Maybe you believe it’s fade to black, over and done with, ashes to ashes.
Maybe you believe you’ll face a punishing God and the possibility of burning in the fire of hell.
Maybe you believe that consciousness survives death and that you go on to live again. And again.
Or maybe you believe something else. Or just don’t know.
That’s the question I’ve been exploring for at least the last 15 years, through reading on science, philosophy, near-death experiences. Through training on death and dying and shamanism. Through work with mediums and channeling.
And now, through a conference I attended last year and that I’ll be attending again this coming June. If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you may remember that I had many unique experiences there and couldn’t stop blogging about it. I had many comments and questions about it from believers and doubters, both.
There’s no question that science and spirituality are coming together and that everyone from scientists to spiritual leaders like the Dalai Lama recognize it. Because we are used to believing only what we can see and feel with our senses, it’s hard for us to grasp concepts like “afterlife.” Plus, the way traditional religions position it, who wants to think about death? We do ourselves a disservice if we don’t, though, because it’s clear to me that there’s nothing to fear. And most people who have had near-death experiences agree. And they should know–they’ve been there and back.
What I loved about last year’s conference was that the nationally-known speakers–guys like Raymond Moody, M.D. and Gary Schwartz, PhD–were super-accessible. Attendees could –and did– have one-on-one conversations with them at lunch or in the halls.
I’m high on this conference and if you’d like to know why, I’ve included links to some of the blog posts I did about my experiences during and after the conference. The link is AFTER the all caps subhead.
WHERE SHAMANS AND SCIENTISTS BREAK BREAD TOGETHER. Last year’s agenda was spectacular. In this post I talk about it. This year’s agenda looks incredible, too.
YES, THE DEAD HAVE SPOKEN TO ME. The hardest concept for many is the idea that the dead communicate with us. It’s just not logical, and logic rules our world here. But it happens to me all the time and here’s one example from the conference.
MY PERSONAL JOURNEY REQUIRED AN OPEN MIND. If you’d like to know about my personal journey into afterlife study and also about some of the skeptical responses I got, you’ll want to read this post.
MAYBE THIS READING LIST WILL SHED LIGHT. Here, I continue describing my journey and offer a reading list for those who are interested.
If you’d like to know about this year’s conference and maybe consider signing up, HERE is the link. While there are other, smaller and less significant conferences, this is the original conference, the first one to bring attention to afterlife studies. And this year both Eben Alexander, M.D. and Raymond Moody, M.D. will be there again. Dr. Moody was the first one to write a book about near-death experiences, way back in 1975, and he is not only way smart (both a physician and a PhD in philosophy) but also one of the nicest human beings I’ve had the pleasure of talking with.
WHERE DO YOU STAND ON ALL THIS?
I’m out of the country right now, so if for some reason a link is broken on my blog, just enter Afterlife into the search engine on my home page and all those posts will come up. (And more!)
After Dad died last month my thoughts and hopes changed and I am left reeling. Final seems suddenly so very final to me. Mom swears by the signs she witnesses that Dad is around her, but I feel and see nothing.That is not to say I may be looking for the wrong things, in the wrong way. I want to believe in a third dimension, a “heaven”, and in may ways, I hope Dad is experiencing another great journey there–he was an adventurer, who was very spiritual–and not hanging around worrying about us all. But in so many other ways, I want to see him one more time, know he is OK. I remember your posts, and read them all. Maybe its time for me to dig a bit deeper. Thanks for this post Carol. (Hope you are having a great time!)
I have a very strong belief that we came from a loving Heavenly Father and that we will go back to him. It gives me great peace in a world of turmoil.
Having said that, I was absolutely fascinated by your experiences at the conference last year and look forward to reading about them this year. Thank you for being so willing to share your thoughts. It opens a whole new world for me!
I think we’re all connected…it’s a universal thing. I believe we just go to another part of the universe when we die. Where we will see those we loved who went before. There’s something calming about that, I think. Takes some of the fear of dying away.
wow I wish that conference was closer to where I live I would love to go! I too have done research and reading into this topic – huge interest in this. Thanks for the links! I am totally going to read!
All the links work but you may not be able to see the color change. click around on the sentence, not the headline. Or use the search box on the home page for “afterlife”.
Thanks for bringing attention to this topic. I taught a class on death and dying last year, and we only talked about this a little bit. My own mother had an experience of seeing her mother after death. I haven’t had the experience, but I respect others who relay their stories.
