Subject Overview 

What happens to our consciousness after death? This profound question will be explored during a special evening in Rotterdam, where two leading thinkers, Pim van Lommel and Lama Jigmé Namgyal, will share their insights on the mystery of death and consciousness. Pim van Lommel, a renowned cardiologist, will discuss the scientific aspect of near-death experiences, while Lama Jigmé Namgyal, a Tibetan Buddhist teacher, will offer the spiritual perspective of the Buddhist tradition.

The evening offers a unique opportunity to explore both Western scientific insights and ancient Eastern wisdom, while inviting the audience to reflect on the possibility of continuity after death. The dialogue between science and spirituality will raise a wide range of questions and invite participants to consider their own perspectives on life, death, and consciousness.

Detailed Explanation 

Pim van Lommel’s research on near-death experiences (NDEs) in 344 patients who survived cardiac arrest has contributed significantly to the scientific study of consciousness. He suggests that NDEs cannot be simply explained by oxygen deprivation or brain functions, but rather point to a consciousness that is independent of the brain and body. This belief leads Van Lommel to the conclusion that consciousness may have an eternal dimension that extends beyond physical death.

Lama Jigmé Namgyal brings a Tibetan Buddhist perspective to dying, where death is not seen as an end, but as a transition to another existence. In the Tibetan tradition, the process of dying and rebirth is a fundamental spiritual ritual, during which the consciousness of the deceased is guided to the next phase of life. Through meditation and understanding these processes, we can better prepare for death and cultivate our consciousness to pass away in peace and enlightenment.

Additional Information:

Pim van Lommel is a prominent cardiologist and the author of the book Endless Consciousness, where he shares his groundbreaking research on near-death experiences. Lama Jigmé Namgyal, born in Tibet, is a respected Buddhist teacher who studied philosophy and meditation and now teaches in Europe. He has extensive experience in spiritually guiding the dying according to the Tibetan tradition. The conversation offers a rare opportunity to gain insights into dying and consciousness from both scientific and spiritual perspectives.

 

Practical Information

 Date: Friday, May 30, 2025
Time: 7:00 – 9:30 PM (doors open at 6:30 PM)
Location: Phuntsok Chö Ling, Oostkousdijk 17B, 3024 CL Rotterdam
Language: English
Price:  €25 for not-members | €20 for members

Meld je direct aan