So-called near-death experiences and soul journeys have rightly been referred to as the greatest unsolved mystery in consciousness research. Indeed, all philosophical, neurological, or psychiatric-psychological attempts at explanation have so far failed, not to mention the esoteric approaches. In contrast to metaphysical-spiritual speculations about a "departure" of consciousness or the soul from the body, Hans Peter Duerr explains near-death experiences in a "naturalistic" manner as peculiar and extremely complex hallucinations. Their reality character is unique. The renowned philosopher and ethnologist Hans Peter Duerr has documented and analyzed all accessible sources on near-death experiences and soul journeys from the beginnings of tradition to the present day, providing a clear and enlightening overview.