Evidence of the Afterlife: The Science of Near-Death Experiences

This book's focus is just what is indicated on the cover: scientific evidence of the afterlife. Before going further, let's look at what "scientific" means here. We are not talking quantum physics or any new age stuff that is so prevalent now (there are many physicists who cringe at the idea of quantum mechanics being used as "proof" of the spiritual world). This is not a lab with flasks and Bunsen burners. This is done in behavioral science methodology, specifically, survey research and quantitative analysis. Before you yawn, don't worry, it does not get bogged down in jargon, but it does have somewhat of a relaxed scholarly tone, basically somewhere between conversational and textbook. Now that we have that out of the way, let's take a look at the meat and drink. There are 9 main points of evidence presented by the author. This is the largest scientific study of NDEs (near death experiences) to date. The techniques used for analysis are legitimate and used in the behavioral sciences regularly. What this does is provide techniques to give confirmation that the reported NDEs are actually legitimate, and not some fabrication. The evidence provided by NDE survivors is compounded with medical evidence and presented in a very clear and concise way (the book isn't all that long, comparatively speaking). Adding backup is medical research that verifies the physical state of the NDE survivors (they were either clinically dead or basically there), which is used to counter a lot of the skeptical arguments. So how does the author address skepticism? Very well. Sometimes, it may seem as though Dr. Long is a bit defensive, but I see it more as he is being preemptive. That is what scholars do, they do their best to cover counter-arguments to their research. What this does for Evidence of the Afterlife is round it out to be a very solid piece. Just as the author does, I find it reasonable to conclude the existence of life after bodily death, and the very distinct possibility that this earthly life is only a small part of our existence. What you will not see in this book is preaching of any particular religion. Quite the opposite in fact. I found reading this to be a spiritual experience but not a religious one. One of the points in the book is that young children, adults, etc have consistent content in their NDEs but this content is also consistent across religions and ethnic backgrounds. In other words, they are religiously neutral. Food for thought. Though I do see this as strong evidence of life after death, I will give this caveat: a firm believer in nothing (which is a belief in something) probably will not be convinced. The reason for this is, like any other belief system, it is difficult, if not impossible for others to convince someone to change them. The same is for someone who is deeply religious. The religiously neutral presentation could be interpreted by some as the "work of the devil". If you are not open to such presentations that may fly in the face of your beliefs, I encourage you to pass this one by. It will just make you mad. For those who are open or exploring their own spirituality, or are just questioning and looking for answers, this is a definite must-buy.

