Description

The award-winning author, theologian, and psychotherapist Kathleen Fischer illuminates the mystery of the afterlife in Christian and non-Christian (Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Jewish, American Indian, among many) traditions in this probing, eloquent, and reassuring meditation drawn from sources as varied as religion, literature--Dante, St. Exupery, Tolkien, Mary Oliver, Jane Kenyon--science (quantum physics and cosmology), psychology, personal and professional experiences. The author centers her book on the three questions fundamental to belief in life after death: "What survives death? Do relationships continue beyond death? How does life now relate to life then?" Within this construct, she soberly and lyrically rethinks the meaning of soul, presence, transformation, discussing the imagery of the afterlife--light, fire, seeds, butterflies, angels--and the use of portents of the divine found in nature, and experiences of beauty, justice, love, humor and hope, all the while emphasizing that focus on the afterlife, does not absolve us of our commitment to our present life. She shows the same compassionate allegiance to the dying and grieving, in a singular discussion. Completing her work are end chapter prayers and reflections, extensive annotated bibliography and suggestions for further reading. A work of "grace and imagination," IMAGING LIFE AFTER DEATH is an invaluable resource for anyone trying to fathom a question as mysterious and perplexing as the afterlife, and anyone caring for the dying or grieving. +