Forever Family Foundation

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the "mind-body" or more precisely, "mind-brain" problem. It is quite an undertaking at close to 700 pages of writing but in my opinion it was well worth the effort. The authors did well in providing a contextual history and background for those not familiar with the field of psychology and its history.

The main premise is that mainstream psychology has not yet provided a satisfactory theory of mind. Particularly, the relation of mind to brain has been largely ignored because it has been dominated by a purely materialistic view of the brain which posits that consciousness is generated by processes occurring purely in the brain. The objective of the book is to "provide justification for revisiting the broader and deeper framework of psychology" and the authors use the contributions of F.W.H. Myers, in particular his book Human Personality (1903), as a guide. The first chapter of the book provides relevant background in modern cognitive science. The next chapter summarizes the contributions of Myers to empirical investigation of the mind-body relation which provides the framework for the rest of the book.

The authors state that much of the available empirical evidence (such as that of psi phenomena) is ignored because it is assumed a priori impossible and caution that scientists must look at all the relevant facts, not just those compatible with current mainstream theory. They argue that it is precisely the valid scientific evidence that seems to conflict with current theory that should "commend the most urgent attention." The authors state that, "...in order to get an adequate scientific account of the mind we must be prepared to take seriously all relevant data and to modify as necessary even our most fundamental theoretical ideas." A variety of specific empirical phenomena and aspects of mental life that have not been able to be understood in the current "physicalist conceptual framework" are identified and discussed in detail and make up the bulk of the book. These include: psychophysiological influences, memory, automatism, near death experiences and related phenomenon, genius, and mystical experiences. I must admit that I was one of those scientists who criticized the data supporting so called `anomalous experiences' (e.g., NDEs, OBEs, psi phenomenon, psychophysiological influences, etc.) a priori without actually researching the available scientific evidence. After reading the extensive summaries of empirical evidence provided in this book my viewpoint has certainly changed. It is obvious that there is a wide variety of evidence supporting these various phenomena and this is certainly an area of research that has been greatly neglected by modern day scientists.

In the final chapter, "Toward a Psychology for the 21st Century", the authors re-assess Myer's theory of human personality and provide a summary of implications of the evidence provided in this book for future research and psychological theory. They urge that psychology should return to the central problem of mind and utilize technological and methodological advances to further study in this field. They point out that most of Myer's theoretical ideas and the empirical phenomena used to support them are still valid today and have not been "disproven but simply displaced." The authors also point out some of the weaknesses in Myer's approach and provide discussions regarding opportunities for further investigation. It is pointed out that the relevance of quantum-theoretic considerations to brain research has not been recognized and research in this area should be pursued and a short discussion on how contemporary quantum physics and neuroscience could support a new theory of the mind is provided. They also briefly describe the theoretical directions in which they believe psychology should go in order to develop a more comprehensive theory of mind-brain interaction that incorporates all the relevant aspect of present-day science.

For those intrigued by the empirical evidence presented in the book and eager to read more, the authors includes a great Appendix listing serious literature sources with respect to psychical research. A perusal of the "Reference" section also leads to many great sources of information that are available for further reading.

This is a serious science book and hopefully it will inform young scientists that there is much yet to be learned about the mind and that there are vast areas of research, that have largely been ignored, that should be pursued if we are ever going to be able to develop a proper theory of the mind. As the authors state, scientists should not a priori ignore such empirical evidence because it does not fit within their current theoretical model. Hopefully, this book will encourage scientists to look more closely at the available evidence and promote future research into these much neglected areas.

-Kristen Bowsher

Electronic Voices
Contact with Another Dimension?

by Anabela Cardoso
O Books (October 16, 2010)

Anabela Cardoso, a high-ranking Portuguese diplomat, has written a remarkable book about Instrumental Transcommunication (ITC), Electronic Voices: Contact with Another Dimension? ITC refers to electronically received forms of apparent communication of unexplained origin. Although ITC phenomena include voices, images, and texts, Cardoso has focused primarily on voices. The voices state that they are deceased, and their speech often seems to come in direct response to experimenters' questions and comments. They range in length from one or two words to several sentences. Voices vary in strength and seeming gender. Some seem to lack characteristics of a human voice and some seem robotic.

Cardoso describes her three goals for the book:1) to help readers try to receive the voices themselves; 2) to contribute to a better understanding of processes which seem to encourage reception of voices; and 3) to encourage the scientific community to study and analyze these phenomena, using sophisticated technical methods of voice analysis she says are now available.

She very effectively achieved her first goal: she describes conditions and equipment she's used over the years as she's received a tremendous number of voices. An entire chapter is devoted to details of how to prepare an environment conducive to the reception of voices.

A CD and descriptive booklet accompany the book. The CD contains a large number of voices, most in Portuguese, along with the Portuguese and English translations Cardoso has assigned to each. The 30-page booklet is extremely interesting. It includes very detailed descriptions of the setting in which the voices occurred, such as the content of researchers' conversations before reception, and content of voices received before and after the featured excerpts. The author comments on the similarity between voices she's received, and those received by others around the world.

Cardoso states that one challenge in this field is that listeners may have a tendency to think they've identified a meaningful phrase out of meaningless sounds. A great many of the voices featured in the CD are quite strong and seem clearly to be saying the words ascribed to them. In most examples, the author's interpretation of a phrase is featured first, followed by the sounds as received. I thought that perhaps it might be helpful to first play a series of sounds as they were received, maybe repeating it two or three times, before there is any suggested interpretation given, of the words it might represent. That would give the reader/listener the opportunity to listen without any suggestion, to possible content. However, I learned that the author carefully considered that option, and decided against it as she felt that most prospective listeners would be English-speaking, unlikely to understand Portuguese. Thus, she felt that if voices were initially presented without any interpretation, they would be just meaningless sounds to the listeners.

In addressing her second goal, she has presented several compelling ideas as to processes associated with voice reception. She has made a strong contribution to the research conversation about possible sources of the voices. She has discussed the possible importance of synergy between experimenter, equipment used, and the source of the voices. She has found that voices are easier to receive and of better quality when background noise is used. She prefers a radio's "white noise" which plays during the tape recording. She suggests that the background noise may provide an acoustic carrier from which communicators might modulate or construct their own voices. She believes that the voices captured on tape, consist of electromagnetic frequencies sent into the ether by some kind of power source.

She disagrees with the so-called "psychokinesis explanation," which posits that the communications are "created" solely through the psychokinetic action of the experimenter's mind on the electronic equipment. However, she speculates that the experimenters' keen interest in listening to the voices may somehow "transfer" the "wave" so that the signal (information) it carries becomes available and audible.

Cardoso has observed that many of the voices sound as if they're being produced with great effort. She posits that the communicators seemingly behind the voices, experience difficulties in providing the sounds in an understandable form. Several voices say that "this is difficult.' Further, Cardoso feels that the voices, based on the content of many, seem to have a purpose, - namely to convey that life doesn't end at death and that the world can be healed by love.

But her personal theories aside, Cardoso's overriding passion is to see an unbiased investigation undertaken by scientists with the highest credentials and expertise in acoustics, electronics, and related fields. They would examine the evidence, rule out any conceivable normal explanation for their production, and supervise further reception at the origin of the voices. She emphasizes that although the phenomena can't be received on demand, they are repeated frequently around the world. Results are objective and can be subjected to scientific scrutiny. She asserts that sophisticated tools already exist for such rigorous study, including electro-acoustic processing software to determine whether a voice is really there, and decoding techniques that she feels will help interpret what was said.

I certainly hope that Cardoso's overriding goal will be realized, - that the scientific community will begin to take a serious look at ITC. I certainly applaud her work and highly recommend this most unique book and CD.

Cardoso's life has been dramatically affected by her years of experimenting with the voices. She says that she feels "immensely proud…to be involved in an enterprise of unparalled significance."

Elizabeth E. McAdams, Ph.D.
President
International Foundation for Survival Research
www.expbeyond.org

Your Eternal Self
by R. Craig Hogan, Ph.D.
2008 Greater Reality Publications

As you might suspect from the title of this book, Dr. Hogan believes that the essence of who we are has very little to do with our physical bodies. This book takes the premise that we continue after our physical deaths and presents the current body of scientific evidence supporting the survival hypothesis. The author points out how we have advanced intellectually at a tremendous pace over the last four hundred years, but emphasizes that “Today, humankind, especially in the West, is intellectually precocious and spiritually retarded.” Your Eternal Self is a body of work intended to show that this rift between science and spirituality is now changing.

