BOOK TALK

 by Gayl Woityra

Most people tend to avoid the subject of death, no doubt because of its deep mystery on the one hand and for the general negative connotation our society places on it. Much of the world’s population feels some level of fear and trepidation at the very thought of death, and most people rely on some kind of faith or belief system to feel hopeful about what happens to each of us following that inevitable transition from the physical world to whatever follows.

People of faith tend to believe in some form of afterlife, good or bad as in some kind of heaven or hell. Those without faith may fret over a possible “nothingness.” Nearly everyone, however, would like to feel much more comfortable about what happens after we die. Fortunately, many fine authors and teachers write books that can help us ponder some of the reasonable possibilities. We shall examine two such works this month.

First we turn to a new work by prolific author, lecturer, teacher and physician, Deepak Chopra, MD: Life After Death: The Burden of Proof (Harmony Books, 2006). Deepak Chopra brings a unique, multi-cultural approach to the subject, one that integrates the ancient wisdom of the Vedic rishis (wise men from India) with 21st century science. With his gift for insightful thought and clear expression, Chopra has written a profound book that is both enlightening to readers and comforting as well.
Clearly, Deepak Chopra is held in high esteem by a huge cross-section of contemporary peers in various disciplines. This book begins with an exceptional 13 pages of praise for Life After Death from dozens of his peers, including: physicist Amit Gaswami, PhD; Caroline Myss; Dean Radin, PhD; author Eckhart Tolle; Professor Harvey Cox of Harvard; Jean Houston, PhD; Joan Borysenko, PhD; Larry Dossey, MD; Marianne Williamson, and many others. All of these good people have complimentary words to say about this book. Clearly, it is a work worthy of our attention.

From the very title of his book, readers will immediately discern that Chopra’s thesis is that, indeed, there is a continuance of life following that process we call death. To build his case in which East meets West and science meets spirituality, he uses story-telling to illustrate the wisdom of the Vedic tradition (a part of his childhood experiences in India). He then integrates these stories with his own adult experiences as a medical doctor, his research and experiences in spirituality, and current studies in quantum physics. His fluent, articulate writing makes all of this easily understandable to the reader.

Throughout the book Chopra utilizes his eclectic background, scientific training and life experiences to present his themes. Readers are, of course, free to accept or reject his arguments and proofs. Early in the book he states that certain themes “will figure prominently in this book:

The afterlife is a place of newfound clarity.

The afterlife isn’t static. We continue to evolve and grow after we die.

Choice doesn’t end with death; it expands.

Earthly images carry us into the afterlife (we see what our culture has conditioned us to see), but then the soul makes creative leaps that open new worlds.” Readers who are curious about these ideas will want to read the details and explanations Chopra provides.

The book has two parts. “Part One: Life After Death” is the larger section with 12 chapters. “Part Two: The Burden of Proof” has four chapters. First, I’ll briefly note some of the subjects Chopra discusses in each part. Since the subject is so complex, we will keep pretty much to summary. Then we will close our discussion of this work by noting some of our favorite insights and “words of wisdom” from the text.

In order to clarify for readers his own basic foundation of beliefs, Chopra shares a “non-technical” discussion of his upbringing in the “vast philosophical system known as Vedanta.” (We should also note that his actual schooling occurred in a Catholic school.) He does state throughout the book, however, that the famed “rishis” (Vedic wise men) of the past seemed to “know” much, if not more, about life and the life-beyond than current science knows today. An ancient Vedic folk tale forms the structure for each chapter. Chopra also explains that Vedanta “isn’t a religion,” but rather what some in more current times call “the perennial philosophy,” or the “Ageless Wisdom.” In Vedanta, “the soul isn’t separate from God,” but rather, “there is unity between the human and the divine.”

Various topics enter into Chopra’s discussion about “Life After Death.” He covers near-death experiences (NDE) in some depth. Then he discusses various belief systems, including current religious practices in the U.S., the Christian concept of heaven and hell, ghosts and research into communication with the dead, angels, devas and spirit guides, and reincarnation. In his discussion of “The Burden of Proof,” he describes current studies of the Akashic Field and Zero Point Field, current research about the “extended mind,” and the new physics that seems to be building a bridge “between the scientific and spiritual views of the world.” All of these discussions are lucid, relatively easy to read and certainly both informative and ultimately comforting to readers who are concerned about death.

And now we turn to a few of my favorite passages in Chopra’s book. Certain statements in any book that make me pause, sit back and ponder, are what I call “gems.” Chopra, quoting Jesus, notes: “The kingdom [of God] is within you.” In other words, says Chopra, “heaven is an inward experience – an experience in consciousness.” Another gem is: “Truth, wisdom, beauty, and all the other qualities of the soul don’t need physical settings. Pure love exists even in the absence of a person to love.”

A few more gems are:

“We go through life making who we are.”

“The soul has no location. It exists everywhere and nowhere at the same time.” (Note: this idea coincides with the current quantum physics theory of “non-locality.”)

“Mind is more collective than individual... 90 percent of our thoughts are picked up from society and its many outlets.”

“Paradoxically, God is the Creator and (my emphasis) his creation.”

