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In this remarkable collection of interviews with seven people who've died, Irene Kendig, with the help of a gifted medium, explores what happens when we transition from physical to non-physical reality. Each of the seven dialogues begins with the same question: What did you experience when you released your last breath on earth?This book is for anyone has has ever wondered whether there is a Heaven or a Hell, a Judgment Day, or a reunion with loved ones. It will illuminate and inspire your heart and mind whether you believe in an afterlife or not. These dialogues explore life from a spiritual perspective, which elevates consciousness and empowers you to make choices in alignment with your soul’s purpose.
The responses offered by Ms. Kendig's loved ones not only diminish fear of dying, they provide solace and strength for those who grieve, and inspire all to live courageously, joyfully, and respectfully . . . now.sumary taken from www.irenekendig.com
When I saw the promotion asking for reviews of this book I was extremely excited. I mean who isn't curious about what someone who has died will say about the afterlife? The author, Irene Kendig, speaks with seven people from her past by using a Medium she was introduced to by her friend. Sounds pretty interesting right?
This book was interesting and I got right into reading it, but I also had some issues with it. Let me be clear and say that I think some of the issue was me having a skewed expectation. This book clearly states what it is about, and never promises to read like some fiction novel. I did know that going in, but sometimes the writing came across a bit more technical than I had imagined. For those of you who have read The Time Travelers Wife it reminded me of trying to get my mind around how he could travel and see himself and so on. Here's an example:
Irene: If the individuated mind exists both in the physical body and in every particle of light I am, then what happens to the part that belongs to my physical body when I die?
Jerry: The individuated mind doesn't belong to the physical body. A portion of the energy that you are animates the physical body, which is pure energy too, just in a denser form. When it's time to release your physical body, that energy is withdrawn and refocused to your spirited body. It's not segmented into physical energy or spiritual energy; it's all one, and an aspect of that one energy is focused on commanding the physical body.
p. 53 of ARC
Most of the book came across a bit too technical for me to get lost in the wonder of what was being said.
Also, I did have a hard time separating my religious beliefs from the ideas presented. There was much discussion of a higher power be it called God or something else. I found comfort in some of the ideas. Such as the idea that each of us, while in the Spiritual form choose how we will come back to Earth. A life is chosen to focus on what we need to learn to become a more loving, spirited being. That made me feel purposeful and gave a sense of reasoning for the negative aspects of life. Love is also a major component in this novel. I personally believe in a God that is Loving. I found those ideas were complimentary to my beliefs. However, as it progressed it felt like a "new age" type discussion and just left me a bit overwhelmed.
It was also hard for me to grasp the idea that "you can't hurt anyone who doesn't agree to be hurt". I know as adults we have a choice to leave a situation or turn something bad into something better, etc, but what about abused children? When did they agree to be hurt? I really couldn't wrap my mind around that idea. Maybe they were just referring to emotional pain, but I took it as all hurt.
Overall, this book was a difficult read for me and a very difficult review to write. I appreciated how much it made me reflect and look at life in a new way. I was happy to read about the LOVE present in the afterlife. I even enjoyed the short segments in the book where the interviewer/interviewee reflected on life and how it could be lived better. I couldn't get as deeply into the book as I liked because I found it came across too technically. I would recommend this if you are willing to do some deep thinking. I wouldn't recommend it for those days you want to get lost in a book.
This ARC was provided to me by the author.
