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After Death Communication
~ Joyous Reunions With Deceased Loved Ones ~
©1995; by Bill Guggenheim & Judy Guggenheim
co-authors of Hello From Heaven! published by Bantam Books
Have you been contacted by a loved one who has died? After-death communication (ADC) is probably as old as mankind, but ours is the first complete research study of this field. These spiritual experiences are extremely common, and in many other parts of the world they are discussed openly and freely.
Between 1988 & 1995, we interviewed 2,000 people who live in all fifty American states and the ten Canadian provinces. Ranging in age from children to the elderly, they represent diverse social, educational, economic, occupational, and religious backgrounds. We conservatively estimate that at least 50 million Americans, or 20% of the population, have had one or more ADC experiences – and the actual numbers may be closer to double these figures!
We collected more than 3,300 firsthand accounts of ADCs from people who have been contacted by a deceased family member or friend. These are spontaneous and direct communications that may occur anytime and anywhere, but no third parties such as psychics, mediums, hypnotists, or devices of any kind are involved.
Based upon our research, the following are the twelve most frequent types of after-death communication people report having with their deceased loved ones:
Sensing A Presence: This is the most common form of contact. But many people discount these experiences, thinking, "Oh, I'm just imagining this." It's a distinct feeling that your loved one is nearby, even though he or she can't be seen or heard. Though most often felt during the days and weeks immediately after the death, you may sense his or her presence months and even years later.
Hearing A Voice: Some people state they hear an external voice, the same as when a living person is speaking to them. However, the majority of communications are by telepathy – you hear the voice of your relative or friend in your mind. When you have two-way communication, it is usually by telepathy. In fact, it's possible to have an entire conversation this way.
Feeling A Touch: You may feel your loved one touch you with his or her hand, or place an arm around your shoulders or back, for comfort and reassurance. You may feel a tap, a pat, a caress, a stroke, a kiss, or even a hug. These are all forms of affection, nurturing, and love.
Smelling A Fragrance: You may smell your relative's or friend's favorite cologne, after-shave lotion, or perfume. Other common aromas are: flowers (especially roses), bath powders, tobacco products, favorite foods, and his or her personal scent.
Visual Experiences: There are a wide variety of visual experiences, which we have divided into two broad categories: partial visual and full visual ADCs. Appearances range from "a transparent mist" to "absolutely solid" with many gradations in between. You may see only the head and shoulders of your relative or friend, or someone you love may make a full appearance to you, and you will see the entire body as well, which will appear completely solid. Some visual ADCs occur in the bedroom, next to or at the foot of the bed. Others may happen anywhere – indoors or outdoors – even in a car or aboard a plane. Typically he or she will be expressing love and well-being with a radiant smile. Loved ones virtually always appear healed and whole regardless of their cause of death. Verbal communication may take place, but not always.
Visions: You may see an image of a deceased loved one in a "picture" that is either two-dimensional and flat or three-dimensional like a hologram. It's like seeing a 35 mm slide or a movie suspended in the air. Visions are usually in radiant colors and may be seen externally with your eyes open or internally in your mind. Communication may occur, especially during meditation.
Twilight Experiences: These occur in the alpha state – as you're falling asleep, waking up, meditating, or praying. You may have any or all of the above types of experiences while you are in this state of consciousness.
ADC Experiences While Asleep: Sleep-state ADCs are much more vivid, intense, colorful, and real than dreams. They are very common. Both one-way and two-way communications are typical. You usually feel your loved one is with you in person – that you're having an actual visit together. These experiences are not jumbled, filled with symbols, or fragmented the way dreams are.
Sleep-state ADCs are similar to those that occur when you are wide awake. Your relative or friend can come to you more easily, however, when you are relaxed, open, and receptive, such as while you are in the alpha state or asleep.
Out-Of-Body ADCs: These may occur while you are asleep or in a meditative state. They are dramatic experiences during which you leave your body and often visit your loved one at the place or level where he or she exists. These are extremely vivid, intense, and real – some say, "more real than physical life." The environments usually contain beautiful flowers and butterflies, colorful bushes and trees, radiant lighting, and other lovely aspects of nature – and are filled with happiness, love, and joy.
Telephone Calls: These ADCs may occur during sleep or when you are wide awake. You will hear a phone ringing, and if you answer it, your loved one will give you a short message. Two-way conversations are possible. His or her voice will usually be clear but may seem far away. If you are awake, you will probably not hear a disconnect sound or a dial tone when the call is completed.
