Experiencing an Awakening

QUESTION

            “When I was in my first few years studying as an undergraduate, I had recently broken up with my girlfriend and was searching for some answers about life.  I woke up very early one morning, a little before dawn, and decided that perhaps meditation would help me find some answers.  So I sat and tried to clear my mind of all thought.  Once all the thoughts and clutter in my mind had disappeared, I would then ask a question, and imagined that the question was like a seed that would grow into an answer.  I didn’t receive a ‘response’ in the traditional sense, but simply got up and felt compelled to page through one of the Bibles I had on my bookshelf.

            “I opened the Bible to a random page, and there I found the Parable of the Mustard Seed.  I read through it, not really knowing what it might mean.  I closed the Bible and tried again.  This time the passage was the Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers.  Once more, I opened the Bible and rested my eyes on a passage that discussed how ‘the stone the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.’  I wasn’t a Christian at the time, nor a particularly religious person, so I didn’t think much of it at the time.

            “Again, I felt compelled to go out for a drive to think about things.  The passages kept replaying in my head, somewhat like a catchy pop song that you can’t help but listen to over and over again in your mind.  I wasn’t interpreting them, so much as memorizing them, over and over again.  After about an hour or so of driving, I found myself in a small town I hadn’t been in before and I saw the white cross of a little church and decided to stop by, more because I was sick of driving than anything else.  I’ve never felt particularly comfortable in a church, so it was a somewhat unusual thing for me to attend a service out of the blue.

            “Once I got there, I kept thinking, ‘What am I doing here?’  I didn’t know anyone, and it didn’t seem like the kind of congregation I would be comfortable in, but I sat and waited for something to happen.  After some singing and general announcements, the pastor turned on his projector to display some visual aids for his sermon.  Of course, the three passages he had picked out to assist his sermon were the three I had randomly turned to before I left.  I sat in the pew and tried to compute the odds of ending up at a random church that just happened to be using those passages for a sermon, and I determined that it was nearly impossible for this to be happening.

            “I leaned back in the pew and was overwhelmed by a sense of complete bliss.  I got the impression that what I was experiencing was something like God letting me know He/She/It existed.  I started to cry, and I remember the tears felt icy cold as they came over my cheeks.  What happened next is somewhat difficult to describe, and it is one of those things I wish I had not told anyone about because I know I cannot adequately describe it; however, since I’ve already told a number of people about it, I suppose I can tell it one more time.

            “As I sat back in the pew, and after I had started to cry, I became momentarily blind.  Everything turned into a kind of overexposure, a pure kind of whiteness.  I could still hear everything that was being said, but I was truly blind for a moment.  Then I lost what I would call my ‘normal’ consciousness.  The only way I can describe it is being everything in the entire universe all at once, but being nothing at all at the same time.  All the paradoxes about life, things like life/death, or good/bad, and everything that I doubted or did not understand about the world became perfectly clear, but I also knew that the wisdom I had would only last as long as I was in that state.  Once I went back to my normal self, I knew that I would be unable to describe it in a way that anyone would really understand.  I’m not sure how long I was in this state, but when I finally came back into myself, something wasn’t quite the same.

            “I was still a little dazed at that point, but one thing I noticed was that I could feel everything and everyone in the room.  It should have been overwhelming, but in a strange way, it felt normal to me, like I was just seeing things in a different way or from a greater perspective.  I had similar experiences the entire day.  When I returned to campus, I could hear conversations that should have been impossible for me to hear.  I felt the emotions of other people, of the animals in my environment, even the pilot flying a fighter jet overhead.  As the day ran its course, I eventually felt myself retreating farther and farther into myself until I returned to my everyday, normal self by the end of the day.

