US shipping Secure card payment Occult and esoteric books

A Traveler's Guide to the Afterlife: Traditions and Beliefs on Death, Dying, and What Lies Beyond

Mirabello, Mark
Reader rating
4.5
(1 reviews) 133 sold
Availability to be confirmed

This edition can be ordered. No arrival date is confirmed.

📚 ABOUT THE BOOK

Unravel the mysteries of the great beyond, from ancient rites to modern revelations.

Mark Mirabello's extensive volume delves into humanity's myriad beliefs surrounding death, the soul's journey, and what lies beyond. This remarkable guide traverses diverse cultures and historical periods, examining concepts of heaven, hell, reincarnation, and even how some traditions empower individuals to ascend to divinity. It scrutinizes ancient wisdom, from global Books of the Dead to modern perspectives. More than a mere survey, it unearths techniques for communicating with the deceased and provocatively questions the inherent link between earthly ethics and post-mortem fate, offering a truly global and profound exploration.

Key themes
Journeys Beyond the Veil Bridging Worlds: Spirit Contact Morality's Post-Mortem Reckoning
Historical context

This volume sits at the intersection of comparative religion and esoteric philosophy, bridging ancient global wisdom with modern metaphysical inquiry. It serves as a comprehensive resource for understanding the diverse spiritual frameworks that humanity has constructed around mortality and the soul's journey.

Difficulty
●● Moderate
Fans will love it
Emanuel Swedenborg · Helena Blavatsky · Rudolf Steiner · The Tibetan Book of the Dead
🕯️ Occult Philosophy
🏛 Inner Traditions International 📅 2016 📖 224 pages 📔 Paperback 📐 Paperback ISBN: 9781620555972
Fun fact
Mirabello's "A Traveler's Guide to the Afterlife" is an ambitious, encyclopedic achievement, offering an unparalleled global survey of humanity's deepest ponderings on death. It excels in its breadth and academic rigor, making it indispensable for scholars and serious seekers alike. Those seeking a comforting, singular spiritual narrative may find its objective, comparative approach challenging. It stands as a definitive, thought-provoking reference in the fields of comparative eschatology and spiritual inquiry.

📝 Description: A Traveler's Guide to the Afterlife: Traditions and Beliefs on Death, Dying, and What Lies Beyond

A grand survey of the world's death and afterlife traditions throughout history - Examines beliefs from many different cultures on the soul, heaven, hell, and reincarnation; instructions for accessing the different worlds of the afterlife; how one may become a god; and how ethics and the afterlife may not be connected - Explores techniques to communicate with the dead, including séance instructions - Includes an extensive bibliography of more than 900 sources from around the world Drawing on death and afterlife traditions from cultures around the world, Mark Mirabello explores the many forms of existence beyond death and each tradition's instructions to access the afterlife. He examines beliefs on the soul, heaven, hell, and reincarnation and wisdom from Books of the Dead such as the Book of Going Forth by Day from Egypt, the Katha Upanishad from India, the Bardo Thodol from Tibet, the Golden Orphic Tablets from Greece, Lieh Tzu from China, and Heaven and its Wonders and Hell from Things Heard and Seen from 18th-century Europe. Considering the question "What is Death?" Mirabello provides answers from a wide range of ancient and modern thinkers, including scientist Nicholas Maxwell, the seer Emanuel Swedenborg, 1st-century Buddhist philosopher Nagarjuna, and Greek philosopher Euripides, who opined that we may already be dead and only dreaming we are alive. He explores the trek of the soul through life and death with firsthand accounts of the death journey and notes that what is perceived as death here may actually be life somewhere else. He reveals how, in many traditions, ethics and the afterlife are not connected and how an afterlife is possible even without a god or a soul. Sharing evidence that consciousness is not simply a product of the brain, he offers a strong rebuttal to nihilists, materialists, and the Lokayata philosophical school of India who believe in the "finality" of death. He explains how specters and ghosts are produced and offers techniques to communicate with the dead as well as instructions for an out-of-body experience and the complete procedure for a séance. With an extensive bibliography of more than 900 sources, this guide offers comprehensive information on afterlife beliefs from the vast majority of cultures around the world and throughout history--a veritable "traveler's guide" to the afterlife.

