Everything IFS Blog

Internal Family Systems

A person stands at the center of a stone pathway that divides into multiple directions across a sunlit landscape, facing a crossroads marked by a simple wooden signpost. Each path leads toward a different sacred structure representing major world religions, including a Gothic church, a domed mosque, the Golden Temple, a Hindu temple, and a multi-tiered Buddhist pagoda. Wildflowers, greenery, and lanterns line the pathways, while warm daylight streams through dramatic clouds above distant mountains. The image symbolizes the personal journey of exploring different spiritual traditions and seeking the worldview about death, meaning, and the afterlife that feels most authentic and resonant.

Death in the World's Religions Course for Everyday People

A free IFS Academy course on what the world's religions believe about death from the Death and Dying Series: death in Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Taoism, and nonduality, each tradition taught on its own terms with its internal differences cleaned up plainly. Every lesson ends with an IFS and parts work exercise so you can begin working with what you learn.

Death & World Religion Courses

2 min read

A woman stands at the edge of a tranquil lake on a wide stone pathway, gazing toward a breathtaking landscape where multiple sacred traditions are represented together. Across the water, a Gothic cathedral, domed temple, Japanese torii gate, Buddhist pagodas, and a large seated Buddha statue share the same harmonious setting beneath towering mountains and soft clouds. Bright natural daylight illuminates the scene, with reflections shimmering across the calm water and lush greenery surrounding the shoreline. The composition symbolizes a personal journey of exploring different religious traditions and searching for the spiritual path that feels most meaningful and resonant.

Module 10 — Finding the Tradition That Resonates With You | Death in the World's Religions

A free IFS Academy course on finding the tradition that resonates with you from the Death and Dying Series: what hospice chaplains observe at real bedsides, why people return to childhood faith, how resonance with a tradition actually works, the three doors into going deeper, and holding a chosen map and the honest mystery at once. Every lesson ends with an IFS and parts work exercise so you can begin working with what you learn.

Death & World Religion Courses

8 min read

A luminous, transparent glass human figure stands on a sunlit hillside overlooking a vast valley of lakes, mountains, and rolling landscapes. The lower portion of the figure remains fully intact and crystal clear, while the upper body gradually dissolves into thousands of sparkling particles of light that drift upward and outward into the bright blue sky. Warm sunlight illuminates the glass surface, creating shimmering reflections and rainbow-like highlights. Wildflowers, grasses, and rocky outcrops frame the foreground, while clouds glow softly above the distant mountains. The image evokes the nondual idea of individual identity dissolving seamlessly into a larger, boundless reality rather than ending, emphasizing continuity, unity, and oneness.

Module 9 — Death in Nonduality | Death in the World's Religions Course

A free IFS Academy course on death in nonduality from the Death and Dying Series: the teaching that what a person most deeply is was never born, the wave and the ocean, Ramana Maharshi's death experience at sixteen, jivanmukti and videhamukti, the deep sleep pointer, and the inquiry into who dies. Every lesson ends with an IFS and parts work exercise so you can begin working with what you learn.

Death & World Religion Courses

9 min read

An elderly man in flowing white robes lies peacefully on a rocky mountain ledge high above a vast landscape of mist-filled valleys and towering peaks. Warm golden light from the rising sun illuminates the scene as a luminous stream of swirling energy appears to rise gently from his body, blending into the sky and transforming into a flock of white cranes in flight. Wisps of glowing light, drifting petals, and soft clouds weave through the mountain panorama, creating a sense of graceful transition and harmony with nature. The image evokes themes of death as transformation, returning to the natural order, and the seamless movement between forms rather than an ending.

Module 8 — Death in Taoism | Death in the World's Religions Course

A free IFS Academy course on death in Taoism from the Death and Dying Series: death as the return to the Tao, the Zhuangzi stories of the drumming sage and the butterfly dream, the split between philosophical and religious Taoism, the hun and po souls, the courts of the underworld, the immortals and the alchemy traditions, and Qingming. Every lesson ends with an IFS and parts work exercise so you can begin working with what you learn.

Death & World Religion Courses

9 min read

An elderly Sikh man wearing a deep blue turban and flowing white robes rests peacefully beside a sacred pool, with the gleaming Golden Temple reflected across the calm water behind him. Warm sunlight bathes the scene in golden tones as a luminous stream of sparkling light rises gently from his chest and transforms into a radiant human-shaped figure ascending above the water. The temple’s golden domes shimmer in the background, while soft reflections ripple across the surface of the pool. The image conveys themes of spiritual transition, devotion, remembrance of the Divine, and the soul’s journey beyond physical death, presented in a serene and reverent atmosphere.

Module 7 — Death in Sikhism | Death in the World's Religions Course

A free IFS Academy course on death in Sikhism from the Death and Dying Series: the atma as a spark of the one Light, the soul's long journey through samsara, mukti as merging with Waheguru rather than reaching a heaven, the jivan mukta, Joti Jot, the Five Thieves, and what happens at a Sikh deathbed. Every lesson ends with an IFS and parts work exercise so you can begin working with what you learn.

