In L.A. this week: Heavenly visions, Zen Buddhism and true believers

Does anyone really know what heaven looks like? For ages, artists have expressed their interpretations on canvas and authors have penned numerous books on their journeys to the hereafter. Recent titles include Mary C. Neal’s “To Heaven and Back: A Doctor’s Extraordinary Account of Her Death, Heaven, Angels, and Life Again: A True Story” and Todd Burpo’s “Heaven Is for Real,” which spent 70 weeks on the L.A. Times bestsellers list. In the story of a 4-year-old boy’s visit to heaven during emergency surgery, the artwork of 8-year-old Akiane Kramarik (who also had a near-death experience) is mentioned in his version. Her depiction of Jesus was the only one he recognized from his spiritual journey.

Zócalo Public Square further examines this phenomenon with a discussion “What Does Heaven Look Like?” Thursday night at the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Speakers Martin Schwarz, curator of the exhibition “Heaven, Hell, and Dying Well: Images of Death in the Middle Ages” at the Getty, UCLA Buddhism expert Robert Buswell, religion historian Jeffrey Burton Russell, and UCLA anthropologist Peter Nabokov will discuss depictions of death and the afterlife from medieval times to the present.

A week of spirituality starts off with Kay Larson at Book Soup on Wednesday as she explores composer John Cage’s Buddhist beliefs in her latest, “Where the Heart Beats: John Cage, Zen Buddhism and the Inner Life of Artists.”

As always, check for event/venue changes or cancellations.

7/25 7:30 p.m.: Charles Yu reads and signs his new short story collection, “Sorry Please Thank You.” Skylight Books

7/25 7p.m.: Kay Larson discusses and signs “Where the Heart Beats: John Cage, Zen Buddhism, and the Inner Life of Artists” Book Soup

7/26 6 p.m.: Leon Hendrix discusses his biography of his older brother, “Jimi Hendrix: A Brother’s Story.” Small World Books

7/26 7 p.m.: “Glee” star Chris Colfer signs his modern day fairy tale, “The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell.” Barnes & Noble The Grove at Farmers Market

7/26 7:30 p.m.: Zócalo Public Square presents the discussion “What Does Heaven Look Like?” at the Getty Center in Los Angeles.

7/ 26 8 p.m.: Kurt Andersen discusses his novel “True Believers.” Live Talks Los Angeles Track 16 at Bergamot Station

7/27 7:30 p.m.: Author Douglas Brinkley will discuss and sign his biography “Cronkite.” Warwicks

7/28 6 p.m.: Jeff Garlin’s Reading Group meets to discuss Don Winslow’s “Savages.” Book Soup