COMMENTARY: THE INCREASE IN "NO RELIGION"
In many Western countries there is a steady drift away from formal religion. Thirty-nine percent of Australians now identify as non-religious, up from 30 percent in 2016 and almost double the 22 percent of Australians who ticked the “no religion” box a decade ago.
Of course, the conservatives are horrified and the headline in one Sydney paper proclaimed "Abandoning God: Christianity plummets as ‘non-religious’ surges in census" with the article beginning "Australia has become strikingly more godless over the past decade".
But are people in the West really abandoning God? Or are they abandoning religions whose concept of God has grown too small for them?
Near-death experiences are having a profound effect on our concept of God. As Bruce Greyson says in the video below, most experiencers describe themselves as "spiritual but not religious" and "think that the type of deity they encountered, if they did, is not as limited as the God they were taught about in church. It's much bigger than that, much more inclusive."
NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCES KILL THE PERSON THAT YOU USED TO BE
According to Professor Bruce Greyson, "Most near-death experiencers say that they have trouble speaking about the experience because there just aren't words to describe it. It's like trying to draw an odor with a crayon. Experiencers describe a sense of connectedness to other people, to nature, to the Universe, and to the divine. For them, this changes everything. For instance, it makes them much less interested in power and fame. Experiencers almost always say, 'This is the most important thing that's ever happened to me, and nothing else in my life compares to it.' The most common change is that they are no longer afraid of death".
PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA DESCRIBES THE ASTRAL WORLD Paramahansa Yogananda is one of the most beloved spiritual teachers of modern times. A devoted follower of Jesus, he is credited with popularising yoga in the West and promoting the unity of all religions. He is the author of "Autobiography of a Yogi."
"From the astral world we come at birth, and there we shall return at death...In the astral world, everything is changeable at the command of the mind. How important it is to live in that finer realm! I am all the time there—even now as I am talking to you. Such happiness comes; there are no words I can use to describe it to you. In this gross world, you get tired of everything; even the most enjoyable things eventually become tedious or boring. But in the astral world the creations of your will are ever new. You will never tire of that world. If you want to be young you can be so. If you want to appear as a man or as a woman or in any form you wish, you can do so. You do not have to worry about money for your needs; a mere command of your will provides whatever you want. Wouldn't it be wonderful to be able to do that here? This earth is so limited; some persons have plenty while others starve. But in the heavenly astral world there are no such inequities; every being has according to his desire. If you want an opulent palace, it is there for you. If you want snow or heat or light or rain, you can have it just by the power of thought. With astral light the mind can create anything." Read more of his teaching about our true nature.
I STUDIED NDES FOR 30 YEARS AND WHAT I DISCOVERED GAVE ME GOOSEBUMPS Dr. Scott Taylor is a well-known researcher and speaker in the field of NDE studies. He is also the President of the Expanded Awareness Institute which helps people interested in near-death and shared-death experiences to explore what that experience means to them and our culture. His first-hand encounter with a shared NDE occurred in 1981 and he has been committed to researching others' experiences and raising awareness ever since.
NO-ONE REALLY DIES
If you're still not sure about the afterlife, or even if you are, you must read Michael Tymn's book No-one Really Dies: 25 Reasons to Believe in an Afterlife. It will leave you intrigued and fascinated. In the first chapter, he details the personal experience of a mediumship reading that stunned him and, in the second, the incredible experiences that led Jon Beecher to create White Crow Books. Many of the cases reported in this book are bizarre and exceed the normal boggle threshold, but it should be kept in mind that the high-profile people who reported on them did so after numerous observations, often under highly controlled conditions. And all of them put their considerable reputations on the line by sharing them publicly. Read the chapter headings from the Kindle edition.
DO WE PLAN OUR LIVES BEFORE WE ARE BORN? ROBERT SCHWARTZ TALKS ABOUT HIS RESEARCH.
CHRISTIAN SAINT SPOKE THROUGH A TRANCE MEDIUM
Early in 1974, a small group of religious friends began gathering periodically at the modest home of Thomas and Olive Ashman in Christchurch, New Zealand. “We would reverently pray for protection, and be silent,” said the Rev. Michael Cocks, an Anglican priest from Christchurch. Then a communicator who identified himself as the biblical figure, Stephen the Martyr, seemed to take over.
