If we practice devotion of God, then next life is to become the associate of God. That cintamani-prakara-sadmasu — we are transferred to that planet. These are simple things. The whole thing is in my hand. If I want to be degraded, I can prepare myself in this life for such degradation in the next life. And if we want to elevate ourself to the highest perfection of life, as to become one of the associates of God, we can prepare ourself like that.

From Srila Prabhupada’s lecture on Bhagavad-gita 2.11 — New York, March 4, 1966