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Bibliography
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_____________. More About Life in the World Unseen. London: Psychic Press Ltd., 1988.
_____________. Here and Hereafter. London: Psychic Press Ltd., 1988.
Callanan, Maggie, and Patricia Kelley. Final Gifts. New York: Bantam Books, 1993.
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Martin, Joel, and Patricia Romanowski. We Don't Die: George Anderson's Conversations With the Other Side. New York: Putnam, 1988; Berkley, 1989.
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_____________. Reflections on Life After Life. Atlanta: Mockingbird Books, 1977.
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Death and Dying
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Afterlife Secrets Revealed
Bereavement and Hospice Support Netline - Links to Associations and Organizations.
The Bardo of Death Studies - Questions & Answers. Serious research projects.
Caring for the Dying and Bereaved - Buddhist resources on death and dying.
The Chalice of Repose Project - St. Patrick's Hospital in Missoula, Montana offers harp music for the dying and training in music thanatology. Featured in Dec. 1998 issue of Life Magazine.
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Death and Dying Links
Death and Dying Resource Links - Resources from The Project on Death in America.
Death, Dying and Grief - Resources from a holistic perspective. Hospice organizations.
The Death, Dying and Profound Transition Page - Death education, philosophy and related services.
DeathNet - International archive specializing in all aspects of death and dying.
Dying 101 - A short course on living for the terminally ill.
GriefNet - Grief and loss resources, including support groups.
Growth House - Resources for life-threatening illness and end of life issues.
HandiLink to Death - Links to other sites about death and dying.
The Natural Death Centre in London for improving the quality of living and dying. Also see The Natural Death Handbook.
Natural Dying - An essay and poem about death.
Natural Dying - Article from IN CONTEXT, #31 of the Context Institute.
Raindrop - Death education for children of all ages.
Secret of Death **NEW**
Thanatolinks - Links to sites related to death and dying.
Twilight Brigade - Dannion Brinkley's Compassion in Action.
WEBster's Death, Dying and Grief Guide - Resources.
WidowNet - Grief and bereavement resources.
When a Loved One is Dying - Finding Peace in Death by Eleanor Hamilton
Cremation and Funerals
Funeral and Memorial Societies of America - dedicated to a consumer's right to choose a meaningful, dignified, affordable funeral.
The Internet Cremation Society - Information and resources.
The Natural Death Care Project - Home funerals.
The Neptune Society - Cremation Services
Right to Die, Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide
Compassionate Healthcare Network - Anti-euthanasia groups.
Dutch Euthanasia Law - Pro-euthanasia.
ERGO! - Euthanasia Research & Guidance Organization, Hemlock Society, Right to Die news, Dr. Jack Kervorkian
Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide
Life At Risk: A Chronicle of Euthanasia Trends in America.
Nazi Germany and its So-Called Euthanasia Program - An overview by Derek Humphrey.
Physician Assisted Suicide Debate - From the Project on Death in America.
Raissa Research - Dedicated to Freedom for the Human Spirit, discover the potential of the human mind and Spirit.
The Rights of Euthanasia - Some background information.
Survey on Euthanasia - What is your impression?
Washington Circuit Court Decision on Euthanasia
Reincarnation, Past-Life Regression
2001: Journey to the Next Millennium - Reincarnation and other information.
Afterlife Website - Articles.
After Life Web Site - Articles about NDEs and Mediums.
Animals and the After Life - by Kim Sproul
The Association for Research and Enlightenment - Edgar Cayce's foundation.
Greater World Christian Spiritualist - Reincarnation and Predestination.**NEW**
Greater World Teaching on Re-Incarnation and Other Essays
Hellenic Religion - Reincarnation
Let's Talk About the Other Side - R.C. Young's research into past-lives.
Life After Death and Rebirth - Ageless Wisdom Teachings.
Light Hearts - Prebirth communication and other wonders hidden in everyday life.
Living Immortal - One man's opinion.
The Pre-Birth Experience
Reincarnation and Christianity
Reincarnation, Karma and Past Lives - Ageless Wisdom Teachings.
Reincarnation: The Way of Soul Evolution - SpiritWeb's information and resources concerning Reincarnation.
St. John's University - Interested in becoming a hypnotherapist? This is my alma mata.
The Theater of the Mind - Raymond Moody's psychomantrium (meeting departed loved ones).
The Theory of Perpetual Incarnation of the Universal Being
The Three Faces of Regression Therapy - Description of Past-Life Therapy, Spirit Releasement and Recovery of Soul-Mind Fragmentation.
Spirituality
About Living - Tools for daily living. Learn meditation.
An Inquiry into the Existence of Guardian Angels
Angels on the Net - Everything you want to know about Angels
Ascension Research Center - Theosophy **NEW**
Being Truth - The Path to Enlightenment.
