What Happens When We Die?

This is a very well informed book meshing the understanding of Steiner with modern death and near-death studies, also by bringing in a Gnostic perspective. In addition, it is based on the personal experience of the authors, although it is not always clear which voice is speaking in the first person. Historically, they see the loss of the category of spirit and the reduction of the human being to soul and body as a regrettable development in A.D. 869, and describe seven steps to the world of light in the post-mortem state. They see the purpose of life as the greatest possible manifestation of the higher self with its consciousness, love and wisdom. They then outline their understanding of the path through the spirit realms, ultimately leading to a cyclical process of ascent and descent. The context of the life review is the question: what have you done with your life? The final chapters are devoted to the connection between the dead and the living and the ways in which the living can provide spiritual nourishment for those who have passed on. This all amounts to essential knowledge missing in the churches, who need to reconnect with people's experience. On a personal level they see as important the development of gratitude, trust and openness to the future. A profound reflection of life and death.