The book begins with the chapter, Where Are You?, a challenging attempt to open us up to the possibility that we are not our bodies. Evidence is presented from medical doctors, neuroscientists and other researchers suggesting that our minds are very likely not housed within our brains. The suggestion that our memories are not stored in the brain, heresy to many “mainstream” scientists, is particularly interesting. Dr. Hogan cites the work of many researchers indicating that our brain cells are constantly dying in large numbers and are replaced every second of our lives. If our memories are stored in these brain cells, and these cells die and are renewed ten thousand times in our lifetime, how is it they we can recall memories going back fifty years?

Dr. Hogan himself is an accomplished remote viewer, having the ability to “see” and draw distant targets without using his eyes. The abundance of research in this area is convincing evidence that our minds can indeed operate independently of our brains, transcending time and space in the process. The evidence cited from blind people who are able to see during near-death experiences, out of body experiences where people have normal sensory experiences, information gathered both psychically and through mediumship under controlled conditions, all point to the fact that our minds find our bodies useful for manifesting experiences, but are located elsewhere.

The author could not resist a discussion of Darwin’s principle of “natural selection,” and contrasts this with the evolution of spirituality. Dr. Hogan’s assertion is that spiritual evolution is now taking people out of the physical realm, less able to compete in the world; this in contrast to physical evolution that favors the fitter, stronger, and more ruthless. He posits the theory that our true design is to reach a spiritual maturity as opposed to “a physical prowess that dominates through force, and not toward intellectual self-centeredness that dominates through devious cleverness.”

Of course, the author’s purpose of this book is to get us to recognize our ultimate evolution toward unconditional love. Since most of us require evidence to challenge our lifelong assumptions, this is the path he has chosen. Dr. Hogan has done a very good job in this respect. To those who remain open to an evaluation of the vast abundance of evidence cited in this book, as well as those who continue to search for an answer to the “Who are we?” question, I highly recommend that you add Your Eternal Self to your library.

- Bob Ginsberg

PSIence
How New Discoveries In Quantum Physics and New Science May Explain the Existence of Paranormal Phenomema
by Marie D. Jones
New Page Books, 2007

For those who run away when they hear a discussion of quantum physics, don’t despair. PSIence was written by a non-Ph.D. for all of us interested people who happen not to have doctorates. This is a book about New Science that is written in an interesting, logical, and easy to follow format. Quantum physics is explained as it relates to the existence of phenomena such as UFOs, ghosts, time anomalies, reincarnation, telepathy, telekinesis, survival of consciousness, multiple universes and much more.

When a specific concept is introduced, the author presents us with a brief history and follows with a compilation of the various theories proposed by others – all possible mechanisms that allow these phenomena to exist. For example, when discussing the concept of synchronicity in the universe, the theories of parallel universes, overlapping dimensions, frequency phases, coherence, resonance, orgone energy, etc., all are outlined and include specific discussions of everyday occurrences, such as dreams and deja-vu, to which we can all relate.

The goal of the book is to offer explanations for the things we see around us, as well as to provoke thought about the universe we live in. As the author points out, no single person has all of the answers: “We all know something. Paranormal experts know something. Physicists know something. Those working at the cutting edge of brain and consciousness research know something. Science knows something. So, too, does religion. But nobody knows everything!” PSIence is an entertaining and informative attempt to get us to ask the big questions. After reading this book, you will most likely have a new understanding of a universe that seems so disconnected, but in fact is masterfully interwoven.

- Bob Ginsberg

Talking With Angel
about illness, death and survival
by Evelyn Elsaesser-Valarino
Floris Books, 2005

If Talking with Angel was simply a moving story about a young girl battling a devastating illness, it would be worth a read but hardly a significant work. Fortunately, this book, written in the form of a novel, offers so much more.

The author has woven a tapestry that deals with illness, grief, guilt, purpose, physical death and survival, drawing from insights gained from the author’s extensive research of near-death experiences. The central character of the book is a young girl who comes to the realization that she will die from leukemia. During her ordeal she often finds solace and wisdom in the form of communication with her doll, Angel. Whether we interpret this inanimate object as her spirit guide, soul, or communication with a discarnate entity, she finds great wisdom and takes much comfort from her “conversations.”

Certainly, anyone who has watched a loved one suffer from a fatal illness and be “cut off” from life has many questions. The young woman in this novel is reassured by Angel, “Don’t forget that life is to be found in immobility as well as in action, in suffering as much as in joy.” As this girl shares with her fellow hospital patients the heartaches, exclusion, fears, and isolation of being terminally ill, the reader cannot help but be struck by the bonds forged by the experience.

It’s more than reaching an understanding because these patients know what the others are going through. I suspect that it has more to do with spirit, love, and a knowledge not derived from our physical senses. The true revelations in this story come from an unlikely source.

A fellow cancer patient in the same hospital has a near-death experience that he shares with our heroine. He remembers every minutia of the experience, and begins by describing the action in the operating room. As he relates all the agitation in the room, he wishes that he could make it stop by yelling, “Leave my body alone . . . stop working so hard on my body, can’t you see that I’m not here any more?” While his pleas are not comprehended, he describes “an omniscience which I cannot explain enables me to know all the thoughts and emotions of the people present in the room.” The experience encompasses many of the elements that we find in the NDE research: observing the body and losing interest in it, thought communication, connectedness and empathy, tunnel travel, feelings of absolute freedom, absence of fear, movement towards the light, music, absorption of energy, feelings of ecstasy, seeing and communicating with non-physical entities, life review, etc.

As our young girl listens in rapture as her friend relates every detail of this experience, she seems to grasp the most important messages. She realizes that she will gain a totally new perspective on the meaning of her existence after she passes. As her friend counseled, “If what we call life is in reality only the prelude to life, if what we undertake during our physical existence conditions what we will be in the other life, if there is discontinuity but no end, if there is transition but not annihilation, if all our actions have a lasting meaning which will not cease with the death of our body, but will continue beyond, if what we make and create in this life will find its place elsewhere, then I will never again feel like a pathetic puppet moving around in an absurd cruel world, a world where children fall ill and die.”

Her Angel provided the knowledge that she was more than her physical body while she was in body form; her friend provided the evidence that it was indeed true. Is this book another example of the convergence of spirituality and science? Will this book bring comfort to the bereaved and the curious? I think that the answer is a resounding yes.

- Bob Ginsberg

The Scalpel and The Soul
Encounters with Surgery, the Supernatural, and the Healing Power of Hope
by Allan J. Hamilton, M.D.
Published by The Penguin Group, 2008

Although there are certainly exceptions to the rule, the suggestion to medical doctors that their abilities to heal could be enhanced by incorporating “intuitiveness” into their practices would not be held in high regard. Medical doctors are trained to be investigators and practitioners of science, and science has no room for phenomena that cannot be dissected, probed, and replicated in a laboratory. When a patient experiences a spontaneous healing, reports seeing a discarnate loved one, or has an out of body or near death experience, the typical professional response is, “these things happen.” Occasionally, some of these medical scientists, whether it is prompted from personal experience or guidance from another source, undergo an epiphany as they step back to see a larger picture. I think it is a fair statement to say that there are not too many esteemed surgeons who, as Dr. Hamilton did, consulted a shaman to help with his own physical ailment. Dr. Hamilton is a shining example of a new breed of medical doctors who practice integrative medicine as they weave technical expertise with the concepts of the mind, spirit, and soul.
Dr. Hamilton, a graduate of Harvard Medical School, had one of his early “unexplained” moments as a surgical fellow in Africa. While stationed at a primitive hospital in a jungle town, his charge was to not only perform complex surgical procedures and treat parasitic diseases, but to travel by canoe to immunize children in remote villages. Reaching these villages was a treacherous exercise, and Dr. Hamilton was well aware that some of his predecessors had died in the attempt. While traveling with his guide to reach the first village, they became hopelessly lost and exasperated as they approached a fork in the river. They spotted a small clearing in the overgrown brush on the bank of the river, pulled in and scratched and clawed their way up an embankment. Suddenly before them was a native man who they found had been simply waiting there for them after “dreaming of two lost men.” As this man, named Outeen, which means “who sees things,” guided the pair to the village, Dr. Hamilton contemplated the apparent invisible “force” that provided this guidance. The clash of Western science and the “supernatural” had begun.
As Dr. Hamilton’s medical career unfolded, his intuitive skills seemed to keep pace with his advanced technical skills as a neurosurgeon. Precognitive episodes became commonplace, and he would not hesitate to postpone a surgery if the timing was not “right.” He also developed the ability to “feel” an impending death, able to observe a “yellow, waxy light” emanating from under one’s skin. He began to connect with his patients in ways not taught or recommended by his traditional education. A steady stream of extraordinary patients, as well as a battle with personal health issues, served to reaffirm to him the fact that we are more than our physical bodies. He began to realize that “Suffering is not the point of living. It’s the background, the context, against which we discover love’s power over death, over illness. Suffering is what lends love its supremacy over death.”
As I read through each and every compelling story in this fascinating compilation – true accounts of telepathic, spiritual and healing phenomena, I could not help but see the parallels to which many of us can certainly relate. It is so easy to chalk up each individual experience to coincidence. After all, most of us have been conditioned by our educational, societal, and religious influences. However, when we can follow Dr. Hamilton’s lead of stepping back, expanding our consciousness, and acknowledging the patterns of these seemingly random events, we just might attain that same inner knowledge that makes it so much easier to navigate our physical existence.
To those who have become disillusioned with the medical profession, to others who have faced the devastation of severe or terminal illness, and to all who have faced the “finality” of losing a loved one, I strongly suggest that you read The Scalpel and the Soul. The “truth” is not always what it seems.

