Near-Death Experiences (NDEs) are a mystifying state of consciousness. The incredible experiences reported by survivors of NDEs, such as out-of-body travel and soul-transforming peace are stimulating interdisciplinary research in several fields, from the medical to the mystical. "The Near Death Experience: A Reader" is the most comprehensive collection of NDE cases and interpretations ever assembled.
Edited by Lee W. Bailey and Jenny Yates, this book encompasses a broad range of disciplines. Psychological researchers discuss cognitive models and Jungian theories of meaningful archetypal phenomena such as enlightenment and healing transformation. From the biological perspective, "The Near Death Experience: A Reader" describes how brains near death may produce soothing endorphins, optical illusions, and convincing hallucinations. Philosophers present empirical analyses and images in archetypal theories, and the symbolic language of comparative phenomenological theories. Christian, Jewish and Mormon responses to NDEs outline the religious perspective, and through discussion of the Native American Black Elk's NDE and the classic"Tibetan Book of the Dead," the mystical and spiritual interpretations of NDEs are also explored.

Near-death experiences (NDEs) are a mystifying and challenging state of consciousness. The incredible experiences reported by survivors of NDEs, such as out-of-body travel and soul-transforming peace and cosmic light, are stimulating interdisciplinary research in several fields, from the medical to the mystical. This work is a comprehensive collection of NDE cases and interpretations. Psychological researchers discuss cognitive models and Jungian theories of meaningful archetypal phenomena such as enlightenment and healing transformation. From a biological perspective, other contributors describe how brains near death may produce soothing endorphins, optical illusions and convincing hallucinations. Philosophers present empirical analyses and images in archetypal theories, and discuss the topic in the symbolic language of comparative phenomenological theories. Christian, Jewish and Mormon responses to NDEs outline the religious perspective.

"As a doctor, I make every effort to strengthen the belief in immortality, especially with older patients when such questions come threateningly close. For, seen in correct psychological perspective, death is not an end but a goal, and life's inclination towards death begins as soon as the meridian is past."--C.G. Jung, commentary on "The Secret of the Golden Flower"

Here collected for the first time are Jung's views on death and immortality, his writings often coinciding with the death of the most significant people in his life. The book shows many of the major themes running throughout the writings, including the relativity of space and time surrounding death, the link between transference and death, and the archetypes shared among the world's religions at the depths of the Self. The book includes selections from "On Resurrection," "The Soul and Death," "Concerning Rebirth," "Psychological Commentary on The Tibetan Book of the Dead" from the "Collected Works, " "Letter to Pastor Pfafflin" from "Letters, " and "On Life after Death."