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ncrabb's review
4.0
Alas, this is one of those cases when I should have read the first book in this duology before reading this one, but this volume is super short and most worthy of your time.
Moody looks at near-death experiences and describes the patterns of his scientific work. He is an excellent example of how a man of science can also ultimately come to believe in the idea that life goes on beyond our experiences here.
He writes of patients who attempted suicide only to find that they were enabled to endure the pain their decision caused those whom they love. Moody wrote that those who survived the attempt and had experienced the near-death patterns never again had a desire to take their lives.
He points out that those who have near-death experiences are unable to fully describe their experiences; almost all of them point to failings in the language to fully describe something so ineffable. Regardless of their religion prior to the experience, Moody says those who experience a near-death event return convinced that mankind exists for two basic reasons—to learn to love others and to develop a love of learning and/or wisdom.
Moody comments briefly on the fact that members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints are likely to embrace near-death accounts with less skepticism than some groups.
So is this a book for devout Christians alone? I don’t think so. Moody includes an appendix that details the scientific nature of his investigations. In other words, he attempts to describe the care he took with the interview process so as to not lead someone into ideas they can’t honestly claim. If nothing else, those who utterly disavow any belief in near-death experiences will find Moody’s scientific methods interesting.
The experiences Moody describes follow a very specific pattern. They often include reunions with loved ones and an interview with a being filled with love toward that person. The individual is allowed to see not just his/her life in review, but also to see how behavior impacted the lives of those around them. So if the person experiencing a near-death event was harsh or unfeeling toward someone, not only is that scene replayed, but the person feels the same pain or anguish as do those who are impacted by the behavior. Moody tries to imagine the horrific position of Nazi guards at prison camps who would have experienced the individual pains and horrors the prisoners experienced at their hands.
It is not the purpose or intent of this review to convince you of the reality of near-death events. Should you read this if you utterly reject such a reality? Again, you might at least look at the appendix that deals with Moody’s scientific methods if nothing else. Whether life goes on beyond our time here or whether these manifestations Moody describes are nothing more than brain activity winding down is something you can determine for yourself. But if nothing else, this book will give you much to ponder.
Moody looks at near-death experiences and describes the patterns of his scientific work. He is an excellent example of how a man of science can also ultimately come to believe in the idea that life goes on beyond our experiences here.
He writes of patients who attempted suicide only to find that they were enabled to endure the pain their decision caused those whom they love. Moody wrote that those who survived the attempt and had experienced the near-death patterns never again had a desire to take their lives.
He points out that those who have near-death experiences are unable to fully describe their experiences; almost all of them point to failings in the language to fully describe something so ineffable. Regardless of their religion prior to the experience, Moody says those who experience a near-death event return convinced that mankind exists for two basic reasons—to learn to love others and to develop a love of learning and/or wisdom.
Moody comments briefly on the fact that members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints are likely to embrace near-death accounts with less skepticism than some groups.
So is this a book for devout Christians alone? I don’t think so. Moody includes an appendix that details the scientific nature of his investigations. In other words, he attempts to describe the care he took with the interview process so as to not lead someone into ideas they can’t honestly claim. If nothing else, those who utterly disavow any belief in near-death experiences will find Moody’s scientific methods interesting.
The experiences Moody describes follow a very specific pattern. They often include reunions with loved ones and an interview with a being filled with love toward that person. The individual is allowed to see not just his/her life in review, but also to see how behavior impacted the lives of those around them. So if the person experiencing a near-death event was harsh or unfeeling toward someone, not only is that scene replayed, but the person feels the same pain or anguish as do those who are impacted by the behavior. Moody tries to imagine the horrific position of Nazi guards at prison camps who would have experienced the individual pains and horrors the prisoners experienced at their hands.
It is not the purpose or intent of this review to convince you of the reality of near-death events. Should you read this if you utterly reject such a reality? Again, you might at least look at the appendix that deals with Moody’s scientific methods if nothing else. Whether life goes on beyond our time here or whether these manifestations Moody describes are nothing more than brain activity winding down is something you can determine for yourself. But if nothing else, this book will give you much to ponder.
baumrinr's review
2.0
Fascinating topic, interested in reading more from people who research near-death experiences. But way too much marginalia.
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