When I was 20 and living abroad I sensed that a friend was going to die. I came home to tell him, but my boyfriend and I were so young and it was so strange–we had no idea what to say. He died shortly after.
15 years later a friend had AIDS. I went to Europe with my parents. During a thunderstorm in Venice I knew that he had passed that moment. Just knew it and told my parents I didn’t have to light candles in every church. When we arrived at JFK a friend was unexpectdly waiting for me. He had died the moment I thought.
There were some more incidents. But I’ve lost that ability and am glad as there’s nothing comforting nothing good. I would love to communicate with the dead but….
Thoughtful and thought provoking, Carol. Where I stand? I’m thankful I believe in a kind and forgiving (not punishing!) God who will welcome me to a place of eternal life because I believe in Jesus, the one and only way to eternal life. Not through thought, word or deed, just belief in Jesus. It’s comforting and provides hope. I have no question about dying (just hope those I leave behind will be okay… but that’s my eternally controlling self that worries about THAT!). 😀
There isn’t anyone I would trust more to learn from about this. I not sure what I believe but I believe there is more to it than what we can see and I’m very anxious to learn more. No skeptic here.
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Okay, really looking forward to reading up on this. I am on the skeptical side, but am still fascinated and TRYING to keep an open mind.
After Dad died last month my thoughts and hopes changed and I am left reeling. Final seems suddenly so very final to me. Mom swears by the signs she witnesses that Dad is around her, but I feel and see nothing.That is not to say I may be looking for the wrong things, in the wrong way. I want to believe in a third dimension, a “heaven”, and in may ways, I hope Dad is experiencing another great journey there–he was an adventurer, who was very spiritual–and not hanging around worrying about us all. But in so many other ways, I want to see him one more time, know he is OK. I remember your posts, and read them all. Maybe its time for me to dig a bit deeper. Thanks for this post Carol. (Hope you are having a great time!)
So sorry about your loss. Losing a parent is so tough.
I have a very strong belief that we came from a loving Heavenly Father and that we will go back to him. It gives me great peace in a world of turmoil.
Having said that, I was absolutely fascinated by your experiences at the conference last year and look forward to reading about them this year. Thank you for being so willing to share your thoughts. It opens a whole new world for me!
I think we’re all connected…it’s a universal thing. I believe we just go to another part of the universe when we die. Where we will see those we loved who went before. There’s something calming about that, I think. Takes some of the fear of dying away.
wow I wish that conference was closer to where I live I would love to go! I too have done research and reading into this topic – huge interest in this. Thanks for the links! I am totally going to read!
All the links work but you may not be able to see the color change. click around on the sentence, not the headline. Or use the search box on the home page for “afterlife”.
Oh, having issues with your links. Can you check please? thanks much
Thanks for bringing attention to this topic. I taught a class on death and dying last year, and we only talked about this a little bit. My own mother had an experience of seeing her mother after death. I haven’t had the experience, but I respect others who relay their stories.
I just don’t know. I would like to have a visit from someone, feel something, but so far, nada.
When I was 20 and living abroad I sensed that a friend was going to die. I came home to tell him, but my boyfriend and I were so young and it was so strange–we had no idea what to say. He died shortly after.
15 years later a friend had AIDS. I went to Europe with my parents. During a thunderstorm in Venice I knew that he had passed that moment. Just knew it and told my parents I didn’t have to light candles in every church. When we arrived at JFK a friend was unexpectdly waiting for me. He had died the moment I thought.
There were some more incidents. But I’ve lost that ability and am glad as there’s nothing comforting nothing good. I would love to communicate with the dead but….
Would definitely be interested in reading more about this. I bet the conference is fascinating, and I can’t wait to hear what you learn.
Thoughtful and thought provoking, Carol. Where I stand? I’m thankful I believe in a kind and forgiving (not punishing!) God who will welcome me to a place of eternal life because I believe in Jesus, the one and only way to eternal life. Not through thought, word or deed, just belief in Jesus. It’s comforting and provides hope. I have no question about dying (just hope those I leave behind will be okay… but that’s my eternally controlling self that worries about THAT!). 😀
I believe that once you’re dead, that’s the end of it. Perhaps when I die I’ll be pleasantly (or unpleasantly) surprised.
I’m an atheist and prior Christian. I have much more peace now than I did before. Everything is better. Thanks for sharing your experience, Carol.
There isn’t anyone I would trust more to learn from about this. I not sure what I believe but I believe there is more to it than what we can see and I’m very anxious to learn more. No skeptic here.