            “That is the basic gist of my experience.  I’m not sure this would count as a ‘near-death’ experience, but I suppose I would label it more of a spiritual experience, and I’m still working through what it means to me.”…..Matthew

ANSWER

            What you went through, Matthew, is commonly referred to as “an awakening.”  Awakenings are where all senses heighten and expand, your state of consciousness accelerates to a higher degree, and you suddenly know things, feel things, see things, hear things – beyond the normal range.  I would not call it a near-death experience, but, rather, the beginnings of a threshold experience.  Again, the idea of an awakening:  suddenly accessing more of the electromagnetic spectrum, suddenly expanding into realities you did not think existed, suddenly “not self” but more than self.

            The spiritual/religious worlds of thought and sense are quite real.  Once accessed, they change us – on all levels, even physically.  It might behoove you to follow this new path and see where it leads you.  Seldom does an adherent realize or recognize the onset of spiritual energies and spiritual shift.  Yet these happen “on time” – when you’re ready, you shift.  You did.  And the opportunity to shift again will occur.  Count on it.  By the way, synchronicity is one of the signs of making such a shift in consciousness.

            Awakenings are just that, an opportunity to think and to exist on another wavelength.  Take advantage of the door that has opened for you.  Awakenings strengthen us and give us courage – the courage to grow.

            Many thanks, PMH

Spiritual Progress -- Let your Heart be your Judge

QUESTION:

        “I sit at my computer and listen to your interviews on YouTube.  Thank God for YouTube!  I am struggling with spiritual issues:  particularly with my religious family and ‘friends.’  They claim to be Christians but refuse to help in any way if I ask. . . which I did several years ago after losing everything, going bankrupt.  They had (and still have) plenty of money and turned their backs on me. . . recently did it again. . . then buying expensive homes by the river, etc.  They hate me because I don’t like their religious view.  I simply don’t buy it.  But I also question whether I am spiritually progressing. . . where I stand and what will happen to me when I die.  What these Christians do eats away at me and I know that somehow I have to forgive them.  But they don’t seem to question themselves.  They say that they ‘aren’t perfect - just forgiven.’  UGGHHH.  They don’t question their motives, nor do they worry about what will happen to them, as I do.

        “I have problems with anger over this utter hypocrisy.  If we do, in fact, wind up in realms with ‘like-minded people/souls,’ then maybe there is some cosmic justice.  There’s nothing worse than hurting others and then asking God for forgiveness ad nauseum.

        “Any recommendations of which book I should read?  I know you have written many books.  Oh, I want to add one last comment.  Christianity has a twisted view/version of forgiveness.  By that I mean, people who claim to be Christians can and do things that they know are wrong, things they know will hurt others and then get forgiveness.  At the same time, they will condemn those whom they feel aren’t Christians for doing the same.  They have this arrogant smugness about them and don’t seem to worry about their fate.  This is ONE of the reasons that I have developed this utter contempt for religion.  Yet, at the same time, there are things about Buddhism that resonate with me.  At least Buddhists hold people accountable.  From what I have understood about the life review is that it is all-encompassing; nothing is hidden; not even those deeds you thought you were ‘off the hook’ for.  You come face to face with it.  That is my humble understanding.  I do believe in Jesus and try to live by his teachings.  I seldom see any Christians doing that.”....Linda

ANSWER:

        Sounds to me, Linda, like you are ready for “Science of Mind” by Ernest Holmes.  Back in the late 1800s and early 1900s, Ernest took the best of all religions, philosophies, and traditions, put them together in a practical, organized way, and came up with what he called “Science of Mind.”  He believed that the core teachings around the world all taught the same thing and they did so in what he recognized as a “scientific” manner, that is to say, in accordance with Universal Laws.  A church developed around his work, formerly called the United Church of Religious Science - now called the United Centers of Spiritual Living.  They have a lively website (google any of the names I have given you to find it).  You can take their first year class online, or, at least by mail if there is not a study group or church in your area.  Their magazine “Science of Mind” is a monthly, digest-sized, and absolutely wonderful to read.  My husband and I subscribe to it and we read from it daily.  I took that first year class soon after I died, at a small church in Boise, Idaho, where I lived at the time.  Wisest move I ever made.  I wrote about this several issues ago in the free newsletter I publish (now archived).  If you’re not signed up yet for that newsletter, access www.pmhatwater.com, scroll over to the newsletter section, and sign up.

