“The idea of death, the fear of it, haunts the human animal like nothing else; it is a mainspring of human activity—activity designed largely to avoid the fatality of death, to overcome it by denying in some way that it is the final destiny for man.” – Ernest Becker.
Cultural anthropologist Ernest Becker suggests that our fascination with death and the afterlife stems from an inherent fear of the alternative: the possibility of sheer nonexistence. Could this perspective hold truth? Do we just become empty husks decomposing beneath the vibrant, green turf, ultimately serving as nourishment for the plants we once consumed? Is our existence snuffed out, or is there something beyond the threshold of death? As our physical forms fade away, might an energy within us persist, venturing into realms beyond our visual grasp?
Historical and Cultural Perspectives
Throughout human history, cultures worldwide have developed intricate beliefs and practices surrounding death and the concept of the afterlife. These beliefs, deeply embedded within the socio-cultural fabric, have been pivotal in shaping rituals, influencing literature, and defining the broader worldview of their respective societies.
Ancient Egyptians
The ancient Egyptians believed that death was not the end but merely the beginning of one’s eternal journey. The soul was envisioned as undergoing judgement by the god Osiris before progressing to paradise, where it would regain all that had been lost. Mummification and elaborate burial practices were pivotal, ensuring the soul’s well-being and showing their complex beliefs about life, death, and the eternal journey. Despite these profound beliefs in an eternal happily-ever-after, Egyptians harboured a fear of death and deeply valued their life on earth.
Hinduism
In Hinduism, notions of death and the afterlife revolve around the concept of Samsara, representing the perpetual cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, shaped by one’s karma or cumulative actions. To unite with the ultimate reality, Brahman, the soul seeks liberation (Moksha) from this cycle, aspiring to transcend the transient states of existence. Acknowledging the diversity within Hinduism, where various schools of thought offer differing interpretations of ultimate goals and the nature of ultimate reality is crucial. The multifaceted philosophies within Hinduism promote righteous living and profoundly influence daily ethics, values, and practices. Rituals like Antyeshti epitomize the interconnected tapestry of existence, transformation, and liberation, embodying the essence of Hindu perspectives on life, death, and what lies beyond.
Anishinaabe (Ojibway)
The Anishinaabe people believe that the circle of life consists of birth, life, death, and afterlife. Upon death, the spirit undergoes a challenging journey westward, travelling the path of the setting sun (Path of Souls). The Anishinaabe perform ceremonies and rituals to honour the deceased and to aid their spirit in their journey towards eternal happiness. These spirits retain a connection with the living, manifesting through dreams and spiritual encounters.
Religious Beliefs and the Afterlife
Despite their diverse beliefs, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam all share a similar teaching, which is that the human soul is immortal and that the spirit comes from a divine world, which it will one day return to. Once home, the spirit will answer to all their earthly deeds, good and bad.
In some forms of Buddhism, it’s believed that a person is not a permanent, unchanging entity but rather a complex combination of physical and mental elements. These elements are in a constant state of change, never staying the same. As a result, there’s no enduring, unchanging self or soul (anatman, or “no-self”). Instead, our existence is like a flowing river of experiences and phenomena, with no fixed self that remains intact through time. This concept challenges the idea of an eternal soul and underscores the temporary nature of all things in life.
Elizabeth Kubler-Ross
Elizabeth Kubler-Ross was a pioneering Swiss-American psychologist who played a pivotal role in reshaping our understanding of mortality, grief, and dying. She introduced a revolutionary framework detailing the five stages of grief, shedding light on the emotional journeys individuals navigate when faced with death. It’s crucial to note that these stages, stemming from her keen observations, don’t necessarily occur in sequence, and not everyone experiences every step. Kubler-Ross’s innovative studies broke down numerous taboos. They paved the way for candid discussions about death and dying, fostering a heightened awareness and more profound comprehension of mortality.
Towards the end of her life, Kubler-Ross advanced the notion that life extends beyond physical death, transitioning into a different form of existence. Her perspectives ignited conversations surrounding spirituality, metaphysical dimensions of being, and the potential continuance of life after death.
Scientific Exploration of Near-Death Experiences
Floating above one’s body, traversing tunnels of light, and reuniting with departed loved ones are among the experiences recounted by those who have teetered on the brink of death and returned.
Near-death experiences have raised questions about consciousness and its potential for existence beyond our physical bodies. This phenomenon is not as rare as one might think, with an estimated 10 to 20 percent of individuals on the verge of death reporting such experiences. In one well-known case, a woman accurately described events that took place in a different room while she was unconscious in the hospital.
Some within the scientific community argue that these experiences are linked to physical changes in the brain, such as a decrease in oxygen levels. The experience of anesthesia awareness, when patients can hear parts of conversation or music playing around them in the operating room, is often cited to debunk the validity of near-death experiences.
The question arises: are these experiences solely the product of brain activity, such as hypoxia or endorphin release, which can induce hallucinations and feelings of euphoria during extreme stress? Or does it go beyond the physiological boundaries of the brain? Having never experienced such an encounter, I can’t say with certainty if they are linked to the afterlife. Nevertheless, I do find the idea fascinating and oddly comforting.
The Contemporary Cultural Landscape
The mysteries surrounding death and the afterlife have always been a topic in films, art, and music, with each medium offering a unique exploration into the unknown. This multifaceted representation of death mirrors our fascination with it and reflects on societal norms, attitudes, and beliefs about life and what lies beyond it.
Films like “The Sixth Sense” and “Ghost” look at the interactions between the living and the deceased, whereas others, like “Soul” and “Coco,” look at concepts of near-death experiences and the afterlife. Dante’s “Divine Comedy” mapped out the realms of hell, purgatory, and paradise, and Eric Clapton’s song, “Tears in Heaven,” captures the pain, grief, and hope intertwined with the loss of a child.
These creative outlets are a therapeutic outlet for our deepest emotions and thoughts about existence and mortality. They help us to navigate our feelings and perceptions about death. Moreover, they offer a sanctuary where we can challenge, contemplate, and find comfort in the age-old mysteries of what lies beyond our earthly realm.
Conclusion
Throughout history, our curiosity about death and the afterlife has sparked endless debates, theories, and artistic expression. In the ever-evolving tapestry of ideas, my novel, “The Adventures of Izzy Adams: Descending Into Darkness,” offers a fresh perspective on the spiritual realm. Set against the backdrop of Izzy Adams’ transformative journey, the narrative delves into intricate spiritual elements such as soulmates, spirit guides, reincarnation, astral projection, and life reviews. It paints a fantastical world within the spirit realm, complete with demons, dark souls, and a unique system of inequality. This world challenges the conventional understanding of reincarnation by presenting a layered hierarchy of souls—where privilege, status, and judgement dictate their fate. Through Izzy’s encounters and challenges, readers will find themselves looking at their own perceptions of life, death, mortality, and the very essence of existence.
“Death is not the last chapter of our book; it’s the prologue to a series yet unwritten.” – Jessica Lee Sheppard.
Question for Readers
Given the different interpretations and beliefs about death and what follows it, have you encountered anything that provides a glimpse into this unknown? If so, and you are comfortable sharing, what was it like? Please share your story in the comments below.