💎 Expert review

💎
Esoterica Books editorial team
Occult literature desk
Mirabello delivers an impressive synthesis of global esoteric thought, making complex theological concepts accessible to a broad audience. The breadth of coverage is commendable, offering readers a panoramic view of afterlife beliefs from diverse traditions. However, this encyclopedic approach may feel superficial to scholars seeking deep academic critique or rigorous historical analysis. It is not suited for those who prefer singular, authoritative doctrinal statements over comparative exploration. While it excels as an introductory survey and a source of inspiration for personal spiritual inquiry, readers looking for dense philosophical argumentation might find the tone too light. It remains a valuable tool for generalists and hobbyists in the occult field.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking a profound understanding of humanity's collective spiritual heritage regarding death will find this guide invaluable. It is ideal for those curious about how various cultures navigate the transition from earthly life to whatever lies beyond, whether through reincarnation, ascension, or other metaphysical concepts. By exploring ancient rites and modern revelations alike, the book empowers individuals to question the connection between earthly ethics and post-mortem fate. Those interested in techniques for communicating with the deceased or understanding global Books of the Dead will appreciate its thorough yet accessible approach. It offers a global perspective that enriches personal spiritual exploration without imposing a single dogma.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —
⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.5/5
★★★★
For anyone who has pondered the ultimate question of what lies beyond the threshold of death, this comprehensive volume offers unparalleled insight. If you seek to understand humanity's diverse approaches to the afterlife, from ancient wisdom to practical techniques, this guide is an essential…

Reader rating

4.5
Based on 1 reviews
5
0
4
1
3
0
2
0
1
0
E
Esoterica Books editorial team

Mirabello delivers an impressive synthesis of global esoteric thought, making complex theological concepts accessible to a broad audience. The breadth of coverage is commendable, offering readers a panoramic view of afterlife beliefs from diverse traditions. However, this encyclopedic approach may feel superficial to scholars seeking deep academic critique or rigorous historical analysis. It is not suited for those who prefer singular, authoritative doctrinal statements over comparative exploration. While it excels as an introductory survey and a source of inspiration for personal spiritual inquiry, readers looking for dense philosophical argumentation might find the tone too light. It remains a valuable tool for generalists and hobbyists in the occult field.

❓ Frequently asked questions

No, Mirabello takes an impressively broad and comparative approach, examining beliefs from countless cultures and eras without advocating for any single doctrine. It's an academic and spiritual exploration, not a devotional text.
While primarily a survey, it does delve into specific techniques, such as historical séance instructions and methods for accessing various afterlife realms, as understood by different traditions. It blends scholarship with esoteric practice.

📖 Who should read this

For anyone who has pondered the ultimate question of what lies beyond the threshold of death, this comprehensive volume offers unparalleled insight. If you seek to understand humanity's diverse approaches to the afterlife, from ancient wisdom to practical techniques, this guide is an essential acquisition for your esoteric library.

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Journeys Beyond the Veil

This work meticulously compiles an astonishing array of global perspectives on the afterlife. From the cyclical rebirths of Eastern traditions to the structured heavens and hells of Abrahamic faiths, and even the potential for apotheosis, Mirabello reveals the diverse destinies humanity has imagined for the soul after its corporeal departure, offering a truly comparative study.

Bridging Worlds: Spirit Contact

Beyond theoretical exploration, the book ventures into practical esotericism by detailing methods for interacting with the deceased. It includes historical insights into séance practices and other communication techniques, providing a fascinating glimpse into humanity's enduring quest to maintain connection with those who have passed, blurring the line between life and death.

Morality's Post-Mortem Reckoning

Mirabello challenges conventional wisdom by exploring how various traditions view the relationship between earthly conduct and post-mortem existence. He provocatively suggests that in some belief systems, ethical behavior in life may not directly dictate one's fate in the afterlife, prompting readers to reconsider prevalent notions of cosmic justice.

💬 Quotes from the book

“The grand tapestry of human belief reveals not a singular path beyond the veil, but a dazzling multiplicity of cosmic destinations, each shaped by culture, fear, and profound hope.”

“To question the direct correlation between earthly virtue and celestial reward is not to deny justice, but to acknowledge the profound, often bewildering, nuances of post-mortem belief systems across epochs.”

📜 Historical context

This monumental work stands firmly within the tradition of comparative religious studies and the anthropology of death, echoing the spirit of groundbreaking surveys of human belief. It draws upon and expands the legacy of ancient "Books of the Dead" by synthesizing global traditions into a single, accessible volume, offering a modern compendium for the spiritually curious.

📚 Glossary

Apotheosis
Bardo Thodol
Psychopomp

📔 Questions to reflect on

  1. How do the diverse afterlife traditions explored in this book resonate with or challenge your own personal beliefs about what happens after death?
  2. Consider one specific "Book of the Dead" discussed. How might its instructions or insights change your perspective on preparing for the end of life?
  3. The book questions the direct link between earthly ethics and post-mortem fate in some traditions. How does this perspective alter your understanding of morality and consequence?

🏛 Books from this publisher Inner Traditions International

All books from this publisher →

You might also like

See more →