Up until a few years ago I did not even know if I believed in life after death OR past lives and HAD NEVER EVEN HEARD of life between lives. Through my research on these subjects and healing, my work with Reconnective healing and in deepening my spiritual connection – there is no doubt in my mind that death as we know it — is NOT the end. I was happily surprised to find out how widely believed and proven this is in the scientific community. My interest and intensive studies over the last 6 months have motivated me to present a Three Part Series over the next couple of weeks. Part 1 will talk about Life after Death. Part 2 Will talk about Past Lives. Part 3 will talk about Life Between Lives. Learning about this subject has CHANGED my life. It is a joy to share some of what I have learned, what EACH part has to do with healing, resources to learn more and my own personal experiences.
Part 1 Life After Death
I would like to begin by saying I feel life after death does NOT contradict religions. Obviously there are some religions that believe very strongly in this and make that evident. Then there are those that take a more subtle approach. In the Bible there are many mentions to “everlasting life” and “eternal life”. The Qu’ran says that death is NOT the end but a gateway to another life. Wikipedia has a large entry on the after-life and mentions MANY religions and their beliefs about it. What I found interesting was I could not find a religion that DIDN’T believe in an after-life. There ARE SOME atheists that do not believe in life after death. Where religions DO differ is in WHAT the after-life looks like. I will touch on this more in the 3rd post in this series when I discuss Life Between Lives.
Resources
I was delighted when my friend, CG Walters posted on Facebook a video of Dr. Deepak Chopra, Dr. Sanjay Gupta and Dr. Dinesh D’Souza talking on Larry King about Life after Death. To have it on CNN, on a show as widely watched as Larry King Live, proved to me how widely accepted this is becoming. I would like to share that video with you “Life After Death”:
So now we have many top doctors and scientists acknowledging that there is in fact, life after death. We also have religions saying there is life after death (although they differ on the technicalities of WHAT that life looks like). When I started researching for this post I honestly was shocked at HOW much information there is about life after death on the internet. One of the major ways people do begin to believe in this is learning about Near Death Experiences (NDE).
Near Death Experience (NDE) DEFINITION: Somebody who was clinically dead, who has ALL signs of being dead (no brain and heart activity) and comes back and has information of things that happened during that interlude when they were supposedly dead.
What the majority of NDE’s have in common is just how exquisitely beautiful it all is. Some people see loved ones, some see light, many experience out of body experiences (OBE’s), some feel an overwhelming sense of love, some feel met by guides, some experience a sense of deep peace, a life review, a recommendation from relatives or spiritual entity that they should return to their bodies, some return with scientific discoveries or a sense that they now understand how the Universe works. Many after having a NDE have continued increased psychic awareness.
The one NDE experience I have written about is the the one had by Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor. If you have not watched her incredible story on her experience having a stroke and dying and witnessing it all (she is a top brain scientist) I recommend taking the 20 minutes to do so and having some kleenex handy.
There are many sites I found with voluminous references to teachers and resources on life after death. Here are a few of my favorites that reference NDE’s and research done on the subject:
The International Association for Near Death Studies – This site has voluminous stories and videos of people telling their stories on NDE’s.
Near-Death Experiences and the Afterlife – Kevin Williams, Author of the book, “Nothing Better Than Death” has a website with endless resources on NDE’s and evidence of an after-life
Dr. Raymond Moody – actually termed the phrase “Near Death Experience in his book”, “Life After Life: The Investigation of a Phenomenon – Survival of Bodily Death” and is an expert on this topic.
Why is Learning about Life After Death Healing?
The first thing that comes to mind is there is NO NEED to FEAR death. Death is just another transition. Just as the flowers and grass die every winter they bloom every spring. Our human life cycle is longer than that but it is the same principle. I feel death is hardest for those we leave behind that miss us being there with them. Even then, there is comfort if all the people involved know “we will meet again”. No, it might not take away the grief of going to bed alone if you have lost a spouse or the despair of losing a child BUT it can grant SOME comfort and peace.