Death & World Religion Courses

8 min read

An elderly Buddhist monk in saffron robes lies peacefully on a stone terrace overlooking a vast landscape of mist-covered mountains and ancient temple structures. A stream of glowing golden light rises gently from his chest and takes the form of a radiant seated Buddha suspended above him, surrounded by sparkling particles. Lotus flowers and scattered petals rest near the monk, while distant stupas emerge from the clouds in the background. Soft natural light illuminates the scene, creating a calm and contemplative atmosphere. The image symbolizes Buddhist perspectives on death, spiritual awakening, impermanence, and the continuation of consciousness beyond a single lifetime.

Module 6 — Death in Buddhism | Death in the World's Religions Course

A free IFS Academy course on death in Buddhism from the Death and Dying Series: rebirth as distinct from reincarnation, the candle flame teaching, the six realms, why the last mind-moment matters, and the school differences cleaned up plainly, Theravada's immediate rebirth, the Tibetan bardo and forty-nine days, the Pure Land, and Zen's great matter. Every lesson ends with an IFS and parts work exercise so you can begin working with what you learn.

Death & World Religion Courses

10 min read

An elderly Hindu man dressed in traditional white garments lies peacefully on a stone riverside ghat beside a sacred river, surrounded by flower petals, oil lamps, and ritual vessels. Above him, a luminous stream of golden energy rises from his chest and spirals upward into several radiant divine figures rendered in shimmering light. Ancient temple spires, stone steps, and small boats line the riverbank in the background beneath a bright, clear sky. The calm water reflects the surrounding architecture and soft daylight. The image symbolizes Hindu perspectives on death as a spiritual transition, the continuation of the soul beyond the physical body, and the journey through cycles of existence toward union with the Divine.

Module 5 — Death in Hinduism | Death in the World's Religions Course

A free IFS Academy course on death in Hinduism from the Death and Dying Series: the atman that is never born and never dies, karma as cause and effect, samsara and the subtle body that travels between lives, the temporary heavens and hells of the lokas, the final-thought teaching, and the two great pictures of moksha. Every lesson ends with an IFS and parts work exercise so you can begin working with what you learn.

Death & World Religion Courses

9 min read

An elderly Muslim man dressed in white traditional clothing lies peacefully on a marble terrace overlooking a grand mosque complex with domes and tall minarets under a warm evening sky. A stream of luminous golden light rises gently from his chest and forms a radiant praying figure suspended above him, surrounded by sparkling particles. Ornate lanterns and intricate architectural details frame the foreground, while the expansive cityscape stretches into the distance beneath soft golden daylight. The image symbolizes Islamic perspectives on death, the soul’s return to God, devotion, prayer, accountability, and the transition from earthly life to the hereafter, presented in a reverent and contemplative atmosphere.

Module 4 — Death in Islam | Death in the World's Religions Course

A free IFS Academy course on death in Islam from the Death and Dying Series: the appointed term, the Angel of Death, the questioning in the grave, the waiting world of barzakh, the Day of Judgment walked step by step through the book of deeds, the Mizan, and the Sirat bridge, and the teachings on Jannah and Jahannam. Every lesson ends with an IFS and parts work exercise so you can begin working with what you learn.

Death & World Religion Courses

9 min read

An elderly Jewish man wrapped in a traditional white prayer shawl with blue stripes lies peacefully on a stone terrace overlooking Jerusalem at sunset. A golden stream of luminous light rises gently from his chest and forms a radiant, robed figure suspended above him, surrounded by sparkling particles. Nearby, a menorah and glowing candles rest on the stone floor, while the Western Wall and the iconic golden dome of the city skyline stretch across the background beneath a sky filled with warm evening light and scattered clouds. The image evokes themes of faith, remembrance, divine presence, the enduring relationship between God and the Jewish people, and the mystery of life and death within Jewish tradition.

Module 3 — Death in Judaism | Death in the World's Religions Course

A free IFS Academy course on death in Judaism from the Death and Dying Series: the neshamah returning to God, Sheol, Gehinnom and the eleven months of Kaddish, the two meanings of Olam Ha-Ba, Gan Eden, the daily prayer for the resurrection of the dead, and gilgul, Judaism's little-known teaching of reincarnation. Every lesson ends with an IFS and parts work exercise so you can begin working with what you learn.

Death & World Religion Courses

8 min read

An elderly Christian man dressed in flowing white robes lies peacefully on a stone terrace overlooking an ancient city bathed in warm daylight. A glowing stream of golden light rises gently from his chest and ascends into a radiant figure of Jesus with outstretched arms, surrounded by a soft halo and shimmering particles. Nearby, a Bible, a small cross, and a lit candle rest on the stone ground. In the distance, historic buildings, city walls, and domed structures stretch across the horizon beneath a bright sky filled with scattered clouds. The image symbolizes Christian beliefs about death, hope, salvation, divine presence, and the soul’s passage into eternal life.

