The American Book of the Dead [Paperback]

E. J. Gold (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1995

With over 120,000 copies sold, this unique contemporary work brings the timeless Tibetan Bardo teaching into current American culture and language, with 49 days of readings for someone who has died or who is preparing for the dying experience. This book has been and still remains an important tool for providing a spiritual service to a dying person as opposed to grieving, processing loss, or mourning for that person's passage. Front matter includes "Notes on the Labyrinth" (or the Bardo...) and other commentary by the author that provides insights for an American reader who wishes to provide this guiding service to a family member, spouse, friend, or anyone who is terminal. The reading instructions very clearly outline when and what to read, without any limitation of belief system--the practice is presented as non-denominational, not requiring Buddhist or Christian or Jewish prayers, but also not in conflict with any of these. A schedule of readings shows graphically how to carry out the full series of 49 days of readings, at approximately 10 to 20 minutes per reading. The book has been in use since 1974 in various editions, taught in university courses on Death & Dying and related subjects (it is referenced in a recent handbook of acting exercises, for example...), and used by hospice workers and nurses internationally. The American Book of the Dead is often referenced in discussions of the 1970's West Coast spiritual renaissance, and many of the baby boomer generation will recall it in circulation when they were in college or beginning their careers. Translated editions have appeared in Spanish and Greek languages, with editions in preparation in German, French, Italian, and Polish. There is a course available by correspondence and on the internet that gives additional training for readers who wish to pursue the practice of performing "Labyrinth Readings" or "Bardo guiding" as a service to others--beyond one's own family and personal network.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Gold presents a modern interpretation of classic Tibetan ideas regarding death and dying in this updated version.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Publisher

With more than 100,000 copies of the small press edition sold, this thoroughly contemporary and uniquely American interpretation of the timeless Tibetan spiritual classic continues the successful and illuminating tradition of The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Harpercollins (September 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062513109
• ISBN-13: 978-0062513106
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,665,863 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A translated and modernised error is still an error...., December 28, 2002

By 

OAKSHAMAN "oakshaman" (Algoma, WI United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: American book of the dead (Paperback)

Having been familiar with the Evans-Wentz translation of the Tibetan Book of the Dead for many years I decided to give this "Americanised" version a try. I was aware that much of the rigid detail and ritual of the original was probably unique to Tibetan culture and I wanted to see how the author dealt with it. Now that I've read this version I'm somewhat conflicted as to my opinion of it. The basic ritual and structure of the original is preserved, but with modern terminology and images substituted. This is an improvement- sort of. However, I'd rather cut through the accrued ritual and superficial detail and get down to the core truths- not just make the dross more modern and "hip." There is truth here, but you still have to cut away the obscuring distortions. First of all, the existance that is being described is both beyond time and beyond conventional aristotlian sequential logic. Think about it, do you really believe memorising this sequence of events- or reading them aloud to the dead on a rigid timetable- is of any real value? The afterlife doesn't run on a bus schedule folks- to use my own little modernism here.

What is truly important are the deep truths and values that you have welded to your spirit before you cross over- memorising spiritual "cheat sheets" and last minute "cramming" just isn't going to cut it.... Though, the state of mind immediately before one's passing is of importance. It isn't the overriding determinate, however.

Still, what is being described here as the "macrodimensions" do exist. I've always been sensitive to them, and you probably have too. And, yes, we do project much of what we are superficially familiar with upon them- as have those who have passed that way before us.

Worth reading, but do so with a discriminating mind- and cross check it with your "inner guide."

16 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars What a great way to connect with the deceased!, May 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: American Book of the Dead (Paperback)

When someone dies, we feel such a loss. When my brother died at 37 of pneumonia, I picked up a copy of The American Book of the Dead and read it to him, for 49 days. The results were amazing. We made contact, and my husband saw it too. This book explains in depth the process of dying and what awaits us on the other side. For instance, "READING #4-Confronting the Clear Light

Now I am experiencing the Clear Light of objective reality. Nothing is happening, nothing ever has happened or ever will happen. My present sense of self, the voyager, is in reality the void itself, having no qualities or characteristics. I remember myself as the voyager, whose deepest nature is the Clear Light itself; I am one; there is no other. I am the voidness of the void, the eternal unborn, the uncreated, neither real nor unreal. All that I have been conscious of is my own play of consciousness, a dance of light, the swirling patterns of light in infinite extension, endless endlessness, the Absolute beyond change, existence, reality. I, the voyager, am inseparable from the Clear Light; I cannot be born, die, exist, or change. I know now that this is my true nature. "

What a great way to send someone on to their greatest destiny! After reading for 5 days, I woke up having a dream where I was my brother, and got stuck in a tight spot, and when I awoke, I was able to save him from a rebirth into a family with a violent father. If you want more details, write me a note. I'll be glad to share.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Books, gurus and cons, February 24, 2008

By 

TCM - See all my reviews

This review is from: American Book of the Dead (Paperback)

Well, now, this is interesting. I came out here to find a used copy of The American Book of the Dead for a friend. I was completely unaware of E.J. Gold's reputation as a Guru. Unusual for me. If I like a book I usually research the author if I don't know them already.

I agree with the reviewers who urge caution, even extreme caution, around a Guru or around any very charismatic person. I know of what I speak; I have been "got" by a guru myself. However painful and expensive as it was for me, it must be remembered that like any con, one can only be "got" if one is susceptible. The teachings of Tibetan Buddhism, even of this current Dalai Lama, urge caution around Teachers, urge observation of a Teacher for many, many years before committing to one. Gold's bio leads me to believe he's both got the horsepower and the position to influence people for good or ill so great caution around him and his followers would seem warranted. (Caution always passes one of my most important tests: Can't hurt, might help!)

I agree that the Bardo Thodrol (a/k/a Tibetan Book Of The Dead) has been mistranslated and misunderstood, even as to its true title! If one is interested in the true teachings of the Bardo Thodrol, this book, the American Book of the Dead, is probably not the place to start. For that, I would recommend Sogyal Rinpoche's The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying or Robert A.F. Thurman's two translations, The Tibetan Book of the Dead & The Tibetan Book of the Dead (The Great Book of Natural Liberation Through Understanding in the Between) (with a forward by the Dalai Lama) and one audio teaching Liberation upon Hearing in the Between. Sogyal Rinpoche's book is also available in Audio format, which is important if one believes in the "oral transmission" Tibetan Wisdom for Living and Dying.

All that said, I have found this book helpful in past situations where a text to read in Standard, if a bit New Agey, English was desired. However, I feel it important to point out that I had studied the texts I mention above before finding this book. I did not come to it "cold", nor did I have any connection with the author one way or another. I have recommended it to friends and would again, with all the caveats mentioned above.

One more comment about authors and authenticity: It's worth remembering that even T. Lobsang Rampa's Third Eye--no matter what one thinks of the author or the book--was instrumental in bringing a large part of an entire generation to Tibetan Buddhism Third Eye.