The second way it is healing to know there is life after death is this means we are SO MUCH MORE THAN OUR BODIES. I came into a deep knowing of this in the process of healing myself. My brain helped me come up with exercises that would help me in the journey to health but it was my soul that KNEW I would be better and told my brain to do so. Connecting to our inner self – that self that lives on – that consciousness or our SOUL is so very important IN THIS LIFETIME. We have so many distractions buzzing around us all the time. Cell phones, TV’s, MP3 Players, computers and the internet, video games – it is no WONDER we don’t hear our inner selves. BUT the good news is — our consciousness and soul are ALWAYS there waiting to be discovered. When you begin to connect to it – there is a warm welcoming like a huge hug. You realize you are NOT the automatic pilot you are used to being on. You realize you DO have control over your thoughts and emotions. It is empowering beyond belief as you realize you ARE connected to EVERYONE else and a part of something much greater than what you had thought – up until NOW.
I am reading a brilliant book by Dr. Chopra now called “Reinventing the Body Resurrecting the Soul: How to Create a New You” that addresses just this. But you need not read a book to realize this. You can take 10 minutes and sit with all sounds off and listen to your own breath. You can take a walk in nature and stop yourself when you hear the negative self-talk that might come up. You can do a guided meditation if you need help at first quieting your mind (I needed this badly when I first started as my monkey mind would NOT keep quiet). The first way to connect to your soul is to recognize you HAVE a soul and you are not your limited physical being. We are all unlimited as many of the books and movies I mention on this blog so clearly show. “What If?” by James Sinclair and “The Living Matrix” by Greg and Susan Becker and Harry Massey are CLEAR examples of our unlimitedness of being. Only YOU can decide for yourself if it is time for you to look within and get to know your TRUE self. Not the roles; “spouse, “parent”, “employee”, “employer”, “child”, “sibling” but YOU, the true YOU waiting to be discovered. Your life will never look the same once you do and WOW is there such POWER in that!
The third way this is healing is knowing we take this human existence a whole lot more seriously than need be. If we make “mistakes” we can tend to think it is “the end of the world”. We can beat ourselves up, tell ourselves “how hard life is” and get into patterns of negativity that we feel are impossible to break. We CAN break out of any cycle at any time and the first step is calling awareness to it as mentioned above. We are meant to learn in each lifetime and so called “mistakes” are the best way I know how to do that. Life is meant to be enjoyed, APPRECIATED, LOVED and as a learning experience. I feel in “finding our joys” and living them we also connect to the inner self. Live from THAT space and life will flow better than you ever dreamed of.
My Personal Experiences
Nope, I have not had ANY NDE’s although I HAVE talked with friends that have. I HAVE had experiences in past lives and life between lives through hypnotherapy which I will mention in my next two posts. Having graduated from The Bronx High School of Science, I do consider myself more Science based. I would have been considered a skeptic for many things for the majority of my life. These last few years as I have studied intensely and opened myself up to experience more, I now KNOW – I will ALWAYS be learning about how the Universe works. Sometimes, I might not whole-heartedly believe something unless it has been proven or I have witnessed it with my own eyes but I come from a place of “ANYTHING is possible” now. After having these experiences in Hypnotherapy I KNOW there is more. I look forward to sharing some of those experiences with you in my next two posts in this series. I am very fortunate to have three friends in town who are gifted at hypnotherapy and through that, my Akashic Record Reading and my energy healing practice I have accessed information that proves to me without a shadow of a doubt that I have lived before.
I have included many resources here for you to pursue and I hope if this topic is one that interests you – you do just THAT. There is such comfort and power knowing that “this is NOT all there is”. That we have much more control over our lives than we were told and that death is not to be feared. I would love to hear from you on any experiences that you have had that have proven to you there is life after death. I would also love to know your thoughts on life after death and what YOU believe.
To read part 2 of this series, click here: “Past Lives – What do they have to do with Healing“.
To read part 3 of this series, click here: “Life Between Lives – How Learning about Our Soul’s Journey is Healing“
Jenny, I find this a totally fascinating subject and you have gone above and beyond in explaining this from your perspective. I know I believe that death is part of a journey and I am really excited to see what’s on the other side of the journey I am consciously aware of now. Brilliant post and I can’t wait until your next post.
.-= Steven Aitchison´s last blog ..The Most Profound Lesson In Life =-.
Hi,
Thank you for the link to my Akashic Record Reading site. I think Akashic Records are great resource to explore past lives — it’s cost effective ( 🙂 ) because you don’t have to spend weeks and months in the hypnotherapists office. It’s also easier to make sense of what happened then and how it’s affecting you now.
