5 powerful research books: we live and love after death

After (2021) – Co-founder and past president of the International Association of Near Death Studies, Dr. Bruce Greyson, offers years of research in an accessible format. Regardless of the reader’s religious, spiritual, medical, or scientific orientation, there is something here for everyone. Weaving his early scientific foundation in life through various life milestones, Greyson unfolds his evolving understanding of NDEs. The personal NDE stories and their outcomes lead the reader to Greyson’s ‘seven lessons learned’. These lessons are timeless and life expanding. They give the reader a sense of hope in humanity while encouraging us to explore the validity of our own beliefs and perspectives. All the while, he upholds the tenants of the scientific process. The last line of Greyson’s book should give us all hope: “. . . learning about near-death experiences will also give you the spark to reevaluate your life and reconnect with the things that filled your life with even greater meaning and joy.” This is an easy read from an authoritative source.

Heading Toward Omega (2011) – Providing detailed empirical research, author Kenneth Ring suggests NDE’s are an evolutionary device. Life meaning and/or worldview changes following an NDE, as a result of processing NDE after-effects. This processing will “mature and show” itself as “seeds of transformation”. His review of the kundalini experience, as part of an NDE or outside of an NDE, suggests an opportunity to activate “latent spiritual potentials”. These experiences, along with other spiritually transformative experiences, have the power to awaken “a noetic understanding of the universe”. Ring suggests more and more people are realising these experiences and sharing them, elevating and expanding the experience of humankind through morphic resonance. As this resonance gains momentum, so too will the evolution of our experience of humankind. We have the power to transform the world in which we live, and the planet which supports all of life. This can be a dense read, but the case Ring makes is compelling. If you are not a PhD, be prepared to look up a few words!

Life After Life (1975) – A great overview of initial observations of NDEs. Included is a brief historical review of written observations of great thinkers dating back to Plato. Raymond Moody’s sincere interest in the subject and concern for those willing to share their personal stories is evident throughout. He graciously addresses the most common questions, and explores plausible explanations for NDEs. Moody thoughtfully challenges a wide variety of perceptions regarding NDEs. He invites professionals from medicine, social sciences, policing, academia, faith and other fields to consider the validity of the NDE. In professions where an encounter may occur with a person who proclaims to have had an NDE, he sees value in respecting NDEr assertions. He encourages professionals to step outside of their strongly held beliefs to consider this phenomenon more fully. I highly recommend this foundational book.

Living In A Mindful Universe (2017) – Eben Alexander expands on his fascinating NDE, delving further into the nature of consciousness. From the discussion of quarks, binaural beats, to heart coherence, Eben’s message to readers is “you are not part of the universe, you are the universe”. The universe is “self aware, learning and evolving” and you are part of that process.  His description of the life review at death provides insight into our everyday choices. This and many other lessons of life provide insight into our evolving consciousness. Eben asserts the reality is “no one gets out dead”. We cannot abandon our consciousness; there is no “out” or escape from the continuum of conscious awareness. Consciousness survives bodily death. The beauty of this understanding is that we have far more input in our evolution as humans. We have some level of choice and control in the evolution of humankind and our planet. This positive, hopeful message is shared throughout his book. This is a great read.

The Afterlife Frequency (2021)– Bridging “the divide between the spiritual and the scientific”, Mark Anthony coined the term the “electromagnetic soul” or “EMS”. We are made of energy, which cannot be destroyed. This fact gives rise to Mark’s exploration of the spiritual quantum field, spiritual situational awareness, collective consciousness and ultimately, eternal life. As an evidential medium, Mark is skilled at connecting with spiritual beings whose consciousness have survived physical death. His capacity to connect with those who have passed intersects with the research on near-death, out-of-boy and shared-death experiences. Mark provides instruction on how anyone may choose to develop interdimensional communication skills, allowing us to trust the signs and messages from spirits. His R.A.F.T technique is simple and over time, can help anyone become a conduit of divine messages. Mark explains how to apply his R.A.F.T technique. He goes on to explore how grief may prevent some people from developing their R.A.F.T. This book is an enjoyable read, full of insight and wit.