What Is it Like to Be Dead?
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What Is it Like to Be Dead?
Schlieter's "What Is it Like to Be Dead?" offers a much-needed academic lens on near-death experiences, moving past sensationalism to explore their psychological and existential impact. The strength lies in its systematic analysis of reported aftereffects – the changes in attitudes and life orientation are presented not as mere anecdotes but as documented phenomena. However, the work sometimes feels overly clinical, perhaps sacrificing some of the raw, ineffable quality that experiencers themselves describe. The exploration of how NDEs function as a "call for fundamental change in the present" is particularly compelling, illustrating a core paradox: an experience of death prompting a radical re-engagement with life. This book is a valuable, albeit dispassionate, contribution to understanding these profound human encounters.
📝 Description
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Jens Schlieter's 2010 book questions the nature of post-death consciousness through near-death experiences.
Jens Schlieter's "What Is it Like to Be Dead?" examines near-death experiences (NDEs) not just as anecdotal reports but as phenomena with measurable effects on individuals. The book analyzes how these often ineffable experiences lead to a fundamental shift in a person's life, altering their attitudes, beliefs, and sense of purpose. Schlieter's work argues that NDEs, despite their resistance to easy description, foster a firm conviction in continued existence after death and serve as catalysts for significant personal change.
The study is geared toward those with a serious interest in consciousness studies, comparative religion, and the psychological effects of extreme experiences. It will appeal to academics in psychology and anthropology, as well as individuals who have had NDEs or are interested in their reported aftermath. The research is especially relevant for scholars studying altered states of consciousness and their impact on core existential beliefs.
The study of near-death experiences has roots in earlier investigations of spiritual and mystical states, gaining academic attention in the late 20th century. While figures like Raymond Moody popularized the concept, Schlieter's research represents a more current, rigorous academic engagement with the phenomenon. This work fits within ongoing discussions about consciousness, subjective reality, and the interpretation of profound human experiences, bridging scientific inquiry with spiritual considerations.
💡 Why Read This Book?
• Gain a structured understanding of the reported psychological and existential shifts following near-death experiences, as detailed in the analysis of 'life transformation' and 'post-mortem survival certainty.' • Explore the academic discourse surrounding the 'ineffability' of NDEs, understanding why these experiences are frequently described as beyond ordinary language. • Grasp how near-death experiences can act as a 'call for fundamental change,' providing a framework for interpreting these profound events beyond simple survival confirmation.
⭐ Reader Reviews
Honest opinions from readers who have explored this book.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of Jens Schlieter's "What Is it Like to Be Dead?"
The book primarily studies near-death experiences (NDEs), analyzing their reported effects on individuals, such as new certainty of post-mortem survival and a call for fundamental life changes.
When was "What Is it Like to Be Dead?" first published?
The work was first published on August 6, 2018, contributing to contemporary academic discussions on altered states of consciousness.
What are some common aftereffects of near-death experiences discussed in the book?
Common aftereffects include changes in attitudes and beliefs, a loss of fear of death, finding life purpose, and becoming more spiritual, often stemming from the experience's 'ineffable' nature.
Does the book offer scientific explanations for near-death experiences?
While Schlieter's work analyzes the reported phenomena rigorously, it focuses on the subjective experience and its consequences rather than providing definitive scientific explanations for the NDE itself.
Who would benefit most from reading "What Is it Like to Be Dead?"
Academics in psychology and anthropology, researchers of consciousness, and individuals interested in the profound impact of near-death experiences on human life and belief systems would find this book valuable.
What does the term 'ineffable' mean in the context of near-death experiences as per the book?
In the book, 'ineffable' describes the quality of near-death experiences that are declared to be indescribable or beyond ordinary language, making them difficult to communicate to others.
🔮 Key Themes & Symbolism
Post-Mortem Survival Certainty
The book extensively examines the strong conviction of continued existence after death that near-death experiences often impart. This certainty is not presented as a mere belief but as a deeply ingrained realization stemming from the profound encounter. Schlieter analyzes how this newfound assurance can fundamentally alter an individual's perspective on life, mortality, and the nature of reality itself, often leading to a reduced fear of death and a greater appreciation for the present moment.
Life Transformation
A central theme is the 'call for fundamental change' that NDEs reportedly instigate. This transformation encompasses significant shifts in personal attitudes, core beliefs, and overall life orientation. Experiencers often report losing prior anxieties, discovering a profound sense of purpose, or developing a heightened sense of spirituality. The work explores how these experiences act as catalysts, compelling individuals towards a radically altered way of living and being in the world.
The Ineffable Nature of Experience
Schlieter addresses the common declaration by NDE experiencers that their encounters are 'indescribable, inexplicable, or ineffable.' This theme investigates the limitations of language in capturing the essence of such profound subjective states. The work acknowledges that while direct communication of the experience is challenging, the *effects* and *aftermath* are demonstrably real and impactful on the individual's life trajectory and worldview.