- Bob Ginsberg

The Three “Only” Things
Tapping the Power of Dreams, Coincidence & Imagination
by Robert Moss
Published by New World Library, 2007

I suspect that if one were to take a survey that asked people what they consider dreams to be, the answers would fall into two camps. Some believe that dreams are manifestations of the brain as it rehashes previously stored experiences; others believe that our dreams are portals that enable us to not only transcend time, but access other realms. Then again, I am sure that many believe both explanations.
In The Three Only Things, Robert Moss, an innovator in dream interpretation, combines his personal experiences, insights, and his knowledge of history to orchestrate a blueprint for incorporating deeper truths in our daily lives – what the author calls “creative living.” He likens phenomena such as dreams, coincidence and synchronicity to “open secrets,” and explains the methodology one can use to uncover these mysteries of life. In discussing dreaming, Mr. Moss feels that “... dreaming is less about sleep than about waking up. We learn that time is always now....” – the inference being that we must stop thinking of time as being linear.
The book draws from many different sources, with some of the most interesting information taken from the author’s personal experiences and interviews with thousands of people who he has encountered over the years. However, what makes this book unique is the fact that the author’s theories are also discussed in the context of current scientific research – research that provides insights into the true nature of time. Dream states transcend the three dimensions by allowing glimpses of another dimension where past, present and future occur simultaneously.
Moss provides ample evidence showing how some of history’s greatest figures have utilized dreams to change the course of events. Precognitive dreams, early-warning dreams, and early-opportunity dreams have been and continue to be used to provide guidance and direction. For example, the brilliant scientist Wolfgang Pauli described his dreams as a “secret laboratory,” providing the imagery that led to his discoveries. Fascinating stories are chronicled about the dreams of famous scientists, musicians and writers, all detailing the direct cause and effect of the message manifesting in the finished product.
The book goes into great detail about coincidence, as Moss discusses the possibility of a “hidden” force or intention that plays a hand in unexpected occurrences. He does not dismiss the possibility that all of these universal connections have a physical explanation, and cautions that they should not automatically be labeled as metaphysical. From the Jungian concept of archetypes where currents of psychic energy play with us through coincidence, to quantum physics that shows how separated sub-atomic particles remain connected through space and time, Moss posits an energy field where everything resonates with everything else, and “The world we inhabit mirrors our thoughts and feelings, and vice versa.”
If we examine the author’s “Nine Powers of Dreaming” and accept his “Nine Powers of Coincidence,” we just might open our hearts to a more meaningful world. If you find yourself using the “only” word often, as in only a dream or coincidence, this book is highly recommended.

- Bob Ginsberg

The Survival Files
The Most Convincing Evidence Yet Compiled For The Survival Of Your Soul
by Miles Edward Allen
Published by Momentpoint Media, 2005

Books on the topic of the afterlife are often written by mediums who present their interpretations based upon personal experience. Some books in this genre are also written by historians and researchers who compile anecdotal evidence taken from channeled accounts of a world beyond the physical. Many people find such works interesting, intriguing, and helpful as they seek meaning in a seemingly meaningless world.
In The Survival Files, Miles Allen has taken a different approach to a discussion of survival. In a fluid writing style, a collection of twenty three cases are presented from many disciplines of research. Intriguing cases involving near-death experiences, mediumship, out of body experiences, electronic voice phenomena and reincarnation are carefully related in a clear and unbiased fashion. Each case presentation is followed by a discussion between the author and his unidentified “mentor” in which the evidence is evaluated. Although alternative explanations are offered and probed, they are usually trumped by the weight of the survival evidence.
For example, one of the cases outlined is a now famous near-death experience case where a woman, although dead in every clinical sense, after being revived tells hospital personnel about her traveling outside her body and observing a worn blue tennis shoe on a ledge outside the building. The description of the shoe and its placement was very specific, including scuff marks and the fact that one lace was caught under the heel. Is this proof that our minds can act independently of our physical brains? Could the patient have had prior knowledge about the shoe? Is it possible that the patient heard a hospital worker talking about this shoe prior to the operation? The reader is left to make his or her own judgment.
Adeptly placed in between the twenty three cases are discussions of the “bigger picture.” Are there commonalities among the various phenomena? What is the nature of time? Is there a purpose to our physical existence? Does our perception shape our reality? There is little doubt that the author is challenging the readers to put some of their formal education and cultural biases on hold for a few moments as they follow the data.
Perhaps the greatest lesson to be learned from this book is the notion we all should step back and look at the totality of the evidence before reaching conclusions. It is quite easy to dismiss any one of the twenty three cases as coincidence. The point is, after absorbing them all, does logic dictate that something else is at play?
For all those who are new to the science and are eager to learn more about survival without getting bogged down in discussions of quantum physics and mathematical formulas, I recommend reading The Survival Files. In addition, those who already have a grasp of advanced concepts just might find some new insights as well. Most importantly, a great many people just might allay some of their fears of death.

- Bob Ginsberg

Medicine, Miracles & Manifestations
by John L. Turner, MD
Career Press, 2009

There are few professions that require such precise and demanding skills as those exhibited by neurosurgeons. Brain surgery is especially unique, as the doctor must not only have detailed knowledge of an organ that is mysterious by nature, but be able to anticipate and react to unforeseen occurrences. These physicians are true people of science, which makes it all the more remarkable when one decides to incorporate spirituality into their practice.
Dr. Turner’s spiritual path began in graduate school after reading about Edgar Cayce. The seeming incongruity of a man like Cayce, who had little formal education and average intelligence being able to extract information and prescribe effective alternative medical treatments, was intriguing. Dr. Turner embarked on a dual quest, as he sought both spiritual and medical answers to the big questions. On the spiritual side, investigations of astral travel, chanting, meditation, remote viewing and little known light energy healing techniques were included in his quest towards enlightenment.
Many of his medical cases are detailed in this book, some of which are considered to be medical miracles. Dr. Turner incorporated the Japanese healing art of Johrei, a healing modality based upon spiritual light energy, into his “spiritual-medical” practice. This meant that Johrei practitioners became an integral part of his surgical team and post-operative care. Since he was the first neurosurgeon on the Big Island of Hawaii, and the fact that Hawaiian culture was much more receptive to alternative medicine than many other places, he did not receive the opposition that one might expect in many other areas.
Many of Dr. Turner’s patients were saved through the integration of information and techniques that are summarily dismissed by many of his colleagues. However, readers of Medicine, Miracles and Manifestations may be astounded by how many patients were cured or healed by such means. Medical diagnoses made with the use of remote viewing, light energy healing practices vs. known medical treatments, “synchronicities” that matched patient and doctor, the effect of prayer and intention, visions of discarnate entities – these all occurred and helped Dr. Turner achieve his goal of medical and spiritual enlightenment.
If you have ever wondered if medical science is on the right track, or questioned how and if our brains can connect with a universal consciousness, this book will provide some of your answers. Dr. Turner will be the first to tell you that we are much more than our physical brains and bodies.

