American Book of the Dead

by E.J. Gold, John C. Lilly (Afterword), Claudio Naranjo (Preface)

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.

Genres: Nonfiction, Death, Religion, Philosophy, Mysticism, Self Help, Buddhism

200 pages, Paperback

First published November 30, 1974

Reviews

[Xochitl]

This book has been waiting near my whole life on my dad's shelf for me to read. When I read it, I'll kick myself for not having read it earlier. Even knowing this I still don't rush out to buy/borrow/read it. This is usually what comes before the reading of a life changing book, for me.

[Toni]

I recently lost my best friend, and the American Book of the Dead by E.J. Gold was an incredibly helpful resource during this difficult time. The book not only provided practical guidance on how to support my friend during his final days, but also gave me perspective on death, dying, and the afterlife. Teachings on death and rebirth offered in the book were insightful and helped me understand what my friend might be experiencing in the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. The book also helped me come to terms with my own mortality and find comfort in the idea of dying and rebirth. I believe the readings helped both my friend and me during the transitional process into the afterlife. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is dealing with death and loss. It's a powerful tool that can help guide you through the daunting journey of life and death.

[Becky]

I could only get through half of this book.

[Kitap · Rating 5 out of 5]

E.J. Gold's accessible English presentation of the Bardo Thodol, བར་དོ་ཐོས་གྲོལ, or Tibetan Book of the Dead is a fascinating read. Throughout I found gems like the ones shared below that spoke to my present state of mind or my current situation, and every time it drove home the point that the bardo is not limited to the (alleged) space between lives but refers directly to that space that permeates each and every moment. Practicing death is practicing life, as it turns out. Needless to say I look forward to performing at least one cycle of readings as an experiment in "practicing death."

First Apparitions...

It's okay to be afraid, to feel fear, but it's not okay to panic, to react to the fear. I will never struggle against fear, just let the fear remain, and keep the panic from forcing me into action I might regret.

When fear, terror, or confusion overwhelm me, here is the vital secret of recognition: Every thought of fear, terror, or awe aroused by the visions in the labyrinth is caused within myself, because I have become identified with my own visions, lost in the swirling patterns of my own thought-forms; at this all-important moment of liberation, I do not become caught up in the power of my own hallucinations. (pp. 77–8)

Eighteenth Chamber...

I am going to be hearing a lot of sales pitches on the merits of various lifetimes, and I'll have to make a decision rather quickly, so I must be prepared. Once it starts happening, I won't have a chance to reconsider. Depending on my inclinations, desires, beliefs, and tendencies, I'll probably end up likely as not with some sort of compromise. The usual response to the question "What do you want to do now?" is "Anything but this," and with that sort of undefined answer, that's what I'll probably get. (p. 126)

Twenty-third Chamber...

I'm about to take the Grand Tour of Safe Spaces, shelters of refuge. I'll see all sorts of nice safe buildings, tunnels, caves, shrines, temples, monasteries, palaces, rocks, trees, and boxes. Anything solid and safe-looking is going to attract me now. These wombs are all traps. I may want to become a bronze statue or hide inside a rock. But I won't give in to the temptation. (p. 131)

Thirty-first Chamber...

It's important to make the assumption that, no matter how I'm seeing it, everyone is acting and performing on a very pure level and that no matter how it seems to me, they're practicing pure devotion. (p. 138)

[Lysergius · Rating 4 out of 5]

A surprising book.

[Bernis Bernislaplant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Almost 20 years ago i encountered by chance(if chance is chance at all) an interesting book by an unknown(at least to me)writer in the 4th Way tradition line.
This book was "The great Adventure" and it introduced me to the work of an individual that gave me the impression of being a kind of 'volcano of achievement'. Prolific writer, teacher,painter, sculptor,shaman, magician, buffoon, it can be said that he acquired international recognition with his flagship book"The American Book of the Dead".When I came across this book with the 1975 version I was amazed with its preface masterly written by another 'uomo universal': Claudio Naranjo. From that day on "The American Book of the Dead" has been around me, reading it in and out, profiting from its wisdom and special irony and humor. A phrase in the Claudio Naranjo's preface(something in this line) summarizes my adherence to this book: "Maybe while learning about death and dying, luckily you will learn about actual living".

[Marina · Rating 4 out of 5]

L'autore propone un metodo per affrontare il post-mortem. Una volta che è stata dichiarata la morte biologica, pare ci attenda un percorso di transizione ( vedi Il libro Tibetano dei Morti), che è uno dei Bardo. Durante questa fase di transizione abbiamo due possibilità: rinascere in un altro corpo, oppure liberarci dal ciclo del Samsara ( la rinascita). L' autore spiega come impiegare la nostra attenzione e concentrazione nel reagire emotivamente alle visioni che ci compariranno durante il bardo. Insiste sull' importanza che una persona ci legga il libro. In esso vi è la descrizione di ciò che incontreremo e un consiglio su quale atteggiamento emotivo-mentale è necessario assumere se vogliamo non rinascere in un altro corpo.

[Krag Surtur · Rating 5 out of 5]

A friend gave me this book as what I thought was a joke gift, until I read it. It seems that it was telling me what space I was in at any moment... It reminded me of the I-Ching except instead of telling my future possibilities it was a guide to let me know which Bardo space I was in. I'm excited to delve into reading for others to see if I can make that ethereal connection. Looking forward to exploring the author's other works.

[Barton S Woodside · Rating 5 out of 5]

It really WORKS! Got paranormal feedback phenomena during my four family readings soon after evoking key passages of E.J.Gold's 1987 edition of w

book: American B.of Dead! ♐ And some old friends since; but partially🗿Now with 4th Wife & Wiccan practices on Amazon Tablet Displays🗽

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit weird for me, but certainly the most readable book I've read on the topic.
I will buy or at least reread until this sinks in some

[S.M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars for sheer weirdness. But I am comforted in knowing that I can meet the Lord of Death/Gorilla of My Dreams when I die. Finally.

[Michael McDonnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

There was a time when I was in a situation almost every night for a month where I did not know whether not I might die at any moment ... there was nothing I could do about it. I had no control. I thought if it happens, it happens. If I died, then what? This made me curious about what happens after death.
At the time a friend lent me the Tibetan Book of the Dead, which I did not understand at all.
A few years later I came across the Tibetan Book of the Dead in a book store. While I was looking at it a friend asked if I had read it and I told them about my experience. I put the book back on the shelf and told them I did not understand how the book might be useful to me.
Shortly after that I read the American Book of the Dead and found that it provided me with a better understanding of my experiences and what to expect. The book contains detailed instructions on how to do a reading for someone who is either sick, dying or has died.
As a spiritual practice I have found taking the ideas presented in the book such as: "I am in the bardo all the time” and “last hour”* to be beneficial.

*Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom (Psalms 90:12)

[Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

The monkey man and the crazy clown have great plans for you, indeed.

FEAR THEM.

[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once I figured out what this was, I continued on for a while for the fun of it. Had to quit about 2/3 of the way through, though, as it was just too much goofiness for me.

[Jaina Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quirky, and it worked for my purposes.