And all the discussion about past lives and life after death boils down to — the intention of how to live NOW. This is critical. I advise people not to explore these things out of mere curiosity or “Let’s dig out what went wrong in the past” kind of mentality. These are resources to live the NOW well.
Akemi
.-= Akemi – Yes to Me´s last blog ..How To Meditate =-.
Hi Steven,
Thanks so much for your kind words – they are greatly appreciated. I must admit there was a hesitancy in posting about this controversial topic but it has aroused such interest and awe in me over the last six months – it had to be done! 😉
I think the greatest gift from this IS knowing we ARE more than we ever thought. There is such power in discovering our soul and in living from that place instead of the automatic pilot so many of us find ourselves on so much of the time.
I am happy you’re excited for the next posts Steven. As I said I have been reading a LOT on this topic and experiencing much in the last 6 months so it is wonderful to share it with others. Writing about it makes it even clearer in my own head – an added bonus!
Thanks for your comment. Much Love,
Jenny
Hi Akemi,
You are quite welcome and I will be referencing your post comparing past life regression therapy and Akashic reading as well in my next post. Your reading definitely jump started the deepening of my connection to my soul and further opened my mind to the unlimited possibilities.
I totally agree — while this information has fascinated me – the GREATEST gift I have gotten is the reaffirming notion of the importance of living consciously in the NOW. I DO believe BOTH Akashic Record Reading and Past Life Regression can be amazing tools to clear blocks and move forward. BOTH have helped me understand my soul better and have helped me evolve. I can understand the benefits of both and feel blessed and VERY grateful I have gotten to experience them.
It is all about living in the NOW Akemi and I, too don’t believe people should be obsessing about past lives rather than living today consciously. I look at it ANOTHER very useful tool to heal and move on. I also LOVE the power and humility the knowledge that we ARE so much more than our bodies brings.
Always a pleasure Akemi. Thank you for your important service.
Gratefully with lotsa Love, xo
Jenny
Jenny,
I happened to catch the lst half hour of that interview one evening while “clicking” channels…..being attracted at first by Jeff Probst…then being astounded by the subject matter and guests. What struck me the most…..and if you watched the whole interview you will know what I mean……was how intolerant Deepak was of the “skeptic” who was teleconferenced in. He was almost angry with the guy. The researach/science being done at a Viginia University was amazing. Tracking when a soul is reborn to another body….the earliest was 13 months. People with scars or birth marks in the exact spot the former body was mortally wounded….stuff like that. Children remember the most…..imaginary friends? You should watch the entire interview if you have not already. Luvya P
Hi Jenny, I’m so glad you are doing this series, as it’s a favorite topic of mine also. Your resource list is excellent and I had not seen that Larry King show (I am a fan of Larry King, he explores a lot of spiritual and cutting-edge topics, I have heard he was a student of an Indian Swami – can’t remember the name – for a long time.) Looking forward to your other posts!
.-= Lisa (mommymystic)´s last blog ..December Month in Review =-.
Hi Pam,
I searched for the rest of the episode on CNN and You tube but couldn’t find it :-(. Yes, intolerance is a hard one – Deepak has been studying this stuff from a scientific and medical point of view for so long – I guess he has a hard time seeing how someone can doubt it… But for MANY this is NEW information and some are NOT ready to believe it. Many have grown up with such strong messages that death is the end that they find it hard to ever consider anything else. I will look for the interview some more…
The info you mentioned on souls being reborn is the stuff I will cover in my next 2 posts — Past Lives and Life between Lives… It’s what I have been studying the last 6 months and “WOW” is about the only word that sums it all up! 😉
I am sooo happy that you took time to comment here Pam – I am so happy we are spending some time together. 2010 is going to be AWESOME – it already is! 🙂
Lotsa Love, xo
Jenny
Hi Lisa,
Thanks so much. Yeah, I got sucked right into this topic and have read a LOT on it over the last 6 months. I find it soooo fascinating… Dr. Michael Newton, Dr. Brian Weiss, Dr. Deepak Chopra – ALL of them have SUCH amazing things to share! I have so many other books I want to read on other topics more healing related so figured writing a 3 part series was a good way to put it all together in my head and out to my readers and MOVE on! 😉 Although I can totally see how someone would MAKE this their main topic of study!
