Consolidation of Near-Death Discourse (1930–1960)
Oxford Scholarship Online September 20, 2018 DOI: 10.1093/oso/9780190888848.003.0010 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Historical analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that three decades of near-death discourse functioned as a consolidation phase, transmitted mainly in parapsychology, Theosophy, and Spiritualist-Occult circles, and that the "tunnel" experience emerged as a new element in near-death visions during this time. Contends that Aldous Huxley's psychedelic experiences and his reading of the Tibetan Book of the Dead were decisive for the later systematized configuration of near-death experiences. |
Abstract
The three decades treated in this chapter can be summarized as a consolidation phase of near-death discourse, transmitted mainly in parapsychology, Theosophy, and Spiritualist–Occult circles. A newly emerging element in near-death visions is the “tunnel” experience. Finally, the chapter highlights the impact of Aldous Huxley—especially his psychedelic drug experiences in combination with his reading of the Tibetan Book of the Dead—for the final configuration of systematized near-death experiences.