Copyright 2009
by Josie Varga
1st Printing, October 2009
Printed in the U.S.A.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
A.R.E. Press
215 67th Street
Virginia Beach, VA 23451-2061
ISBN-13: 978-0-87604-499-5 (trade paper)
All photographs are the property of the contributors whose stories appear in this book.
Cover design by Christine Fulcher
This book would not have been possible had it not been for the many wonderful contributors who agreed to share their experiences. Therefore, this book is dedicated to all of them with heartfelt thanks.
Gary E. Schwartz, PhD
Natalie Smith-Blakeslee
Suzane Northrop
Raymond Moody, MD, PhD
Christina
The late Reverend Juliet Nightingale
Terry
Denise Lescano
Nancy Clark
Glenn Klausner
Karen Christopherson
Phyllis Hotchkiss
P.M.H. Atwater, LHD
Toni DiBernardo-Jones
Summersnow Wilson
Angela Denes
M.G. Raub
Phil Whitt
Carolyn B. Coleridge, LCSW
Mary Ellen Angel Scribe
R. Craig Hogan, PhD
Dianne Arcangel
Agnes J. Thomas, PhD
Dr. Claudio Pisani
John Edward
Mitch Carmody
Jen-Irishu
Janice E. Burpee
Lois Brunet
Reverend Rita S. Berkowitz
Barbara M. Veillette
Sheran Wickstrom
Mark E. Miller
Santina
Elly Vahey
Cindy Bigham
Joyce Keller
Guy Dusseault
Cherie, D.J.'s Mom
Cynthia D. Landrum
Carole Bellacera
Anthony Quinata
Ann Albers
Lynne Gawley-Hofstetter
T. Edgar
Judy Collier
Michelle Leech
Artie Hoffman
William
Maria Campanella
Donna A. Bowman
Patricia Federico
Sheila Upton
Christine Duminiak
Kathie Carrigan
Daniel M. Darrow
Anna O'Donoghue
Dr. Allan Botkin
Carol Rhodes
Adriana Martinez
Ruby Kennard
Helen Fisher
Herbert Hawkins
Antonietta LoGiudice
Marie
Christine Sherborne
Dr. Clark Schmidt
Larry Gibble
Mindy
Frankie H.
Patty Garris Layne
Glenn Dove
Judy C.
Karen Lasso
Annamaria Hemingway
Ellen Reid
Barbara Yule
Louis LaGrand, PhD
Melvin L. Morse, MD, FAAP
Marie D. Jones
George Anderson
Cheryl Booth
Acknowledgments
Whenever I am asked about the writing of my book, I repeatedly state that this is not my book but our book. This book belongs to all of those individuals who helped me in some way. They are not only the many contributors who are listed on the dedication page but are also the kindhearted individuals who helped to promote it or gave me their love and encouragement.
I would like to begin by making special mention of Juliet Nightingale. At the very beginning of my research, I came across her Web site (www.towardthelight.org) and contacted her. Juliet had multiple near-death experiences and was the host of a radio show called Toward the Light. For reasons that I cannot explain, I knew that I was meant to contact her. The day after receiving my e-mail, Juliet responded, I am meant to help you so I am going to help you. I was amazed but not surprised.
Juliet gave two accounts to this book and put me in touch with many of the contributors; she even advertised my call for submissions on her Web site. I appeared as a guest on her popular Internet radio show, and whenever I began to get discouraged, she was always there with her love and support.
Sadly, Juliet was diagnosed with cancer and passed away on February 28, 2009. I will never forget the last conversation I had with her on this physical plane. I told her I was not ready to let her go yet. To this she immediately assured me with her sweet, calming voice, Josie, it's OK. I will be there to help you from the Other Side. I can feel her presence as I write these words now. I know she is here with me, and I also know she played a big part in getting this book published. Thank you, Juliet. You will forever be in my heart.
As I continued to delve into my spiritual quest, I came to the Web site of John W. Sloat ( www.beyondreligion.com ). John, a former Presbyterian clergyman, retired following forty years in the ministry after having a spiritual experience in which he recalled a past death. His Web site includes various mystical accounts submitted by people around the world. John graciously allowed me to contact some of his contributors who then agreed to be part of this book.
I am very grateful for his support and encourage all of you to take a look at his wonderful Web site for more information. As John writes, There is a vast ocean of spiritual truth waiting to be discovered. In the future, we will no longer be frightened by God's continuing revelation in our day.
My heartfelt thanks go out to Dr. Gary Schwartz for writing the foreword and for believing not only in me but also in the contents of this book. In addition, I send gratitude to Natalie Smith-Blakeslee for writing the preface and for helping me in so many ways including finding contributors for this book. Many contributors had an extra hand in helping me find afterlife accounts. They especially include Anthony Quinata, Christine Duminiak, R. Craig Hogan, and Ann Albers.
I would also like to thank Andrew Barone and Jane Heady for their kindness and support. To all the contributors who prayed for the release of this book, thank you from the bottom of my heart. So many of you believed in this book from the start including Cassie McQuagge, production manager with A.R.E. Press. Thank you, Cassie. You are a godsend.
It meant the world to me to have the support of so many experts in the field. I cannot thank them enough for agreeing to write a chapter for this book. They are Louis LaGrand, P.M.H. Atwater, Melvin Morse, Nancy Clark, Marie D. Jones, George Anderson, and Cheryl Booth.
Lastly, I would like to thank my loving family and all the wonderful friends who stood by me throughout the writing of this book. Special thanks go to Stan Paylago, a great lawyer and even better friend, for taking me on as his pro-bono client. I truly appreciate your help and guidance.
To my husband John, who is one heck of a proofreader, you mean the world to me. And to my two beautiful daughters, Erica and Lia, Mommy loves you very much.
Namaste!
Afterlife Science and Stories of Visits Where the Whole is Greater than the Sum of its Parts
Foreword by
Gary E. Schwartz, PhD
University of Arizona
www.drgaryschwartz.com
Is life after death real?
Do our departed loved ones continue to feel love for us as we do for them?
Are visits from heaven true?
If you are a professional questioner and wondererin other words, if you happen to be employed as a full-time academic scientistyour answers will typically be qualified by tentative words such as maybe and could be and you would be cautious about drawing conclusions about the veracity of people's personal accounts of afterlife communication experiences.