Belief in God - Pro and Con Arguments.
Chakra/Kundalini Art - Meditation tools.
The Chaplain OnLine from Australia. Links to religious and spiritual resources, Counseling service on line.
Christian Spirituality and Kundalini Energy **NEW**
Consciousness Studies **NEW**
Hay House - Creating a world where it's safe to love each other.
Illumination and Enlightenment: A Spiritual Journey **NEW**
Innerspace - Safe haven for self-growth, self-awareness and inner exploration.
Just a Closer Walk with Thee - Celestial art and poetry.
Kabbalah Wisdom **NEW**
Kabbalarian Philosophy - numerology, etc.
Lightshift 2000 - Information for Lightworkers leading up to Jan. 1, 2000 at 12:12 AM.
Metaphor and Metaphysics - Philosophical analysis of "What Dreams May Come" as a metaphor for a world beyond. **NEW**
Metaphysical and Spiritual Links **NEW**
New Age Net - Resources, links.
Nez Master's Home Page - Tale of a backwards philosophy from an NDEr.
The Noetic Foundation - Teaching Spiritual Empowerment **NEW**
Paranormal Links **NEW**
Patanjali Yoga Aphorisms - Learning concentration. **NEW**
Sacred Geometry to explain NDEs
Sacred Transformations - Personal stories of visions, awakenings, spiritual emergences and their effects.
Spirituality & Consciousness Resources
Spirituality and the Heathens - Gnosis information and resources.
Spiritual Emergence/Emergency Network - Are you having a crisis?
Spiritual Endeavors - Independent nonprofit educational organization for the advancement of spiritual, holistic and environmental awareness, dedicated to expanding consciousness and awakening self-knowledge.
Spirit Network - Resources for the Age of Enlightenment
Spiritual Seekers - Questions **NEW**
The Treasure Chest - An exotic secret Island hides the portal to a higher realm. Find the magic treasure chest and discover the greatest treasure of all -- you!
Visionary Music from a Higher Source - Take a trip!
The Wanderer's Forum - Forum for those who are asking deep questions.
What happens when we die? Theoretical physics backs survival. The Seven Laws of Psychic Energy **NEW**
WINGS - The Magazine of Enlightenment
The Wisdom of the Kabbalah - Jewish mysticism.
World Future Society - What are they thinking?!
The Yoga Site - teachers, retreats, products **NEW**
Psychics, Mediums, Mystics
Natalie's Love and Light - NDEr, spiritualist mystic, medium, psychic. Gives readings from deceased on chat line.
James Van Praagh - Spiritual medium, author of "Hello from Heaven"
Religious Thinking
Ascension Research Center - Students explore the teachings of the Ascended Masters
Biblical Errancy of Dennis McKinsey
Buddhism
Conversations With God - Neale Donald Walsh **NEW**
Errors of Pedantic and Dogmatic Religion **NEW**
God **NEW**
God and Its Extensions **NEW**
God, Faith & Religion - All concepts of God and the nature of reality that are held by identifiable groups of a million or more adherents. **NEW**
Heaven's Gate - Their philosophy.
Kober Press - The Books and Paintings of Bo Yin Ra.
Love and Peace - Eastern thought.
Major World Religions - Short descriptions and books.
Man and the Unknown - Paranormal information and links
Message from the Christ Consciousness
Metaphysical Review - Books reviews and metaphysical sites.
Network 2012 - International network of Lightworkers.
New Thought Movement **NEW**
Observations on God, Live and the Human Journey - Observations about God based on NDE information.
Psychology of Religion - Psychology professor's information and resources about the relationship between Religion and Psychology
Questions and Answers on Spirituality **NEW**
Scientology : The Religions Heritage.
Summaries of World Religions **NEW**
The Temple of Divine Presence - Exploring extraordinary phenomena
Timothy Leary's Home Page
Theosophy - Blavatsky Net
The Truth about Hale-Bopp
The Urantia Book
Vendanta Society **NEW**
Science & Skeptics
Secular Humanism **NEW**
Evidence of Mind and Soul **NEW**
Bridging the Gap
Cosmology & Culture - Where Science and Spirit meet.
Embracing the Contradiction - An in-depth study of biblical duality and its relationship to theoretical quantum physics, universal laws and the pattern that synthesizes them (without contradiction).
Dictionaries
CYphon - Directory of religion and spirituality
Glossary of Terms in Parapsychology
Re-creating You - Glossary of Metaphysical Terms
Associations & Organizations
ASTARA : Ancient Mystery School study course for all faiths and beliefs. Highly recommended to anyone seriously on a spiritual path.
The Farsight Institute - Information about remote viewing.
Institute of Noetic Sciences - Explorers of consciousness.
International Association of Near-Death Studies (IANDS)- NDE research and resources.