- Bob Ginsberg

Testimony of Light
An Extraordinary Message of Life After Death
by Helen Greaves
Rider 2005, An Imprint of Random House, London

Three weeks after the death of Frances Banks, long-time friend, Helen Greaves begins to receive a series of telepathic communications from her. The messages Helen receives span almost a year, in earthly terms, and describe Frances Banks’ remarkable journey after death. Frances expresses to Helen the process of how she first becomes assimilated on the other side, and the humbling and personal experience of reviewing her life on Earth.

But the story Frances conveys is so much more than this. She describes the work she is currently doing as being “thrilling and soul-satisfying.” She shares stories of how others she encounters are discovering their own progression and moving forward despite the effects of their past mistakes. “Here we live so much more in the realm of mind,” she says. There is no hiding behind facades, concurring with what is written in the Proverbs, “As you think, so shall you be.”

Although heavily worded at times, and frequently sprinkled with Frances’own religious beliefs due to her orientation as a nun, all readers should come away with an exhilarating feeling of hope and excitement for what is in store for us all.

First published in 1969, its message is timeless. Frances conveys this firsthand report of “the next phase of living to which we are all graduating” with the hope that if made public it will help all of us realize what we are working towards: spiritual perfection.

Review by Melissa Gould

Entangled Minds
Extrasensory Experiences in a Quantum Reality
by Dean Radin, Ph.D.
Paraview Pocket Books 2006

Researchers and scientists that study phenomena that do not neatly fit into the established mainstream principles of physical reality certainly recognize that their endeavors will be widely criticized and anticipate their own frustration levels to soar. After reading Entangled Minds, an extraordinary work that encapsulates the history of, evidence for, and explanations of why, one might be inclined to scream out in unison.

Evidence in the scientific community is judged based upon odds against chance, or percentages that a particular test could be wrong. For example, in DNA forensic testing involving paternity questions, the odds that the DNA test could be wrong in a match with the father are approximately 100,000 to 1. In our legal system, those odds are sufficient for most of the courts in this country to unequivocally accept this as sufficient evidence and make rulings based upon this test. In Entangled Minds, Dr. Radin presents the statistics of many Psi tests that include tremendous volumes of data that show odds against chance in the billions to one, infinitely greater than the conclusive evidence used by the legal system. One might expect that such findings would make headlines and get featured as lead stories on television news programs. Yet, as Dr. Radin points out, not only does this not happen, but such results rarely even get mentioned in the scientific journals.

Of course, through direct experience, many realize that phenomena such as ESP and telepathy are real. Knowing that the phone is about to ring, sensing that someone is staring at you, dreams of a future event that later come true, all provide personal empirical evidence. For those who still question, a journey through Entangled Minds will very likely alter your view of the universe as well as your part in it. The big question here is not if Psi exists, but, “How does it work?”

This book will open most readers to the possibility that our minds are “entangled” with the universe, and it is very likely that quantum theory may offer a plausible explanation of “how.”

Dr. Radin posits the theory that our minds are embedded in what he playfully terms, “non-local

Jello-O ...where we can get glimpses of information about other people’s minds, distant objects, or the future and past.” In other words, when we experience the Psi phenomena, perhaps there is no actual “signal” that is being sent out and received, as is the standard explanation. Instead, Dr. Radin points out, it is “....because at some level our mind/brain is already coexistent with other people’s minds, distant objects, and everything else. To navigate through this space, we use attention and intention. From this perspective, psychic experiences are reframed not as mysterious ‘powers of the mind’ but as momentary glimpses of the entangled fabric of reality.”

Dr. Radin’s theories are profound, and will hopefully help to move Psi phenomena out of the realm of “mysticism” and “psychic power” into the more likely explanation of “entanglement.” More importantly, perhaps we would be better off viewing ourselves as part of a greater connected reality, a reality where our actions ripple through the universe. Entangled Minds just may offer that glimpse of which you have been searching.

Dean Radin, Ph.D. is Laboratory Director at the Institute of Noetic Sciences in Petaluma, California. For nearly two decades, he has conducted research on psychic phenomena in academia, corporate think tanks, and government projects.

The Synchronized Universe
by Claude Swanson, Ph.D.
Published by Poseida Press 2003

There have been countless books published about the paranormal and enormous volumes of physics books made available to the public. Rarely do you find a book that not only combines the two, but clearly and systematically explains phenomena in terms that are understandable to the lay person. Dr. Swanson, a physicist educated at M.I.T. and Princeton, has done just that in his book The Synchronized Universe.

Dr. Swanson’s goal is to take the reader on a journey of recognition that “we are truly one universe.” In his introduction, he points out the rift in the world today between science and religion. He states, “Modern science does not allow for the possibility of the soul, or invisible beings, or have any laws of force which can account for the power of prayer. But what if modern science still has a few things to learn? What if present-day physics is leaving out a few important truths about the universe, as well?

“.... There are many phenomena which have been proven in the laboratory, and yet which mainstream physics steadfastly refuses to admit or recognize. Why? Because if it did, it would turn the present world-view of physics upside down.”

Dr. Swanson provides details about experiments done involving remote viewing, the ability to see and sense things at a distance. Our U.S. military ran remote viewing projects for many years with many of the results still classified. A comprehensive body of evidence is also presented concerning ESP (Extrasensory Perception), including experiments done by NASA, various universities, and the Chinese government. Startling experiments with psychokinesis (the ability to move or affect objects or living beings without touching them - done with only psychic interaction) are described and illustrated. Other topics include communication between cells, group consciousness, levitation, teleportation, out-of -body experiences, near death experiences, and many other psi related phenomena. Each topic is thoroughly discussed and includes the new evidence that supports the phenomena and how it changes previous scientific thought on the subject. The book concludes with Dr. Swanson’s own theory of the Synchronized Universe Model.

As you move through each fascinating and thought provoking chapter, you cannot help but redefine a previously constricted view of what constitutes consciousness and our universe. Evidence truly shows that our consciousness can leave our bodies. It can not only travel to other destinations, but travel back and forth in time. This book will certainly jolt anyone who previously thought of their existence as their physical bodies and worldly possessions.

Life At Death

A Scientific Investigation Of The Near-Death Experience

by Kenneth Ring, PH.D.

originally published by Coward, McCann & Geoghegan, c1980

This book was written in 1980 and remains essential reading for anyone curious about near death experiences. Dr. Ring spent over a year interviewing people who had come close to death. Unlike prior books that were written on the subject, this study was approached from a scientific point of view. Personal biases and opinions were carefully avoided.

Throughout the book we find the data surprising us with consistencies in the reported stages of the near death experience. Statistical breakdowns are illustrated showing percentages of those experiencing "peace and the sense of well being." Other categories include body separation, entering darkness, seeing and entering the light, and a decision to return. Most fascinating were the descriptions of the cognitive process, a surprising high percentage of people described very clear and rational thinking, with senses remaining sharp. After reviewing all of the data, the reader can draw his or her own conclusions as to the "prototypical" near death experience. However, it is clear from the data that not only does one become aware of another reality, but is drawn to it.

For those who ever felt that their consciousness defined who they were, as opposed to their bodies and brains, take a look at some of Dr. Ring's data. To date, there are very few ways to conduct scientific studies of possible afterlife phenomena. Advances have been made in mediumship research, and scientists continue to investigate possible "hardware" to enable communication with other dimensions. Much more research needs to be conducted with those who have undergone near death experiences; they offer us real glimpses of a world beyond. Dr. Ring is certainly a pioneer in this field.

The Conscious Universe:
The Scientific Truth of Psychic Phenomena
by Dean Radin PhD.
Harper Collins 1997

Up until the present, science has always considered phenomena such as ESP, remote viewing, and mind-matter interaction to be on the “fringe” and not worthy of serious exploration. Documentation of such occurrences had been purely anecdotal, with little statistical data to back it up. In “ The Conscious Universe” Dr. Radin breaks the barrier and cites the evidence for psi to be included in mainstream science.

