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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 Violet R Schulert Endres on August 16, 2013 at 12:21am
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I hear from My husbandso much I feel like we are still in contact still in a relatioshio.. we are..were still married...I love you Dan.
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Comment by joy bell on August 15, 2013 at 7:28pm
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I've been contacted many time in the last few months and it is just too much to be coincidences. Every time I ask for a specific thing, I get the answer.
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Comment by Eliza on August 11, 2013 at 10:46pm
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Marilyn, since my mom passed away, the light in my bathroom flickers a lot and goes on and off. We've checked the wiring and it's fine. It seems to happen when I'm upset and thinking of mom. I like to think it might be her.
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Comment by dream moon JO B on August 7, 2013 at 4:07pm
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lst wk wen i saw a ranbow out sd i saw my dad looking ot of a windor i evn saed dad wot r u dong hear is tht u
iv tryd to tell a few ple byt thy dnt bleve me i dnt thng only 1 wud bleve my wud be my sister law but shes away for a few wks
coz shes lk me dreams stuff its hrd to bleve i thngs its why i did dreams on hear
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Comment by Kristin Renee on August 7, 2013 at 12:49am
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I can't imagine how frustrating and emotionally draining it would be to encounter those who have passed over on a regular basis. But on the flip side, how very gratifying it must be for you to be able to share the important messages they have. Being able to offer the gift of peace of mind is priceless. I hope your daughter is able to keep her connection with her father and I am sorry for your loss, Amber.
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Comment by Amber Dunnett on August 7, 2013 at 12:24am
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I believe this to be very true, I'm 32 years old and have had this trait as I call it since many of my family members have the same trait. I personally, can hear, talk, and see people who have passed but, I can't always make out who they are. Nor can I talk to my boyfriend who I share a daughter with. However, she can and she's 5years old. Sometimes I get emotionally tired I just have to ask them to give me a break. Usually, it's not a problem but sometimes they have messages they want me to share as soon as possible.
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I do believe in the eternal spirit and eternal love. We suddenly lost our father in May due to a cardiac arrest. He was very healthy and full of life so this was a sudden shock. A few weeks after his death, a parrot came and sat on our patio ledge for about two minutes. We tried to feed it and it flew away. It was strange because we have not had a parrot come. A lot of pigeons come always. It felt good and connected with my father on that day. My nephews were visiting after my father passing away now and my 10 year old nephew who was very close to my father said he saw grandpa and he wanted to touch him to see if he was real. I told him you saw grandpa because you love grandpa and grandpa loves you. People say you dream of departed loved ones. I never dreamt about my father. A few days back I dreamt that he was sitting with us. I knew he has passed away and in my dream I started crying and told my mother that he was there. Then suddenly he disappeared. I do believe that he will always be with us
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Marilyn - I agree with you - why would some evil entity want to reassure us? What possible purpose would that serve for them? Even if they were trying to trick us like my old church used to say, it would work against them, because that trick would bring us closer to God out of our gratitude for knowing our loved one is alright and out of our desire to be in a positive place with them after we die. So, it would do no good purpose at all for an evil entity to try to trick us into believing we are in contact with our loved one when we are not. It must be our loved ones - especially since this happens to so many people and has throughout history.
Jo B - is that graveyard picture where your dear Daddy is buried? It looks like a lovely and peaceful place. I love all of your pictures. You are such a good photographer. I am glad to hear the balloons are still popping. That has to be a sign from your Daddy. It has happened far too many times now for it to be anything else.
I've read everyone else's recent messages, and all I can say is that I believe every one of you and believe it is your family members reaching out to you to let you know they are okay. And, I am very sorry that you are all grieving so much. It is a pain like no other pain you can imagine, and you can't even imagine it until you feel it yourself. My love and prayers to all of you.
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Hi everyone. I haven't been on for a while. I just skimmed some of your comments, but I plan to go and read them in more detail in a moment and maybe respond individually. All I can say now is that when my Mom died, she came to me in dreams to give me messages like Maria's son did his coach. I was so worried about her, so she came to me to tell me she was feeling much better now - I think she wanted me to know that so I wouldn't worry, because she suffered a lot at the end. And, my Dad came to me by playing with electronics. He called me on the cell phone a LOT, although the longer he is gone the less it happens. And, he once even sent me an email. So, I believe all of you when you tell me these stories.
My good good friend at work, Don, who is like the brother I never had to me loaned me a book to read called "Journey of Souls, Case Studies of Life Between Lives", by Dr. Michael Newton, PH.D. He said he has four or five books out and that when I return this one, he will loan me the next one until I read them all. It has helped. It described sounds that the souls hear when they are passing through the first stages of the afterlife to get to their soul group of friends. It said it would sound like a wind tunnel and there would be the sound of wind chimes. That is what I used to hear when my dad called me on the phone. This book is helping me. I recommend it if anyone wants to read it
I have been talking to Jo (JB) on private messages, and she has been encouraging me to come back to the groups and talk. I think I'm just now ready to do that - thank you, JB, for your support. About six or nine months ago my husband got very sick (and he is not out of the woods yet but I think he can be okay instead of leaving me) and shortly before that my nephew got shot and died and then I'd had my dad die right before that and my Mom before him and several friends in the interim - and even though some of these deaths happened a while ago now and I should be getting over it, I got worse for a while instead of better. I got so depressed that I just couldn't come over here and talk about it. It was more than I could handle. Over this summer I've had a lot of yard work and repairs and house repairs to work on, because so many things I couldn't do when I was taking care of my Dad, because I was too busy (and I'm not complaining). I'm so depressed that when I get up to start them I'm actually angry that I have to do it when I don't feel like doing anything, and then after I start moving my body and start getting that exercise and start sweating, I start to feel better. Then, the next day, I feel angry again that I have to even do anything until the exercise starts to lift my mood. Yesterday I posted a bunch of pictures on Facebook of the yard work and realized how beautiful it is becoming and how lucky I am to have such a gift as a house, even if it's a small house and yard in a rough neighborhood - I'm so lucky to have it. And, I'm so lucky that God gave me the gift of being creative and putting flowers and wind chimes and things out in a creative way to make it so beautiful. And, I thought - I am so blessed - why am I so sad and angry? I should be enjoying this. And, I guess that snapped me out of it enough that I decided to come back to the groups today. Sorry for bringing everyone down with my depression. Thanks for listening.
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Comment by Maria on July 23, 2013 at 6:23pm
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When my son died, the captain of his baseball team had a dream that my son woke him up to tell him that he would be at the game , but he would not be playing because he had broken his neck. Even though I did suspect he had broken his neck- Today, (6 weeks later) I heard from the Doctor that did my son's autopsy and she confirmed it. He said good bye to so many before he left.
He also saw my aunt when she was flying to Michigan. Just his head went to her face and he said, " hug Sheri for me and tell her I love her". That's his mate for 20 years. Sheri had left early and figured she'd see him at home- so she just left without hugging him. A big regret now for her, but he sent one anyways.
Jeff and I were to fix my fan, but then he died. I got the directions and some advise and went at it alone. While I was changing out the box, I would place each wire in place while making sure each caught by tugging on each. On my last wire I notice that 3 were out. My elbow was pushed and I started again. I finally realized that my son was playing games and started crying because I missed him. It stopped and I haven't seen him since.
I believe the Lord allows visions and such for comfort. If it doesn't comfort you...
I also wrote about an earlier vision that I had of him in heaven with his father. That gave me a lot of comfort.
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