Preparing: For Death

In Preparing for Death, Arun Shourie delves into one of life’s greatest inevitabilities—death—and offers profound insights on how to face it with equanimity. Drawing from the lives and final days of spiritual figures such as the Buddha, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Ramana Maharshi, Gandhiji, and Vinoba, as well as from religious texts and the teachings of great meditation masters, Shourie weaves together a rich tapestry of wisdom. He explores practices like santhara (voluntary fasting unto death), sannyas (renunciation), and other methods to calm the mind, all while sharing his own personal reflections.

In his exploration, Shourie challenges conventional beliefs, questioning whether rituals, pilgrimages, and mantras truly prepare us for the end. He encourages readers to ponder if texts like The Tibetan Book of the Dead are meant for the deceased or offer lessons for the living. He critically examines the fear of hell, pointing out the paradox—if hell awaits, does it not suggest some form of survival after death?

Through these inquiries, Shourie prompts us to confront the deeper existential questions: Is there an eternal soul? Is there life after death or reincarnation? What is the nature of God and reality? With the greatest spiritual teachers offering differing answers based on their direct experiences, Shourie leaves readers with a vital question: How, then, are we to proceed in our search for truth and understanding?