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An anthropological perspective on near-death-like experiences in three men's pregnancy-related spiritual crises.

Gregg Lahood

The Journal of near-death studies 2006 DOI: 10.17514/jnds-2006-24-4-p211-236. (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed
Topics Near-death experience
Citations 3
Key points Argues that the three men's near-death-like experiences during their partners' pregnancies parallel the 'shamanic crisis' and the symbolic reproductive maneuvers of shaman midwives, suggesting a transpersonal perinatal framework for understanding male birth/death/rebirth experiences.

Abstract

Article bringing a transpersonal perinatal anthropological perspective to the study of three fathers' near-death-like experiences (NDEs) with the "spiritual emergencies" of three New Zealand men during their partners' pregnancies. It explores the seemingly anomalous male birth/death/rebirth experiences and draws some parallels with what some Western researchers have called "the shamanic crisis," and compares their stories with the symbolic reproductive maneuvers of shaman midwives.