Where Do We Go When We Die? A Journey Through Shamanism, Castaneda, and Buddhism
Death is the ultimate mystery—one that has captivated humanity for millennia. Across cultures and spiritual traditions, people have asked: Where do we go when we die? Today, let us explore this profound question through the lenses of shamanic wisdom, the writings of Michael Harner and Carlos Castaneda, and the teachings of Buddhism. Each offers a unique map of the afterlife and the soul’s journey beyond our world.
Shamanic Realms: The Upper, Middle, and Lower Worlds
Anthropologist and shamanic teacher Michael Harner introduced many Westerners to the idea that reality is far more layered than it seems. In his view, the world is divided into three spiritual realms:
· Upper World: A luminous, celestial realm where enlightened beings, ancestors, and spirit guide’s dwell. Shamans travel here for wisdom and healing.
· Lower World: An earthly, primal dimension, not a place of punishment but of deep healing and transformation. Here, animal spirits and ancestral guides help us reconnect with our roots.
· Middle World: Our everyday reality, but also a place where spirits linger and shamans work to heal and guide both the living and the dead.
In shamanic traditions, death is not an end but a transition. The soul journeys into these other realms, often with the help of compassionate spirits, to heal, learn, or prepare for what comes next. This journey is not just for the dead—shamans themselves travel these worlds to help souls find peace and insight.
Carlos Castaneda: Death as Our Eternal Companion
Carlos Castaneda’s books, based on his apprenticeship with Yaqui sorcerer don Juan Matus, offer a different but complementary perspective. For Castaneda, death is always with us, “our eternal companion,” urging us to live fully and authentically. He writes:
“Death is the only wise advisor that we have… Your death will tell you, 'I haven't touched you yet.'”
Castaneda describes “non ordinary reality”—alternate worlds accessible through altered states of consciousness. In these realms, the boundaries of self and time dissolve. Death, in this context, is not an end but a gateway: a passage into deeper layers of existence, where the soul can transform and awaken.
Buddhism: The Cycle of Death and Rebirth
Buddhism offers its own map of the afterlife. According to Buddhist teachings, we are all caught in samsara—the endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, shaped by our actions (karma). When we die, our consciousness seeks a new form, leading to rebirth in one of many realms: human, animal, heavenly, or hellish.
But there is a way out. The goal is enlightenment (nirvana), which ends the cycle of suffering and rebirth. For Buddhists, death is both a transition and an opportunity: a chance to break free from the bonds of ignorance and attachment.
Alternate Realities: The Shamanic Perspective
Both shamanic and Indigenous traditions describe the afterlife as a journey through different worlds. The Upper and Lower Worlds are not places of judgment, but realms of spiritual growth and reunion with guides or ancestors.
In the Upper World, the soul finds wisdom and cosmic unity.
In the Lower World, the soul reconnects with primal energies and ancestral roots.
These journeys are not just for the dead—shamans travel these worlds in life to heal, seek knowledge, and help others, living or departed, find their way.
A Tapestry of Wisdom
So, where do we go when we die? The answer depends on which tradition you ask, but all agree death is not the end. It is a transformation, a journey into realities beyond the ordinary, where the soul continues to learn, heal, and awaken.
Whether you are drawn to the shaman’s journey, Castaneda’s no ordinary realities, or Buddhism’s cycle of rebirth, each path invites us to live more deeply and to approach death not with fear, but with curiosity and wonder.
What are your thoughts on the afterlife? Have you had experiences or dreams that made you question what lies beyond? Share your stories in the comments below!
