After Death...

Those who were not aware of, or did not believe in an afterlife whilst on Earth may need to be convinced that they are actually dead; after all, we do not in fact feel so very different. It can take some people a long time to accept that they are really "dead" in Earth terms, despite the different qualities of lightness and color in their new surroundings. Because such persons are slow to accept change, they usually choose upon death to move into a vibrational level close to that of Earth, where they can pursue a life in surroundings related as nearly as possible to their previous environment. Eventually, through the help of guides coming from higher spheres, they will come to recognize their new "reality", thereby freeing themselves to move up to higher levels.
Those who have considerably lowered their vibrational rates whilst living on Earth through uncaring or damaging behavior towards others, or by abuse of their own bodies such as through drug-use, will find themselves descending to the lower dark astral regions, the traditional Biblical "Hell". There they will encounter a dark and gloomy world of bleak surroundings, ranging from cold, grey foggy wastelands down to the lowest dark pits of depravity where evil deeds are constantly re-enacted. The soul may dwell in these conditions for some time until it has fully assimilated the relevant lessons through constant repetition of these evil deeds. Eventually the errant soul begins to "see the light" and feels the need to rise up again to higher vibrational levels. Once the soul has made the commitment to raise itself from darkness, spiritual guides will gently assist it to the higher planes.
The lower astral plane also contains many other less dark but nonetheless low-level areas where people of little spiritual development or aspiration live in their own subjectively re-created conditions similar to the less inspiring urban areas of Earth. Many of these souls continue to remain unaware or unwilling to believe they are dead. They relive life as on Earth in relatively grim conditions, going through the same motions as before, eating food which they no longer need for sustenance, going to "work" every day, and using "money" which is now no longer necessary. They also find that everything around them seems to decay rather rapidly and constantly needs replacement; this experience gradually teaches them to relinquish their attachment to material possessions and encourages them to seek an upward move to more spiritual spheres. Eventually they too seek help from above and are subsequently taken up to the higher mental and spiritual planes surrounding Earth.
When the fact of death has been thoroughly assimilated, the newly arrived soul is permitted access to the Akashic Records, a form of universal memory-bank which records all events that have ever taken place anywhere in the universe as well as every thought and action of every individual. Through this medium the soul can review in multi-dimensional sight and sound significant episodes of the Earth incarnation recently completed. By reviewing the mistakes, personality faults and unkindnesses to others, the various lessons still remaining unlearnt can be identified.