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

By: Mark Berkson, The Great Courses

Narrated by: 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

Death is what makes life so precious!

Taking this lesson was an awakening life event for me. I highly recommend it! Thank you Dr. Berkson.

excellent

loved it. the narrator was excellent
very interesting subjects and I would recommend it to all.

Need to know

Lectures were very insightful. The more you find out about Death and Dying, the more you release to live a fuller life.

Thought provoking

Going from avoiding thinking about death to actively contemplating the ideas about death present in this course is both surprising and educational.
I'm very glad I chose to explore the topic and had it presented in an insightful and absorbing manner.

Excellent and thought provoking

Bought this on a recommendation from someone and thoroughly enjoyed it. Very thought provoking.