Spiritualism and near-death experiences

My first exposure to what(ever) happens to us after earthly death came from literature on the near-death experience (NDE). Then someone on an NDE Forum suggested I read an account by someone who had been in the spirit world longer than the NDE'rs: specifically, Life In the World Unseen, by Robert Hugh Benson / Anthony Borgia.

Since then I've been reading much and getting ever more fascinated with Spiritualism.

But my point is: many Spiritualists suggest that the movement is in decline, and it may well be. But the public is undoubtedly interested in first-person accounts of life after death: as evidenced by the fact that some NDE accounts, such as Todd Burpo's Heaven is For Real, have become best-sellers.

Thus my question is: wouldn't the NDE community be a fertile field from which to spur new interest in Spiritualism?

Jim

Very interesting topic my friend.

Perhaps Spiritualism isn't the right vehicle for this kind of information any more?

Well, of the two, the near death experience is certainly getting far more media attention, and has more public awareness.

But I think the two are related, and complimentary. NDE's are providing a lot of medically-documented evidence relating to the fact of life after death, and a glimpse at the initial stages of that life.

Spiritualism has a well-doumented history, and provides more in-depth information.


Jim

I don't really see how it would offer more information about the stages of that life than people who went there permanently could offer. There are some very good NDE examples, but I am not sure they offer much insight into the 'world beyond' over what has been obtained from mediums. They can add another strand of evidence though.

obiwan wrote:I don't really see how it would offer more information about the stages of that life than people who went there permanently could offer. There are some very good NDE examples, but I am not sure they offer much insight into the 'world beyond' over what has been obtained from mediums.

That's what I said, Obiwan!

Jim

It's partly what you said

The biggest problem we face in Spiritualism is to present a thinking view to re-engage those who want a more intellectual philosophy. At the moment if I walked into one of the (often too) many places presenting the modern mismatch of new age, psychism and Spiritualism with a distinct lack of decent survival evidence i am not sure I would still be attending.

NDE resarchers tend to be into more research than attending one of our centres for a message of the "Dearie I see you have a yellow aura" type. Yes its yellow because at the moment I am thinking about what you are doing, it will be red soon because I am cross at the rubbish I am hearing.

Lol