in esoteric thought, the state which the soul moves out of a physical incarnation - has died on earth.  The soul exists in this state in a subtle energy body, which carries the imprint of what happened to its former lives.  Here the soul formulates its plan for the next life.  When in between-lives state the soul can be accessed during a physical incarnation.  While in this state it is possible to heal the past and to access the purpose and plan for the present life.