawal into higher life.