        In a nutshell, realize first and foremost that everyone is here on earth to learn, express, grow through, or enjoy what presents itself to us.  Picture earth as a giant school.  Some people are attending first grade; some are in high school; some are doing graduate work; some are here on recess or to enjoy time out.  You cannot compare yourself with anyone else, because you do not know at what grade level they are or what they are working through or participating in.  We are not challenged to like each other; we are challenged to love each other.  To be certain there are some people, no matter how treated, are virtually impossible to even be around.  And I am myself one who tussles with this.  Still, I bless these people and honor them for they are just as much a child of God as I am.  In my family of origin, I am the odd one out.  The rest tolerate me, well, most of them do.  Others I ‘m not so sure about.  The same with my husband’s family.  Actually, we are both the odd ones out.  We are not wealthy like the others and we do not flaunt what we have.  We make no demands and love and honor freely.  Most of them look the other way when around us; some are profoundly embarrassed to have us in the family.  This can hurt if allowed.  We choose not to engage in this type of thinking and feeling.  Serves no purpose.  Going to a family member to ask for help, seldom helps anyone.  So why bother.  I respect myself too much to be a target for ill-will.  I doubt the day will ever come, for instance, when my work will be recognized and appreciated for what it is.  I am often attacked professionally and demeaned by others who simply disagree.  Since my protocol for research is different, that makes me suspect, even though my findings, thus far, have held up in clinical trials.

        Spiritual progress?  How can you judge that?  How could I?  My judge is my heart.  If I feel I have done my best, been my best, and filled each day with smiles, how then could anyone consider me a failure?  How could I?  Spiritual progress is something you feel when you are authentically you, and remain true to the breath that breathes you.  If you are in league with people who demean you, move out and find another group.  Families are not really what you are born with.  They are what we recognize in each other when open to those who smile back.  Extended families (what we co-create with others) are often more loving and supportive than original families.  Look around you.  Find other groups of people and experiment, attend meetings, engage in discussions.  One of the fastest moving trends today are Church Homes.  That’s right.  People who band together and start their own church, and take turns deciding which home the service will be in and on what day.  They share worship, study, and ritual.  Why not start a Church Home yourself?  Do not belabor what you have lost.  Rejoice in who you are and what you are becoming!

        Blessings, PMH

An "Oh, I get it" Moment

COMMENTS FROM GARY


This is not a question, per se, but an interesting comment from a man becoming more spiritually aware. I’d like to share his letter with you.


“I’ve been reading stories on your website and it compelled me to write to you. Although I have not had an NDE, I did have an experience of enlightenment in November of 2007. The reason I am writing to you is that my experience has left me with very similar results that the stories, as those who have experienced NDEs, reveal.


“I was sitting in front of my computer one morning, thinking of life and what is really going on. Suddenly, I had an “Oh, I get it” moment. I understood the life cycle, how we got here, why we are here, what happens to us when we die, dreams, etc. I understood that all living things are here for the same reason. I could see the root of what drives us. After about two weeks of this rolling through my mind, I felt I had to start writing about it. I knew that it was the only way I could progress past the same whirlwind of thoughts that were going through my mind. As I was writing I was realizing that, I am not a writer, and how difficult it was to explain what I knew. Keeping it in coherent order was a challenge. The experience changed my life in much the same way as those that have had an NDE. Most notably, a lack of desire for material possessions, money and success, and an enhancement to help others. Although the quest for money was never much of a priority in my life, I gained a feeling that there would always be enough to survive.


