Life After Death: The Burden of Proof
by Deepak Chopra
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Book Reviews of Life After Death: The Burden of Proof
Book Review: I did not want to like it- yet it won me over.
Summary: 5 Stars
I initially wanted to write this book off as yet another potboiler of spiritual materialism. I was predisposed to reject it as another cheapening of deep and profound matters in order to turn a buck. Then I forced myself to actually read it. I found that it fit with my own hard won views on the subject. There was certainly no cheapening of spiritual matters here. In fact, I wish to add a copy of this book to my personal library.
One thing that helped change my mind was the author's admission that his own mother died the year before this book was published. This is reflected by the obvious sincerity and depth of focus on the topic.
The author's background in Vedanta ties the book together. While he explores many avenues ancient and modern it is tied together by returning to the Vedas and the rishis. This appealed to me for I have found this to be the root of the perennial philosophy- the anchor of the Golden Thread. The teaching of the three domains (physical objects, subtle objects, and pure consciousness) within the interpenetrating Reality of the Akashic field resonates with truth. Moreover, the concept that you can switch your primary allegiance from the physical realm to the subtle in life- and be supported by it- has been satisfactorily verified in my own life. Similarly, over identification with the physical realm will hold you back from what is truly significant in life.
The author states that there will never be a definitive book on this subject. With people at so many different levels of development, how could there be? However, this book will open the door to the Mystery just enough, that those who are ready may possibly enter in.
Book Review: Life After Death by Deepak Chopra
Summary: 5 Stars
Life After Death offers proof of my personal belief which is there is a sum total of knowledge available in the universe for everything that has been or will be brought to light by a human. I feel this information is available to everyone, it just takes a Bill Gates or Albert Einstein to pick up on a small bit and develop it. Before this book the only proof I was ever able to find were a few not provable thoughts of Freud and Jung where they said there "might be traces of ancient ancestral knowledge" imbedded in our brains.
Now, here comes Deepak Chopra with his link between quantum mechanics and the Zero Point Field showing that our brains are assaulted with many millions of information bits every second and perhaps more important, we are all in this same soup with all the great thinkers of today as well as all who have lived before us. And, should there be other worlds similar to ours, all of their knowledge is in there as well. The only problem is how to lower our filters developed from our view of the world so that a little bit of this will find its way into our mind so we can direct our brain to some action.
Think of it: if we can introduce some small bit of information into our personal plan, who knows what we may accomplish?
In addition to these ideas for living, while not making me want to die, the book certainly introduces a strong argument for eternal life. It offers the hope of a bright future here and now as well as a creative and enjoyable future forever.
Yank Elliott--Freelance writer and Internet entrepreneur.
Book Review: Wrong Title
Summary: 4 Stars
Dr. Chopra's has a clear, crisp understanding of the classical Vedic view of life's great questions. He is both able and willing to explain that view clearly, without hiding behind half-explained Sanskrit vocabulary and without getting on any high horse. He is convinced that, at root, the Vedic teachings are extremely reasonable and entirely worthy of everyone's consideration. In that, he appears to be correct.
I read this book just after reading Richard Dawkin's new book titled something like "The God Delusion." From the title, I inferred (incorrectly) that this volume might function as a sort of de facto reply to the siren song of atheism adopted by Dr. Dawkins. It doesn't actually do that.
This is a good, clear exposition of Vedic principles. These principles were set down for us by highly skilled, highly developed "seers" of the distant past. These "seers" are called "rishis." To satisfy me properly, it is not sufficient for Dr. Chopra to explain the content of the rishi's findings. It would be of first importance to explain to me how I can be my own rishi. I want to see for myself. I want to know for myself. How does a person become a rishi, and so empowered to direct experience of these great and majestic truths? (Perhaps we need a next book to explain that.) This might seem flippant. However, if you think about it, the goal isn't to accept the teaching of mighty sages of the past. The goal is to become sages today---ourselves. Without that, what good is it?
Book Review: An Insightful Investigation
Summary: 3 Stars
Deepak Chopra presents a multicultural view of death, which is woven through the story of Savitri, a woman who must face death in order to save her husband from dying. As the story progresses, Deepak introduces a variety of concepts for consideration. He explains death by using ancient myths and by presenting scientific discoveries.
The most interesting segments of this book include the stories of people who had near-death experiences. Their beliefs in this life seem to reveal themselves in the next life. Since beliefs about the afterlife also affect how we live this book makes you think about the choices you are making today and in the future.
Is Hell a temporary detour or a place of eternal punishment? Is there evidence for reincarnation? By using a myriad of cultural models, Deepak Chopra explains the variety of experience people have according to their religious beliefs. Throughout the book he also refers to the wisdom of the Vedic rishis (enlightened sages). Christianity and Buddhism are also briefly discussed.
While this book seeks to bring you into an enlightened state, there is no assurance that you will not go to hell or that you will go to heaven. Jesus' teachings are briefly explained but for a more in depth look at Jesus' teachings you may want to look for: The Gospel According to Jesus.
~The Rebecca Review
Book Review: This is one of 3 books that tell the "adult" truth of life after death
Summary: 5 Stars
Finally a main stream author is telling the story of the afterlife like it is rather than the one size fits all "tunnel of light" or "everyone ends up at the same buildings" and a "heaven" that exists exactly 3 feet above the earth where they travel in atomic powered hover craft... and other such nonsense.
Thought creates reality in physical life and afterlife.
The other two books that tell it like it is are also "challenging" to some... to use Deepak's own words.
They are "Seth Speaks" trance channeled by Jane Roberts and "Parting Notes: A Connection with the Afterlife" written by individuals who have actually died physically and continued to tell about it on a very individual basis via internationally known Open Deep Trance Channel April Crawford.
Thank you Deepak for telling it like it is, even though many who believe what they were told in Sunday school may not get it and may probably complain about it. After all, the idea the thought creates reality is well beyond some who profess an interest in this area. Yet even exposing them to this idea will help them along their evolutionary way. And.... for those who do get it... it is a fantastic map to how to improve everything via raising their conscious awareness up a notch or more.
-Allen
Editor of the trance channeled newsletter "Inner Whispers" and writer of the introduction to "Parting Notes: A Connection with the Afterlife".