Bibliography

Title	Quote
The Untethered Soul Published: 2007 Summary: At its core, The Untethered Soul is an enlightening, spiritual journey that explores how we can separate ourselves from the toxic voices inside of our heads, in pursuit of a happier, more balanced life that is filled with love and free of fear. Why Relevant: Chapter on death	"It is truly a great cosmic paradox that one of the best teachers in all of life turns out to be death. No person or situation could ever teach you as much as death has to teach you."
With the End in Mind Published: 2017 Summary: Written by a palliative care doctor, this book explores the experience of dying and how palliative care can assist with dying days. It explores what to expect in those last moments and how we can approach the actual act of dying to reduce suffering of the dying and their loved ones. Why Relevant: Explores the physical experience of dying	"It is perhaps that spiritual dimension of humanness that reveals us at our very best - even, or perhaps especially here, at the edge of life."
Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon's Journey into the Afterlife Published: 2012 Summary: This book explores Dr. Eben Alexander's personal experience of entering a coma where his brain was unresponsive. During that time, he had such a rich and stimulating experience that he revised his previous dismissal of near-death experiences (not explainable by science) and acknowledges a deeply spiritual aspect of life, consciousness that exists beyond our physical form and into the afterlife. Why Relevant:* Death and philosophy of consciousness from a scientific perspective	"My experience showed me that the death of the body and the brain are not the end of consciousness, that human experience continues beyond the grave. More important, it continues under the gaze of a God who loves and cares about each one of us and about where the universe itself and all the beings within it are ultimately going."
The Road to Eleusis Published/Updated: 1978 / 2008 Summary: The book explores the Eleusinian Mysteries, ancient Greek religious rites that were held in honor of Demeter and Persephone. The authors, Albert Hofmann and Carl A.P. Ruck, argue that the mystical experience induced by the use of psychedelic substances played a significant role in the religious and philosophical development of ancient Greece. Why Relevant: The book explores the intersection of mysticism, psychedelics, and ancient religious rituals, offering insights into how altered states of consciousness may have influenced spiritual traditions and the concept of death.	"The experience of the mysteries was designed to show the initiate a vision of the divine, an encounter with the forces of the cosmos."
Gates of Grief Published/Updated: 2021 Summary: Gates of Grief delves into the emotional and spiritual dimensions of grief, offering insight into the process of mourning, loss, and the healing journey. The author explores the layers of grief that affect our hearts, minds, and relationships, encouraging readers to embrace sorrow and learn from it in order to experience deeper compassion and healing. Why Relevant: The book offers a profound perspective on the nature of grief, addressing how grief can be transformative and provide a path to emotional and spiritual growth.	"Grief is the cost of love, and the price of our capacity to feel deeply."