Posts
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 When it's time to release your physical body, that energy is withdrawn and refocused to your spirited body.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.
This is a good honest review. I think you did a good job here - it is fair and honest.
ReplyDeleteVery thoughtful review. This is a topic that fascinates me.
ReplyDeleteBTW...welcome back! I haven't seen you in awhile.
Three or four of my loved ones tell me that, as souls, we choose our parents—as well as all the circumstances and challenges of our lives—for purposes of spiritual growth. I appreciate how difficult it is, from our limited human perspective, to grasp the idea that we would choose to experience abuse or illness or any of the other events of our lives that we deem “bad.” But they are only “bad” from a limited human perspective. From the soul’s perspective, it sometimes takes such experiences to produce spiritual growth, which is why we're here. How often does a serious illness result in a person reprioritizing what’s important in life? And how often does it lead to deeper levels of gratitude and compassion? Sometimes a person has disregarded the whisperings of their soul for so long, it takes a major illness for them to access their own wisdom.
ReplyDeleteYou stated that it was difficult for you to grasp the idea that “you can’t hurt anyone who doesn’t agree to be hurt.” Boy, do I hear you! This is not an easy concept to grasp, and I appreciate your willingness to grapple with it. I’m reminded of Louise Hay, who experienced physical and emotional abuse as a child. When she hit bottom as an adult, she looked for ways to change and heal so she wouldn’t continue repeating the same patterns of abuse. Her quest led her to a Science of Mind lecture, where she learned that, in order to change her life, she’d have to change her thoughts. I wonder if Louise Hay would be influencing millions of people today as a pioneer in the field of spirit-mind-body if she hadn’t had those early childhood experiences. I am not suggesting that child abuse is a “good” thing, or that you should stand idle when you see a situation that calls you to action. What I AM suggesting is that choices are made by a Greater You, one that's non-physical and has a greater perspective.
When we take 100% responsibility for the events of our lives—without blaming them on anyone or on anything—the most challenging of situations become opportunities for growth. You no longer see the glass as merely half-full; you see it as full-to-overflowing. As long as we see ourselves as victims of circumstance, we are powerless. The question to ask isn’t “Why is this happening to me?” The question to ask is, “What would my soul have wanted me to learn from this?” From this perspective, there are no mistakes, only lessons to be learned.
The advance reading copy you received did not include my epilogue, which is part of the released version for sale on my website: www.conversationswithjerry.com and on Amazon: http://amzn.to/conversationswithjerry
You can read the epilogue here: http://www.irenekendig.com/profiles/blogs/the-key-to-living-with-joy
I am considering an ongoing teleseminar for readers who would like to explore these concepts and apply them to their own lives so as to reduce unnecessary suffering and increase conscious, joyful living. If you are interested, please send me an email: irene@irenekendig.com
I am deeply grateful for your time, your honesty, and your willingness to review my book.
All the best,
Irene Kendig
My comment was divided into two parts when I posted, probably due to its length. It begins here and continues above.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading and reviewing Conversations with Jerry and Other People I Thought Were Dead. I am the author, and would like to take the opportunity to address some of the issues you mentioned.
You wrote that most of the book came across as a bit too technical. I respect your point of view, and I appreciate your honesty. This review is, after all, from your point of view.
I would like to point out that, while there are certainly four, or even five conversations that are, indeed, technically challenging, the book consists of a whopping eighty-four conversations with seven different people. That leaves seventy-nine conversations that aren’t technical at all.
For example, there are thirteen heartfelt conversations with my friend Bill, who committed suicide. I've had readers tell me how they'd been living with guilt and remorse, thinking that they could have or should have been able to prevent the suicide of a loved one. They tell me how good it feels to have released the guilt after reading these conversations.
One reader—a woman whose son had committed suicide—told me how much peace the conversations with Bill had provided. Her religion had taught her that people who commit suicide go to hell. Can you imagine how much suffering this mother had endured, day-in and day-out at the thought of her son burning in hell for eternity? The dialogues with Bill provided her with another point of view, a more compassionate and loving one.
There are twelve conversations between my mother and I, in which I share about the misinterpretations I'd made growing up—believing, for example, that I was unlovable, inadequate and unworthy—and the personal journey that allowed me to heal these misconceptions and discover that I am a divine and eternal spiritual being having a human experience, and that my essence is Love.
Irene - you are so correct about a difficult experience teaching you something. I have learned the most when I have been the lowest. In my life I typically use those experiences to bring myself closer to my faith.
ReplyDeleteI do agree that you have many personal growth conversations in your book. Those were the parts I loved, because I like to dig into the personal. I liked learning what was involved in the more"technical" aspect, but it just felt more like textbook reading. An interesting textbook, but a textbook.
I loved the book. My sister has a terminal illness and this book nas helped me to deal with her illness. She has become spirtual in her journey, when I feel in my heart, I will share this book.
ReplyDeleteI never have been afraid of death, I find it very fascinating