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"The Big Book of Near-Death Experiences: The Ultimate Guide to What Happens When We Die"Authors Note: This 450-page book covers every aspect
of the near-death phenomenon:
the experience, the aftereffects, the implications. It is written
in an easy-to-read format for busy people on the go - drawings,
cartoons by Spirit Painter and Chuck Vadun, lots of sidebars,
snappy headers - with the latest and best in the field. The Sourcebook
takes near-death studies from
the early days of the "Moody Miracle," through the myths
of "the light at the end of the tunnel" and "the
religion of the resuscitated," to where it is after 32 years
of work. . . with clinical prospective studies in several countries
verifying the reality of the experience and its many aspects, and
establishing its importance in the study of consciousness itself! The power of changed lives, the realness of the deceased come back, visitors at death's edge, out-of-body travel, the expansion of faculties normal to us, the awesome presence of Deity and the importance of spirituality - all of this and more are recognized at last as normal to the phenomenon and are no longer automatically associated with hallucinations, oxygen deprivation, the dying brain syndrome, or mental derangement. The biggest, most complete book ever written on the subject, "Near-Death Experience: The Complete Sourcebook." Be prepared for a surprise when you read the material in this book. We know so much more than we used to, and what we know today about the near-death experience. . . is utterly stunning! This is the tenth book written by Dr. Atwater about near-death experiences (NDEs) and by far, it is the most comprehensive and most instructive. Not only that, The Big Book of Near-Death Experiences is the best book written by anyone about NDEs. P.M.H. is a most unique writer because she writes from the inside, having experienced three NDE's herself, and she also writes from the outside, having done extensive research about the subject. Unlike other writers, her research is not just a compilation of the case reports and studies done by other investigations, she has done her own original research. Furthermore, after interviewing thousands of NDE cases, Dr. Atwater then categorized the NDEs into logical and understandable categories. As part of my own book, Searching for Eternity: A Scientist's Spiritual Journey to Overcome Death Anxiety, I investigated NDEs and came to some of the same conclusions arrived at by P.M.H. However, since my book was published in 2000, her subsequent investigations have come up with new and important findings. Instead of just going on about her accomplishments, let me reveal a few of the interesting and revealing findings now. 1. Approximately 15 million people have had NDEs. this is about 12-20% of all those who are close to death. Among children who are at death's door, more than 70% have had a NDE. 2. The fewer drugs a person has taken, the better the chance of having a NDE as drugs impede NDEs. 3. Although the "tunnel" component of the NDE has been discussed widely, it is present in less than 1/3rd of experiencers. Some NDErs describe it to "fit" in or call any darkness a tunnel for the same reason. 4. Many more "hellish" NDEs occur than has previously been known, but because experiencers want to fit into the usual mode, they are either reluctant to describe them or they conveniently forget them. 5. In addition to being close to death, a NDE can occur when a person is in situations of intense physical or emotional danger. They can occur even if the danger is only apparent but is "real" in the person's mind. 6. Animals frequently appear in the near-death scenario; these are usually pets that had previously died. 7. Even though most experiencers have a choice about returning, some who choose to stay are still sent back by the spiritual entity. 8. "Hellish" experiences don't just happen to bad people or fundamentalists; they can happen to anyone. 9. A NDE can occur during birth. P.M.H. found that 50% of those interviewed could remember the circumstances of their birth. 10. Although rare, "greeters" in children's accounts can be real people from their immediate lives. Children can sometimes meet inborn siblings (those previously aborted, miscarried or yet to be conceived). 11. About 1/3rd of the child NDErs had memories of parental occurrences before they were born. 12. Related to my major field of endeavor, stress research, an interesting new finding is that NDErs manage stress very well. They have good coping skills. 13. In 50-79% of the cases, after the event, NDErs have heightened sensibilities (synthesesia) and electrical sensitivity (apparently able to control or affect electrical or electronic equipment. 