COMMENTARY: WHY SILVER BIRCH PASSES OUR TEST OF CREDIBILITY We can assess the credibility of mediums who bring through survival evidence by the accuracy and specificity of the evidence. But how do we assess the credibility of spiritual teaching brought through a medium who claims to be communicating with a guide who lived hundreds of years ago?
Silver Birch is perhaps the most beloved teacher in the Spiritualist tradition and some of the reasons he is considered highly credible are as follows.
1) The character and caliber of the medium and the medium's circle or associates. During his active life as an editor, lecturer, and author in the cause of Spiritualism, Maurice Barbanell, the medium for Silver Birch, was a friend of every major British medium. He sat with the same people in the Hannan Swaffer Home Circle for more than fifty years. Less than a week after his death at age 79, on July 17, 1981, spirit messages from him were claimed through the mediumship of Gordon Higginson, a close friend.
2) The quality and internal consistency of the spirit teacher's communication over many years. Hannan Swaffer wrote that over fifty years "I have never known him to forget anything" and "during recent years, I have taken all sorts of people to hear Silver Birch talk—ministers of religion, journalists, people from all parts of the world. I have never heard from any one of them a word of criticism of anything he said".
3) Consistency with evidence from other sources e.g. OBEs, EVPs, ITC, other mediums, etc.
4) Your response to the work - is it always loving and without ego? Is it uplifting and inspiring and does it ring true at the deepest level? Does it make you want to be a better person? It is here that Silver Birch excels. As Hanna Swaffer says "Silver Birch has more followers than any earthly preacher. They belong to every clime and to almost every race and are people of all shades of colour. Yet, put down in cold print, Silver Birch’s words cannot do more than convey a little of the nobility of his character, the warmth of his friendship and the natural dignity of his utterance. Sometimes, they compel tears. We know that we are in the presence, however humbly he may speak, of a high, exalted spirit. He never reproves. He never finds fault". Read Hannan Swaffer's full endorsement of Silver Birch.
We would love to hear your ideas on how to evaluate the quality of channelled teaching about the afterlife. Email books@victorzammit.com.
UNDERSTANDING AFTER-DEATH COMMUNICATION IN THE AGE OF COVID
After 31 years on the University of North Texas (UNT) Counseling Program faculty, Jan Holden retired in 2019 as Professor Emerita of Counseling. Since 2008 she has served as editor-in-chief of the International Association for Near-Death Studies’ scholarly Journal of Near-Death Studies, and she serves currently as that association’s President. Her website is www.janholden.com.
INTERVIEW WITH LEADING ITC RESEARCHER DR. ANABELA CARDOSO Dr. Cardoso, author of Electronic Voices, Contact with Another Dimension, describes some of her motives for using the "direct radio voice" method to explore unknown domains of reality.
She has carried out hundreds of conversations with communicators who identify themselves as her deceased family members, as well as other unknown personalities who claim to speak from a dimension beyond time. According to her communicators, the survival of all forms of life—not only human—after physical death is part of the Natural Law.
PIM VAN LOMMEL: CONSCIOUSNESS NEVER DIESCardiologist Pim van Lommel has made a tremendous contribution to near-death experience research. He conducted large, longitudinal studies on hundreds of people who had suffered cardiac arrest and were later resuscitated. Many of these patients experienced being conscious during the period of clinical death. When asked why some scientists still refuse to accept his research he recently said ”If they said consciousness is not in the brain, they would lose their research money. Some professors have told me privately that they agree with me, but openly they will say that my conclusions are nonsense. Until they retire.”
LIST OF MORE THAN 200 PSYCHIC RESEARCHERSFrom the 1880s onward some of the world's greatest scientists, thinkers, and artists of all kinds (including more than thirty Nobel Prize winners) have investigated precognition, mediumship, telepathy, healing, seances, psychokinesis, and many other aspects of parapsychology and psychical research. This list of more than two hundred of them shows that those of us who take these things seriously are in good company. Read more.
PETER PANAGORE - A MODERN MYSTIC
Peter Panagore had two profound NDES. The first, at age 21, occurred in 1980 while he was ice climbing in Canada. He died again from a heart attack in 2015. In 1993 he became an ordained minister of the Congregational (Christian) Church. From 2003-2015 he was appointed to a pastoral position on Christian radio where he had huge exposure. Today he has moved away from organised Christianity and is focused on bringing the message of love to others through various contemporary means. He has created his own Youtube channel through which he runs Not Church, live stream meditations, videos, counseling services, books, articles, speaking engagements, and more.
