Can the souls between lives learn from guides and choose their next lives – what is the Vedic perspective?

Question:
Many people who have studied near-death experiences (NDEs), out-of-body experiences (OBEs), and even inter-life experiences report that the soul chooses its next destination. This seems evolutionarily positive in the sense that the soul can learn from its past life experiences. Are there any scriptural references supporting this idea? Also, it is often said that there are higher beings—some masters—who guide the soul from one life to another and offer lessons, which the soul may choose to learn or ignore.

This understanding can inspire people to take responsibility for their actions, not just in this life but beyond. Is there any scriptural basis for such ideas?

Answer:
I’d like to make three main points:

1. The post-mortem domain is described vaguely and variably in scriptures.
2. The soul may retain some level of choice and control after death, just as it has in life.
3. Such experiences can be used selectively and responsibly to inspire spiritual growth, provided they align with the principle of encouraging self-understanding and personal responsibility.

1. Scriptural focus on responsibility, not mechanics

In general, Vedic scriptures focus less on the mechanics of the transition between lives and more on the consequences of actions (karma) and the importance of present responsibility. Whether it’s the Dharma-centered worldview (focusing on Dharma, Artha, and Kama for better future births) or the Moksha-centered worldview (focusing on liberation), the emphasis is on the now—how our current choices shape our future.

The precise process by which a soul moves from one body to another is influenced by karma and divine supervision and can vary widely based on individual circumstances. For example, scriptures refer to disembodied beings like bhūtas and piśācas, who exist in intermediate states due to past karma. These states are generally depicted as undesirable—not so much learning-focused, but suffering-laden.

2. Examples of divine intervention

There are scriptural instances of souls desiring or planning a future birth, but usually with the help of higher beings:

• Amba, wronged by Bhishma, took birth as Shikhandi to become the cause of his death. This happened through penance and divine intervention.
• In the Mahabharata, rakshasas consciously chose to be born on Earth to support the spread of adharma.
• The devatas take birth to assist in divine pastimes like Krishna-lila and Rama-lila.
• Ganga discusses the future births of the Vasus; King Nriga discusses his next life with Yamaraja.

In all these cases, there is divine oversight. Human choice may be a factor, but it is not the sole factor.

3. Caution about total control

We never have full control in this life, and it is unlikely we have complete choice in the afterlife either. Karma always plays a role, and our level of control varies accordingly. Even among ghosts or disembodied entities, power and influence vary based on karma and desires, especially desires for vengeance or attachment.

4. Validating subjective experiences cautiously

Even if some people report having made choices in the inter-life state, their experience of reality need not reflect the full reality. Just like in this life, we often overestimate our control and credit ourselves for things that had many contributing factors.

This doesn’t mean such experiences are invalid or useless. They can still be used, following the principle of Yukta Vairagya (intelligent engagement), to inspire personal responsibility and spiritual growth.

5. Limitations of learning from trauma

Seeking meaning and learning from life events, especially painful or traumatic ones, is valuable. But some wounds are too raw, and some events too close, for useful reflection in the moment. Excessively replaying traumatic experiences in the name of “learning” can be unproductive or even harmful.

We need to balance the search for meaning with epistemic humility—the understanding that we may not grasp the full picture right now, and that some things may make sense only in hindsight or perhaps not even in this life.

6. Avoiding extremes in interpretation

There are two extremes to avoid:

• Over-glorifying the past or the inter-life experience as perfectly positive and full of growth.
• Over-dismissing these experiences as entirely illusory or irrelevant.

Like life itself, the post-mortem realm may include both pain and purpose. Our attachments can cause suffering even in the next life. So, we shouldn’t gloss over pain in a superficial bid for positivity.

Real spiritual growth often involves finding purpose in spite of pain—and sometimes because of pain.

Conclusion:
The inter-life domain can vary greatly based on karma, just as life circumstances differ here. The soul likely retains some agency, and divine beings may provide guidance, but total control or choice is unlikely. While some inter-life or near-death experiences might reflect subjective truths rather than absolute ones, they can still inspire people toward personal responsibility and spiritual growth.

Thus, instead of trying to categorically affirm or reject such experiences, we can non-committally acknowledge them and focus on the universal principles of wise living, which are very much in line with scriptural wisdom.