He was fully conscious that science models behaviour but doesn’t - maybe never will - give the purpose behind it.

This is actually scientifically proven, you sure you weren’t just recalling a tidbit from the news cycle a while back? Heh.

I think my 8th grade kids would find this funny while we are learning about cellular respiration.

Yeah, this is glorified nether portal.

There is something different on that plane but no, it’s not death. Search ‘astral body’ and go from there. Or read the Tibetan Book of the Dead for a general breakdown of dying.