Too often we have been conditioned to believe that if it is not explained by modern science, then we should pay little attention to it. This presents a problem to those who have direct experiences. The fact is, the scientific community now has an overwhelming abundance of evidence proving that psi exists; yet, inexplicably there still remains a controversy in the scientific community. Dr. Radin examines the entire gamut of exploration, from exploring skepticism to citing all the evidence for telepathy, clairvoyance, precognition, psychic healing and psychokinesis. As the author points out, “Psi is our experience of the invisible interconnections that bind the universe together.”

After completing the book one is left to wonder how there can still remain a controversy. As Dr. Radin points out, “The bottom line is that if we do not expect to see psi, we won’t.”

For all those who wish to expand their knowledge and open up their minds to where psi fits in with the universe, this book is the place to start.

Experiencing The Next World Now
by Michael Grosso, Ph.D.
Paraview Pocket Books 2004

One might infer from the title that this is an exploration of methodology for catching glimpses of the world beyond while we are still in the physical. However, although such insights are most certainly shared by Dr. Grosso, this book offers much more. The full gamut of afterlife evidence is examined, from ancient wisdom to the technologically advanced experiments of today. As the empirical evidence is methodically introduced to us, the author makes it crystal clear that we should be equally concerned and moved by its implications; the ultimate goal being a changed perspective of the world in which we live and participate.

The evidence that is examined in this work focuses on four aspects of consciousness studies: mediumship, out-of-body experiences, reincarnation, and apparitions. Cases are presented from such phenomena as near-death experiences and death-bed visions, compelling evidence that our minds can indeed travel and act independently of our brains. The implications are clear - if consciousness is not dependent on the brain, survival after we physically die is a logical assumption.

We often talk about researchers and scientists “believing” but not really “knowing.” When talking about apparitions, Dr. Grosso is able to offer a unique perspective; he has had his own experience of seeing a ghost. Despite this very personal vision, the subject matter of apparitions, ghosts, and dreams is examined from an independent perspective, with particular attention to the hallucination vs. true experience debate. Throughout the book, in the author’s own words, “My aim is to provide you with tools for making your own judgment, although I will let you know how I feel along the way.”

Dr. Grosso has a unique perspective with regard to psychic ability and evolution. The question is raised as to the purpose of such ability while we navigate our physical lives. The author’s suggestion as to the purpose is both thought provoking and logical: perhaps after we physically die, when we are pure entities of consciousness, these psychic powers are the foundation for our whole existence. The implication is that if we can recognize and hone these skills now, our existence and communicative abilities in the next world will be enhanced.

In this remarkable book the journey comes full circle. After being shown compelling evidence for an afterlife, we are urged to find our own evidence and experiences in this life. According to Dr. Grosso, “The proposal is that we reframe life after death into a question of enlightenment now.”

Michael Grosso, Ph.D. can be reached through his website www.parapsi.com.

The Miracle of Death
by Betty J. Kovács, Ph.D.
The Kamalak Center 2003

I must admit that I was compelled to read this book by the title, as I was both appalled and intrigued by the description. Why would anyone call death a miracle? The author was either seriously misguided or possessed unusual wisdom; as I read the book I realized that the latter was true.

Dr. Kovács lost her mother, her only son, and her husband in separate car accidents, all within a three year period. As a professor of literature, symbolic language, writing, and mythology, Betty was very much aware of cultural and mythological traditions that embraced the concept of death; however, the horror of such personal tragedy would now test the limits of her intellectual beliefs.

The author begins by recounting her childhood where her cultural interactions conveyed a sense of emptiness and lack of meaning. She describes a thirst for knowledge beyond the information that her education was portraying as truth. Instead of suppressing feelings that were not “logical” to the rational mind, she decided to embrace her connections to the universe and her intuitive mind. By exploration of the cosmic mind, she knew that “there is nothing but life,” and, as Ghandi knew, “Birth and death are not two different states, but they are different aspects of the same state.”

Much of her adult life was filled with dream imagery, most of which was meticulously journaled. Many of these experiences, detailed in the book, offered great insight into worlds that most cannot see in addition to being pre-cognitive. The author insightfully draws the comparison between the ancients who understood the mystery of death and birth, and modern quantum physicists who find that sudden elementary particles emerge from vacuums, even where there are no atoms, no elementary particles, protons or photons. This concept of life emerging from emptiness is similar to the spiritual notion that each of us is at the center of the universe, and is “an integral part of the flaring forth of this continuous creative act that began fifteen billion light-years ago with the Big Bang.”

The reader of this book will have the good fortune to share in many messages passed on from Dr. Kovács’ husband and son from the other side. One comes away with the belief that, as Betty writes, “Love and life are indestructible,” much as Forever Family Foundation espouses “The bonds of love cannot be broken, even by death.” I cannot help but think that one day in the near future science will actually discover that the emotion of love is a form of energy that allows this continuous communication. The concept of death giving birth to life is certainly not a new one; however, Dr. Kovács brings us a step closer to the knowledge that death is a unifying energy that merges with creativity, love and life.
- Bob Ginsberg

Dr. Kovács can be reached via the website www.kamlak.com

The Gift
ESP, The Extraordinary Experiences of Ordinary People
by Dr. Sally Rhine Feather
and Michael Schmicker
St. Martin’s Press, 2005

One would be hard-pressed to identify a family that has been more important to the field of parapsychology than the Rhines. Drs. J.B and Louisa Rhine pioneered the scientific study of ESP starting in the 1930’s. Their original work has been replicated and expanded upon by major scientists and laboratories around the world. Needless to say, as the daughter of this couple, Sally was exposed to cutting edge research at an early age. Continuing in their footsteps, Dr. Sally Rhine Feather has established a huge body of research on her own. In a collaboration with accomplished writer Michael Schmicker, The Gift is a comprehensive collection of experiences and insights, tied together with examples of solid research.

The authors begin by pointing out that the broad term of ESP, or extra-sensory perception, is “the ability of the human mind to perceive or experience without the help of the five senses.” Although the familiar five senses might assist in the interpretation of the communications, they are not able to act as receptors of the raw information. The book details personal accounts of many different types of phenomena that fit under this general category of “psi.” Fascinating examples of precognition, clairvoyance and telepathy among the living, as well as reported messages from the dead, are presented in dramatic fashion. ESP examples relating to love, children, disasters, fate, and more fill the pages in a flowing fashion that will make the book hard to put down. I suspect that many readers will recognize some of their own experiences as they absorb these true accounts.

One will come away from the book with the understanding that ESP experiences do not depend on age, religion, education, or culture. In fact, one logical conclusion may very well be that ESP should be taken out of the “paranormal” nomenclature. It has existed and has been reported throughout history, and may be just as “normal” as our other known senses.

As each phenomenon is examined, the authors are careful to balance, as they point out, “open-mindedness and critical judgment.” Those interested in the subject would expect and demand nothing else. If you have had experiences for which you seek an explanation, if you want to see an abundance of astounding evidence, or if you want to stimulate some inner contemplation, I strongly recommend that you read The Gift.
- Bob Ginsberg

Dr. Rhine Feather can be reached at the website www.rhine.org

Limitless Mind
A guide to remote viewing and transformation of consciousness
by Russell Targ
published by New World Library 2004

Limitless Mind is the latest book by physicist and remote viewing research pioneer Russell Targ. Targ, after examining decades of “Psi” research, comes to the conclusion that “we are capable of expanded awareness far beyond our physical bodies.... In fact, the principal finding of this research demonstrates that there is no known spatial or temporal limit to our awareness.”

In this book, we are not only presented with the enormous body of evidence of remote viewing and healing, but we are given a blueprint for experiencing these phenomena ourselves. In this respect, Limitless Mind presents a rare occurence: An experienced and esteemed scientist so convinced by the evidence of thought transference that he feels compelled to teach the methodology. What better way to raise awareness of these phenomena but to have the reader actually participate?

Dicussions and evidence of quantum theory, timelessness, dreams, precognition, physical responses to thought stimuli, and medical intuitiveness all move the reader to reach the inevitable conclusion that our minds are not dependent on our brains, and our consciousness can span time. In reading Limitless Mind one cannot escape the irony that today’s scientists may very well become the “spritual prophets” of the future.

Afterlife Encounters:
Ordinary People, Extraordinary Experiences
by Dianne Arcangel, MS
Hampton Roads 2005

After decades of work in the field of death and dying, Dianne Arcangel finally decided that education on this topic was severely lacking. Her enormous compilation of afterlife encounters needed to be put on paper in book form; the evidence needed to be presented in a straight-forward manner and made available to a widespread audience. Afterlife Encounters is based upon a landmark five-year international survival study. It is a definitive work that is right on the mark, as it presents not only an impressive collection of encounters, but a careful analysis of the data.