Always a pleasure to hear from you Lisa. Our Mind Body Spirit Center opens March 1 and how I WISH you lived closer to teach yoga!!!! Would love to catch up soon. Hope you and your family are doing great! 🙂 All the best for 2010!
Lotsa Love, xo
Jenny
Jenny,
Where is your Mind, Body, Spirit Center to be located? I live in Stamford, NY. Know you’re close by, but not exactly sure where.
Peace
Cate
Hi Cate,
It will be in Oneonta, NY in the old McLaughlans Clothing Store location on Main Street – right where the buses stop. Yea – we’re neighbors! We have quite the healing community around us and I’d love to speak further. You can email me at jenny@jennymannion.com. Thanks Cate – look forward to meeting you.
Love, Jenny
Jenny!
As always you open my eyes to what they need to be opened to.
I really liked the discussion on the video along with your personal thoughts. This is a great new area for me to start thinking about. I really appreciate it.
you are so wise and courageous. Thank you for opening me to these ideas.
much love to you!
Katie
Hi Katie,
Thanks for all your kind words and I am happy you also find this topic interesting. I definitely recommend reading Dr. Brain Weiss and Dr. Michael Newton who I will be mentioning more in my next 2 posts. There are so many wonderful books and sites on the topic.
Always wonderful to have you hear Katie! I wish you all the best for happiness, laughter and success in 2010. 🙂
Lotsa Love, xo
Jenny
Hi Jenny, it puzzles me that anyone would think we don’t exist after death – a continuing existance has always been obvious to me. Apparently I used to ask my mother things like “where was I when you were a bride and Daddy was a groom?” and I remember thinking about other realities when I was very small (not in those terms!)
You write of “how exquisitely beautiful” death experinces can be – I’d suggest that this is the state we are evolving towards bringing into full expression on the physical plane, not such the non-physical. Also, anyone who dies has wiped themselves out with a huge amount of negative psychic mass, so releasing this accumulated density would be very “beautiful”.
I would personally describe all death as a huge waste and far from “beautiful”, although for everyone who dies it is a release from the pain they have created for themselves – then they get another chance at creating a better life next time, where they don’t need to die to escape it. I also don’t think knowing about continued existance would eradicate fear of death in any way, and death is far from being “just a transition”. We wipe ourselves with our negativity, and this is VERY PAINFUL, and we know it, which is why death has such morbid connotations. I’d suggest you read ‘The Door of Everthing’!
Jen – just wanted to say thanks for your friendship in my neck of the blogosphere (and in real life) – I’m closing my blog. No dount I’ll see you around one way or another!
.-= Robin´s last blog ..My Last Blog Post =-.
Hi Robin,
There are still MANY that hear the term “life after death” and shut themselves off from hearing more. Once you start researching this topic – it seems it would be pretty hard not to believe…but there are STILL skeptics and people who say they can NEVER believe in life after death. That is wonderful that you had that knowledge early on and I know there are many children who do – as I am writing about now as I write part 2 on past lives.
I wrote that most people describe NDE’s as exquisitely beautiful – I know from my research (personal and clinical) there are MANY emotions and much processing that does go along with the actual “transition”. I DO think of it as a transition because I have witnessed past lives and life between lives and those are REAL too. I don’t believe death is a waste but rather an opportunity to reflect, regroup, learn and try again in a new scenario AND a new body. As I will be writing about the “life between lives” IS SOOO exquisitely beautiful that I feel humans NEED that break and transition to regroup and remember how easy it can all be and feel that deep unconditional love.
Humans have many limitations in our own minds… I hope in my lifetime to see many of those dissolve as we evolve. I most certainly hope and pray to see that deep love that I have experienced between lives brought to this plane of existence. I never really had a huge FEAR of death but I have gained more peace learning from my studies as have a lot of people around me – especially some of the older ones who were beginning to fear death.
I am sorry to hear you are closing your blog but expect it is so you can concentrate on other loves and joys so that makes me smile. I look forward to staying in touch and hearing what you are up to. Much love and I wish you tons of success in all your endeavors Robin.
Love,
Jenny
Dr. Michael Newton’s books Journey of Souls and Destiny of Souls have transformed my life! I couldn’t put Journey of Souls down. I think my mouth was agape the whole time. We are all such beautiful, magnificent beings!