Kundalini Research Foundation, Inc. - Serious research into the deepest aspect of ourselves.
The Monroe Institute - Dedicated to the growth of human consciousness.
The Online Noetic Network - Wisdom Talk in Cyberspace
Project on Death in America - Grants program aimed at understanding and transforming the culture and experience of dying in America.
Rosicrucian Order, AMORC - Spiritual study course.
Directories
The Intuitive Web Directory
Leading Edge Research - Information resources.
New Age Library
The New Age Web Works
Wisdom Links from the Wisdom Circle
The WWW Virtual Library - Archive X - NDE's
UFO Info
Kairos: The Word is Truth - Alien information.
The Paranormal and UFO Search Engine **NEW**
Death & Dying Bookstore | Caregiver's Bookstore | Caregiver Links |
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http://www.imagination-engines.com/newnde.htm
NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCE MINUS FOLK PSYCHOLOGY, PSEUDOSCIENCE, AND SUPERSTITION
Spontaneously formed thoughts in the brain arise from various forms of internal chaos intrinsic to neurobiology (see Toward a Science of Consciousness II abstracts). In common waking consciousness, the progression of internal imagery and thoughts that apparently come from "out of the blue" are in fact the result of low-level perturbations to biological neural networks such as fluctuations in cell membrane potentials and randomly diffusing neuromodulators. At the other extreme, the death of neural network processing units in death produce intense internal perturbations through the disconnection of neurons. At the initial stages, such disconnection produces a series of intact memories. At more advanced levels of network destruction, novel experience is manufactured, biased by neurologically stored preconceptions and beliefs of the individual. Between these extremes of consciousness and NDE all gradations of mental experience may be described by various magnitudes of internal perturbation to cortical neural networks (Figure to right).
At IEI, we construct autonomous neural networks that cyclically live and die. Separate neural networks then monitor these dying nets for the emergence of ideas possessing utility or beauty. Thus the connection of Creativity Machines to NDE.
For additional reading on this provocative issue, see --
Thaler, S.L. (1995). Death of a gedanken creature, Journal of Near-Death Studies, 13(3), Spring 1995.
ABSTRACT: This paper describes a thought experiment in which a hypothetical creature created by a computer program inhabits a simple universe consisting of itself, food, and predators. As this creature "dies" it "internally" experiences these environmental features independent of their actual presence. More evolved hypothetical creatures generate novel forms of "inner" experience as they "die." Applying these results to humans suggests an "internal" genesis of near-death experiences.
Thaler, S.L.(1996). The death dream and near-death Darwinism, Journal of Near-Death Studies, 15(1), Fall 1996.
ABSTRACT: Based upon very repeatable computer simulations of dying neural networks, the phenomenon of both near-death experiences (NDEs) and a virtual afterlife are plausible and can be expected to occur in traumatized neurobiological systems. I speculate that: (1) the sociological impact of this finding is consistent with the teachings of many of the world's major religions and forms the basis of a credible model of both salvation and damnation; (2) both NDEs and the perceived afterlife may serve to advance the species and and self-organizing systems (life) in general; and (3) further, in a fierce competition to attain the most comfortable afterlife illusion, individuals strive to convince themselves that they are more deserving of redemption than others. Within this struggle are born the sociological tools of "good" and "evil."
Thaler, S.L.(1998). The Emerging Intelligence and Its Critical Look at Us, Journal of Near-Death Studies, 17(1), Fall 1998.
ABSTRACT: In response to Susan Gunn's editorial, I offer a less comforting but more utilitarian perspective on the life and death of artificial consciousness. Admittedly an unpopular view, it suggests that concurrence with Gunn's message represents the seeds of our own destruction, as an emerging synthetic intelligence begins to extinguish us.
See Also ...
Experiment with Death
The Face of Death: The Facial Creativity Machine
Creativity Through Neural Destruction
IEI - The World's First Company Dedicated to Producing Neural Networks Capable of Human Level Invention, Discovery, and Artistic Creativity...
In explaining IEI's primary mission we note a very important characteristic which human minds and neural networks share. Both dream. That is, cut off from any kind of sensory inputs from the external world, both systems generate impressions borrowed from their surroundings, without the relevant features actually being present. In waking humans this virtual reality is termed 'internal imagery' to distinguish it from observed reality and the corresponding process of 'perception'. Humans use this phenomenon to their advantage by modifying, exaggerating, and combining such internal images to arrive at discoveries, concepts, and inventions. Likewise, artificial neural networks may be coaxed to carry out this very same creative process. Thus, isolated from any kind of meaningful inputs a neural network may indefinitely produce a continuous parade of diverse images, concepts, or general impressions which can be gradually contorted and combined to produce new and potentially useful juxtapositional notions.