14. Although it is believed that without sufficient oxygen, the brain can be permanently damaged in 3-5 minutes, some NDErs have had flatline EEGs (no brain activity) for 30 minutes or more. 15. Many who fit the pattern of a childhood crisis that should have evoked a NDE have no memory of one. These have been called nonexperience experiencers. Aside from these and many more interesting findings, Dr. Atwater has also examined the NDE in relation to religions, various cultures, exceptional human experiences (EHE), after death contacts (ADCs), reincarnation, Shamanism, Kundalini, cosmic consciousness, and even, alien encounters. Hopefully, I've whetted your appetie to go out and purchase this exceptional book. Of course, you can get it from a library, but because it should be read over and over again to get more insight each time it is read, I suggest you purchase it, especially since it is bargain priced at $18.95. Donald R. Morse, D.D.S., Ph.D. Guide to What Happens When We Die I think most people have wondered what happens when we die. P.M.H. Atwater answers this question and more. Atwater shares the stories of several people who have had near-death experiences (NDE's), both from adults and children. 'Ruthie' for "BlogCritic Magazine" April 03, 2008 Everyone is curious about death, which makes The Big Book of Near-Death Experiences of general interest to all; however, it is even more important to the approximately 15 million people in the U. S. alone who have personally had a near-death experience (NDE). P.M.H. Atwater writes not just from book knowledge and extensive research but also from personal experience. Three near-death experiences in 1977 prompted her to begin researching the phenomenon in 1978. As the experiencer of an NDE myself, the book confirmed many of the things I experienced but did not connect with the NDE—breathing anomalies, sensitivity to weather, and hypersensitivity to pharmaceuticals, for example, and the frustrating problem of “blowing out” electronic systems for no apparent reason. Many survivors of NDEs return with these problems, but with benefits as well: heightened awareness, spiritual revelations, clarification of life purpose often including alternative healing careers, and enhancement of psychic abilities. While many NDEs are uplifting, Atwater also goes to the dark side of NDEs—the hellish experiences suffered by some who go beyond and back. The Big Book of Near-Death Experiences is especially valuable for spouses and parents of experiencers as well as medical people. Adults and children experience NDEs differently, and relationships often change for both. After an NDE, divorce and career changes are common. For children, it is even more difficult if they are silenced by well-meaning adults who accuse them of making up stories about what they experienced. Medical people often are taught that NDEs are the result of hypoxia (oxygen deprivation) or drug hallucinations but are baffled when experiencers report everything that was said in the room after their near death. Indeed, NDE experiencers report what happened with remarkable clarity, unlike what would happen under the influence of drugs or oxygen deprivation. The book explains as much as is explainable about NDEs at this point in time, and case studies and sidebars provide additional tidbits of information. Short of having an NDE oneself, The Big Book of Near-Death Experiences is truly “the ultimate guide to what happens when we die.” It may be placed among spiritual, psychology, or medical tomes. Atwater has addressed the International Association for Near Death Studies conferences and has written 15 books, many based on her extensive research into NDEs. In addition to excellent and informative writing and research, the last 43 pages pro-vide a glossary, list of resources, contacts, and websites where readers can go for more information. Arlene Shovald, Ph.D., Fresh Start Therapies, Salida, Colo. Independent book review - "New Age Retailer" Spring 2008 (March/April) issue "A heck of a read. Page 129 is especially relevant
to any counselor....... the problem of acceptance versus rejection
(denial ). Your description of the scenario is like a laser beam cutting
succinctly to the heart of the matter. When I try to help others, this
is where most failures occur, in my inability to "sell" the
idea of acceptance to them, to show them the obvious denial state they
have chosen for themselves. John Zajic, spiritual healer This is an amazing book. It is beautifully designed, so
that each page pulls you right in. The insert boxes make it easy to
learn new things quickly, and the text itself is amazingly comprehensive
and easy to read. The author has done extensive research in a field
that, as she says, "straddles religion and mysticism, science
and biology, consciousness and the supernatural." It is the kind
of book you can dip into to gain a lot of information in a short time,
or sit down with and stay engrossed for several hours. I highly recommend
the book for anyone interested in Near Death Experiences, other altered
states of consciousness, and our human evolution in consciousness "I want to compliment you for the achievement that you were able to write this book. It is very complete, and describes the many aspects and theories about the content, cause and after-effects of NDE in a very accessible and sometimes very humorous way. I hope and expect that the book will be a great success." Dr. Pim von
Lommel, M.D.
"Dr. Atwater has devoted her life to helping people understand
and share their near death experiences. One simple yet profound sentence
in this book stood out for me far and above the rest. The thought provoked
a response that I could personally relate to my own life. Dr. Atwater
said, 'I believe the near death experience is a growth event reserved
for people who need an extra shove in life to make needed changes.' |
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