Physical Phenomena: People who are bereaved often report receiving a wide variety of physical signs from their deceased relative or friend, such as: lights or lamps blinking on and off; lights, radios, televisions, stereos, and mechanical objects being turned on; photographs, pictures, and various other items being turned over or moved; and a long list of "things that go bump in the night."
Symbolic ADCs: People frequently ask a Higher Power, the universe, or their deceased loved one for a sign that he or she still exists. Many receive such a sign, though it may take some time to arrive. Occasionally these signs are so subtle they may be missed, or they may be discounted as mere "coincidences." Common signs include: butterflies, rainbows, many species of birds and animals, flowers, and a variety of inanimate objects such as coins and pictures.
According to our research, the purpose of these visits and signs by those who have died is to offer comfort, reassurance, and hope to their parents, spouse, siblings, children, grandchildren, other family members, and friends. They want you to know they're still alive and that you'll be reunited with them when it's your time to leave this physical life on earth – and they'll be there to greet you when you make your transition. Their most frequent messages, expressed verbally or non-verbally, include:
"I'm okay ... I'm fine ... Everything is okay ... Don't worry about me ...
Don't grieve for me ... Please let me go ... I'm happy ... Everything will be all right ...
Go on with your life ... Please forgive ... Thank you ... I'll always be there for you ...
I'm watching over you ... I'll see you again ... I love you ... Good-bye ..."
You may be asked to give a message from your loved one to somebody else. We urge you to write down the message verbatim and to deliver it, if possible, because it may help the recipient far more than you realize.
Nearly all ADCs are positive, joyful, and uplifting encounters that reduce grief, provide lasting comfort and hope, and accelerate emotional and spiritual healing. We encourage you to trust your own experiences and to accept them as being real for you.
Unfortunately, some people react with fear when they have an ADC. This is usually because they are startled by the suddenness of the event, or they may have never heard of one happening to anybody else. Such people may assume they are "losing their mind and going crazy." And others find it difficult to reconcile after-death communications with their philosophical or religious beliefs.
Not all people are contacted by their deceased loved ones. We don't know for certain why some are and some aren't, but it seems that fear, anger, and prolonged heavy grief inhibit the possibility of having an ADC.
Based upon our research, we suggest the following: Ask for a sign that your relative or friend continues to exist. Pray for him or her and others who are affected by the death, including yourself. We recommend that you learn how to meditate, especially if you are currently bereaved or have unresolved grief. Meditation will enable you to relax and soften any fear or anger you may have. It will reduce your depression, improve your ability to eat and sleep, and facilitate your healing process. These deep relaxation exercises will also allow you to unfold your inner, intuitive senses. In fact, you may have an ADC experience while you are meditating.
Our research indicates that after-death communications are a natural and normal part of life. Therefore, we feel ADCs deserve the same public awareness and acceptance that near-death experiences (NDEs) have already received.
For most people, an after-death communication from a deceased family member or friend is valued as a sacred and profound experience that will be cherished for a lifetime. ADC experiences usually expand one's understanding of life and offer a deeper awareness of life after death. They consistently communicate an essential spiritual message: "Life and love are eternal."
Copyright © 1995 - 2009 The ADC Project. All rights reserved.
Webmaster: Will Guggenheim
Comment
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Comment by dream moon JO B on July 24, 2020 at 5:55pm
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grt storyy alma it is latley iv bean gein fethrs on door stepp fali in my bags or in my handd or hanbag i ahbv
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Comment by Alma P on July 23, 2020 at 12:57am
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When I was younger I lost one of my best friends. We were 17 and he had been shot. I felt a huge heaviness on that day and could not explain where it was coming from.
Some time later, someone told me the story of him getting shot a block away from his house. They said the date and I remember the pager from that date. The sudden jolt flooded me... tears came out of my eye sockets and blood smeared into them. I saw blood on my face in the mirror. I washed it away...
Several months later, the grief would not leave me. I fell asleep with my window open one night. I dreamt of a building next to a smaller tree. Him and i were sitting together. I was in his lap. He said "everything is going to be ok" and he hugged me before I heard a woman calling his name. Then he had to go and I woke up.
Some time later, I finally mustered up enough strength and courage to visit his grave. I found it... and not 20 ft from that grave was the building with the tree exactly as i dreamt it. I will never forget it.
