Near-Death Experience in Ancient Civilizations
The Origins of the World's Afterlife Beliefs
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Near-Death Experience in Ancient Civilizations
Narrated by:
Ryan Paige
Buy Now for £12.99
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Narrated by:
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Ryan Paige
About this listen
• Focuses on the afterlife beliefs of five ancient world regions: Old and Middle Kingdom Egypt, Sumer and Old Babylonian Mesopotamia, Vedic India, pre-Buddhist China, and Maya and Aztec Mesoamerica
• Shows how the similarities among afterlife beliefs and their correspondences with NDEs reveal that they both stem from universal truths
Taking readers on a thought-provoking journey into our ancestors’ beliefs about death, dying, and the afterlife, Gregory Shushan, Ph.D., reveals the powerful influence of near-death experiences (NDEs) on religious beliefs and ritual practices throughout human history. Focusing on five ancient world regions in Egypt, Mesopotamia, India, China, and Mesoamerica, Shushan expertly explores each civilization’s afterlife beliefs. He explains how each of these civilizations developed independently of one another, yet there is a series of similarities among afterlife beliefs too consistent and specific to be mere coincidence. This leads to the profound implication that afterlife beliefs are not entirely invented by cultures: they also stem from universal truths derived from NDEs.
Drawing on anthropology, psychology, and philosophy, the author explores how each civilization interpreted NDEs and how afterlife beliefs develop over time. He also explores the metaphysical implications of his discoveries, including what an actual afterlife would look like. Revealing that NDEs have occurred throughout human history, Shushan shows how they continue to influence our understanding of what lies beyond death to this day.
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Critic reviews
“The rigorous investigation in this book demonstrates that modern near-death experiences (NDEs) are not simply the result of suggestible cultural influences, brain physiology, or mere illusions. Shushan’s brilliant examination broadly supports that the best understanding of the similarities between these ancient cultures and modern reports of NDEs involves maturing our metaphysical assumptions to accept the reality of an afterlife realm. Most highly recommended!”
“A groundbreaking exploration that masterfully connects ancient afterlife beliefs with the cross-cultural consistency of near-death experiences. Gregory Shushan’s meticulously researched work is a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of history, spirituality, and human consciousness.”
“Gregory Shushan, the undisputed leading scholar of historical NDEs, presents spellbinding cases from five diverse cultures to arrive at his concept of the universal, cultural, and individual features of NDEs—sure to become a fundamental way to conceptualize these fascinating experiences. This book is a must-read.”
“In this major opus of research and scholarship, Gregory Shushan takes his readers on a panoramic vista of ancient texts and traditions dealing with what are today called near-death experiences (NDEs). This makes for fascinating reading, and Shushan explores it all, from his own unique perspective, in this reader-friendly account. A magnificent tour de force.”
“Gregory Shushan shows the seminal importance of near-death experiences in shaping afterlife concepts in disparate societies around the globe. Only someone with Shushan’s comprehensive grasp of transcultural spiritual beliefs could document so persuasively how near-death experiences have influenced human society through the centuries and continue to challenge our own thinking today about death and what may follow.”
“Gregory Shushan offers here a learned comparative vision of the history of religions to plumb the depths of the idea that religious beliefs of the dead and the afterlife do not come from wish-fulfillments, denials, or simple dreams but from consistent and constant experiences of the disembodied soul or spirit.”
“Gregory Shushan’s work on near-death experiences is detailed, rigorous, and compelling. His thorough analysis makes it clear that reductive approaches are inadequate to fully understand the pervasiveness of these experiences. His exploration encourages fresh perspectives on this universal human phenomenon, regardless of one’s stance on NDEs. A must-read for anyone interested in the subject.”
“This book is a treasure. Shushan’s analysis and comparison leads to the conclusion that there is an experiential basis underlying the afterlife beliefs of many ancient cultures.”
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