The book is presented from the point of view of a trained researcher; however, Dianne’s background as former hospice worker and director of the Elizabeth Kubler-Ross Center adds much depth to the encounters and their meaning. The book will take you on a journey of afterlife exploration as it not only relates and categorizes the types of such encounters, but teaches us their meaning and effects they have on one’s grief.

Is it possible that science, research, and spirituality are leading us down the same path? Is the finality of death truly the end? This book is a must read for anyone that has ever pondered these questions.

Dianne Arcangel, M.S. can be contacted via her website: www.afterlife-encounters.com and www.Arcangel.net.

MESSAGES AND MIRACLES: Extraordinary Experiences of the Bereaved
by Louis E. LaGrand, Ph.D.
Llewelleyn Publications, St. Paul, MN, 1999 California, 2004

I found Louis LaGrand's book, Messages and Miracles, tucked away on a library shelf, sandwiched between a multitude of volumes addressing humanity's need to make sense of the Afterlife. Perhaps it was the title that drew me to it and pulled my attention away from the other books.

The book seemed to be so appropriate. After all, I was receiving "messages" from my son who passed, and I did consider them to be "miracles." This book was, at the very least, worthy of being perused. And so I share LaGrand's thoughts on the matter at hand, namely, the gift of communication with departed loved ones.

The main thrust of "Messages" is to answer the 100 most-asked questions about what the author considers to be "this largely empowering of human experiences," namely the existence of "ADC's," or "After-Death Communications." He poses and answers the queries in an honest and methodical manner leaving nothing to supposition. The reader is filled with a sense of confidence that they are truly not alone in their inspirations. Based on factual evidence and human understanding, their episodes can only be genuine.

Scientific facts are skillfully interwoven with testimonials regarding the numerous types of ADC's. The book is both a systematic collection of data, as well as a comfortable study into the realm of many mourners' experiences with "messages" and "miracles."

Most likely you can obtain this book from your local library system. It is a good and interesting read. I recommend it highly.

Review by Marilyn Ostrofsky

SPIRIT MESSENGER: The remarkable story of a seventh son of a seventh son
by Gordon Smith
Hay House, Inc, Carlsbad, California, 2004, 188 pp, $13.95.

When he was born, the midwife who attended Gordon Smith's birth stated that because he was the seventh child of a seventh child, he was going to be very gifted. It apparently was a prophecy that came true.

Gordon begins the book discussing what seems to be the norm in Western society, describing how he became aware of his psychic abilities around the time he was seven or eight years old but was discouraged by his parents from acknowledging this ability. It is interesting to note that his ability showed up soon after recovering from rheumatic fever.

However, when he was twenty-five, the apparition of a close friend appeared to him early one morning as he was awakening. Later that day he found out that his friend had died in a fire that morning. Following the funeral service, his friend's sister asked Gordon to take her to a spiritualist church to see a medium. As a result of this visit, he began to attend medium development meetings at one of the local spiritualist churches in his hometown of Glasgow, Scotland.

In Scotland, people who exhibit some mediumistic ability are encouraged to develop this ability over a period of years, usually by attending group meetings conducted by experienced mediums at their local spiritualist church. After several years of training, Gordon began his career.

In the book, he takes you through his own process of development, beginning with his early appearances at local churches and his gradual progression into advanced mediumship. Albert Best, one of the top mediums in the world at the time, became his mentor and friend. Throughout the book he tells many stories that show his unique ability to not only give meaningful information, but to often give precise names and dates. There are also many anecdotal stories about some of the readings he has given, some humorous and others bizarre.

Gordon's writing style connotes sincerity. He uses simple language, and displays the same qualities he admired in Albert Best - humility and a lack of ego. He does not exhibit the pompous, know-it-all attitude that some mediums exhibit, and does not make predictions about future events in people's lives. To this day, he still makes a living as a barber, and says that he does not take money for giving readings, even though he is becoming an internationally known medium. Of course, it remains to be seen if he will continue this way.

One of the main points to be gained from reading this book is that if you have lost a loved one, there is substantial evidence given that supports the concept that not only did they survive the death of their body, but you will see them again. Of course, this is a common theme in most books written by mediums, but if you accept that there is no fraud involved, then it is obvious that Gordon Smith has an exceptional talent.

Because he is becoming a renowned medium, Gordon has been asked to participate, along with other mediums, in a number of research studies conducted under controlled conditions by university research scientists. Preliminary results of these studies demonstrate the astounding accuracy of many of the messages he continually receives from the other side.

In addition to many stories about his mediumship, he presents his views on spirituality and discusses other aspects of paranormal phenomena such as séances, trance mediumship, spirit guides and the survival of animal spirits.

In summary, I found the book to be light-hearted, easy to read and a way to gain insights into the likelihood of whether or not we survive the death of our bodies. I recommend it to anyone who is going through the agony that accompanies the loss of a loved one.

Review by Bill Kaspari

Life Before Life
A Scientific Investigation of Children’s Memories of Previous Lives
by Jim B. Tucker, M.D.
St. Martin’s Press 2005

Most of us are not aware of the fact that many medical doctors not only have an interest in such “unconventional” theories such as consciousness survival, but have been researching the phenomena for more than a century. Dr. Tucker’s specialty is the investigation of reincarnation, and he has continued forty years of prior research conducted by Dr. Ian Stevenson at the University of Virginia.

Life Before Life allows us all to examine the evidence for reincarnation; information that heretofore was only available by scouring the scientific journals. The book is not written in abstract scientific terms, nor does the author make any claims that the research has provided proof of reincarnation. However, by examining the accumulation of the evidence presented, many will be hard pressed not to come away with a new openness to the possibility that some of us have lived at least once before.

As Dr.Tucker points out, reincarnation is not studied in a laboratory. It is a painstaking process whereby researchers visit the homes where children claim to have knowledge of a previous life, and accumulate mounds of data relating to the case. Corroboration is sought for every past life memory cited by the child. Past family members and witnesses are interviewed, facts such as the physical locations of certain possessions are verified, birthmarks or birth defects related to a prior physical life are investigated, correspondence to unusual behaviors exhibited by the subjects are examined, and recognition of prior acquaintances is observed.

Some of the cases presented are astounding. For example, Dr. Tucker relates the case of a child who began talking of a previous life when she was between two and a half and three years old. When the child was four she claimed that she used to live in a place that was 145 miles from her present home in Sri Lanka. By the time she was six, she made twenty specific statements about the previous life. These facts were all recorded and later verified when researchers went with the family to the place she described as her previous home.

Throughout the book, Dr. Tucker follows the presentation of each type of evidence with other possible explanations; the reader is urged to form his or her own conclusions. For those who have ever wondered how emotions could possibly endure from one life to the next, pondered if everyone reincarnates, looked for explanations of how prior personality traits and physical characteristics could be manifested in another life, Life Before Life will provide some answers. However, more importantly, it may open many minds to the possibility that our physical brains are mere receptors. Our consciousness may very well be the essence of life that continues well beyond the physical playground.

Jim Tucker, M.D. is a child psychiatrist at the University of Virginia, where he directs research into children’s reports of past-life memories at the Division of Personality Studies and serves as medical director at the Child & Family Psychiatry Clinic. Dr. Tucker would like to hear from parents of children who have reported memories of a previous life if they are willing to be interviewed about their experiences. Dr. Tucker can be reached by e-mail at DOPS@virginia.edu, or by regular mail at: Division of Personality Studies, University of Virginia Health System, P.O. Box 800152, Charlottesville, VA 22908-0152

On Life After Death
by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, MD
Simon & Schuster, Re-released 2008

On Life after Death, written by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, was re-released in 2008, four years after her death. Kübler-Ross is a well respected and internationally known author and doctor, famous for her 1970’s landmark work on the stages of grief in On Death and Dying.

On Life after Death cemented my belief in the afterlife. Dr. Kübler-Ross writes with personal knowledge from her work with thousands of dying patients. The stories of people who touched her heart, or had incredible stories to tell, are woven into a series of four essays drawn directly from four lectures she presented in person. Some of these lectures were told at a time when the possibility of life after death was too extreme, and the simple subject of death was taboo. People simply didn’t want to know about death or even be near it. Kübler-Ross broke that taboo through her sincerity and passion working with her terminal patients, and it is that passion which is refl ected in her written work.

