"Instead of interpreting life in terms of death, man seeks to interpret death in terms of life. ... The challenge of death is now not only accepted and absorbed by life, but is met by a counter-challenge: "What is death"? It is now death's turn to submit itself to critical scrutiny.

"The most unsophisticated answer to this counter-question is 'Death is only an incident in life'. Soon it is clearly seen that it is futile to try to understand death without first understanding life.

"As consciousness gradually settles into this balanced approach to the problem, it takes on a healthy tone which makes it receptive to the truth concerning both life and death. Direct, undimmed knowledge of such truth is available only to spiritually advanced souls. The seers of all times have had direct access to the truth about life and death, and they have repeatedly given a suffering and groping humanity useful information on this point.

"Their explanations are important because they protect man's mind from erroneous and harmful attitudes towards life and death, and prepare him for perception of the truth. Although direct knowledge of truth requires considerable spiritual perception, nevertheless even correct intellectual understanding of the relationships of life and death plays an important part in restoring mankind to a healthy outlook."

"Listen, Humanity", narrated by Don E. Stevens, from the chapter, "Death and Immortality" by Meher Baba, pp. 96-97. In my opinion this discourse is the single best source on the topic of death. (see also online pdf version)--Stephen S.