Death, Dying, and the Afterlife: Lessons from World Cultures

De: Mark Berkson, The Great Courses

Narrado por: Mark Berkson

After thousands of years of pondering it, we still find death one of life's most perplexing mysteries. Many cultures view death as a window into the true meaning of life.

These 24 lectures looking at this often feared subject are an uplifting, meaningful, and multidisciplinary exploration of life's only certainty. Bringing together theology, philosophy, biology, anthropology, literature, psychology, sociology, and other fields, they are a brilliant compendium of how human beings have struggled to come to terms with mortality. You'll encounter everything from ancient burial practices, traditional views of the afterlife, and the five stages of grief to the question of killing during wartime, the phenomenon of near-death experiences, and even 21st-century theories about transcending death itself.

With personal and cultural enlightenment as the overarching goal, Professor Berkson provides you with eye-opening answers to several major questions surrounding death, including: How do we think about death? How do religions approach death? When (if ever) is it justified to take a life? You'll also hear a chorus of voices from multiple disciplines, cultures, and ages as they offer sometimes shocking and sometimes refreshing perspectives on death. These voices include the Buddha, St. Paul, Albert Camus, Dylan Thomas, and Elizabeth Kübler-Ross.

"Many religious traditions teach that a form of regular death reflection can deepen one's appreciation for life," Professor Berkson notes. "And in some traditions, it can actually lead to spiritual transformation or awakening. As the poet Rainer Maria Rilke wrote, 'Whoever rightly understands and celebrates death at the same time magnifies life.'"

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2016 The Great Courses (P)2016 The Teaching Company, LLC

Sparky Poopybutthole

help me with copping with the unexpected death of my beloved dog, Sparky Poopybutthole. 💕 he is worth remembering.

Excellent study of death!

I really enjoyed this set of lectures. There was a lot of variety in the approaches to the topics which really showed Berkson’s many areas of expertise. For example, in some lectures he discusses philosophical approaches to death and in others he discusses religious approaches Probably not an easy thing to pull off. But my favorite quality of this series of lectures was Berkson’s consistent engaging and compassionate tone.

Highly recommended series. His other series on religious literacy pairs nicely with this one.

My Father's death

Listening to this course was an important process to reflect upon my Father's death. The content helped me design an audio & pictorial tribute meaningful to his heirs.

Great course

Can be very intellectual but makes the effort to return to the humane in end.

new insights for meaningful living !

well presented...had repeat some chapters.
everyone should listen and reflect on dearh, dying in order to live purposely