Near-Death Experience in Ancient Civilizations : The Origins of the World's Afterlife Beliefs - Gregory Shushan

Near-Death Experience in Ancient Civilizations

The Origins of the World's Afterlife Beliefs

By: Gregory Shushan

Paperback | 4 February 2025 | Edition Number 2

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A cross-cultural comparison of ancient beliefs about death and the afterlife

- Reveals the powerful influence of near-death experiences (NDEs) on the formation of religious beliefs, mystical literature, and ritual practices

- 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--Old and Middle Kingdom Egypt, Sumer and Old Babylonian Mesopotamia, Vedic India, pre-Buddhist China, and Maya and Aztec Mesoamerica--Shushan expertly explores each civilization's afterlife beliefs, highlighting their similarities with NDEs and comparing them with each other. He explains how each of these civilizations developed independently of one another, with little or no cultural contact between them, yet there is a series of similarities between afterlife beliefs among these groups 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 to form their beliefs and presents a rich understanding of how afterlife beliefs develop over time. He also explores the metaphysical implications of his discoveries, including what an actual afterlife would look like based on cross-cultural similarities and differences.

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.

Industry 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!”

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