Dialogue with Death: A Journey Through Consciousness

by Eknath Easwaran

This book has now been reissued as Essence of the Upanishads which is available new direct from Amazon The most profound questions of life and death are taken up in a commentary on the Katha Upanishad, in which a daring teenager, Nachiketa, seeks out the King of Death for his teacher.

Genres: Spirituality, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Hinduism

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

Eknath Easwaran (1910–1999) is the originator of passage meditation and the author of more than 30 books on spiritual living.

Easwaran is a recognized authority on the Indian spiritual classics. His translations of The Bhagavad Gita, The Upanishads, and The Dhammapada are the best-selling editions in the USA, and over 1.5 million copies of his books are in print.

Easwaran was a professor of English literature and well known in India as a writer and speaker before coming to the United States in 1959 on the Fulbright exchange program. In 1961, he founded the Blue Mountain Center of Meditation, based in Tomales, California, which continues his work today through publications and retreats.

His 1968 class on the theory and practice of meditation at UC Berkeley is believed to be the first accredited course on meditation at any Western university. For those who seek him as a personal spiritual guide, Easwaran assured us that he lives on through his eight-point program of passage meditation.

"I am with you always”, he said. “It does not require my physical presence; it requires your open heart."

Please visit bmcm.org for a fuller biography.

Reviews

[VENKATRAMAN C K]

Easily one of the best books on Self and universal Consiousness. The title sounds gloomy so many people may avoid it; but there in lies the Author's subtle test. ..if we pick up the book to read inspite of the ominous sounding title, we are seeking the same enquiry like Nichiketa who asked Yama, the lord of Death, about the secret of eternal life...the book is based on the Katha Upanishad which is dialogue between Nichiketha and Yama( so the title). The book is about Life and Living and not about Death and Dying !!!!

This book can be a life changer ... brilliantly written , the author draws on logic , relevant and everyday examples from Life and scientific proof for the analytically minded to explain the ancient assertions of upanishads about Self and Universal Conciousness and way to attain bliss.

[Ned]

I never thought I'd say this, but this book should never have been titled "Dialogue with Death"... I'm sure there's an audience out there who is missing out on the great depth and insights Easwaran has to offer in these pages. I did clarify a distinction for me while reading its pages... I don't want to waste my time too much with what spirituality might do for my soul beyond this life; I can't bother with those unknowns. What I want are the tools to live this life fully, peacefully, selflessly, wisely, centered & present... & while there is some talk in these pages of overcoming death, mostly the book reads well towards the previous.

[Sumit Dhamija]

Finished reading 'Dialogue with Death' by Eknath Easwaran. This is not a book on death and dying. It is a book about life and living: what life is for, who we are as human beings, why we are here. Yet it is death that forces these questions on us. We begin to take life seriously when we take death seriously.

[Sakshi Srivastava]

Please anyone provide me pdf of this book at rashmisingh050595@gmail.com

[Gail Kennon]

some supportive ideas but too many words for my liking.

[Leanne Ellis]

Every once in a while I have to read a book by this man. He is one of the wisest individuals I have ever encountered. The title sounds gloomy, but really this is a book about how to live. If you have ever thought about trying meditation, I would highly recommend his book "Meditation".

[Erik Akre]

Expanding an ancient Hindu text, and exploring it to its farthest boundaries and depth, we find inspiration here (and encouragement) towards deeper realization. Easwaran is slightly dry in this one, but profound as always.

[Deb]

His gift was to make complex texts, in this case one of the Upanishads, more accessible. This book is no exception to that blessing.

[Spoling]

Interesting. A look at death and our perception of ourselves, a bit self-helpie and Kathleen would definitely not like it!

[Gursimran]

Lets just call it helpful.