Indeed, only individually can we know the answer to such a profound question which may actually be too deep for us to know at the level we are at now, however, if approach this question like one of my 'heroes' Sherlock Holmes, using deduction, research, documentation, cross-referencing, etc...., we can come to at least a working hypothesis, which along with a strong wish can lead us to the possibility of coming to know a practical answer.
For such a complex & important question as this, we really don't have to surmise. There were some ancient High Cultures around the globe who based their civilizations on 2 'technologies' which we today have no clue about. The 1st of which was what happens to us after death along with our continued journey & the 2nd was tweaking the human 'machine' for higher spiritual development (thus creating something which survives physical death). In the ancient Nile Valley this 2nd 'technology' was available in 2 distinct forms, one form for the masses & one form for the temple initiates, various Pharaohs, Queens & noblemen. In both instances, death was the 'bridge' to one's next journey.
For the masses, the Pharaonic 'priesthood' maintained the devotion to Wesir/Asar (Osiris). This was a path of renewal & reincarnation……But for the initiates of the temple, was taught the Christ-like principle of Heru (Horus) The Redeemer, which is the path of freeing oneself from the 'Karmic wheel of reincarnation', of a direct return to 'Cosmic man/woman IN THIS LIFE, not in successive reincarnations.
We have to keep in mind that we today know NOTHING of life after death beyond guessing & theories, yet these ancient High Cultures based their nation around such a spiritual science...their temple writings & teachers actually served to prepare them for this occasion.......& it obviously worked~!! Why do I say it worked?? Because no culture lasts for thousands & thousands of years without a strong spiritual foundation.
Quite briefly in closing, for the ancients of the Nile Valley, there were/are 9 'bodies' attached to each individual. The 9 Bodies were named:
Ren (the name & director who gives orders, our blueprint/DNA)
Ab (the heart/emotions, the Consciousness, our center of gravity)
- Akh (our Luminous body, the weak force of decay)
- Khaibit (our shadow, the body's Aura)
- Ba (the 'Intelligence' of the heart, the 'soul')
- Ka (the double. has to be re-membered to unite with the Ba & is the only reliable guide through the journey)
- Khat (basically our physical body)
- Sekhem (our energy, power, Light)
- Sahu (our Ressurection & most sacred body)
This is only a VERY basic description of this topic, since to really know such an esoteric concept as this, one must be diligent in the study of esotericism, not just guessing, hoping & surmising about it~!