The Epic of Gilgamesh tells the story of Gilgamesh, the king of Uruk, who is two-thirds god and one-third human. The gods create Enkidu, a wild man, to counterbalance Gilgamesh's oppressive rule. Enkidu and Gilgamesh become friends after a trial of strength and embark on several adventures, including the slaying of the monster Humbaba and the killing of the Bull of Heaven. Following Enkidu's death, Gilgamesh sets out on a perilous journey to find Utnapishtim, the survivor of the Babylonian Flood, in search of the secret of eternal life. Despite his efforts, Gilgamesh learns that death is inevitable and returns to Uruk, reconciled to his mortality and appreciative of the enduring achievements of humanity[1][3][5].
The Epic of Gilgamesh tells the story of Gilgamesh, the king of Uruk, who is two-thirds god and one-third human. The gods create Enkidu, a wild man, to counterbalance Gilgamesh's oppressive rule. Enkidu and Gilgamesh become friends after a trial of strength and embark on several adventures, including the slaying of the monster Humbaba and the killing of the Bull of Heaven. Following Enkidu's death, Gilgamesh sets out on a perilous journey to find Utnapishtim, the survivor of the Babylonian Flood, in search of the secret of eternal life. Despite his efforts, Gilgamesh learns that death is inevitable and returns to Uruk, reconciled to his mortality and appreciative of the enduring achievements of humanity[1][3][5].
In this episode, I'm joined by author and scholar Dr. Gregory Shushan to delve into the fascinating world of near-death experiences (NDEs) and their influence on afterlife beliefs across various ancient civilizations. Dr. Shushan, an esteemed scholar affiliated with several universities and an award-winning author, discusses his latest book, Near Death Experience in Ancient Civilizations. The conversation covers intriguing insights from cultures such as Egypt, Mesopotamia, India, China, and Mesoamerica, and explores how NDEs may have shaped religious thought and afterlife imagery. Dr. Shushan provides a unique perspective on near-death experiences, shamanic visions, and their cultural implications, making a compelling case for why these phenomena deserve more attention in the academic study of religions.
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Gregory Shushan
https://www.gregoryshushan.com/
Near-Death Experience in Ancient Cultures
Inner Traditions
https://www.innertraditions.com/near-death-experience-in-ancient-civilizations
Bookshop.org
https://bookshop.org/p/books/near-death-experience-in-ancient-civilizations-the-origins-of-the-world-s-afterlife-beliefs-edition-revised-and-updated-of-conceptions-of-the-after-gr/21290536?ean=9781644118689&next=t
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