In the middle period of our earthly existence
we are most deeply entangled in earthly conditions,
whereas in the middle stage between death and rebirth
we are most deeply involved in cosmic conditions.
The nearer we draw to the end of our existence on earth,
the more we withdraw from earthly conditions in a physical sense.
The farther we have gone beyond
the mid-point between death and a new birth,
the more we withdraw from the cosmos
and turn again to the life on earth.
Suppose we referred to the first period after death
as that of childhood,
and the second period
as that of old age.
We would make a mistake.
Spiritual life flows in the reverse order.
To begin with, we carry the errors and shortcomings
of earthly life into the spiritual world.
Then gradually during cosmic existence they are removed.
On earth during our physical existence
we speak of getting old.
In the spiritual world between death and rebirth
we must say quite literally that we grow young.
Rudolf Steiner
Life between Death and Rebirth