Near-Death Experience in Ancient Civilizations: The Origins of the World's Afterlife Beliefs

A cross-cultural comparison of ancient beliefs about death and the afterlife

* Reveals the powerful influence of near-death experiences (NDEs) on the formation of religious beliefs, mystical literature, and ritual practices

* Focuses on the afterlife beliefs of five ancient world regions: Old and Middle Kingdom Egypt, Sumer and Old Babylonian Mesopotamia, Vedic India, pre-Buddhist China, and Maya and Aztec Mesoamerica

* Shows how the similarities among afterlife beliefs and their correspondenc...