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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 Marie Carr on January 18, 2011 at 5:16pm
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I have had four dreams, but they were not like ordanary dreams. My Mum talked to me, I was next to her. She asked me "How are the children coping?" I told her I loved her and missed her so much.
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Comment by Trisha Manning on January 15, 2011 at 6:18am
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I am happy to find a place where I can talk about this. My in-laws do not believe things happen regarding my husband being present...even though I have taken pictured of some of what has happened. Two days after his death, I went into the room where he died and on the floor was his shoes that had been in the closet, a belt that had been in a drawer, and a hammer. There seemed to be a patern to the way the items were arranged. I took a photo so no one would think I had lost it. That was just the beginning, as this sort of thing will happen every once in a while. I hear him call me from another room....smell certain smells....find things that were not there before. I have no choice but to believe that this man is keeping his word that he would never leave me.
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Comment by Beverly Rogers on January 12, 2011 at 9:50pm
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It is so good to finally realize other people have experienced some of the same things I have since my husband past away. His spirit visited me several times in the first 8 weeks until I could find some peace in his passing. He was watching over me while I was experiencing so much pain. This journey of grief has been the hardest thing I have ever had to endure.
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Right after my Daddy die, which in June 2007.. My little girl said that her Granddad came to her on the foyer of our house. She said that he said...not to worry and he loves us and he also told her that he misses her.
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It has been three months since I lost my husband to cancer. About a month after he passed, I always keep the sliding glass door by my bed opened for fresh air. I had been up all night, couldn't sleep, was dozing off when I saw something come in through the sliding glass door. It was only open about 4 inches, then it stood by the foot of my bed, was looking at me. At this point I'm scared to death, thinking I'm about to be raped or murdered, could not move. Was pinned to the bed, then he came around to his side of the bed, laid down beside me, I could feel his head on my pillow next to me. I'm thinking this lasted for a few minutes, and he got up, stood at the foot of my bed, and then left the same way he entered. Once he was gone, I jumped up, turned on every light outside my house, shut and locked the door. I then realized it was my husband who had passed just recently. Now looking back, I wish I wasn't so scared. Wish I could have embraced the moment, but I know it was him, comforting me. I have still had several experiences with butterflies, and a bird. A blue jay was in my house, don't know how it got there, when I woke up to go to work. Had to get it out, or my cats and dogs would have torn the house apart. Trying to pass these experiences on as my husband trying to comfort me. Just wish I would realize it when they are happening. Still have dreams of him, but they are more about him lying in bed, suffering. It's the only way i seem to remember him. Would rather remember the happy times. With the holidays coming up, I'm sure it will be difficult. thankful for my kids and grandkids being so close. Be strong, hopefully this torture will be less as time goes on
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Comment by Kate on November 8, 2010 at 1:53am
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I am SO GLAD to read this post and the comments as it shows me I'm not alone in this! I lost my 9 year old daughter 10 months ago- the car crash was in the evening and she passed away in the early hours of the next day- and she has visited me about 5 or 6 times (at least) since then. I've heard her run through the house, I've seen her laughing in front of me and rolling her eyes when I thought I was imagining it! I've even felt her touch numerous times. I had an amazing experience a few nights ago when I was awake in bed- actually on the stroke of midnight between the 10 month anniversary of the crash date and the 10 month anniversary of her passing away- where she physically moved my pillow up and down and I felt it touch more of my face when it moved. She held my hand between hers and sent a huge warmth into my hand. I then felt her touch along my leg (like she was resting her leg along mine) then this amazing, fluidy, bubbly heat travelled from there right up to my head, filling me up with a warmth like I've never felt before. It was an amazing experience.
I feel bad that my husband hasn't had this happen but I'm very glad I have and that I can feel peace in knowing that she's ok and that she's right here with us. I think some people think I'm crazy lol but I know I'm no, and this page just clarifies that I'm not the only one this happens to and that these experiences really are Olivia coming to me xxx
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Comment by Kayla Nelson on October 25, 2010 at 6:12pm
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The night that I came home from the hospital after having my c section and my daughter passing away my fiance and I were laying in his bedroom with the door completely closed like we do every night. We were just getting ready to lay down for bed with all the lights off and out of nowhere the door slightly creeked open when we both know it was completely closed. We thought it was a one time thing at first until the next night when it happened again. It has happened every single night since I returned home from the hospital. We have both learned to love that our baby girl opens the door every night before bed to let herself into our room. Any time I am alone in my house and I start crying and grieving her death whatever lap is closest to me will start flickering until I stop crying. At first I thought everything was just happening for no reason or because we didn't shut the door all the way or the light bulb was going bad but now I realize it's our guardian angel.
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I lost my boyfriend of 3 years and the love of my life on Sept 15, 2010. He fell asleep behind the wheel of his car on the way home from work and was hit head on by a dump truck. A week after his death I was drinking too much and he was never ever ok with me drinking like that and randomly a glass flew off my counter into my sink. The next week he came into our bedroom where I was laying in bed crying. I opened my eyes and saw him, I closed my eyes and opened them again and he was standing over our bed, told me not to cry and bent down and kissed me. I swear with everything that I have I felt his kiss run through me like an electrical charge from my head to my toes. It was one of those moments when you are half asleep and half awake... you think you see something, but your not sure you do... and I felt his kiss with everything I had. It was the most amazing thing I have ever experienced. Not long after on another night I dreamt he crawled into bed with me and I held him so tightly and we talked about his accident in depth. I asked him if he had gone to see his son because I knew his son was really struggling. He told me he had gone to see him and was watching over him. I told him how much I wish he was here with me and he rolled his eyes and said I am always here baby. I woke up the next morning and felt so peaceful... like I hadnt in weeks. I know he is here and watching me... I know he loves me with everything he has and he told me he would never leave me... and he hasnt.
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Comment by Anita Molnarova on September 30, 2010 at 3:31pm
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I woke early morning one day when my partner came home from night shift, he gave me a kiss and we cuddled up and fell asleep together. I had the most beautiful dream. I could see my mum changing my sister's nappy and smiling at her. My mum was very young and beautiful and she had long brown hair. It was a gorgeus sunny day. I can remember a feeling of total peace and happiness and love. It was amazing... Somehow I knew the dream wasn't from my point of view. Later that day I told my partner about the dream and told him that I needed to give my mum a call as I had a feeling that something wasn't right. He just said it was strange. Four days later my mum called me and told me that my brother was found dead in his flat. And that he's been there for few days... As soon as she told me I KNEW that the dream wasn't really a dream. Somehow my brother managed to put his amazingly beautiful memory of him watching mum in my head. I knew it because I am the youngest of three kids and I wasn't even born when the memory took place. And it felt so real. Not like a dream at all. I asked mum later if she had long hair still after having my sister and she sais yes. I know she had her hair short when I was born.I don't know how it is possible. I am just happy that I will always have this treasured memory and I will always remember that my big brother found me far away from home in UK to say his goodbye. Most of all am happy to know that the moment he died he felt totally at peace and calm. That is very comforting. I love you Erik and I will never ever forget you and what you did for me. ''Mám tě moc ráda, Eriku. Nikdy na tebe nezapomenu xxx''
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Just a follow-up to my post on Sept. 2. On Sept. 9, which was exactly 6 months from my brother's death, the eagles I saw before came back to my computer. I had been shopping online. When I closed all of the windows, there they were. This time there were 4 eagles. My daughter said there were 4 eagles before. It was a pop-up for screen savers, but when I tried to go to the website, I couldn't open it. Anyway, my favorite uncle only has weeks to live. So, I'm thinking he's the 4th eagle.
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