“I noticed the explanation of life as a river, on a (your?) website. I had the same thoughts as I was trying to figure out how to explain my new understanding of life. I have been astounded to find the same analogies that I have come up with over the past two and a half years. I never thought that I would find anyone that thought the way I did. I didn’t get it from books or church. It just came to me. Now, I am beginning to find that there are others that have similar results, although they don’t seem to explain it the same. It’s been challenging, but rewarding in many ways. Rejection of my understanding seems to be the norm. I have had better results through application than explanation.


“I have spent much of my life thinking about this. Reading, wondering, thinking, observing. I realized at an early age, that all of the clues are right in front of us. I was raised in a Christian environment, going to Church and Sunday School regularly. I never really understood much of it. There seemed to be something to it, since so many believe in it. I read the Bible, from cover to cover, around the year 2000. I had no preconceived idea, other than to read every word and see what unfolded. I came away with a bit of a different understanding of it than what I had been taught. In my quest to understand life, I had been exposed to Buddhism, chanting, astral projection, and even looked into numerology, astrology, and quite a variety of other things that left me with as many questions as answers. It all gelled that morning. The outcome was quite different than what I had observed, but my new knowledge is indisputable in my mind. I have been finding corroborating evidence ever since.


One of the things that came to me was the purpose of dreams. I have come to the conclusion that there are three states of mind. Awake (awareness in the physical), dormant sleep (lack of awareness), and dreams (awareness outside of the physical). The purpose of dreams is to allow for the understanding that our souls are separate from our bodies, although fully integrated. That there is awareness outside of the physical experience. The level of awareness is diminished from the out-of-body experience and NDE. The vividness of the latter two is enhanced. Just before my father died, he expressed some very vivid dreams. I viewed them as out-of-body experiences in preparation for his passing. The doctors passed it off as hallucination. He also experienced things when he was awake. The doctors classify it as “sun downer syndrome.” It seems to be related to some of the things that people experience after their NDE. I will stop here.”....Gary


A NOTE ON GARY’S COMMENTS


We all wonder about life and how things work, at times. Some of us go through a “peak experience” when suddenly the puzzle pieces fall together - maybe because of a revelation or with a new understanding. Spiritual experiences, those revelatory moments that catch us off-guard, are rich with insight and meaningful upliftment. Sometimes “a special light” illuminates what was once invisible to us. Almost every adult who truly made a difference for the better in this world, had an illumination like this as a child. The near-death phenomenon feeds this desire in us to know more, to glimpse behind the visible world and see what else is there. I thank Gary for sharing with me. Near-death states touch into every aspect of life and its living. They challenge or inspire us in ways little else does. People were dead - no breath, no heartbeat, no brain wave or cortical activity - and now they’re back. . . and they have a story to tell. And we need to listen.


It is my hope that you will read my newest and last book about my research of the near-death phenomenon: Near-Death Experiences: The Rest of The Story (Hampton Roads; Charlottesville, VA, 2011). There are many voices who speak through my findings. Don’t skip over or underestimate them. This is not “same old.” Slowly but surely I introduce new material until Chapter 16 when the whole book changes. It changes because our view of near-death experiences needs to change. The near-death experience is not some kind of anomaly; rather, it is part of the larger genre of transformations of consciousness. People like Gary touch into that higher reality. They take a step into light and are forever changed. Read about threshold experiences and the science of fluid dynamics in the book (this explains so much). Read about the real truth behind spiritual experiences - the biological imperative that they are. Read about the new Christology, what Christ Consciousness really is.


Spirituality is an important and necessary part of life. For those of you who discover that through stories about near-death episodes and the work people like me have done, thank you for opening your mind - to the awareness of your own soul. Blessings, PMH

Suicide and Spirituality

QUESTION:

"I have read your book on Near-Death Experiences. I have a question about suicide and the soul.

"Is it possible that a soul really cannot live on earth anymore, and is called to leave?

