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"ANOTHER LOOK..." is an ongoing column I write for Vital Signs Newsletter, a quarterly publication of the International Association For Near-Death Studies. Each segment will appear here from now on, as well as in the Newsletter. This new feature gives me a format with which to explore varied issues about near-death states. Should you wish to make a comment or want to suggest future topics, please feel free to contact me. I may be able to use your suggestions directly. Thank you. P.M.H. Atwater, L.H.D., Ph.D. (Hon.)
P.M.H.Atwater, L.H.D., Ph.D. (Hon.) P. O. Box 7691 Charlottesville, VA 22906-7691
© 2000 P.M.H.Atwater, L.H.D., Ph.D. (Hon.)
The people of Seoul, South Korea, were incredible! Even more incredible was the Fourth International New Science Symposium held in their Cultural Center. About 350 people attended, seated behind huge curving rows of desktops, replete with a shelf below for books and papers. Imagine the scene: a room full of desks, eager people crammed into each row, real-time interpretation in English, Korean, and Russian, a massive stage with the latest in electronic equipment. I presented my work with child experiencers of near-death states, and then made a plea for Korean cases. Almost everyone there had in hand a copy of our IANDS brochure. Afterward, three people stepped forward volunteering to begin near-death research in Korea. A "seed" was planted that day. We'll see how it grows. Change is in the air, and it's very exciting. Two IANDS groups invited me to speak at special engagements they arranged, and I want to share with you what I noticed at each. The first was Chicago-IANDS, facilitated by Diane Willis. They meet in the Fellowship Room of Unity Church on the North Shore each month and are a large group. Diane starts each meeting by allowing the spirit within her to express itself through the notes of a Native American flute. A musician of long-standing, she was never able to play impromptu until after her near-death experience. Her new-found openness invites openness in others - a perfect atmosphere for individuals to introduce themselves and either speak of their own near- death episode or about the changes in their lives afterward. Although mine was a more formal presentation on children's near- death states, I couldn't help but notice how the interest of those who attended was clearly on the aftereffects. They were alert to the differences between how adults and children respond to their experiences; and, they wanted to know more about how anyone could more successfully integrate their own episode. Dorothy Baughman, one of the members, opened up her lovely home in Lake Forest to an intensive workshop the following day on the "Evolutionary Aspects of Near-Death States." Here again I noticed how actively each person is pursuing definite ideas on putting his or her "newness" to work in society. These people want to make a difference; many already are. Perhaps because of the transformation that has happened and is continuing to happen to Diane, a number of Chicago experiencers are expressing themselves through the performing arts. Yet, there is a growing number committing to hospice and hospital work, and even helping others - one-on-one - wherever they see the need. Chicago-IANDS inspires their membership to learn all they can about near-death states, as well as the process of personal transformation. The result is an active and expressive group where "miracles" happen. Yes, this type of atmosphere is encouraged by the International Association, and is present, hopefully, in all Friends of IANDS groups. But, in all my years of service to IANDS, this is the first year I have seen meetings where such lively and enthusiastic response is balanced with mutual support and caring. And this is not just happening in Chicago. I have another report to give, this one from San Francisco Bay-IANDS, facilitated by Nadia McCaffrey. The San Francisco Bay group also has a large membership and meets monthly in a roomy alcove of Full Circle Bookstore in Belmont, California (thanks to the generosity of Sandra Rath). I've given presentations two years running for this group, and once before when it was headed by Diana Schmidt. Perhaps because Nadia has spent over a decade in hospice work, many people in the group have become hospice volunteers or are headed toward new careers in counseling and various types of healing, including alternative and complimentary health-care procedures. Several have entered the ministry; some are professional psychics. This group, like the one in Chicago, is a cohesive gathering of active, enthusiastic people, dedicated to practical integration of near-death states while seeking avenues of service. This year, though, Nadia McCaffrey and the San Francisco Bay-IANDS had a unique project in mind - that is why I was there - to help them launch a full-day seminar entitled "Changing the Face of Death." As a brief aside, the theme for the annual conference of the International Association For Near-Death Studies, held in Philadelphia this last July, was "Service Mission 2000." And this is what I am seeing and hearing