What We Say As We're Nearing Death - Conversation with Lisa Smartt [Episode 114]

Why is it that people speak differently when they're dying?

Lisa Smartt's father had always been a skeptical and rationalist person. But three days before dying, her father announced, "The angels say only three days left now." He spoke of a "green dimension" and his room crowded with people who were unseen. He also spoke in a poetic and metaphoric language, describing the big art show that was approaching and the boxes he had to carry for his ceramicist wife of 54 years.

She listened in awe as she transcribed his final words that not only painted a world unseen but were rich in language patterns that appeared to be unique to the end of life. Formally trained in linguistics, Lisa was deeply curious about the language she witnessed. When she discovered little or no research had been done into people's final words, she established The Final Words Project (2014) with Dr. Raymond Moody to learn more. Raymond, who coined the term near-death experience, has had a lifelong interest in language and joined Lisa on this exploration into last words. Her book, Words at the Threshold, offers the early findings of their investigations.

Special Guest: Lisa Smartt

http://www.finalwordsproject.org/

Creator & Host: Ashton Szabo

www.anatomyofliving.com

Sound Engineer: Zach Cooper

Producer: Benn Mendelson

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