Imagine now that we allow one particular neural network to freely dream in this way, while allowing a waking network to monitor the dreams of the first, ever alert to the appearance of some useful or interesting concept. In this way we produce a so-called 'Creativity Machine', a device which autonomously creates useful information, all in exchange for a constant stream of unintelligible noise fed into this system. As these systems inexorably crank out one idea after another, the alert partner network ultimately captures that long sought solutions or finds an application for some novel concept or image. The use of focusing techniques are employed to deliberately narrow dream content to produce a stream of only the most relevant concepts in solving a given problem.
We therefore anticipate the Creativity Machine to be a powerful new paradigm in both software and hardware design, allowing computers to tackle problems involving not only exceedingly complex systems, but also issues in aesthetics and emotions. As an added asset, the Creativity Machine is capable of displaying all the characteristics of free will and the accompanying initiative to take new directions in the course of discovery. As a result, we are now approaching a major crossroads in technology where machines will use these principles to attain a potential independence and autonomy never before seen. At last, mankind will have that long sought conversational partner which can not only exchange verbally, but generate whole, vivid, alternative realities, fulfilling every purpose imaginable.
Point of Contact: Dr. Stephen Thaler
Telephone: 314-576-1617
FAX : 314-434-8591
Postal address: 12906 Autumn View Dr., St. Louis, MO 63146
Electronic mail: sthaler@ix.netcom.com
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http://www.ozemail.com.au/~vwzammit/afterlifech1.html
Spring 1997: Week 6 Lecture Notes
1. Introduction: essential information
'The greater the ignorance, the greater the dogmatism. '
Sir William Ostler MD
There is undeniable scientific evidence to-day for the afterlife. I am
an open minded skeptic lawyer, a former practising attorney-at-law
formally qualified in a number of university disciplines.
The argument that follows is not just an abstract, theoretical,
academic legal argument. As an open minded investigator I set out
to investigate the existing evidence for survival and with others to
create conditions to test for ourselves claims that communication
with intelligences from the afterlife is possible.
After many years of serious investigation I have come to the
irretrievable conclusion thatthere is a great body of evidence
which taken as a whole absolutely and unqualifiedly proves the
case for the afterlife. I will not be arguing that the objective
evidence has just very high value. Nor am I suggesting that this
evidence be accepted beyond reasonable doubt. I am arguing that
the evidence taken as a wholeconstitutes overwhelming and
irrefutableproof for the existence of the afterlife.
There have been millions of pages written about psychic
phenomena and scientific research into the afterlife. Using my
professional background as an attorney and my university training
in psychology, history and scientific method, I have very carefully
selected aspects of psychic research and afterlife knowledge which
would technically constitute objective evidence in the Supreme
Court of the United States, the House of Lords in England, the High
Court of Australia and in every civilised legal jurisdiction around
the world.
When the objective evidence -the Electronic Voice Phenomena,
Instrumental Transcommunication, Psychic Laboratory
Experiments, Out of Body Experiences, Near Death Experiences,
Xenoglossy, the Best Mediums, Direct Voice Mediumship, Cross
Correspondences, Proxy Sittings, Poltergeists, Apparitions,and all
of the other evidence contained in this work is seen collectively,
the case for survival is absolutely stunning and irrefutable.
The evidence presented in this work also proves the existence of
so-called 'psychic phenomena', which are interconnected with the
afterlife and can only be explained satisfactorily by survival.
In absolute terms the evidence presented in this work will
convince the rational and intelligentopen, unprejudiced skeptic or
the genuine searcher aboutthe existence of the afterlife.
Why don't more people know about the scientific evidence?
For many yearsthere has been a hostility to psychic science in the
mainstream media and in universities and in some of the
churches. The discoveries of serious scientists working to prove the
afterlife have been misreported, distorted and ignored. High profile
skeptics have been given unfair licence by the media to ridicule
cheat and lie with the result that the general public know very little
about the great body of scientific research which has been
accumulated.
Many people who are genuinely seeking and are anxious to explore
this fascinating area have not been able to access unbiased factual
information becausethey may not have the skills or the time to
read and analyse fairly esoteric literature which in some societies is
simply not available because of formal and informal censorship.
What is scientific evidence?
Initially, 'subjective' knowledge includes all information which
cannot be independently substantiated. This includes personal
religious beliefs - Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism,
Judaism. Subjective knowledge also includes skepticism because in
context of the afterlife, no skeptic (or atheist or agnostic) can use
science toobjectively prove that skepticism is scientific or that
nothing exists in the afterlife.
Like religion, skepticism is a personal, subjectivebelief which is
subject to fundamental error and tocomplete invalidation.
Because a personal subjective religious or skeptical belief does not
have the substance of science, any subjective religious or skeptical
belief can be absolutely invalid.