all over this country and abroad. The theme of the greater IANDS has quite literally become that "spark" which is enlivening and uplifting Friends of IANDS groups everywhere. And the excitement is real. The theme is catching on locally and regionally, and I believe it will continue into 2001 and beyond. IANDS groups have been hard at work for years creating a safe environment where experiencers could speak, unwind, cry, question, and learn without fear or hesitation. As groups evolved, interest turned more to the aftereffects and what could be done to cope with these changes in positive ways. Integration eventually came to be emphasized as group-work began to center around long-term effects and how experiencers could bring more balance into their lives without losing the larger and more spiritual worldview they had attained. Now, it's as if everyone is poised to take action. The time has come. Near-death experiencers are joining hands and getting busy - Service Mission 2000! I saw this new vigor in Chicago and I really saw it in California. The seminar, "Changing the Face of Death," was an outgrowth of Nadia finally accepting the mission she was given years ago during her two near-death experiences, a particular mission which was clarified for her last December when she faced death again. Three times it took her, before she finally "heard" and responded. (I can relate to that. Remember the three near-death experiences I had? I call them the "heavenly sledge-hammer effect," because I was too stubborn to catch on the first time. Some of us are slow learners - you know I'm referring mainly to myself when I say that. No finger pointing intended.) Since the seminar Nadia and the San Francisco Bay-IANDS did can be used as a model for other near-death groups, here's what happened: they rented the facilities at the Redwood City Women's Club, churned out fliers and announcements and posted them at far-flung places, and staffed the 9:45 am to 9:30 pm affair. There were display tables for those with a service or product to sell, a wonderful natural-foods lunch, entertainment by Heartdream, and a host of speakers - all gearing their talks and demonstrations to "Changing the Face of Death." David Cardenas, founder of "Transition Support At The End Of Life" (a free service for the dying and their families), spoke on how his group addresses the special needs present at the deathbed. Vivian Silva presented "Dying to be Heard," on the often overlooked needs of older women and the elderly. Marshall Masters covered large-scale catastrophic events that overtax existing services and medical teams. Eliot Rosen showed his award-winning video, "Experiencing the Soul." If you haven't seen it, get a copy. It is one of the finest pieces of work in that venue I have yet seen. (Access "The Marketplace" on my website at www.pmhatwater.com for instructions on how to obtain a copy if you are interested.) And that's just part of the Seminar. Also included was a demonstration by Rev. Delorise Lucas (Mamma Lucas) on spiritual healing. She is a miracle faith healer who has devoted her life to helping others, and she certainly did that day - many people benefitted from her healing hands. Nadia spoke on her commitment to build a special center on land donated to her near Mt. Shasta, as a place where the dying and the handicapped can receive needed help without charge. Dr. Anita Furdek, a world renown visionary and healer, gave an inspiring, and I must say, funny talk on how we can all "practice what we preach." I was the last one, with an announcement about my audio presentation "AS YOU DIE" (it talks a dying individual through physical death as it occurs and the soul's separation). This tape has now been redone and is available in both CD and audio cassette formats (65 minutes). "Changing the Face of Death" is not just a terrific seminar put on by Nadia McCaffrey and San Francisco Bay-IANDS. In essence the theme of the conference, even the thrust of Nadia's Mt. Shasta Center, is really the heart and soul of the near-death phenomenon itself. We all carry its imprint within us, for we were there - some of us at the edge of death, others beyond and back. And we returned, each in our own way, quite literally changing the face of death. I applaud where IANDS groups are going and the excitement they generate. Here in Charlottesville, Virginia, where I live, well, a fellow experiencer by the name of Nancy Harding is starting a Friends of IANDS group, and I'm helping her. Our first meeting is November 14 at the Unitarian Church on Rugby Road. Wish us luck. We have big "shoes" to fill, the ones the rest of you are so beautifully wearing!
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P.M.H.Atwater, L.H.D., Ph.D. (Hon.) is the author of many books concerning near-death states,
the latest being FUTURE MEMORY, CHILDREN OF THE NEW MILLENNIUM, and THE COMPLETE
IDIOT'S GUIDE TO THE NEAR-DEATH EXPERI-ENCE. Check out her website at www.pmhatwater.com
for more information about her other books, the Subtext, and her "Brain
Shift/ Spirit Shift" model for exploring transformations of consciousness.
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