Death is something that most people fear and don’t want to think about. But is it possible that facing our mortality can inspire us to live our lives more fully? Death Makes Life Possible follows cultural anthropologist and scientist Marilyn Schlitz, Ph.D., as she explores the mysteries of life and death from a variety of perspectives and world traditions. Sparked by her own near death experience as a teenager, Schlitz has been delving into the nature of consciousness and death for the past three decades.The film looks at how popular culture deals with the ever-present fear many have about our own mortality. Interviews with mental health experts, cultural leaders, and scientists explore the meaning of death and how we can learn to live without fear. The interviews and evidence presented are interwoven with personal stories of people facing their own death as well as those who report encounters beyond death. The narrative is illustrated with vivid imagery.
Death Makes Life Possible features some of the leading scientists, anthropologists, philosophers, spiritual teachers and thinkers of our time – including Yassir Chadley, Deepak Chopra, Mingtong Gu, Stuart Hameroff, Lauren Artress, Michael Bernard Beckwith, Dean Radin, Rupert Sheldrake, Rudy Tanzi, Luisah Teish, Dr. Jim Tucker and others (see list below). Death Makes Life Possible offers a deep and thoughtful exploration into the ultimate question we all face.
"Highly recommended. Deeply personal, yet universal in scope, Death Makes Life Possible is not just about how to die peacefully and gracefully; more importantly, it describes how to fully live." — Dean Ornish, MD
"Skillfully and gently raises the curtain on what we think of as the last act in the our play of life. A landmark production, not to be missed." — Light of Consciousness Magazine
"Stunning in terms of beauty, richness of detail, heart and wisdom. Brings tears and inspiration." — Larry Dossey, MD
"A very welcome and very powerful new tool. We will be using it for years to come, not only to help relieve the suffering in some of our patients, but also, and sometimes much more importantly, with their families to ease their grief and distress before and after the death." — Dr. R. Gregory LaGoy, BS, ND, MBA, Chief Executive Officer, Hospice Maui, Inc.
"A superb training opportunity for professionals who work with families facing death. Told through riveting personal narrative and scientific evidence, the film deepens our awareness of continuity of consciousness to reframe the entire journey." — Lisa Miller, Ph.D., Professor & Director, Clinical Psychology Program & Spirituality Mind Body Institute, Teachers College, Columbia University
Citation
Main credits
Chopra, Deepak (interviewee)
Schlitz, Marilyn (commentator)
Schlitz, Marilyn (screenwriter)
Schlitz, Marilyn (interviewer)
Krigbaum, Mark (film director)
Murphy, Angela (film producer)
Other credits
Cinematography, Mario Ayala [and 10 others]; editor, Mark Krigbaym; music, Giovanni Mandala.