Consciousness and Existential Reorientation
The book probes the nature of consciousness through the lens of extreme experiences. By studying NDEs, Schlieter explores how encounters with perceived non-physical realities can lead to a profound reorientation of an individual's existential framework. This involves questioning fundamental assumptions about life, death, and the self, often resulting in a more 'spiritual' outlook, even if not tied to conventional religious doctrines.
💬 Memorable Quotes
Direct passages from the work, attributed to the author.
“Such experiences not only provide a new certainty of post-mortem survival, but often function as a call for fundamental change in the present.”
— This core statement captures the dual impact of near-death experiences: an existential reassurance about what follows death, coupled with a powerful impetus to alter one's current life path.
“Reported aftereffects encompass changes in attitudes, beliefs, and life orientation.”
— This highlights the tangible psychological and philosophical shifts individuals undergo after an NDE, moving beyond the immediate experience to lasting personal evolution.
“The experience - often declared to be indescribable, inexplicable, or ineffable - is held by many to be the...”
— This points to the inherent difficulty in articulating the subjective reality of an NDE, emphasizing the profound and often transcendent nature of the encounter that language struggles to contain.
“The work examines how NDEs function as a call for fundamental change in the present.”
— This highlights the active, directive quality of near-death experiences, suggesting they serve not just as passive events but as catalysts demanding significant alteration in an individual's current existence.
💡 Key Ideas
Editorial paraphrase of the work's core concepts — not direct quotes.
It is said that 'experiencers' have lost their fear of death, found their purpose in life, or become 'more spiritual.'
This summarizes the most commonly cited positive outcomes of NDEs, illustrating how they can resolve deep-seated anxieties and provide a renewed sense of meaning and connection.
🌙 Esoteric Significance
Tradition
While not strictly aligned with a single esoteric lineage, Schlieter's work engages with themes resonant in Gnostic and Hermetic traditions, particularly concerning the nature of reality, the soul's journey, and the potential for profound spiritual awakening through direct experience. It approaches these themes from an academic perspective, analyzing the reported phenomena rather than prescribing a specific doctrine, thus bridging empirical study with esoteric concepts of transcendence and altered perception.
Symbolism
The primary 'symbol' explored is the experience of death itself, re-contextualized not as an end but as a potential gateway. The concept of 'ineffability' acts as a symbolic barrier, representing the limits of ordinary consciousness and language to grasp transcendent realities. The reported transformation into a 'more spiritual' state signifies a shift from material concerns to a broader, perhaps more unified, understanding of existence.
Modern Relevance
Schlieter's meticulous examination of NDEs remains highly relevant for contemporary consciousness research, transpersonal psychology, and fields exploring subjective well-being and existential psychology. Thinkers and practitioners in psychedelic research, mindfulness studies, and even certain branches of contemplative neuroscience find value in understanding the reported effects of NDEs as benchmarks for profound shifts in perception and belief.
👥 Who Should Read This Book
• Researchers in psychology, anthropology, and religious studies seeking empirical analysis of altered states of consciousness and their existential impact. • Individuals who have personally experienced near-death phenomena and wish to understand the broader patterns and implications of their experiences. • Students of consciousness and philosophy of mind interested in how extreme subjective events challenge conventional understandings of reality and the self.
📜 Historical Context
Jens Schlieter's "What Is it Like to Be Dead?" emerges within a rich academic and cultural landscape preoccupied with altered states and the nature of consciousness, particularly prominent since the late 20th century. The popularization of near-death experiences (NDEs) by figures like Raymond Moody Jr. in the 1970s, with his important work "Life After Life," spurred widespread interest and academic inquiry. Schlieter's research builds upon this foundation, engaging with contemporary psychological and anthropological methodologies. Unlike the more purely anecdotal or spiritual interpretations prevalent in earlier decades, Schlieter's work contributes to a more rigorous, systematic analysis of NDEs' reported aftereffects. This places it in dialogue with ongoing debates in consciousness studies, comparative religion, and the philosophy of mind, areas also explored by scholars such as Stanislav Grof, though Schlieter focuses specifically on the NDE phenomenon's transformative impact.
📔 Journal Prompts
The 'call for fundamental change' following an NDE.
Post-mortem survival certainty and its impact on present life.
The 'ineffable' nature of profound experiences.
Reinterpreting life orientation after an existential encounter.
Comparing personal beliefs with reported NDE aftereffects.
🗂️ Glossary
Near-Death Experience (NDE)
A profound subjective experience reported by some individuals close to death or in life-threatening situations, often involving altered perceptions and feelings of transcendence.
Post-Mortem Survival Certainty
The strong conviction, often reported after an NDE, that consciousness or the self continues to exist after physical death.
Life Transformation
Significant and lasting changes in an individual's attitudes, beliefs, values, and life direction that are attributed to having had an NDE.
Ineffable
Describing an experience that is too extreme or profound to be adequately expressed or communicated in words.
Experiencer
A term used to refer to individuals who have undergone a near-death experience or similar profound altered state.
Call for Fundamental Change
The impetus or perceived mandate arising from an NDE that compels the individual to make significant alterations to their present life and priorities.
Life Orientation
An individual's fundamental way of perceiving and engaging with the world, including their goals, values, and sense of purpose.
This book appears in 1 collection
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