Objective knowledge - science - is where the same results and the
same cause-effect connection can be demonstrated over time and
space. Science is regarded as 'objective' in that any person who
follows the scientific formulas, keeping variables constant,will get
the same results. So a scientist who mixes acid and alkali in Sydney
Australia in 1998 will get the same result as a scientist working in
Moscow in 2,000 or in any other year.
The studies in Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVP) and
Instrumental Transcommunication (ITC) have clearly showed this
element of repeatability. Investigators working independently in
many different countries have been able to duplicate each others'
work. Inevitably the objective always prevails over the subjective.
But not all science is conducted in the scientific laboratory.
Within the definition of science there is also the 'scientific,
systematic observation of a phenomenon'. For example, whilst we
accept and believe that thunder and lightening and storms do
occur, we cannot duplicate them under laboratory conditions.
Case studies too, are important in scientific method. As long as
there is strict adherence to scientific methodwhen measuring
anything, the results of the experiment necessarily become
scientifically based.
A word of caution
What I found in many of my meetings is that some people accept
much of the information presented but some want to put emphasis
on, or disagree about reincarnation or astrology, or meditation or
prayer or crystals or even atheism or agnosticism.
For the purpose of the record, it is not the intention of the author
to try to change anybody's beliefs or religion or atheism. This is not
religious crusading. This is not a matter of faith or belief. This is a
matter of either acceptance or non-acceptance of the objective
evidence.
The author is giving you access to some very important objective
information about the afterlife, undoubtedly the most important
information you will ever come across in your lifetime. But
ultimately,given all the information, you the reader will have to
decide what you accept or reject.
In the past the clergy refused to accept science because it conflicted
with the clergy's personal religious beliefs, as history records in the
Galileo affair. After 200 years or so the clergy had to eventually
accept that science prevailed over personal, subjective religious
beliefs. It can never be any other way.
Comfort-zone trap?
You the reader have to take extreme care not to fall into the
comfort zone trap, rejecting objective information just because the
objective, scientific information conflicts with your personal,
subjective beliefs - be they religious or skeptical. As I mentioned
above, where there is an inconsistency between objective
information and subjective belief there is a need for either more
investigation or a change in the subjective belief.
It is submitted that once people feel comfortable with a set of
beliefs, they do not want to change their beliefs even if new,
objective and scientific information shows that part or all of the
beliefs are completely wrong and even fundamentally invalid.
Many of the beliefs become part of the psychological and emotional
makeup of the believer's personality. These beliefs become very
hard to shift.
Of course, history and experience show that there are those more
refined and enlightened people who can assimilate new, objective
information immediately.
Index. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. Part2 Part3
http://bishop.calpoly.edu/libarts/nschultz/WebWizProject/CorrDemo/Lectures/Lectures06.html
PSYCHOLOGY OF WISH FOR IMMORTALITY AND BELIEF IN THE AFTERLIFE
Because we cannot know (scientifically) about an afterlife, the key question for psychology is why do so many believe in immortality?
Binary brains
once we "know" mortal, it is virtually impossible not to consider the opposite
once immortality is considered, we have little trouble imagining it
Projected cultural issues or concerns
concerns of the living keep the ancestors "alive"
need to protect territory benefits from ancestors "watching"
may also help keep new generations from leaving
injustice and unfairness of life can be resolved in the afterlife
Freud's psychoanalytic views
death creates massive anxiety for the fragile ego
as a defense mechanism, we fantasize an afterlife for the ego
regression to childhood magical thinking and wishfulness
regression also includes reliance on "magicians" to reach the afterlife
Unhealthy illusion - escapism
we believe as an escape from reality
this escape causes us to be less involved in the real world
may engender a false sense of security or safety from death
when faced with reality of death, illusion may not hold together
Healthy illusion - meaningfulness
opportunity for organizing our lives in meaningful ways
may make death a transitory experience on to something better
may also bring individuals together for mutual support
Management of death anxiety
anxiety can be increased or decreased, depending on illusions
faith or personal commitment to illusions is the key factor, rather than membership in organized religion, etc.
low faith is associated with moderate death anxiety
moderate faith is associated with high death anxiety
high faith is associated with low death anxiety
faith can be in religious beliefs, philosophical ideals, love and other human values, the work one does, etc.
http://www.accessnewage.com/MoreInfo/8183.htm
Drawing on mythology, psychology, religion and science, as well as past-life regression and near-death experiences, Novak concludes that the psyche divides at death, with the conscious mind reincarnating and the unconscious mind judging itself. This stunningly simple premise explains the differences between many of the world's great religious sects. Novak describes how this division may have arisen, and how it is likely to be solved.
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NDE Bibliography (Version 02, 4MAR96)Joe Meboe, Seattle Chapter, International Assoc. of Near Death
Studies (IANDS) <joemeboe@msn.com>
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Coming Back to Life, P. M. H. Atwater, 1988, Ballantine Books, NY.
