Overcoming the Fear of Death: Through Each of the 4 Main Belief Systems

Acknowledgments 13 Preface 14 Special Note to Caregivers... 16 Chapter 1 My Approach to Overcoming the Fear of Death 17 My Approach 17 Start Young 18 Prepare Loved Ones 20 Understanding versus Inspiration 20 Chapter 2 Fear of Death 22 The Elephant in the Room 22 The Big One 22 The Effect of Fear 23 Chapter 3 Our Objectives 24 Living In The Present 24 History of Our Foundation — My Mom’s Death 24 Making Death and Dying More ‘Normal’ 26 The Effect on Our Healthcare 26 The Effect on Our Military 27 Measuring Our Fear Of Death 27 What About Clarity And Related Fears? 28 Fear of National Parks 28 Fixation on the Fear of Death 29 Chapter 4 “Fight or Flight” Response 30 “Fight or Flight” — What It Is 30 Negative Results... 30 Balance is the Key 30 Chapter 5 Understanding Along With the Opposite of “Fight or Flight” 32 The Ultimate Combo 32 The 2-Pronged Approach and Why It Works 32 My Belief Does Not Matter 34 Thinking For Ourselves 34 Chapter 6 The 4 Main Belief Systems About Death 35 Ask Yourself 35 Your Belief System 35 The Range of Beliefs and Hybrids 36 No Belief is More Important Than Another 36 Chapter 7 The First Belief System 37 The Physical Science View 37 My Parents 37 What Happens When We Die? 38 Definition of Fear 38 Does It Make Sense To Fear Death Within This Belief System? 38 Chapter 8 The Second Belief System 41 The Fear of Continued Existence 41 How Do People Express The “Fear of Continued Existence”? 41 How Can We Completely Handle The “Fear of Continued Existence”? 42 Ancient Greek Sense Of Virtue 42 “Conscious of XYZ...” 43 Jimmy Still Wondered... 44 Chapter 9 The Third Belief System 47 How It Is Described 47 “Near-Death Experiences” 48 Henry’s Tonsils 48 Jay in the ER 49 Why Am I Discussing NDE’s? 51 My Father and the Road to Waikiki 52 Experience in the Hotel on Waikiki 53 Visits from Dead Relatives or Friends 56 A High School Classmate 57 No Smoking in Heaven 57 Christmas Gifts 59 Jon’s Brother 59 Caller ID 60 Diane’s Dad 60 Lights Going On in the Car 61 What’s the Point? 62 Chapter 10 Recognition Memories 64 Déjà Vu? 64 Recognition Memories 64 The Catacombs 64 The Museum of Fine Arts 66 The Moons of Jupiter 67 Walking in a Dust Storm 67 “Proof of Heaven” 68 Structure of the Afterlife 69 Chapter 11 The Fourth Belief System 70 Past Lives or Reincarnation 70 University of Virginia Medical School 70 Josephine and Lucius 72 Yahoo News 73 Luke’s Fixation 74 Proof of Other Lifetimes? 75 Chapter 12 What’s the Value of Past Lives? 76 What’s the Value of Past Lives? 76 A Carthage Memory 76 The Practical Value of Past Life Memories 77 Chapter 13 Other Values of Past Life Memories 80 The Eternal Mind 80 Experimenting With Our Minds to Enjoy Life 81 Building Our Self-Confidence 81 Being Creative, Having Fun 81 Transition or Vacation? 82 No Fear of Death 82 Chapter 14 Final Thoughts 84 Overcoming the Fear of Death Through Any of the 4 Main Belief Systems 84 Free Will — It is Your Decision, Your Choice 84 Live Life Now 84 Turn Within 84 Epilogue The Implications 85 Appendix I Note on “Related Fears” to the Fear of Death 86 Appendix II Discussion Groups 87 Appendix III Death is a Doorway 88 About the Foundation 95 About the Author 96