Understanding Jacob’s Ladder through The Tibetan Book of the Dead

This article examines the correlations between the movie Jacob’s Ladder and The Great Book of Natural Liberation through Understanding in the Between, or what is most often referred to as The Tibetan Book of the Dead. Directed by Adrian Lyne and starring Timothy Robbins, Jacob’s Ladder confused audiences and critics alike upon its release in 1990. While it may be possible to interpret the movie from a biblical angle, given the title and names of some of the characters, we believe Jacob’s Ladder is better understood using The Tibetan Book of the Dead as a guide. The film addresses death, coming to terms with its inevitability, and the need to see through the trappings of the ego, all of which serve as the basis behind the imagery and teachings of The Tibetan Book of the Dead.