This is a very helpful work wherein the author, a three-time near-death
experiencer, devotes many pages to the aftereffects of an NDE and the
task of readjusting to life. She includes an extensive list of resources
to help both experiencers and counselors.
Beyond the Light, P. M. H. Atwater, 1994, Birch Lane Press, NY.
In this scholarly work the author categorizes near-death experiences and
traces their effects on people’s lives. She helps the reader understandthe varieties of near-death experiences and the different effects they
can have on people.
By the Light, Lionel C. Bascom & Barbara Loecher, 1995, Avon Books, NY.
This is a compendium of NDE stories.
Saved by the Light, 1994, Villard Books, NY.
At Peace in the Light, 1995, Harper Collins, NY.
Both books are by Dannion Brinkley, whose 1975 lightening-caused NDE
jolted him into a life filled with psychic powers, including future visions and
knowing people’s thoughts. Because of what he learned during his NDEs,Dannion is very involved in hospice work.
The Case for Heaven: Near-Death Experiences as Evidence of the Afterlife,
Mally Cox-Chapman, 1995, Putnum, NY.
Focuses on what near-death experiences suggest to us about the nature of
heaven. Besides chapters on health care and the aftereffects of NDEs,
the author has an intriguing chapter on what happens when people who
don’t believe in heaven have NDEs. Cox-Chapman is a Yale political sciencegraduate who has written for Time-Life books and other national publications.
The Near-Death Experience: Mysticism or Madness?, Judith Cressy, 1994,
Christopher Publishing, Hanover, MA.
Dr. Cressy had an NDE as an adult and had some difficulties with the
aftereffects. So she wrote this book "to make certain that NDEers receive
the compassionate personal and professional treatment they deserve as they
struggle to return to life from the brink of death." A Doctor of Ministry in
theology and counseling, she has conducted NDE workshops for hospitals.
Glimpses of the Beyond, 1974, Jean-Baptiste Delacour, Dell Pub. (out of print)
Originally published in German, this book contains a lot of interesting stories.
Embraced by the Light, Betty J. Eadie, 1992, Gold Leaf Press, Placerville, CA.
This is an unusually detailed story of a 1973 full blown near-death experience
that took place in the Seattle area. While most books about one person’s near-death experience major in the person and minor in the experience, Betty devotes
most of the book to telling what she saw and learned during her life changing NDE.
Beyond the Darkness, Angie Fenimore, 1995, Bantam Books, NY.
The author courageously shares her terrifying "near-death journey to the
edge of hell and back."
Journeys Beyond Life, 1994; Glimpses of Eternity, 1992, both by Arvin
Gibson, Horizon Publisher, Bountiful, UT. ( out of print)
Outside of the author’s effort to prove that Mormonism is the right religion,there is much to enjoy in these story-filled books.
The Near-Death Experience: Problems, Prospects, Perspectives, Bruce
Greyson, M.D., 1984, Charles C. Thomas, Springfield, IL. (out of print)
This anthology samples the more significant scholarly forays into the near-death
experience. The contributions by six M.D.s, eight Ph.D.s and three other medical
professionals focus more on academics than on NDE stories. This book is
available at some libraries. Greyson is a professor of psychiatric medicine at the
University of Virginia Health Services Center.
Full Circle, Barbara Harris, 1990, Pocket Books, NY.
Written mostly in the third person, this Jewish experiencer recounts her two
near-death experiences and the dramatic changes they made in her life. The book
contains lots of early IANDS history. Harris is a respiratory and massage therapist.
Memories, Dreams, Reflections, C. G. Jung, recorded and edited by Aniela
Jaffe, 1969, Random House, , NY.
This pioneering psychologist describes his NDE in chapter 10, entitled Visions.
Dr. Jung had an NDE and had the integrity to report it, but didn’t recognize it aswhat we now call a near-death experience. Other books on Dr. Jung have
documented his experience.
An Inquiry into the Existence of Guardian Angels, Pierre Jovanovic, 1995,
M. Evans and Company, NY.
Although his main focus is on angels, this initially skeptical French journalist
includes many near-death experience stories.
Elizabeth Kübler-Ross, M.D., has published 21 books of death and dying
and is a pioneer in this field. Her books are readily available in
libraries and bookstores. Several of her titles are: On Death and Dying,
Reflections on Death and Dying. Her latest is Death is of Vital Importance.
My Glimpse of Eternity, Betty Malz, 1977, Chosen Books, Grand Rapids,
MI. (out of print)
Although the vast majority of evangelical religious leaders are wary of NDE
stories, Betty Malz is an evangelical Christian who has had a near-death
experience and has remained true to the generally accepted understanding
of the evangelical faith.