CHILDREN SHARE MEMORIES OF THE TIME BEFORE THEY WERE BORN Dr. Wayne W. Dyer and co-author Dee Garnes collected accounts of children's pre-birth memories. The children shared their dialogues with God, talked about long-deceased family members they knew while in the dimension of Spirit, verified past-life recollections, gave evidence that they themselves had a hand in picking their own parents and the timing of their sojourn to Earth, and spoke eloquently and accurately of a kind of Divine love that exists beyond this physical realm. Read more.
KIDS REVEAL CHOOSING THEIR PARENTS
Children share memories of choosing their parents and families before birth in this flashback compilation from the TV program "The Ghost Inside My Child".
WHAT HAPPENS TO ATHEISTS WHEN THEY DIE? According to the some churches, atheists are condemned to ‘hell’. But a former Catholic monsignor, directly from the afterlife, tells us that they may even be in a better position than some 'believers'.
“The mind of the atheist is not lumbered up with a multitude of complex beliefs. Therefore, he reaches a true estimation of the Great Power (God) with greater facility. The non-believer will say that he does not believe in the existence of God because he has had no proof of His existence. Given the proof, he will say in effect, and he will be convinced – he gets it. Not by our giving it to him, but by the exercise of an intelligence free from an accumulation of false religious conceptions.” By Mons Hugh Benson transmited through medium Anthony Borgia "More Light" p.73/74.
LET'S TALK NEAR-DEATH WITH HOSPICE WORKER PAUL SMITH Paul Smith has worked in Hospice for nearly 20 years and been at the bedside of many dying people. Paul shares what it's like to be a hospice worker, the things that can happen at the end of life, and some of the experiences that stand out to him. Paul is also a long time meditator, and brings meditation experience into his work. He has written a book,
"Meditate Yourself: You Are Your Own Guru."
"LOVE EVER AFTER: HOW MY HUSBAND BECAME MY SPIRIT GUIDE" In 1983 Bob Lisker's wife Dorka was brutally murdered. Their then 17-year old son Bruce Lisker was arrested on the basis of evidence that was later proved to be false. His father, Bob Lisker, a conservative attorney, former Marine, and pillar of the community, worked passionately on the case until his death in 1990. From the afterlife, Bob dictated a book to his second wife Joy Mitchell Lisker which, among other things, gave a spiritual perspective on the Lisker family tragedy. He may have helped in other ways as well because in 2010, after 26 years in prison, Bruce Lisker was exonerated.
Read more about Joy's book (published in 2010).
TIME CHANGES Check the times each week as they will change again at the end of October when daylight saving ends in the UK. Europe and the USA.
Saturday October 15th 2022 / Sunday October 16th Australia
Spiritist Literature: Directed Study with Ana Castro.
Every Saturday. A free Zoom group about Spiritism, Kardec, and Chico Xavier. See videos of previous meetings.
Times:
Pacific and Phoenix time 1 p.m. Saturday
Mountain daylight time 2 p.m. Saturday
Central time 3 p.m. Saturday
Eastern time 4 p.m. Saturday
London 9 p.m. Saturday
Rome 10 p.m. Saturday
Sydney/Melbourne 7 a.m. Sunday New Zealand 9 a.m. Sunday
Check time in your city
Co-ordinator: Ana Castro
Just click this link to join.
Sunday October 16th 2022 / Monday October 17th Australia
Global Gathering
Guest Gretchen Bickert: The Human-Animal Connection. Have you experienced a strong connection with an animal? Our guest Gretchen Bickert will be convening a sharing session on the animal-human connection. You are invited to come and tell us about a connection you had with an animal companion (past or present), ask questions about supporting them in their health (Gretchen is experienced in alternative and palliative care for animals), share how you celebrated their lives and coped with grief at their loss in a society that often does not understand the strength of human-animal connections. We would also like to hear stories about any contact you have had with them since they transitioned.
