The wiring of our brains is built on the idea that there will be a future, making it difficult for humans to imagine themselves being gone. This is also reflected in the concept of the afterlife or reincarnation found in various world religions, which suggests that our consciousness endures after death. The near universality of after-death stories across cultures may be attributed to our brain's innate ability to imagine a next moment and the influence of cultural beliefs.
At age 59, neuroscientist David Linden received a startling diagnosis of heart cancer. Even in the face of a terminal illness, David is continuing to think like a scientist. He shares what he's learned from watching his mind grapple with his own mortality, and how the diagnosis has changed his experience of time. Maya and David also discuss the power of curiosity and how it can aid us in moments of profound suffering.
If you enjoyed this conversation, check out this episode from the archive: “The Life-Changing Diagnosis.”
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