Life After Life, Raymond Moody, M.D., 1975, Bantam Books. NY.
This is the classic work that started the movement that brought us to
where people can be open and honest about what happens at the point of
death. Coining the phrase "near-death experience," Dr. Moody defines
what happens to many people when they come close to physical death.
Reflections of Life After Life, 1977, Bantam, NY.
Dr. Moody adds new material to his 1975 classic, answers
criticisms and explains his research techniques. In one chapter he cites
near- death experiences from other centuries and other cultures. The
largest chapter in the book is devoted to answering questions from
medical and academic colleagues who had read Life After Life.
The Light Beyond, 1988, Bantam, NY.
In this intriguing follow up to his 1975 classic, Dr. Moody includes
suggestions on helping NDEers readjust to life, explains why NDEs are
not mental illness and documents the activities of a number of NDE
researchers. He incorporates new findings concerning the near- death
experience from the fields of medicine, psychiatry and sociology.
Closer to the Light: Learning From Children’s Near-Death Experiences,Melvin Morse, M.D., 1990, Villard Books, NY.
This very readable book is subtitled and covers medical research done in
Seattle hospitals. Much of the value of this book is its focus on young children,
who are implicitly more believable than adults. Dr. Morse concludes, based on
his research with children, that his "findings eliminated the theory that NDEs are
the result of drugs or sleep deprivation or that they are merely bad dreams or the subconscious awareness of surgery." Morse is a Seattle pediatrician and medical
professor.
Transformed by the Light: The Powerful Effect of Near-Death
Experiences on People’s Lives, 1992, Villard Books, NY.Examines the changes that often take place in those who have had near-death
experiences. Dr. Morse documents interesting aftereffects, such as problems
wearing watches or with lights or electrical appliances. He shows how his studies
validate NDEs as genuine human experiences, not delusions or hallucinations.
At the end of the book, Dr. Morse includes a helpful selected bibliography of
papers and periodicals.
Black Elk Speaks, John Neihardt, 1932, Bison Book, Lincoln, NE.
This book gives a fascinating view of the NDE of an Oglala Sioux whose
experiences shaped his life.
The Other Side of Death, Jan Price, 1996, Fawcett Columbine, NY.
The author has some unusual insights on life and death that she
learned during her NDE.
To Touch the Light, Kevin Randle, 1994, Pinnacle Books, NY.
The author presents a number of good NDE stories but also attempts to
prove that reincarnation is true.
Beyond Death’s Door, Maurice Rawlings, M.D., 1978; Thomas NelsonPublishers, Nashville, TN.
Dr. Rawlings discovered NDEs in his work as a cardiologist and became a
born-again Christian as a result. His thesis is that there are many hellish
NDEs that are ignored by researchers who prefer the stories of blissful
experiences. He includes step-by-step cardiopulmonary resuscitation
instructions and a prayer for becoming a born-again Christian.
To Hell and Back,1993, Thomas Nelson, Nashville, TN. ( out of print)
In this follow up to his 1978 book, Dr. Rawlings challenges the research methods
that produce mostly happy near-death experience stories and attempts to prove
that the near-death experience, properly reported, supports the fundamentalist
view of Christianity. His thesis is: "By denying the existence of negative events,
a whole new religion has developed from near-death experiences." Much of the
value of this and his earlier book is that they help the reader be aware of the
existence of frightening near-death experiences.
Life At Death, Kenneth Ring, 1980, Coward, McCann & Geoghegan, NY.
This scholarly book is the first scientific inquiry into the near-death experience.
The author shows that NDEs happens to people of all races and ages, regardless
of religious affiliation. Although drier than most NDE books (there are lots of tables
and charts), it has a chapter at the end where Ken Ring examines alternative
explanations for the NDE and finds them wanting.
Heading Towards Omega, 1984, William Morrow and Co., NY.
This book encourages a mind expanding experience by drawing the reader into
the consciousness and world that NDEers inhabit. Extensive quotes from many
experiencers make for some very interesting reading. Based on his interviews with
over 100 NDEers, Ken Ring explores the aftereffects and personal transformations
brought about by near-death experiences. He includes his lengthy interview
questionnaire and graphs of his findings. Ring is a professor of psychology who
founded IANDS and has studied NDEs extensively.
Return From Tomorrow, George Ritchie, M.D., 1978, Fleming H. Revell,
Grand Rapids, MI.
Army recruit has major NDE that leads him to become a doctor, then a
psychiatrist. He learns that the world we inhabit is loaded with spiritual
entities and that there are a variety of realms on earth besides the physical
one. His courageous sharing of his experience at a time when such people
were considered insane opened the door for research into near-death
experiences. Dr. Ritchie’s profound experience had a formative influence onDr. Raymond Moody, the founder of the near-death "movement."