Times:
Pacific Daylight Time 1 p.m. Sunday
Phoenix 1 p.m. Sunday
Mountain Daylight Time (MDT) 2 p.m. Sunday
Central Daylight time 3 p.m. Sunday
Eastern Daylight time 4 p.m. Sunday
London 9 p.m. Sunday
Amsterdam 10 p.m. Sunday
Sydney/Melbourne 7 a.m. Monday
New Zealand 9 a.m. Monday Check the time for your city
Co-ordinators: karynjarvie@ozemail.com.au and wendyzammit@gmail.com https://zoom.us/j/7595442928
Monday October 17th 2022 /Tuesday October 18th Australia
Dream Circle A small group meets every two weeks - to share and explore
the meaning of their dreams.
Times: Pacific Daylight Time 1 p.m. Monday
Phoenix 1 p.m. Monday
Mountain Daylight Time (MDT) 2 p.m. Monday
Central Daylight Time 3 p.m. Monday
Eastern Daylight Time 4 p.m. Monday
London 9 p.m. Monday
Rome 10 p.m. Monday
Sydney/Melbourne 7 a.m. Tuesday
New Zealand 9 a.m. Tuesday
Check the time in your city.
Email: Kim at kmrainbow57@yahoo.com https://zoom.us/j/7595442928
Tuesday October 18th 2022 /Wednesday October 19th Australia Questions and Answers About Mediumship Our Guest Medium this week is Julia Marie. She
has received training and certifications in many areas of metaphysics, spirituality, and the healing arts, and made a big impression on the group when she stepped in when one of our regular mediums could not make it. She has an impressive array of skills and experience and has a lovely way of helping people on their path.
Times:
Pacific and Phoenix time 6.00 p.m.
Mountain daylight time 7.00 p.m.
Central time 8.00 p.m.
Eastern time 9.00 p.m.
London 2 a.m.
Perth Wednesday 9 a.m.
Sydney/Melbourne Wednesday 12 noon.
Auckland 2 p.m.
Coordinator: Wendy Zammit wendyzammit@gmail.com Check time in your city https://zoom.us/j/7595442928
Wednesday October 19th 2022/ Thursday October 20th Australia
Automatic Writing and Mediumship Discussion Share resources and discuss what participants are experiencing
1st and 3rd Wednesdays.
Pacific Time 5.30 p.m. Wednesday
Phoenix 5. 30 p.m. Wednesday
Denver 6.30 p.m. Wednesday
Illinois CTD 7.30 p.m. Wednesday
New York EDT 8.30 p.m. Wednesday
Perth 8.30 a.m. Thursday
Sydney/ Melbourne 11.30 a.m. Thursday
Auckland Thursday 1.30 p.m. Thursday Check time in your city Coordinator: Sheila Lowe sheila@sheilalowe.com https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87248527074?
pwd=cXNNZERDbGtSc3VWU3hCQ05OSlFndz09
[if the room is not open email Sheila].
Wednesday October 19th 2022/ Thursday October 20th Australia
Physical mediumship development group Every Wednesday with Rob Blackburn and Craig Hogan. Participants sit in a darkened space in their own homes; the group has been going for some time and members are experiencing phenomena. This is a long-term commitment.
Times:
Pacific and Arizona time 6 p.m. Wednesday
Mountain Daylight time 7 p.m. Wednesday
Central Daylight time 8 p.m. Wednesday
New York time 9 p.m. Wednesday
London 2 a.m. Thursday
Perth 9.a.m. Thursday
Sydney/Melbourne 12 noon. Thursday
New Zealand 2 p.m. Thursday Check time in your city
Contact Rob Blackburn (rkblack@mtco.com) or Craig Hogan (r.craig.hogan@afterlifeinstitute.org) before joining the group.
https://zoom.us/j/4381898190
WHEN DOES THE SOUL ENTER THE PHYSICAL BODY? There are varied opinions as to when we enter our physical body, but The Universal Spiritual Brother & Sisterhood
(USB) explains that that there is no set time for that
important event, as it depends on many things. Therefore,
the moment of entry ranges from the time of conception to
just before or even during delivery.
Many spirit people assist in
this process, and such help
continues during the infant’s
early years on earth, when it
cannot take care of itself and
is in need of such loving care!
The teachings from the USB have been compiled into the
book "Spiritual Light".
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DIE by Silver Birch through medium Maurice Barbanell
"One day after death you will be the same individual as you were one day before it, except that you will have discarded your physical body. You will express yourself through your etheric body, which is a replica of the physical one. It does not, however, reproduce any of its imperfections. All disease and infirmities will be left behind. The deaf will hear. The dumb will speak. The blind will see. The cripple will be a cripple no longer. You must try and understand that life in the spirit world is not dreamy or nebulous. It is full of activity. It is just as real as the life that each one of us lives here." Read the full article.
