Death, Near Death, and Life After Death

Fears and phobias prevent us from living life on our terms. Some of these are deeply ingrained; they are termed as primal fears and do not discriminate because of nationality or religion.

- GEOFF BROOKE

Fears and phobias prevent us from living life on our terms. Some of these are deeply ingrained; they are termed as primal fears and do not discriminate because of nationality or religion. Primordial fears are deeply rooted in the psyche and include: fear of darkness, heights, predators, isolation, and death.

Of these, death is one of the biggest fears of human beings. Even if some are not afraid of death itself, they confess to a fear of the dying process, or of the unknown; that is, what happens next? In earlier years, death was a more intimate and often comforting experience. It took place at home, and friends and family were often gathered together, whereas now, many take their last breath in a clinical hospital environment. However, it is these very hospitals that have inadvertently provided the wherewithal to provide insights into the mysteries of death.

In 1975, Dr. Raymond Moody, a professor of Psychology, published a book called