That year, my 18th birthday came and a single white butterfly followed me through the house, down the hall, and into my dark bedroom. My sister in law said that is too creepy. I went in my room and I felt a comfort. Bryan used to tell me that moths and butterflies are spirits of the dead coming to visit us. I remembered him telling me that as we once sat in his garage, he missed his father who had passed away, and it brought him comfort so we let the moth stay in the garage with us as we talked all night. He also told me that he had a reoccurring dream that he would go young one day and he needed to live as much as he could until then.
So... Before I fell asleep, I told that butterfly that I knew he was there for a moment and would need to leave again... so I opened the window, and thanked him before going to sleep that night.
I didn't realize just how good he was to me in life... I later found out that I had PTSD... there were nights when I had lost track of time and woke up hugging him... without being able to explain why. He never told me or let anyone tell me. He didn't want me to feel bad so he continued to cradle me when I'd have my blackouts. He cradled me when life was darkest... and when his light needed to move on... he made sure to leave me with just enough light to be able to rekindle my own.
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iv smeltt beef gravyy on off lastt few dayss dad luvd beef he did evenn beef gravy he did lk his arond
iv learndd lots off spook churchh i ahv hav
seertenn smellls let u no thy hear
evn told me i need to slow get a/r in my body sortedd to lk i ned new meds wish i get it i don
i no my fingrss can stopp me frm typin coz i cnt feal keyss on lt i cnt
but lst week it spookss i got few famlyy getin trju i did
i wishd id gon in 2012 i do
it mited of stopedd mom frmg frm getin alz/dem
en my uncle so on
but thy toldd me i need to stat put my slf 1st coz ea of a old fashin atchh tim to put me 1st coz iv put otgrss 1st fro to long wush wz so spott on iv alwayss put ohrers 1s selff lastt
now to put me 1st
i n wot i need to do
its sumthng iv needed to do for yrs sisnes i w z borb
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sum tims smells get strongr thy do
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sorry on yore loss amanda i am
i o othrr day i smellt bannass i did i new it wz dad but smell wz strongg coz dad lovd bannas he did
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Comment by Amanda Stout on August 20, 2018 at 12:10pm
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Hello, My name is Amanda, I actually came across this page literally by accident however I have a strong feeling it "wasn't accidental" I was actually looking for information about "signs" from loved ones because every time I am outside a dragonfly appears and just hovers around until I go back inside, at first I didn't think much of it but here recently I began really noticing the pattern and it's honestly every time I am outside at my home (many times throughout the day) so I decided to Google any information about this or if it has happened to others, maybe not a dragonfly but something similar and this site popped up. So I want to share some of the "Blessings" as I call them with you all, I want to apologize in advance for such a long post but there's so much I want to share and I've learned that it is very helpful for me to talk about my dad and share things with others even people I don't know. It was April 19, 2005 I was 25 when I lost my Daddy, he was 59, my dad was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes when I was 5 he was 39, the ER doctors couldn't understand how/why my mom was able to walk my dad into the emergency room, his blood sugar was 900 and all the doctors and nurses said he should've been in a coma with that high of blood sugar, dad spent 2 weeks in the hospital. It was a 20 year battle with this disease, like a rollercoaster there were so many ups and downs it was one of the hardest things I've ever had to sit and watch as literally attacked every single part of his body, from his kidneys, eyes, bones and limbs. In my eyes my dad was the strongest man I knew and to this day still is, many of you can probably tell by now I was a Daddy's Girl, he was my world and if you asked anyone I was his. It was April 18, 2005 my dad was still in ICU at the hospital (so some of you know the visiting hours are a lot different) I spent every visitation with my dad that was scheduled for an hour, so on the 18th it was the last visitation for the evening, he was sitting up sideways in his bed, feet dangling over the edge and I told him he looked and must have felt great that evening, he looked at me and his words have stuck in my head still to this day he said "Baby girl, your daddy is going home" my reply was one he probably heard a few times over 20 years, I told him when the doctor tell us you can. At 3:30am (7 hours after seeing him and his words to me) April 19, 2005 the hospital called and said I needed to get there that he was unresponsive. I sit right beside him holding his hand from the moment I got there, it was my mom who looked at me and said "he is fighting for you, you need to tell him it's okay" I can promise you those 2 words were the hardest 2 words I've ever said, it was that very moment he squeezed my hand