Tag Archives: Religion and Spirituality

An Enduring Image of Death: Christ on the Cross

Why Jesus Christ on the cross remains one of the most powerful, ubiquitous images of death

Arguably the single most recognizable image of a death is that of Christ on the cross. The range of ways in which Christ’s death has been depicted is vast; styles vary from realistic and literal to abstract and imagined, taking shape … Continue reading

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Alex Grey’s Mystical Vision of Death

In "Dying," a mystic artist looks beyond the physical

Alex Grey is widely recognized as one of the foremost artists working in spiritual and esoteric themes. The driving force behind his work is beyond aesthetic; in his own words, “[he tries] to find the core truths in all the … Continue reading

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“Death is a Dialogue” by Emily Dickinson

A dialogue between death and spirituality in an Emily Dickinson poem offers an interesting perspective

Emily Dickinson, one of the greatest American poets of all time, is no lightweight when it comes to exploring death. In her poem “Death is a Dialogue,” Dickinson touches on a few contrasting ideas that portray death as a complex … Continue reading

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Bardo: a Sacred Belief in Tibetan Buddhism

That in-between state separating this life and the next

While it’s a commonly known fact that Buddhism adheres to the belief in reincarnation after death, there is much to explore in the grey area between lives. In the Tibetan language, the word “bardo” literally means “intermediate state.” This belief … Continue reading

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Bizarre Death Ritual: 19th Century Buddhist Self-Mummification

This short-lived death ritual was believed to be a road to enlightenment.

In late 1800s Japan, several Buddhist monks called Sokushinbutsu attempted the rare ritual of self-mummification. Driven by the Buddhist quest for enlightenment and the belief that this requires non-attachment from the physical body, these monks prepared to take their own lives … Continue reading

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Jewish Views and Customs at the End-of-life

A Jewish parable to consider throughout life

Why weren’t you Zusia? Once, the great Hassidic leader, Zusia, came to his followers. His eyes were red with tears, and his face was pale with fear. “Zusia, what’s the matter? You look frightened!”

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