So now let me tell you what’s making me doubt my doubt.
My neighbor recently told me about the book, Proof of Heaven, about Eben Alexander’s near death experience (NDE). I’ve read books on NDE’s before, and found them inspirational, but not enough to shatter my doubt.
Still, my neighbor was gushing about this book, so I picked it up at the airport while waiting for my flight home from Seattle. I’m glad I did, because it turned my doubt on its head. My 75 percent doubt is down to 25 percent!
I found this book compelling because Alexander, a reputable neurosurgeon, is exceptionally credible. Before his NDE, he had little faith in God and did not believe in the phenomenon of NDE’s. As a scientist, he assumed that there was a good scientific explanation for out-of-body journeys.
After his NDE, however; he considered the scientific theories for his experience and they all fell flat. None of them could explain how he had his out-of-body experience while his neo-cortex, the part of the brain responsible for thoughts and emotions, was inactivated.
Since Alexander appeased my logical brain, I was open to his experience, which was astounding. If his experience was real, then life as we know it is only a fraction of what reality is and of what we are. Alexander is convinced (and did a good job of convincing me) that we’re spiritual beings, that death is only a transition and unconditional love is what God is, what we are and what we have to look forward to.
Photo courtesy of revelife.com.
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I’ve been waiting for this post! Wow- I’ve never read that book but now I’m going to pick it up! Thanks so much for sharing this!
I wouldn’t have written about this book unless it really moved me. Please do read it, and let me know what you think. Happy Friday! Celeste 🙂
I read the book and loved it. I agree with your analysis/review. I have passed the book on to doubting individuals I know. Hopefully, they will love the book as much as I did and have less doubt after reading it. In health and hapoiness, Tracy 😉
Thanks so much for you comment Tracy! It really is the kind of book you want to tell people about. It’s perfect for doubters, which I think the majority of us are. Have a wonderful weekend chica! Celeste 🙂
Hmm, you’ve definitely got my attention – I can relate on the doubt part. Will pick up this book!
Oh great Sophia! I’d love to hear what you think after you read it. Celeste 🙂
Okay…I’ve downloaded it onto my Kindle!
Yea! I hope you’ll let me know what you think of it. Celeste 🙂
This is so interesting, as I too have big doubts. I really want to believe, but all my logic goes against it. I studied religion in University too, I find it fascinating as a subject.. but the more I studied the harder it was for me to truly believe. I do think there is something greater out there, I just don’t know if I believe it’s what everyone says it is. Maybe I’ll take a look at that book. 🙂
You sound a lot like me with your doubts. In our modern world, sometimes I wonder why anyone believes in God at all. But then I start thinking about all the things that still go unexplained and about all of the people I know who have had “spiritual” experiences and I wonder if maybe there is something to it all. I hope you do read the book. It speaks volumes to people with doubts. I can’t impress on you enough how much this book impacted me. If you do read it, I hope you’ll share your thoughts. Celeste 🙂
I will read it and let you know.. 🙂
That’s great! Celeste 🙂
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I’ve noticed that there have been several books on the best seller list recently about heaven such as the book you read “Proof of Heaven”. Another book that I read is “Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy’s Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back” which is an interesting non fiction book. I guess we all want to go to that wonderful place rather than the other one.
It seem that today we need scientific proofs for every thing. I recently read the “Grand Design” by Stephen Hawkings. “THE FIRST MAJOR WORK IN NEARLY A DECADE BY ONE OF THE WORLD’S GREAT THINKERS—A MARVELOUSLY CONCISE BOOK WITH NEW ANSWERS TO THE ULTIMATE QUESTIONS OF LIFE. When and how did the universe begin? Why are we here? Why is there something rather than nothing? What is the nature of reality? Why are the laws of nature so finely tuned as to allow for the existence of beings like ourselves? And, finally, is the apparent “grand design” of our universe evidence of a benevolent creator who set things in motion—or does science offer another explanation? The most fundamental questions about the origins of the universe and of life itself, once the province of philosophy, now occupy the territory where scientists, philosophers, and theologians meet—if only to disagree.”
I read this book (which by the way was very readable and not too technical) and was left with the question, Who or What planned “The Grand Design”. Science says that they will find the answer through science. I think that that will only happen in the infinity of time.
I will leave you with this quote for the book, “How Can I Find God”.
“Vocatus atque no Vocatus, Deus aderit are the word of C. G. Jung has chiseled into his stone lintel in Switzerland, which mean, freely translated, that you will eventually find God whether you want to or not. If you want to (even if you don’t happen to believe He/She exists) all you have to do is find some quiet place, be quiet inside yourself, and ask Him to let you find Him (or you). As far as I know, it is a prayer that is always answered.” Frederick Buechner
Thanks for your thoughtful comment Mom! I’ve heard of the book, “Heaven is For Real: A Little Boy’s Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back”. It’s one of Alexander’s suggested reads. I might read that too.
I’ve read Hawking’s “A Brief History of Time”, but I haven’t read “Grand Design”. Maybe I’ll check it out one of these days. As far as science is concerned, I highly doubt that humans will ever be able to understand EVERYTHING through science. I recently heard on NPR that we know relatively little about our oceans. If we still know so little about our own oceans then how can we assume that we’ll someday know EVERYTHING. Our oceans are much easier to understand than the dark matter that makes up the majority of our universe, for gosh sakes.
I like the Buechner quote. And maybe that’s the problem with me and the world today. We’re too busy to find a quiet place to find God. I’ve heard so many deeply spiritual people say that God is found when we’re quiet. Maybe it’s time to get quiet. Celeste 🙂
I’m going through a spiritual crisis at the moment. I’m unsure about God, but what I have come to loath is religion. I will definitely have a look at this book. Thanks, Celeste.
Hey Michelle! I’m not a fan of organized religion either. Growing up Catholic and with Catholic guilt did not help me to find God. I hope you do read this book, it really moved me. Alexander tried to summarize what he learned in his NDE, and here’s what he came up with:
– “You are loved and cherished, dearly, forever.”
– “You have nothing to fear.”
– “There is nothing you can do wrong.”
This book has me 75% believing those three things, which are such healing, wonderful things to believe. Celeste 🙂
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Oh, you’ve just reminded me to read this book! I had forgotten about it. Thanks!
I’d like to suggest to ya another blog you’d might like to read (if you’re not already). The ladies who author it are a sweet mixture of Catholic and Protestant believers, which makes it extra special to me. I used to attend a Bible study with my best friends back home, and that’s what we were – from all kinds of churches and non-attenders. But we all believed in the same Lord! Woohoo! That blog I’d like to suggest is: praypower4today.wordpress.com
Thanks so much for reading this post – that means a lot! This book made a huge impact on me. I’m going to go check out the blog you suggested now. Thanks!! Celeste 🙂
I’m glad to see how much interest there is in NDE. It represents one kind (but only one kind) of spiritual experience. Stay open to experience Celeste!
Thanks for reading! I’m open and exploring!! 🙂