THE MATTHEW STANFORD ROBINSON MEMORIAL When Matthew was born, he was deprived of oxygen. As a result he was blind and partially paralyzed and died at age 10. His father, Ernest Robison, decided to make a memorial to his son. The statue on the grave site depicts Matthew rising up out of his wheelchair and reaching skyward. The memorial is meant to depict the child in the afterlife, free from his earthly afflictions.
FEEDBACK: 3 only
1)
"I always REALLY enjoy Jurgen Ziewe's Q and A videos but always lots of great interesting stuff in The Afterlife Report". Kerrie
2) "Wonderful and exactly what I needed. It's going to be a fantastic day. Hugs from Belgium".
Kaat
3) "Love Silver Birch. Thank you for always sharing his wise words." Melanie
HIGHLY INSPIRED MUSIC
Shawn Gallaway is an award winning singer/songwriter, visual artist, author, workshop facilitator and energetic healer. He has traveled the world sharing his message of “Healing and Transformation through the Arts”. His “I Choose Love” song and online course (a collection of videos, songs, artwork, meditations and processes) continue to inspire and educate people of all ages on how to awaken their hearts and find their art.
Whilst we encourage and we publish many papers and reports by afterlife researchers, we are not in a position to guarantee the accuracy of all claims. ALL WORK IS COPYRIGHTED BY THE CONDITIONS SET AT THE GENEVA CONFERENCE ON COPYRIGHT.
FRIDAY
AFTERLIFE REPORT 
We can assess the credibility of mediums who bring through survival evidence by the accuracy and specificity of the evidence. But how do we assess the credibility of spiritual teaching brought through a medium who claims to be communicating with a guide who lived hundreds of years ago?
Dr. Cardoso, author of 
From the 1880s onward some of the world's greatest scientists, thinkers, and artists of all kinds (including more than thirty Nobel Prize winners) have investigated precognition, mediumship, telepathy, healing, seances, psychokinesis, and many other aspects of parapsychology and psychical research. This list of more than two hundred of them shows that those of us who take these things seriously are in good company. 
CHILDREN SHARE MEMORIES OF THE TIME BEFORE THEY WERE BORN Dr. Wayne W. Dyer and co-author Dee Garnes collected accounts of children's pre-birth memories. The children shared their dialogues with God, talked about long-deceased family members they knew while in the dimension of Spirit, verified past-life recollections, gave evidence that they themselves had a hand in picking their own parents and the timing of their sojourn to Earth, and spoke eloquently and accurately of a kind of Divine love that exists beyond this physical realm. 
“The mind of the atheist is not lumbered up with a multitude of complex beliefs. Therefore, he reaches a true estimation of the Great Power (God) with greater facility. The non-believer will say that he does not believe in the existence of God because he has had no proof of His existence. Given the proof, he will say in effect, and he will be convinced – he gets it. Not by our giving it to him, but by the exercise of an intelligence free from an accumulation of false religious conceptions.” By Mons Hugh Benson transmited through medium Anthony Borgia 
"LOVE EVER AFTER: HOW MY HUSBAND BECAME MY SPIRIT GUIDE" In 1983 Bob Lisker's wife Dorka was brutally murdered. Their then 17-year old son 
Spiritist Literature: Directed Study with Ana Castro.
Have you experienced a strong connection with an animal? Our guest Gretchen Bickert will be convening a sharing session on the animal-human connection. You are invited to come and tell us about a connection you had with an animal companion (past or present), ask questions about supporting them in their health (Gretchen is experienced in alternative and palliative care for animals), share how you celebrated their lives and coped with grief at their loss in a society that often does not understand the strength of human-animal connections. We would also like to hear stories about any contact you have had with them since they transitioned.
Pacific Daylight Time 1 p.m. Monday 
Our Guest Medium this week is Julia Marie. She
has received 
Share resources and discuss what participants are experiencing
Every Wednesday with Rob Blackburn and Craig Hogan. Participants sit in a darkened space in their own homes; the group has been going for some time and members are experiencing phenomena. This is a long-term commitment.
There are varied opinions as to when we enter our physical body, but 
FEEDBACK: 3 only