A Matter of Life and Death: Discourses on the Essence of Spirituality [Paperback]

Bhagwan Ra Afrika (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 28, 1998 | ISBN-10: 1893745031 | ISBN-13: 978-1893745032

Bhagwan revisits ancient teachings popularized through the Tibetan tradition. A Matter of Life and Death takes a full look into experiences often just touched upon by those who have had near-death encounters. A must read book for those who not only want to know what each of us (and our loved ones) will encounter as we enter into the domains that exist after this life, but how each "bardo" impacts our spiritual life.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Bhagwan has been hailed by many as one of the brighest lights of the modern spiritual world. -- From the Publisher

About the Author

Bhagwan Ra Afrika (Leonard Ingram) is considered by many to be one of the greatest living Afrikan Mystics and Masters. Known for his fierce and direct (Zen-like) style, Bhagwan is a scholar of world religions, the author of several books and is widely acclaimed for his innovative and critical synthesis of mystical traditions -- Eastern, Western and Afrikan.

Product Details

• Paperback: 172 pages
• Publisher: Royal House Pub (February 28, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1893745031
• ISBN-13: 978-1893745032
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,407,896 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book sparked my interest in a profound subject!, November 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: A Matter of Life and Death: Discourses on the Essence of Spirituality (Paperback)

This book by Bhagwan Ra Afrika was my introduction to the subject of death and dying. It literally changed my life! It sparked my interest in a most profound subject and caused me to then examine other books on the subject. This book can hold its own with any of them. I read Rinpoche's "Tibetan Book of Living and Dying," and Mr. Afrika's treatment was just as profound and thorough! Don't be deceived by how it begins and the conversational tone; each chapter picks up momentum! This is truly a profound teaching!

My personal favorite chapter is "The Motherhood of All Beings." Beautiful! It really brought home the necessity of seeing all sentient beings and myself as one. Secondly, I liked Chapter 5, "Meditation: The Art of Dying While Living." Though I am only a novice at meditation, the chapter explained many mysteries about it, very concisely. I have read this book at least twice and each time I revisit the material, as the author himself stated, I gain a new insight!

I recommend this book to all who are seeking ways to truly live a spiritual life. I have already purchased three extra copies to give to friends. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this book higher than five stars. Though the author seems to be largely unknown, with the publication of this book, I think that will change! I LOVED THIS BOOK! The extensive glossary also helped to understand the foreign words.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A truly insightful Masterpiece!, September 28, 1999

By 

Guru Murti(Wayne Gentry) ([e-mail]) (Chicago,IL. U.S.A.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Matter of Life and Death: Discourses on the Essence of Spirituality (Paperback)

This magnificently written book ranks up there with Sogyal Rinpoche's "TIBETAN BOOK OF LIVING AND DYING" and Evans Wentz's "TIBETAN BOOK OF THE DEAD" and is soon to be an all time favorite reading on the significance of dying and the death experience. In my opinion, it is even better! I have enjoyed reading this book immensely and would recommend it to everyone who has ever thought seriously about their life as it relates to them eventually dying, and what can be done to better be prepared for the ultimate event, death. We here in the west, have a very niave understanding of the significance that death holds for us all. In fact, our society reflects the way that we are really not taking death into account in any spiritual sense. Not to contemplate seriously about the facticity or our death and mortality will only cause us to continue to live a life that is very superficial. There really is no way to rightly "prioritize" the concerns of your life and living if you have not taken Death into consideration(preferably of a daily basis). The "pondering" of the reality of death will make you become very serious about all of the issues that are being postponed under the assumption that there will always be time(Kal) to get things done. This book will help you to understand(the way the ancient Egyptians and the Tibetan lama's understood)not only the significance that death holds, but also what the real purpose of our human birth is truly about. It is a book heavily needed in the world today to help bring about a quality of spiritual living that would allow for re-emergence of a "regal, loving, and wisdom minded community of people liken to what existed during the "Golden age." This book is definitely "THE BOMB" on the subject of life and death and the true quest for authentic spirituality!