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REVIEWS © comprehensive sources and contacts section. From her studies, Dr Atwater concludes that the NDE can be used as a neutral prototype for studying the transformation of consciousness, and that the after-effects of the NDE can be used as a yardstick for measuring authenticity, i.e., it's our response to the experience that makes the difference. Her insights are brain-shifting and profound. COMING BACK TO LIFE by P. M. H. Atwater, LHD Transpersonal Publishing, NC, USA, 2008 (2nd revised edition) ISBN 978-0-9557161-0-2 (428pp tpb) Available: www. Transpersonal Publishing.com lhe subject of near-death experiences (NDEs) is gaining in popularity, and Dr Phyllis Atwater is an authority on it, not just for having had her own NDEs (three in 1977) but for interviewing thousands of NDE "survivors" over the years. When her book Coming Back to Life came out in 1988, it was the first in-depth study of NDEs that examined the whole experience including the after- effects, both positive and negative. This classic text is back in a second revised edition (also see review of The Big Book of Near-Death Experiences in 15/03). Certainly, the NDE can be a transformative experience that changes the individual in many ways—for example, by promoting an enlightened, even ecstatic, attitude to life and living or increasing psychic abilities—but it can also be hellish if no one believes your story, if you feel guilty for returning, or if you feel depressed that you had to leave a beautiful place and resume your former life. The problem with reintegration is one that Dr Atwater handles with care, and she gives pointers on how to help NDE survivors. She also includes a a ae ae ° . ra THE DEAD ARE TALKING: Proof of one seeking to understand, he explores (hee nt Mae for interviewing th an Afterlife? other paranormal realms such as dowsing om Whe her b sk Comi Ba Li by Ross Hemsworth for orbs and spirit presences, energy and years. When her book Coming Back 10 TGs publishing, USA, 2007 ley lines, energy vortexes, telepathy, Life came out in 1988, it was the first ediumship and the UFO ph in-depth study of NDEs that examined ‘SBN /a (426pp tpb) He shates a fow tips, too, on how to. not just for having had her own NDEs : : : Available: UK—www.nowthatsweird. He shares a few tips, too, on how to the whole experience including the after- 9 uk: USA—www.hiddenmysteries. expand psychic awareness. His story- effects, both positive and negative. This Com; email ross@nowthatsweird.co.uk _ telling ability makes for an engrossing classic text is back in a second revised ittle did Ross Hemsworth realise how __ read. edition (also see review of The Big Book ‘ ’ uch his life would change when, in of Near-Death Experiences in 15/03). 1998, he began an interest in paranormal Certainly, the NDE can be a investigations with a newfound transformative experience that changes photographer friend and established The the individual in many ways — for Phantom or Fraud Project. He set out as example, by promoting an enlightened, —_a sceptic, yet increasingly he realised that even ecstatic, attitude to life and living some happenings cannot be explained in or increasing psychic abilities—but it scientific or rational terms. He was can also be hellish if no one believes running a small TV production company your story, if you feel guilty for in Bedfordshire, England, and eventually returning, or if you feel depressed that did a deal with Lion TV to record a series you had to leave a beautiful place and called The Ghost Detectives (2001). resume your former life. By 2005, Hemsworth had his own The problem with reintegration is one _radio show and was considered a "leader that Dr Atwater handles with care, and in the search for scientific proof of soul she gives pointers on how to help NDE survival". He even discovered he had a ROSS HEMSWORTH survivors. She also includes a gift for clairvoyancy, which he then 72 ¢ NEXUS applied in progressing his research work; for example, in orb studies, and his own spiritual development. In The Dead Are Talking, Hemsworth covers much more than proof of life after death, but even this he peppers with tales of investigating parallel dimensions, communicating with ghosts and receiving taped messages from the departed (the electronic voice phenomenon). No longer a sceptic but one seeking to understand, he explores other paranormal realms such as dowsing for orbs and spirit presences, energy and ley lines, energy vortexes, telepathy, mediumship and the UFO phenomenon. He shares a few tips, too, on how to expand psychic awareness. His story- telling ability makes for an engrossing read. ROSS HEMSWORTH www.nexusmagazine.com OCTOBER — NOVEMBER 2008