My Life After Dying, 1991, Hampton Roads Publishing, Norfolk, VA.
In this second book about his 1943 NDE, Dr. Ritchie shares more of what he
learned during his near-death experience as well as how it played out in his life
afterwards. The author describes several healings where prayer accomplished
what medical practices couldn’t. In an exemplary contrast to many who claimto be healers, Dr. Ritchie follows up on the healed patients several years later.
Death’s Door, Jean Ritchie, 1994, Dell Publishing, NY.There are many NDE stories in this book, with one chapter on celebrity
NDEs, including Bart Simpson who winds up in hell (chuckle).
Lessons from the Light, 1995, Sandra Rogers, Warner Books, NY.
The author describes her NDE and then lists lessons for all to learn.
Recollections of Death: A Medical Investigation, Michael Sabom, M. D.,
1982, Harper & Row, NY. (out of print)
Originally a skeptic about the validity of NDEs, this cardiologist-turned-NDE-
researcher performed a study of 116 people that has become a benchmark in
the field. For example, Dr. Sabom writes about 32 patients who left their bodies
during surgery and who could accurately describe their resuscitation attempts and
contrasts this with a control group whose educated guesses were wrong. "After a
while the facts became so overwhelming that I could not deny the reality of the
NDE." This out- of-print book can be found in libraries.
What Tom Sawyer Learned from Dying, Sidney Farr, 1993, Hampton Roads,
Norfolk, VA. (out of print)
Tom Sawyer’s 1978 NDE radically changed his life and gave himunusual abilities.
After the Light, Kimberly Clark Sharp, M.S.W., 1995, William Morrow and Co., NY.
Kansas girl without ruby slippers hits the sidewalk and travels somewhere over the
rainbow, landing in the Emerald City of the Pacific Northwest, where she founded
and still leads the oldest and largest IANDS chapter. This book chronicles the
mystical, frightening, humorous and inspiring life of Kim and her patients, as she
shares the road with angels, demons and other spiritual visitors. Sharp has had an NDE.
She teaches at the U. of Washington medical school.
Children of the Light, Brad and Sherry Steiger, 1995, Penguin Books, NY.
The authors focus on childhood NDEs.
Reborn in the Light, 1992; Within the Light, 1993, Cherie Sutherland, Bantam, NY.
The author’s near-death experience during a difficult childbirth triggered her interestin this field and became the basis for her doctoral thesis. Sutherland was a visiting
research fellow in sociology at the U. of New South Wales and has had an NDE.
Reborn in the Light focuses on life after near-death experiences and explores implications for health-care professionals. In the appendix the author reviews her
research methods and includes two sets of interview questions.
Within the Light covers many cases, including childhood, suicide and
frightening near-death experiences.
The Burning Within, Ranelle Wallace, 1994, Gold Leaf Press, Carson City, NV.
The author’s NDE came from a small plane crash that burned off muchof her face and caused her tremendous suffering.
Otherworld Journeys: Accounts of Near-Death Experiences in Medieval and
Modern Times, Carol Zaleski, Ph.D., 1987, Oxford University Press, NY.
This is a somewhat scholarly look at NDEs across the centuries, with over 700
footnotes in 11 chapters. This work shows that NDEs have happened to people
throughout history and are a normal part of being human. The literature of the Middle
Ages is filled with such accounts. Zaleski is a professor at Smith College.
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Additional list of near-death related books:
Awakening Heart, Betty Eadie
Love is the Link, Pamela Kircher
Near-Death Experience: A Reader, Bailey & Yates (Eds.)
Near-Death Experience, Calvert Roszell
Omega Project, Dr. Kenneth Ring
Parting Visions, Dr. Melvin Morse
Return From Death, Margot Grey, (out of print 8/94)
Return from Silence, Scott Rogo, (out of print 6/96)
Returning from the Light, Brad Steiger
Second Chance: A Story of a Near-Death Experience, Swami Prabhupada
Today is a Good Day to Die, Lorna St. Aubyn
Truth in the Light, Fenwick & Fenwick
Wave of Light, Roxanne Sumners
Whole in One: The Near-Death Experience, David Lorimer
Humorous:
Petted by the Light :The Most Profound and Complete Feline Near-Death
Experiences Ever , Patrick R. Tobin and Christine R. Doley, 1995, Birch Lane Press, NY.
This is a hilarious parody of NDE books.
Purring in the Light, Stefanie Samek, 1995, Penguin Books, NY.
This is more cat NDE humor.
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Note: The annotations do not necessarily represent the views of IANDS or Seattle IANDS.
Inclusion on the list does not constitute endorsement of the book by either organization.
Books are selected for this list based on their near-death experience content. If there are
books you feel should be added, please write to the Bibliography Editor at Seattle IANDS,
PO Box 84333, Seattle, WA 98124.
danmahony.com
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