Tag Archives: Afterlife

Death’s Dynamism in Aztec Civilization

Where the manner of death was more important than the manner of life

Just as nearly every civilization throughout time, religion played an extremely important role in Ancient Aztec civilization. With over 1,000 gods, 14 heavens, 9 hells, and the sheer ubiquity, intricacy and flamboyance (for lack of a better term) of countless … Continue reading

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“The Last Frontier: Exploring the Afterlife and Transforming Our Fear of Death,” (2012) by Julia Assante

Where we all must boldly go

For the uninitiated, Julia Assante’s The Last Frontier might be a bit of a stretch. The aim is certainly ambitious, certainly admirable, and she will surely win as many fans as she will accolades. Deservedly, in this reviewer’s humble opinion. … Continue reading

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In Bruges (2008) by Martin McDonagh

Madcap hitman flick that treats with humor some of life's deeper questions

This hilarious, moody, very violent film by writer-director Martin McDonagh is incredibly difficult to characterize. Is it a comedy? An action/heist flick? A downer drama? Hard to say. Whatever it is, it blends elements of all these genres brilliantly, features … Continue reading

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Ancient Chinese Funerary Practices

Artwork from the Jin Dynasty shows life-after-life in 12th-century China

Unlike what we know of classic Christian death mythology,  in which the hope is for the soul to escape to Heaven after life on earth, early Chinese beliefs surrounding death expected the core of your being to remain intact right … Continue reading

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“Life” by Anna Barbauld

Anna Barbauld's poem questions life, not death

“Life,” by Anna Barbauld, is a unique poem; rather than question what death is, and wonder what happens to us after we die, Barbauld ponders what exactly life is. In her view, life is the active force, not death. Life … Continue reading

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“Life–how curious is that habit that makes us think it is not here, but elsewhere.”

-V.S. Pritchett
Posted in A Rite of Passage | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment