Before the rise of the patriarchy, when most cultures lived within the all enveloping 'body' of the Great Mother, death was accepted as a part of life and the soul's journey on its path to perfection. With the patriarchy came separation from nature, soul, and the loss of connection with the Ancestors. Fear, guilt and anxiety replaced the love, trust and security of living an ensouled life within the divine cosmic ground that gave life to all. Death, in particular, became something to fear, to be resisted rather than prepared for and anticipated as a natural transition towards the light.
Over time, as a result, many people are now unaware they have died, especially those who have experienced a sudden or unexpected curtailment of life. They become trapped, believing themselves to be alive and capable of everyday life; attaching themselves to the living as a source of energy to feed their illusion. The 'living' who may be caught up in grief, guilt or any of the other emotions that accompany the death of a loved one, do not realise that their physical or mental health -- or both -- are suffering as a result.
The author wrote this book with the evidence and experience gained from working with clients; partly to educate, but also to encourage family or friends to seek professional help if they noticed any marked changes in health in anyone close to a person who had recently died.