Jennifer, I just found your site through the Evolving Beings blog and I am loving what I am finding. I will explore more as I find more time. I am also very interested in your Reconnective Healing sessions. I know I’ve found you for a reason. 🙂
~Elissa
Hi Elissa,
A pleasure to meet you and I’m thrilled you found me through Evita’s site – isn’t she fantastic? 🙂
My mouth was open the whole time I read Journey of Souls too. Destiny of Souls took me a bit longer to get through as it was so detailed and held so much information but I loved that as well.
I could talk about reconnective healing all day so please don’t hesitate to email me questions. 🙂 I LOVE distance sessions as well so if you would like to experience it – I am always happy to oblige! You can feel free to email me at jenny@jennymannion.com.
Thanks Elissa – I am happy you like my site and please contact me if I can be of service or if you have any questions.
With love and gratitude,
Jenny
Hi Jenny,
Thanks for writing this and sharing the video- it is wonderful. Having had a NDE as a teenager this topic does fascinate me and l know I want o know more. What a coincidence I have just picked up Deepak’s new book. So timely I thought. I was also given for my bithday a book on an amazing Past Life Therapy- Many Lives, Many Master by Brian Weiss and 2 books by Lynn McTaggert.
I lok forward to parts 2 & 3
Love & Hugs
Suzie
.-= Suzie Cheel´s last blog ..2010 Predictions =-.
Hey Suzie,
I am so glad you enjoyed the post. Brian Weiss’s book is genius and entertaining to boot – I am sure you will love it. Ray and I just finished listening to the audio course version of “The Field – Living the Field” by Lynne McTaggart and just LOVE her. 🙂
I am writing part 2 now and HOPE to have it up by the weekend but am leaving to take Reconnection Level III early Friday in NYC over the weekend – so we’ll see. 🙂
Thanks so much for posting the inspiring video on predictions — it was inspiring and hopeful – just as I feel 2010 will be. 🙂
Much Love, xoxo
Jenny
Jenny, I know this is true.
After my son died in an accident, he did not leave this earth. I met a psychic, who by the way did not charge for her services, who gave me messages from him she had absolutely no way of knowing.
She did not know my family or me at all.
One extradordinary one is that she received a message from my son to tell another son who had filed for a college grant that it had been lost.
Sure enough it had. He filed it again and it was granted.
This woman had only completed the 6th grade. She did not know what a college grant was.
She worked regularly also for no pay with the police department.
She felt she had been given this gift and it was not ethical to charge for it.
She is now on the other side herself.
Hi Corinne,
Thank you so much for sharing your story. There is no doubt for me either. My work with Reconnective healing as well as all the modalities I have experienced as a client have proven it time and time again.
I am so happy you did receive useful information and of course I am so very sorry for your loss. I am happy you had someone that could communicate those messages to you.
I LOVED your interview with Dannion Brinkley and while it could have been posted here easily as it is one of the most compelling NDE I have heard — I will be posting a link in my Part 3 Life Between Lives section because he confirms so much of what Dr. Wiess and Dr. Newton have found in their studies.
Thanks so much for sharing and your comment.
Much Love,
Jenny
I enjoyed reading this post this morning as my start up for the day! Mind Activation.
I have been in so much pain, the torn ligament? pain that took up 5 months of last year is back, that I have been doing hours of breathing, meditation, and journal writing rather than reading so many blogs and posts.
This past week, I finally mustered some cleansing tears…I think I would say that I have never been afraid of death – more I have wondered if this pain is about leaving this realm now? or about more teaching/lessons to be learned.
.-= patricia´s last blog ..Book Review: Female Brain Gone Insane: An Emergency Guide for Women Who Feel like they are Falling Apart ~Mia Lundin, R.N.C., N.P. =-.
Hi Patricia,
I am sorry to hear your pain has returned. I tell all my clients when they experience pain to ask their body WHY and what it means and also to send love to that part of the body… obviously not if you need emergency care… But most of us when we feel pain have a habit of cursing our bad part and focusing on how horrible it is (believe me – with 6 years of chronic pain I remember HOW hard it is NOT TO).
I am glad you acknowledged the tears as masking emotions does not serve us either. Sometimes a GOOD CRY is exactly what we need.
You know I am here for you if you need…. hope you feel better soon.
Much Love, xo
Jenny