Module 2 — Death in Christianity | Death in the World's Religions Course

A free IFS Academy course on death in Christianity from the Death and Dying Series: the particular judgment at the moment of death, the beatific vision, the three Christian views of hell, what purgatory actually is and who believes in it, and the ending most people have never heard, resurrected bodies on a renewed earth. Every lesson ends with an IFS and parts work exercise so you can begin working with what you learn.

Death & World Religion Courses

10 min read

A panoramic symbolic landscape brings together multiple religious traditions and perspectives on death within a single scene. Four elderly figures representing different spiritual paths lie peacefully around a large yin-yang design embedded in a polished stone terrace. In the distance, iconic sacred architecture rises above a sea of clouds, including a golden temple, towering Hindu temple spires, a monumental Buddha statue, and domed religious structures stretching across a vast mountain valley. Warm sunlight pours through dramatic clouds, illuminating the temples, mist, and surrounding landscape. Ritual objects, flowers, and small oil lamps are arranged near the figures, while the expansive composition conveys humanity’s shared contemplation of death, the afterlife, spiritual transformation, and the search for meaning across the world’s religions

Module 1 — What Do the World's Religions Believe About Death? | Death in the World's Religions Course

A free IFS Academy course on what the world's religions believe about death from the Death and Dying Series: the three big shapes of afterlife belief, the linear journey, the returning cycle, and the dissolving return, why every religion holds many beliefs, and how the Abrahamic religions, the Dharmic religions, Taoism, and nonduality each map what comes next. Every lesson ends with an IFS and parts work exercise so you can begin working with what you learn.

Death & World Religion Courses

7 min read

A solitary woman walks along a winding dirt path through a barren landscape beneath a dramatic sky filled with dark clouds and filtered sunlight. Along the path stand a series of weathered wooden signposts labeled Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance, marking different stages of the emotional journey. The path gradually climbs a hill toward a distant cemetery, where numerous headstones and a prominent monument are clearly visible on the horizon. A leafless tree stands near the graveyard, adding to the contemplative atmosphere. The woman is seen from behind, continuing forward despite the uncertainty ahead. The image serves as a visual metaphor for the Five Stages of Dying, portraying death not as a single moment but as a journey through a range of emotional experiences.

💥The Five Stages of Dying Course

A free IFS Academy course on the five stages of dying from the Death and Dying Series: the framework Elisabeth Kübler-Ross drew from her interviews with dying patients, each stage taught in its own full lesson, a bonus lesson on anxiety, the stage she never named, and a closing lesson on the stages in motion. Every lesson ends with an IFS and parts work exercise so you can begin working with what you learn.

Everything IFS

A very thin, physically frail man sits on the edge of an unmade bed in a dark bedroom during the early hours of the morning. His elbows rest on his knees while both hands grip the sides of his head, fingers buried in his hair. His eyes are wide open and fixed on the floor, conveying exhaustion, fear, and relentless racing thoughts. Prominent cheekbones, a gaunt face, and visible weight loss suggest serious illness. Beside him on a nightstand, a glowing digital alarm clock clearly reads 3:00 AM, emphasizing another sleepless night. Medication bottles and a glass of water sit nearby, while soft moonlight and a bedside lamp cast gentle shadows across the room. The image captures the restless, consuming anxiety that can accompany a life-limiting illness, when worries about death make it impossible to sleep or find peace.

Bonus Module — Anxiety, the Missing Stage | The Five Stages of Dying Course

A free IFS Academy course on anxiety, the missing stage of dying, from the Death and Dying Series: why anxiety never made the list of five, the distinct fears that only look like one, fear of dying versus fear of death, the waves and the 3 a.m. shift, the proximity finding, and what genuinely settles each fear. Every lesson ends with an IFS and parts work exercise so you can begin working with what you learn.

Everything IFS

A woman wearing a headscarf sits comfortably in a cushioned armchair beside a bright window, wrapped in a soft blanket and holding a warm mug in both hands. Gentle daylight illuminates her face as she gazes quietly out the window with a calm, reflective expression. Family photographs, a candle, and cozy home furnishings surround her, creating a peaceful and familiar atmosphere. There is no visible distress, struggle, or urgency in her posture. Instead, the image conveys a sense of stillness, acceptance, and emotional peace. The scene represents the acceptance stage of the Five Stages of Dying, where a person acknowledges the reality of death and rests in the present moment with a sense of quiet understanding.

Module 7 — Acceptance | The Five Stages of Dying Course

A free IFS Academy course on acceptance, the final stage of dying, from the Death and Dying Series: her actual description of the stage as nearly void of feeling, the line between acceptance and resignation, the lengthening sleep and shrinking circle, decathexis and the held hand, why families arrive later than the dying, and fighting to the end as a valid way to die. Every lesson ends with an IFS and parts work exercise so you can begin working with what you learn.

Everything IFS