"Is there a spiritual aspect to suicide, one that is not desperate, but that is rational, and one in which the spirit requests to leave?

"Especially for those who are sensitive, if there really is not a way to live on the earth comfortably, both for spiritual reason, and even lower level reasons like health or physical body, etc., is euthanasia or suicide acceptable?

"What is the answer from a spiritual perspective? This would be apart from the societal perspective, and especially modern western society view that tends to discourage suicide for societal reasons." ~"M"


ANSWER:

You are asking questions that can only be answered using "the voice of the many." Please look up the chapter on suicides in "The Big Book of Near-Death Experiences." That chapter will tell you more than I can in a simple e-mail. Also, read the book, "Suicide: What Really Happens in the Afterlife" by Pamela Rae Heath and Jon Kimo (the best book I've ever read on this subject!).

Of the 3,000 adult near-death experiencers in my original research base, I asked if there were any non-nos, any "sins" that really crippled a person spiritually. The majority named two: abortion and suicide. All were quick to say that forgiveness is real, but that we must also face everything we ever did on earth. . . every single thing (a rather daunting thought). There was never a sense from anyone, including child experiencers, that we would be punished "for" our sins, but, rather "by" them. To understand "by" them, it would be helpful to have an understanding of karma or the idea of cause and effect - the concept of setting ourselves up by the actions or lack of them we make. My mother used to say: "We make our beds and then we lie in them." It's the same idea.

If you are a student of reincarnation - the idea of life after life - then karma makes sense, and so does a lot of other heavies that are difficult for us to understand if all we consider as real is one lifetime apiece. However, if we spread that viewpoint - include reincarnation or exceptional incarnations or the influence of angelic/demonic hosts or dis-incarnate interference - we then have a larger canvas on which to consider or judge possibilities.

Are there situations where suicide is appropriate or allowable or acceptable in the greater scheme of things? The answer to that question depends on the individual and his or her relationship with God/Allah/Deity. I believe the answer is yes, but, I also know in my heart of hearts that I cannot be the judge or jury here. When governments and societies legislate this, they do so with the community in mind and what is best for the greater good of all. The major religions of the world pretty much agree - they are against suicide in general but are willing to "allow exceptions" under certain conditions.

Near-death experiencers "just say no." Even experiencers who've had their episode as part of a suicide attempt - everyone of them I've yet to hear of - said, absolutely no, never to suicide under any conditions. Still, there are near-death experiencers who do indeed attempt suicide AFTER their episode anyway to get back to the Other Side. In my research base, the figure is less than 5% with adults, 21% with children (why the rate with children is so high is discussed in-depth in "The New Children and Near-Death Experiences").

As you can see, there are strong feelings and passions against suicide over all, yet it remains a temptation to the few who are troubled, want a way out, or are convinced hurrying back to the Other Side is okay. ~PMH


ANNOUNCEMENTS:

I'm doing some bookshows! Yup. I've never done anything like this before. Apparently there is a circuit authors can travel, whereby they buy table space, set up their books, sell them, and visit with people. I suppose every part of the country has something like this, but it is a first for me here in Virginia. So, see ya at:

October 16th, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm, Waynesboro, Virginia
Book'Em Event, put on by the local police department.
Kate Collins Middle School, 1625 Ivy Street
Public Welcome, no cost
I will be giving a talk about my work at 2 pm, and
participating in a panel discussion about writing

November 19, 11 am to 6 pm, Charlottesville, Virginia
Meet the Authors, put on by Jayne Cox
Holiday Inn University Area, 1901 Emmet Street
Public Welcome, no cost

December 4, 11 am to 6 pm, Elkton, Virginia
Authors' Book Sales & Signing, put on by Welcome Center
Elkton Welcome Center, 306 West Spotswood Trail
Public Welcome, no cost.

