Writing About Dying and Returning

Several months after the start of my retirement from the California Institute of Integral Studies in June 2022, and the simultaneous death of five of my closest friends,* all deep anthroposophists, I began research for a book tentatively entitled Dying and Returning. 

Early chapters will cover karma, the evolution of consciousness, Hindu, Buddhist, Chinese, and Amerindian contributions, followed by two chapters on Christian teachings on the afterlife. The entire book will be based on the research of Rudolf Steiner concerning the process of death of the physical, etheric, and astral bodies, and the journey of the “I” toward rebirth. Using Christopher Bamford’s book, Staying Connected, the concluding chapter will summarize Steiner’s teachings and practices.

*Patti Smith, Gertrude Hughes, Gene Golligly, Christopher Bamford, and David Gershan, M.D.