These days, many of us not only want to talk about grief when a family member dies, but hope that our loved ones who have passed are still around in some connected form.

To answer our wish, Kübler-Ross provides her own anecdotal proof of life after death through detailed accounts kept while attending to her dying patients. After many years of doctoring, the similarities in her patients’ stories have convinced her that death is a transition to another form of life. The variety in her stories is entertaining and reassuring, and I wanted to keep reading just to connect with her life and the many lessons she has to teach about death. Many recalled the doctor’s conversations after their heart stopped beating. They saw things happen from a different perspective, including seeing themselves and the medical staff while hovering above. Of those that were revived after a clinical death, many spoke of the overwhelming peace they felt on the other side. They also let her know that they were not alone in death. Some reached the epiphany that material possessions just aren’t that important; the only thing that was important was love.

While she didn’t do scientifi c studies with her terminal patients, their stories convinced her that they were providing proof enough that there indeed is life after death.

Dr. Kübler-Ross’s stories were bolstered with her own personal experiences. She once had her own near death experience, and she occasionally saw the ghosts of her patients who had recently passed. In fact, one of her first stories is of a patient waiting for her in the elevator to tell her to continue her work with the dying. This patient had recently passed away, though Kübler-Ross saw her in a form as real as any person she knew. The message from this patient came at a time when the doctor doubted her own work, and so it served to convince her that she had an important mission.

And indeed Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross did; she helped people to understand grief more fully, and she inspired the hospice movement as well as some scientifi c studies on proof of an afterlife. She passed away in 2004, but perhaps she will continue to provide important insight from the other side. Though the reader must form their own opinion as to what truly resonates with them, for Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, she was left with no doubt that there is Life after Death.

- Leigh Harris

Something Unknown is Doing We Don’t Know What
A documentary by Renée Scheltema (Dutch Filmmaker)
Telekan, 2009

The title of this film was no doubt prompted by the personal experiences of the filmmaker. Like so many of us, her education and understanding could not explain certain occurrences that seemed to defy conventional wisdom. In an effort to discover the source of what most would term “paranormal” phenomena, she embarked upon a journey of discovery by interviewing many of the present day scientists that are interested in telepathy, clairvoyance, precognition, psychokinesis and healing.

The film masterfully weaves together the evidence from the various disciplines of exploration. Each segment could leave one scratching their head as they ponder the evidence and try to integrate it into their own belief systems. However, the goal of the film is to expand awareness by the totality of the evidence. The process of remote viewing as described by Stephen Schwartz, which is integrated with fascinating drawings made by “viewers” of sites that were hidden to them, is compelling. Dean Radin’s experiments with precognition, being aware of a future event just before it happens, leaves one startled by the results. As Gary Schwartz describes the evidence that shows how our thoughts can dramatically affect the growth and health of plants, one cannot help but ponder the implications. Medical doctor Larry Dossey bucks conventional wisdom by outlining the evidence that shows the power of the mind, intention and prayer in healing. Roger Nelson gives us a hands-on view of the Global Consciousness Project, a grand experiment that shows what happens when massive numbers of people share intention and emotion. Charles Tart ties it all together by showing that we are in fact spiritual beings, but current materialist philosophy often keeps science from recognition of this fact.

The list of scientists and practitioners continues, each contributing another piece of the puzzle. When the film is over and it is time to reflect upon any possible answers, the inescapable conclusion is that we are so much more than our physical bodies. Our minds not only communicate with our bodies, but with other minds. It is not a trick and not something available to a select few, but something inherent to our nature. Of course, armed with this knowledge, it’s only a short hop to understand how afterlife communication is not only possible, but suggested by the evidence.

- Bob Ginsberg

The End of Materialism
How Evidence of the Paranormal is Bringing Science and Spirituality Together
by Charles T. Tart, PhD
New Harbinger Publications, 2009

A great many of us are materialists whether or not we recognize this fact. Science has done its part by teaching us that matter is the ground of all being. From elemental particles to atoms, cells, genes, organs, to the complete human body, everything can be explained by chemical reactions, electrical circuitry and other physical laws. Our hi-tech culture has contributed as well, as we continue on a path of ego dominated choices in our seemingly never ending quest for self gratification, toys and wealth.

Dr. Charles T. Tart, a well-trained and credentialed scientist, was never comfortable with the traditional view of most of his colleagues that all knowledge had to be material knowledge. His determination to prove otherwise sparked a career of applying sound and rigorous scientific procedures to phenomena labeled “paranormal” by mainstream science. Instead of assuming that consciousness is manufactured by the brain, Dr. Tart’s work is based upon the principle that although the brain is certainly involved in consciousness, it certainly does not create consciousness. His work always progressed despite the fact that he was dogged by “scientism,” a rigid belief system where skepticism or the search for truth is replaced by automatic debunking.

Among Dr.Tart’s many areas of expertise are altered states of consciousness, “in which a new idea or understanding presents itself to you complete, as a revelation or a different kind of knowledge - noetic knowledge, noesis – rather than something you consciously work out step by step from experience, authority, or reason in your ordinary state.” Dreams, meditative revelations, drug-induced states, etc. are all valid ways of gaining knowledge, despite the fact they are rarely acknowledged as methods of creativity by formal science. Tart also points out that we most likely experience an abundance of “psi” related impressions during our daily lives; however, most of them are lost because of analytical and associative overlay. We tend to consciously analyze everything as our culture, religion, education and societal influences give us a bias as we think of what is “real” or important.

Dr. Tart describes his early pioneering lab work in telepathy, testing information that can be transmitted from one person’s mind to another. His experimental designs were different from those of his predecessors; Tart was interested in getting immediate feedback from the participants. It wasn’t enough to merely provide the evidence that the phenomenon existed; it was more valuable and interesting to learn if people could be trained to harness and use telepathic ability more effectively. This seems to be a most important experimental design that is missing in most psi research, including remote viewing and mediumship. Would we not be taking steps toward changing worldview if we could find commonalities among the various psi phenomena and provide guidance to individuals wishing to connect to each other and to a conscious universe?

As Dr. Tart examined the evidence for telepathy and the glaring problems that surfaced from scientism, he logically outlined the reasons why telepathy has to be non-physical. If an electrical signal was sent out from our brains, it would be impossible for our brains to generate enough power to send the signal across thousands of miles (as the evidence for telepathy suggests). Secondly, if the brain was sending out some sort of radio waves, shouldn’t we be able to detect and measure these waves? Despite attempts to do just this, none were ever successful. Tart also points out that we should be able to block radio wave transmissions from the brain by placing senders and receivers in electrically shielded rooms. However, the evidence shows that shielding does not affect telepathy.

Dr. Tart goes on to examine the evidence for psychokinesis, psychic healing, precognition, near death and out of body experiences, mediumship and reincarnation. His conclusion is that “you must say that in some real sense, mind does not equal brain, or, more positively; ordinary mind equals brain plus something else.” What follows is that it is then reasonable to assume that something survives our bodily death. Perhaps Dr.Tart’s greatest insight is offered upon his contemplation of the “super-psi” vs. survival explanation – “A creature who can use super-psi ability actually sounds like the kind of creature who’s not so dependent on his or her physical body and thus might survive death. Such a creature might even be described as spiritual.”

For all of us who suspect that our egos have created a considerable amount of psychological suffering, and to all who question if we are more than our physical bodies, The End of Materialism is a must read.

- Bob Ginsberg

The Western Book of Crossing Over
Conversations with the Other Side
by Sheldon Stoff, EdD
Frog Books, 2009

As the title implies, the subject of this work was meant to be used as resource for those curious about survival after death. However, it not only includes channeled information describing the process of dying and life in other realms, but puts the information in context for discerning the meaning of life in the physical.

Dr. Sheldon Stoff was a spiritual man before and after retiring from university teaching in education and philosophy, but never imagined that he would be able to maintain a continuing relationship with his deceased wife Lorraine, to whom he was married for more than fifty years. Sheldon’s current wife, Barbara Smith Stoff, whom he met under synchronistic circumstances, writes in the book’s foreword, “You can imagine my excitement and feeling of good fortune when I found myself in a face-to-face dialogue with an individual who had the personal experience of an extended conversation with beings on the ‘other side’.” She sensed the importance of the information and the purposeful way in which it was delivered.