There has been much evidence throughout the ages of the existence of God and His plan for us all. The ultimate reality of restoration to Him is voiced in Dr. Long's book, Evidence of the Afterlife. His exquisite, inspired work is yet additional evidence that adherence to a consciousness of His existence and plan is being revealed. Yes, our ways of understanding are so perverted by our limited consciousness and understanding that He needs to lift up various emissaries to testify of Him. Dr. Long presents a coherent model, grounded in the testimony of persons that have peered through the veil of illusion that most live in. It is the best evidence we have thus far, and a pivotal springboard for further development of evidence. Much evidence can be found in the transformation of lives. My own life has been guided by my NDE in 1976; I was 21 years old with a 4 year old son. I had been raised by an embittered, impoverished, lonely woman in the hot, harsh reality of a dingy apartment in LA. My former consciousness was replaced by an entirely new way of perceiving that I formerly had no clue to. I had learned that fear was the obstacle to overcome and love the vehicle. Immediately, I chose to make profound changes in my life, left a consciousness bound to the wheel of poverty and fear and, within weeks found rest and restoration in a life high in the mountains of northern Idaho. Before, I was likely bound by fear to repeat the cruel cycle of my childhood, and then I devoted myself to making sense of the experience within the context of this world, by faith. Eventually, I engaged in academic and spiritual training at a Christian university, and became a nurse engaged in ICU and hospice work. There I found the need for psychiatric and spiritual support for these dear ones, and trained as a psychiatric nurse practitioner and began practice. At the same time, I completed PhD training as a nurse research scientist studying people who were experiencing life-threatening events. For the last many years I have been privileged to in provide psychotherapy and spiritual support by the sea in the NW. Mine is not a perfect life; there are dark nights of the soul, but, if I choose (God's precious gift to us all), I am illumined with the same bright light of love and security that I experienced there. I long to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, yet am perpetuated this life by sharing His glory. Very rarely have I revealed my experience to anyone except in the context of assuring others with death anxiety or for spiritual healing. Dr. Long's exceptionally inspired research and book has been an answer to prayer for me. It establishes a body of scientific evidence and interest in this larger reality of, not only what is in store for us, but also available now to those who have a consciousness now of what is. His work points the Way that He would have us be now and provides assurance He intends for us all to have of the existence of Him. This life is not out there, it is available here and now. We must look to the evidence of faith revealed in the lives that have returned from this experience to learn more. Through the testimony of their experience and then the evidence of the effect of that experience in their lives we will come to know more about God's plan for us all. I would like to participate in creating a coherent model of how and why life choices are made enlightened by the reality of the NDE experience. The veil of illusion no longer exists for those that have "seen" the other side. One can no longer merely exist in a world without consciousness. The soul takes no pleasure in shrinking back, but is inspired to move forward imbued with the Will of God. We must pay greater attention to what we have heard from these with NDEs to learn about the transformation and manifestation by God here and now. The voices in Dr. Long's study can help point the Way to the larger reality God would have us live in. Yes, our instruments are inadequate to measure and quantify this reality. The reality will be revealed in the manner of life chosen. We must, moment by moment, choose to align our very beings with His and perpetuate the unfolding of His plan by incorporating this larger reality into this mostly mundane, unconscious world. There is a responsibility to live, love, teach, and heal those who are willing. I humbly, and with utmost gratitude, thank Dr. Long for persevering in his inspired research to provide this firm foundation, and to actuate within the scientific community the need to understand the implications for further research.

The NDE stories are what truly fascinated me. There was quite a lot of scientific information and knowledge presented in the book. While I think it validated the proof of an after life it did slow things down at times. Overall the book was an excellent read.

There is some repetition in the text, but it contains life changing data from people who have died and come back - gives you a glimpse of how the Universe works! NDE stories have turned me from agnostic to a believer of God. And reinforced the information that most religions are just good businesses and full of baloney.

Buen respaldo para la evidencia de sobre-vida. Bien estructurado aunque a veces repetitivo. Me gustó más el de Van Lommell, pero este ayuda a ir un paso más allá-

The authors explain very well the 9 lines of evidence that prove that NDEs are real, with refutations for skeptics. They included a lot of research that has been made in the past and great NDEs stories for each topic! I really liked these phrases: “There is no earthly experience that consistently reproduces any part of the near-death experience.” “When NDErs share their remarkable experiences, I believe a piece of the afterlife, in some mysterious way, becomes available to us all.”

If you are only going to read one book that deals with near death experiences, this is the one to read. Having read numerous publications on this topic, while all of them were good in their own right, this one gives the best summarial statements and proofs of the existence of NDEs. Having had an NDE myself less than a year ago, I can personally verify that what the author writes about is absolutely true. This is a state of heightened awareness, is a completely surreal experience, it does change your life's outlook, your fear of death is lessened considerably and that there is a lack of words to describe the event itself. But this author takes this process even one step further. Having created a website the allows persons to detail their personal NDEs, Jeffery Long MD is able to take the data from these surveys and conclude, from his studies, that there is life after death and that NDEs are merely one manner of showing that. He bases his conclusion on nine different parameters each of which would lead to the conclusion of a likelihood of the survival of consciousness after death. By adding the conclusions of all nine parameters together, however, the author feels that he is compelled to conclude that life after physical death is inevitable. While none of us can know this with 100% certainty until it occurs to us (myself included), it is encouraging to have this conclusion be reached by a man of science, where facts drive conclusions, and not merely by a religious figurehead who 'feels through faith' that this will occur.

Very Interesting read. Though it becomes tough to understand the interpretations given by the Author as to the meaning of the experience