Chopra summarizes his book with these words: “In this book I’ve tried to present a view of the afterlife based on consciousness, and issues about consciousness can be settled, at least partially, through science.” Therefore the final chapters deal with current research on the outer edges of science. For example, he says: “Physics never set out to prove that the universe is self-aware (but) cutting-edge theories are starting to include that once unthinkable idea.” Some current research also “brings us one step closer to the breathtaking notion that the whole universe is God’s mind.”

Clearly, Deepak Chopra’s discussion of Life After Death will open the minds of many because it is so informative as well as inspiring. His final gift to the reader is a chapter-like section called “Reading Notes” in which he presents suggestions for further reading and study on the various topics, not in the usual bibliographic format, but rather in informal paragraphs in which he explains the suggested sources and why he likes those particular books and authors.

In fact, it is in this very section that we find a bridge to our second discussion in this Book Talk. In his chapter discussing near-death experiences, Chopra particularly notes that “the near-death experiences of children are particularly fascinating because they are considered to be innocent, unbiased witnesses.” He recommends a “notable writer” on this topic, P.M.H. Atwater. This is a woman who has specialized in researching children’s near-death experiences.

And so we move to our second book, We Live Forever: The Real Truth About Death (ARE Press, 2004) by P.M.H. Atwater. Atwater is a favorite writer of mine and we have discussed some of her work previously in Book Talk. For years Atwater has been a renowned researcher of near-death experiences, motivated by her own three such experiences. This book differs from her previous works, however, in that those focused on objective reports from her research, especially studies of children. In this one she says “I decided to shift my emphasis from thinking like a researcher to feeling like a person.” In this book she shares a blend of her studies and her own experiences, thoughts and insights. There is much to learn here and much wisdom to ponder and absorb.

Here is an introductory gem of wisdom to ponder: “We give the gift of our potential at birth, what we can become. At death, we leave the gift of our achievement, what we did with what we had.”

What Atwater shares with readers is predominantly inner knowledge that she has acquired from her own near-death experiences, as well as the shared experiences of thousands of her research subjects. For example, she states unequivocally, “Literally, the fabric of the universe (is) consciousness.” She says, “What resides within our earthly frame.... is a projection from our soul’s mass.”

Most people, at one time or another, wonder about their purpose in life, what is sometimes referred to as our “mission.” Atwater says that our mission “is that contribution that is possible for us to make once we merge into or are cooperative with our soul.” And here is the key to that: “We are separate from our Source only for as long as we think we are separate.” She continues, “All of us are cells in the Greater Body, expressions of the One God. We are one with the One. Always and ever connected.” Supporting this statement, she quotes from two of the world’s sacred scriptures: “I have said, You are gods; all of you are children of the most High” (Psalm 82-6, Old Testament); and “God becomes man in order that man might become God” (Bhagavad Gita, Hindu).

I love it when authors challenge readers in various ways. Atwater amused me when she wrote, “My goal is to stretch your mind, not stuff it into another ‘belief box.’” This statement precedes her description of the after-life “based upon personal witnessing balanced with careful research.” Some readers may find her description imaginative, even fantastic; others may just be intrigued with its possibilities. For example, she found “layers upon layers of worlds.” Readers somewhat knowledgeable about quantum physics might draw parallels to physicist David Bohm’s “implicate orders.” In this section, Atwater describes “heaven,” “hell” and the “akashic records.”

People uncomfortable about the subject of death will especially appreciate Atwater’s chapter entitled “The Real Truth About Death.” This chapter reflects the collective experiences and voices of hundreds of people who have experienced the near-death phenomenon. Some insights here include: “The biggest surprise for most people in dying is to realize that death does not end life.” Another point is: “When you die, you lose your body. That is all there is to it. Nothing else is lost.” Another report says, “You don’t die when you die. You shift your degree or consciousness and change your speed of vibration. That is all death is. A shift.”

A very special part of Atwater’s book are her chapters describing specific ways each of us can share and assist in the passing of another. The tendency for most of us is to feel helpless and frustrated at the deathbed of a dear relative or friend. What is wonderful to know is that there are things we can do at that time that will benefit the individual making the “shift” or transition to the “other-side.” Moreover, knowing that we can lovingly assist another will relieve our own feelings of helplessness and make us feel good about ourselves as well. Like many others, Atwater notes that “prayer is so important at the deathbed and afterward.”

There is more to know and do, however. Atwater describes the use of music to aid a peaceful crossover and she provides numerous sources for CDs, videos, books and other references at the conclusion of her book. Some acts are obvious, simple ones, like being there at the bedside, holding a hand or combing the hair and giving quiet assurances that “it is OK to leave.” She describes simple techniques for “pacing your breathing with that of the dying individual” and talking softly about “how easy and effortless and good it is to leave the heaviness and pain of the physical body behind.” Readers may also be interested in and comforted by information about the Healing Helpers Program.

Atwater’s book, We Live Forever, is a blessing for readers in its loving affirmation of on-going life and its practicality in demonstrating that we can help each other in life’s most challenging moments. Books like hers and Deepak Chopra’s assist us all by helping us better understand the very natural process we call “death” and through sharing insights into its meaning and purpose, as well as identifying what part we can play in our own and others’ transition to a continuing life.

Gayl Woityra, a retired high school English and Humanities teacher, now resides in Arizona where she continues to pursue her eclectic metaphysical studies in consciousness, the Ageless Wisdom, astrology, flower essences, music, color and alternative medicine. Please visit http://love-that-spirit.blogspot.com