Seems like I'm always working on some kind of deadline and can never schedule such travels. Well, I'm doing it this time. Hope to see you at one of these, maybe all three. Let's get acquainted. ~PMH

**** Just a little reminder for 2011. The big near-death conference will be held in Durham, North Carolina in 2011. Details later.

Money and the Spiritual Path

QUESTION:

"Someone wrote this in the NDE Yahoo group, and I wondered how you might counter this notion - because I get this all the time, too. I don't understand what's wrong with earning a living like everyone else with what we've chosen to do. Just because we're 'spiritual,' we're not suppose to get paid and we should live in poverty? Or, as some in my family have often said to me, 'Why don't you just get a job?'

"It seems that there are many who try to use spirituality as a means to make money. But there are also many, many others that are reaching out to help others with spiritual growth the best way they can. You offered to visit our local IANDS group if we paid your airfare and found someone's house you could stay in. Linda has been doing this message board for years, without making a dime from it as far as I can tell." ....Dana


ANSWER:

One of the biggest misunderstandings that exist on the spiritual path concerns the issue of money. There have been many fine books written on this subject, classes taught, speakers who tackle the subject. . . still, superstitution remains. Money is just green energy. That's all it is. Problems come when we let money use us, instead of us using it. Control issues can become enormous problems, to where we become little more than a common addict, tied to a monster that will suck out our spirit. Money should serve, never control. Yet, in that service we forget about the Law of Circulation, a universal Law that still applies, and to all of us. The Law of Circulation says that receiving is just as important as giving. If we give/give/give, always giving, we deny the equal need to receive, and become as if an "overlord" in how our piety becomes simply another way to stiffle the creativity and spirit of others, not to mention their good will and their love. Giving and receiving goes both ways, says the Law, else what we think of as our generosity, our desire to help and uplift, turns into another way our ego can get the best of us.

Since my actions are in question here, allow me to speak on my behalf. Like any near-death experiencer, I gave away or sold almost everything I had within a year of my three episodes in 1977. I moved East (my home was in Idaho) with only $1,000 to my name. Yes, I had a cousin and his family in Reston, Virginia, and, yes, I was able to live in their camper for about a month. But that was it. I was turned out and quite forcefully, when I could not accept all of their narrow beliefs. That I found work in Washington, D.C. and an apartment was truly as act of God - nothing less could have explained the miracle. I began my search of near-death experiencers a month later, never having heard of Raymond Moody nor his book, and having no idea anyone else was researching the phenomenon besides me. I did what I did because of a Voice that spoke to me during my third episode. To date, I have written ten books on my findings (the latest one to be published by Hampton Roads in January, 2011). During these three-plus decades (I began in 1978), I have held to a schedule averaging a six-day week, 8 to 10 hours per day (sometimes longer) each and every year. Terry and I were married in 1980, so his paychecks have helped some. Mostly, though, the money that paid for my work came from first a salaried position, then part-time jobs, then giving readings via visionary abilities that I had and rune-casting sessions I gave using the ancient casting glyphs that trace back to the Crimea, Danube, Ukraine, and Black Sea ("Runes of the Goddess"). In case you haven't guessed, we have lived on the cheap. Like the average near-death experiencer, I was challenged with how to understand, train, redefine, and use my enhanced abilities in ways that would serve the greater good. God/Diety/Source comes first in my life.

It took me a very long time to charge for anything I did. We were brought to our knees (my husband and myself) with disaster after disaster with my books, including a near-bankruptcy. I have often said, and it is true, if I had become a clerk at Wal-Mart instead of a researcher of near-death states, I would be rich today. As of 2007, my total earnings from all that I have done since 1978 in the way of books royalties, engagements, classes, talks, on my near-death work, has been $30,000. That's it. If you've ever read "The Big Book of Near-Death Experiences," you noticed that I gave away 50% of all my royalties on the book to the International Association For Near-Death Studies (IANDS) - that means all Friends of IANDS groups can order the book directly from Hampton Roads, the book's publisher, for half price, sell them themselves, keep the profit to help out their group - until the Spring of 2012. After that time, the ownership of the book passes to IANDS. I'm out. I am very clear about this. Yes, I did all the work, all of it, still, the book belongs to experiencers and those like them who read the book, not to me. IANDS is the perfect custodian of this fact.

