Speakers — Death Investigator Karl Käsnapuu and Kirna Manor Host Reimo Lilienthal
Everyone interested in the questions of life and death is welcome to listen and reflect. We aim to bring together Karl’s years of research into near-death experiences in Estonia with new insights from his latest research trip to the indigenous peoples of Southeast Asia.
We will discuss topics such as:
- Is there life after death?
- Where does a person go after death?
- Do our actions in this life affect the afterlife?
Karl Käsnapuu has been researching near-death experiences for over 10 years, collecting more than 150 case descriptions from Estonia. While one aspect of interest to researchers is whether and how near-death experiences describe the existence of an afterlife, another—perhaps even more significant—question during a person’s lifetime concerns the profound wisdom and insights about life that these experiences provide.
In deeper near-death experiences, one may gain essential knowledge about the purpose of one’s life and the nature and purpose of human existence as a whole.
- Do our actions in this life matter, and in what way?
- Would it be wise to consciously direct our lives?
Like many indigenous peoples, those who have experienced near-death no longer fear death. But something else also sets them apart from the average modern person—they are not afraid to live.
- What are the understandings that give them the courage to overcome societal and others’ opinions and live fully according to the calling of their heart?
NB! The conversation will take place in two parts (2×50 min) with a 45-minute break. Listeners can ask questions if they wish.
Karl Käsnapuu
Karl Käsnapuu — death investigator, or thanatologist. Master’s in Religious Studies from the University of Tartu, columnist for Eesti Naine magazine, and public speaker.
Originally a law student, I made a personal turn in life—completing a bachelor’s in theology and a master’s in religious studies. Additionally, I gained knowledge in social and behavioral sciences and bioethics, particularly from the Netherlands, where the discourse on death has developed to a unique level due to long-standing euthanasia practices.
During my studies, I discovered that there are countless stories about death and the afterlife around the world. Is one “truer” than the others? What can we rely on if someone asks what happens after death? Through my work in death studies, I have primarily explored: different stories and attitudes toward death and the afterlife worldwide; the fear of death and its connection to belief; and the phenomenon of near-death experiences. In real life, all these subtopics are always interconnected, and what matters is knowing which questions to ask. In any case, it is good to acknowledge that science has proven that engaging with the question of death during one’s life is more beneficial than avoiding the topic 🙂
Scientific interests: society and death, death culture, fear of death, and near-death experiences. Karl’s personal encounter with death raised the question: what are life and death? This question has fascinated people since the beginning of time, and the answer influences the behavior of both individuals and entire societies. How and what can we say about such weighty questions, which are surrounded by great uncertainty?
Reimo Lilienthal
Host of Kirna Manor, lecturer at the Holistic Institute on the topic “Death and Dying,” guide for conscious health and self-management, and personal development advisor.