Sheldon first recognized the fact that information could be received from other realms when he purchased a poultry farm as a young man. He kept hearing advice from his deceased Uncle Sol which he described as “voices” in his head. The counseling received enabled Sheldon to break several production records. This and other occurrences where his life was actually saved from ethereal guidance awakened Sheldon to the perils of thinking with only a specific “mind-set.” As communicated from Lorraine, “Each of us is simply a child of the universe, and that is necessary to proceed in meditation unadorned by past attachments.”

Much of the communication from Lorraine reinforced the fact that life on the Other Side is based upon the guiding principal of love – we enter a period of self-judgment when we pass that evaluates the love and compassion in our hearts and actions. The message from the authors, “here and there,” is that indeed our progress in the life continuum is based in part upon the lives we lead in the physical – perhaps a comforting thought for those who wonder about “afterlife justice.” Throughout the book we are reminded that what we mistakenly believe to be reality, our physical existence, is just an illusion. The true reality, the existence with permanence, is encountered after the physical.

The book features descriptions provided by Lorraine, with insightful interpretation by Sheldon, on the subjects of reincarnation, our mission in life, the actual process of dying, the life review, life on the other side, soul-mates and the process of creation. On the subject of our life “mission,” the author jumps right in to tackle perhaps the most asked question since the dawn of man – “Do our lives have any meaning?” The answer from both sides is an overwhelming, yes. It goes back to the reason for the creation of the universe: “It was and is to allow each of us to learn to love – there are no exceptions to this rule.” Our mission is entangled with reincarnation, as we always select a positive mission as our reason for incarnating. Since we have free will, we often fail in our goals as we succumb to lesser goals that provide immediate gratification. Lorraine advises that she and Sheldon, apparent “soul-mates,” programmed her passing back over prior to both of their physical incarnations. This was a purposeful decision to allow her to provide insights from the other realm.

According to Lorraine, after transitioning, we begin to notice a swift “healing” of our bodies. We keep this shape until we wish to be recognized in our “proper” energy form. We are then taken by our guide to areas where we are briefly questioned and directed to “the group that you departed from prior to your life on Earth.” We apparently take our physical attachments with us to this afterlife, which play a factor in our understanding in this new environment. As to our thoughts directed to the loved ones we left behind in the physical, Lorraine tells Sheldon that during her transition “I looked around the room as I was a bit above the bed and I saw you crying. I kissed you on the cheek (you didn’t notice) and I heard you telling me that you loved me. That was good since it showed that you knew I was still with you in spirit and had survived my discarded body. I wished that others understood the realness of passing over, not only as a physical death but also as a wonderful spiritual awakening which can be more joyous than anything that you ever experienced on Earth.” Taken at face value, this information is significant as it indicates that we benefit those on the Other Side by acknowledging that we know they survive.

Lorraine goes on to express her surprise that there was no “Gatekeeper” in her new realm of existence – her expectations were based upon prior beliefs that she assumed to be true. She goes on to describe her permanent home that is beautiful in every way, a place where the true meaning of community is realized. Life evidently includes study in small communities that are part of larger ones – communities unknown in the physical world, where love, peace and harmony pervade all thoughts and actions. As to those who wonder how we will handle the shock of totally new surroundings, Lorraine advises that similarity of both sides is maintained to smooth the transition, “You are sent to what would be familiar to you.” Those that believed in a “hell” require counseling in this new environment of harmony and love. We always feel the pain that we inflicted upon others since we remain bound to all beings, whether they are in the ethereal or physical worlds. Our overriding goal is to atone and improve so that remorseful actions are not repeated.

It is always fair for open-minded skeptics to question the source of channeled information, especially when the channeler is as brilliant as Dr. Stoff. Can one ever truly determine if the information is not coming from the mind of the receiver? It comes down to one’s own interpretation and intuition. I suspect that in many cases it is a joint effort – pure information from another dimension that is filtered somewhat by conscious interpretation by physical beings. In any case, if the messages resonate with the reader, it would be foolish to dismiss the guidance. In The Western Book of Crossing Over there is a clear picture painted of a true world of thought – a world of “mind-painting” where we can create or re-create matter. Based upon all that I have read and some personal experiences, I believe this to be true – readers will have to form their own opinions and beliefs. However, I can tell you that as one continues through these spiritual insights, it may become apparent that there are similarities to some of the scientific theories of entanglement and energy fields that connect a seemingly disjointed universe. As Dr. Stoff reminds us “As above, so below – As below, so above.” This book reminds us all that we need to search deep inside before gaining access to unseen worlds – not only is this necessary for our personal growth, but for our survival as a species.

- Bob Ginsberg

Unbelievable
Investigations Into Ghosts, Poltergeists, Telepathy, and Other Unseen Phenomena, From The Duke Parapsychology Laboratory
by Stacy Horn
Harper Collins Publishers, 2009

In somewhat of a departure from her other literary works, journalist Stacy Horn embarked upon this project with a skeptical but open mind. Not quite knowing what to expect, but intrigued by the prospect of paranormal investigation, she was given access to seven hundred boxes of lab archives at Duke University.

The laboratory was headed by J.B.Rhine, a pioneer in the field of telepathy from 1930 to 1980 - a scientist possessing enormous focus and intensity. As the author’s investigation began, she soon found out that despite the lab’s focus on telepathy they were inundated with thousands of reports from anyone experiencing any type of unexplained phenomena. Dr. Rhine, considered to be a “rogue scientist” among most of his mainstream colleagues, was visited by or corresponded with legendary figures such as Albert Einstein, Richard Nixon, Carl Jung, Jackie Gleason, Helen Keller, Rod Serling and Timothy Leary to name a few – one can get a chuckle by just listing such names together in one sentence.

Stacy approaches the topic and investigation much like the scientists she studied, with a steadfast impartiality that tempered her enthusiasm. She discovered that, although Rhine seldom talked about telepathy in the context of survival, his interest began after an early investigation of mediumship. Rhine faced the same dilemma that scientists now struggle with seventy years later – could telepathy be responsible for the information that the mediums are getting? In other words, were mediums getting their information from the minds of the living, or from the dead? This question began his quest to devise experiments that would uncover the underlying mechanism of telepathy.

Much of Rhine’s ESP work involved the use of “Zener” cards – subjects were asked to identify the various symbols on these cards before they were revealed. Horn meticulously tells the story of one of Rhine’s extraordinary subjects, Hubert Pearce. In one experiment consisting of 1,850 trials, it was determined that the chances of Pearce getting the scores he did were one in an octillion. Despite the publication of these results, which were conducted under strict scientific controls, Rhine’s colleagues barely acknowledged the evidence and chalked it up to sloppy methodology. As the author learns throughout her investigations, the world of science can be treacherous – a community often dominated by ego and closed mindedness.

Many accounts uncovered by Horn are fascinating and previously unknown, even to those who follow the history of parapsychology. For example, Rhine’s correspondence with Carl Jung revealed incidences of séances held by Jung with a medium. After a knife exploded inside a sideboard of Jung’s home, and a table spontaneously came apart, Jung attributed the events as being connected to the medium. Equally startling is the fact that Rhine, a man who never so much as took a drink, experimented several times by taking psilocybin with Timothy Leary. Nothing could be more illustrative of Rhine’s intensity – he would try anything in the pursuit of discovery, and had to find out if such drugs could provide clues to the mystery of ESP.

Horn takes us on the roller coaster ride of elation and disappointment experienced by Rhine and his colleagues as they searched for key that unlocked the secret of ESP. The stakes were huge – the ultimate goal being proof of survival. As Horn puts it, “But when all is said and done, as they tried to prove that death is not an end, what they were really trying to prove is that love lasts forever.” Ultimately, this skeptical author came to believe that the lab’s work was sound. Oddly enough, it was the parapsychology critics themselves that convinced her after she came upon unsupported bias over and over again - bias easily refuted by the data. As she states, “You’d think that scientists – who throughout time have introduced sometimes unimaginable discoveries and endured unreasonable and occasionally lethal resistance – would be more amenable.”

If you are interested in the “fun” of the paranormal, the “drama” of the players in the field, or the true data amassed, I recommend that you take this journey of the “Unbelievable.”

- Bob Ginsberg

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