In the last several years I have finally learned how to speak up for myself, especially where engagements are concerned. My charge now is a minimum of $500 per talk, all expenses paid. With IANDS groups, I will come and help them out for only the cost of expenses. I do ask that a donation plate be put out to help pay for my time. Whatever is collected, I am grateful to receive. Other researchers AND near-death experiencers (especially those who have made a lot of money with their books) charge in the thousands for each appearance. Now, there's nothing wrong with this, and someday my price may go up too. Depends on what I am guided to do during prayer and meditation. All of my work, though, as a Prayer Chaplain is done without charge.

The question about money has been a source of deep grief for near-death experiencers. We say free and give away what we have or gain without question. We are generous and open-hearted to our core. The result? Years later many suffer from serious poverty issues, confused when comparing the outcome of their piety to what they felt guided to do. Examples: the money did not come to pay for the Centers they were guided to build; the result of their healing work helped many, only to deplete them later-on; their "soul mates" were a mixed bag and relationships suffered. I know of one near-death experiencer, a man by the name of Steve, who went on a spending spree after his near-death experience, to help out his family. This led to serious financial distress and his death by suicide, because he was so ashamed of what he had done to his family - when all he wanted to do was spread love. The last thing Steve requested was that near-death experiencers be taught how to handle money, what it's for, and how to use it. The magic of compound interest was the first thing he forgot. So did I. So do most of us. Even those who were able to ply the waters of spirituality with a good head and some degree of common sense, tussled with the shift in feelings and attitudes they had about money and possessions and ownership afterward. I am grateful there is a movement afoot to assist experiencers with the timely information they need to successfully integrate their near-death states.

Most of the work I do is a labor of love. It always has been so and always will be. Make no mistake about this point, however. I intend to pay off our mortgage and all our bills, and then some. There is nothing unspiritual about paying off your debts and being a good custodian of the gifts you have been given in life. None of us "owns" anything, anyway, so the question of ownership/possessions is moot. ~PMH

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

---- In case you didn't already know, there was a special TV broadcast to the People's Republic of China and Surrounding Areas, on April 23 (Episode 1) and on April 30 (Episode 2). This broadcast featured a number of near-death experiencers, and centered entirely around the near-death phenomenon. Credits go to Beverly Brodsky, in the San Diego area, as one of the organizers, and New Tang Dynasty TV (NTDTV). Denis Purcell of IANDS-Los Angeles was also a major organizer, who worked with Qing Ma, the local producer for New Tang Dynasty TV. This cooperative project was successfully launched and carried out. Many credits and pats on the back to all involved.

---- Hospice Nurse Maggie Callanan, the author of "Final Gifts/Final Journeys," will be presenting some programs in North Carolina. The first is in the Winston-Salem area (June 17th, 1 to 4 pm), and the second is in Durham (June 18th, 1 to 4 pm). To register for either or both of these programs, get ahold of IANDS (International Association For Near-Death Studies) at services@iands.org or call (919) 383-7940.

---- There are once again excessive claims being made about near-death experiencers and their stories. I understand the need to do this, because of media and publishing pressures, but I want to set the record straight:

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS THE NDE BOOK OF THE YEAR. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS THE BEST NDE STORY OF THEM ALL. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS THE MOST GRIPPING OR UNUSUAL OR MOST LOVING.

Sorry, none of this applies, and no one can make such a statement without exaggeration or lying. There are millions of cases; thousands are now published on the Internet, in various books, or websites. Some of the most evidential cases have never been published, and probably never will. So please keep this in mind as you visit your favorite bookstore, or search online for whatever you can find. ~PMH