Many people are discovering a radical truth: When we release our fear of death, we open to an immensely richer life right here and now. But how do we incorporate this profound insight into our lives and profession? In this course, we consider a wealth of teachings and practical guidance within the field of transpersonal psychology and trans disciplinary science on how to turn this taboo topic into a source of peace, hope, connection, and compassion.

Working with the documentary film and book (optional), Death Makes Life Possible and other related multi-media materials, we will consider insights and reflections by eminent psychologists, scientists, scholars, spiritual leaders, devout skeptics, health practitioners, and people from all walks of life, to understand myriad ways that we grow and change by expanding our perspectives and ways of knowing about the ultimate mystery facing each one of us.

Students will be invited to consider their own and others’ worldviews on death and the afterlife, and engage in an epistemological examination of how we know what we know about these core existential issues.

We will engage in a collaborative learning community, working with materials together and sharing the film with extended others in order to create rich and meaningful conversation— and to expand our capacity to explore what gives people meaning and purpose.

The course is designed to create a safe and supportive environment in which participants have the opportunity to explore worldviews and feelings about death in the context of diverse and often competing truth claims.