and opened his big blue eyes as a tear rolled across the bridge of his nose 15 hours after the hospital called I watched as he took his final breath. Many, many months went by after his passing until one night I had a dream that was so real it had my shaking, I called my mom and began telling her, she quickly said I'm on my way, I need to talk to you, so she gets there and we talk. My parents had separated when I was 20, probably 2 years before my dad passed my mom had gotten pregnant and my dad took it extremely hard when he found out, he was angry with me (because I was happy, I always wanted a sibling, I was their only child, my dad had 4 others from a previous marriage but they were a lot older than me) and he said some hurtful things to my mom, sadly my mom miscarried but unknowingly to me until that moment she came to talk my mom told me everything from his hurtful words to the promise he made, my dad had told her after her miscarriage that she would have the son they always wanted but he would'nt be here to see it. It was exactly 2 months after my dad passed my mom found out she was pregnant, soon later she found out it was a boy and a few months later my brother Elijah, was born, (we are 27 years apart and just a little insight my parents were 17 years apart) in my dream it was me and my mom and she told me I needed to tell my dad we were leaving but I couldn't find him, then he was there and he said "Elijah is here because of me and one day Baby Girl you too will be a mommy". I think my mom was just as shaken up as I was when I had first called her to tell her about my dream. When Elijah was 2 he was playing and asked me if I knew his friend "Donnie" I thought to myself "Oh Lord, he has imaginary friends" probably about a week to a week and a half later, me and my mom were sitting at my house (of course this big sister had him spoiled, he had his own room and toy room at my house) and Elijah comes running out of his toy room and asked if I knew "Goat" I said yes bub I know what goats are and he said "NO, My Friend Goat, he comes to see me and plays with me, he told me he really loves you and misses you" my heart sank and I busted into tears, so did my mom, you see my dads name was Donald (that's where the "Donnie" came in) and his nickname was "Goat!!", my brother never met him, dad passed in '05 and Elijah was born in '06. In 2013 I reconnected with my old boyfriend whom I dated when I was 19, we've been married for almost 4 years now. My husband to this very day still talks about the time we went to my parents for dinner and my dad told him to have a seat, they needed to talk and dad told me to go help my mom in the kitchen that this was a talk between a father and his daughters boyfriend, my husband will say he was scared to death and he will never forget "that talk". Now I tell you that this was the very FIRST and LAST time my dad ever sat down a boyfriend and had "that talk" sometimes I wonder if daddy knew something John and I didn't know many years ago. There's been many things and different signs in these 13 years since dad has passed that's happened, I have learned not to blame others for things missing, I use to blame my poor little brother but I've realized over the years it wasn't him or others, my dad was a huge practical joker. My husband and I recently moved back home to West Virginia from Louisiana, we both were born and raised here (WV) we now live in the same town where I was raised. About a month and a half ago I was sitting up stretched out on my couch playing a casino game on my tablet and my husband was in another room doing who knows what (typical man thing) when something caught my eye, I looked up and standing in the dining room stood my dad, I even shook my head as if my eyes were playing tricks on me only to still see him standing there, nothing was said but a feeling came over me, it was as if my dad was saying it's okay, I'm okay, I'm still here with you (that's the easiest way I can explain it, like for the first time I felt Peace) So that brings me back to what I was first saying about coming across this site, since moving back each time I'm outside there is 1 dragonfly that shows up out of nowhere hovering around me almost close enough to touch. A little bit ago I told my husband about it, like I said just recently did I start noticing the pattern of this occurrence with the dragonfly. My husband was outside for about 20mins before I went outside, soon after I was out there like the snap of your fingers the dragonfly appeared, my husband looks at me and said "what the" I've been out here this whole time and never once seen a dragonfly. My husband doesn't believe in things like this well I can't say it's that he don't believe I just think he doesn't want to out of fear as for myself, I smile and say "Hi Daddy, I Know You're Here and I Love You Too".
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im stilll goin 2 spirtcelsh spirtchelst churchhs i am wish im getin ansrss i am lernn lotss on a/l i am
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bean goin 2 my locl spirtalshstt chirhh i hav i ha lovd 1s cum trhu it died evn 1 it died berfe i wz born im still goin 2 carryon goin i am
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sum tims u bestt of goin 2 a spirtlshh churshh u r
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