Rev. Michael Cocks' book, "Afterlife Teaching from Stephen The Martyr" records seven years of conversations with St. Stephen. It talks about the true purpose of life, about the mission of Christ, about the true nature of his resurrection, and about how after our death we continue to evolve and gradually give up our separateness. Stephen emerges as a very balanced, loving, and non-judgmental presence.
WHAT IS PLATFORM MEDIUMSHIP?
When a medium gives a long detailed message to a client it is usually called a "private reading". Group demonstrations of mediumship take place in small halls or even in huge theatres and are sometimes called "platform mediumship". Several television shows have highlighted mediums doing these kinds of demonstrations. Here is one with the popular English medium and author Dorris Stokes who died in 1987.
WHAT HAPPENS IN A SPIRITUALIST CHURCH?
All religions teach that there is life after death but Spiritualism is unique in that it tries to provide immediate evidence of that fact through mediumship. A service in a Spiritualist Church usually consists of an inspired address and a demonstration of mediumship by a visiting medium. There may also be spiritual healing. These are given without charge although freewill donations may be made to help pay the expenses of the meeting. Here's an example of platform mediumship as part of a service. Many Spiritualist churches also run development circles where people can develop their psychic and mediumship skills.
TONIGHT Friday 15th December 2023 (Sydney time) NEW ZOOM GROUP - UK MEDIUMSHIP
Join us for a demonstration of platform mediumship via ZOOM. This is a wonderful opportunity for those new to afterlife evidence to experience high-quality old-school UK mediumship courtesy of the Sydney Northern Beaches Spiritualist Church. The guest medium this month is Margaret Challenger. The room will be opened half an hour before the meeting for people to chat with each other.
Entry is free but a small donation to NBSC2024@gmail.com by Paypal or direct deposit would be appreciated.
Times:
Sydney 7 p.m. Friday
Perth 4 p.m. Friday
Singapore 4 p.m. Friday
London 8 a.m. Friday
Rome 9 a.m. Friday
Los Angeles midnight Friday/Saturday
Phoenix 1 a.m. Friday
Mountain time 1 a.m. Friday
Central time 2 am Friday
Eastern time 3 a.m. Friday Check time in your city
Online in Zoom https://zoom.us/j/5562413788
Contact Paul Hinson for details - Advall@iinet.net.au
"SOUL EXPLORERS PODCAST" TRAILER
One of the main goals of our Afterlife Zoom Groups is to encourage people to network, make connections, and develop new ways to spread the message of life everlasting. So we are delighted to announce that two of our regular presenters, Sally Taylor and Gary Langley, have created a new podcast "Soul Explorers" that will feature weekly discussions and interviews which will be shared on their channel on YouTube. Their first interview with fellow presenter and Zoom group leader Nancy Freier is already online. Check it out here.
THE PASSING OF PHYSICAL MEDIUM BILL MEADOWS From Jacqui Hirdler on Bill Meadows Facebook page:
"It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our lovely dad, who you all knew as Bill Meadows, on Sunday 10th December 2023.
If you know anyone who knew him who is not on this Facebook page could we kindly ask that you let them know.
Funeral details will be posted on here once the arrangements have been made."
Saturday December 16th, 2023 / Sunday December 17th in Australia
Spiritist Literature: Directed Study (SLIDS) with Ana Castro.
A free Zoom group about Spiritism, Kardec, and Chico Xavier. See videos of previous meetings
Times:
Pacific time 1 p.m. Saturday
Phoenix time 2 p.m. Saturday
Mountain 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 8 a.m. Sunday
New Zealand 10 a.m. Sunday
Check time in your city
Co-ordinator: Ana Castro
Just click this link to join.
Sunday December 17th 2023 / Monday December 18th Australia
Global Gathering: Guest Sheri Perl "What's New and What Gets Me Through". Sheri is well known to our community from her Prayer Registry, her self-healing program, and her EVP/ITC experiments, as well as the groups that she ran all year in healing and recording EVPs. Along with showing her latest results with both orbs and EVPs, Sheri will share her belief that Spirit provides these amazing phenomena to encourage us to live in faith of the bigger picture.
Times:
Pacific Time 12 noon Sunday
Phoenix 1 p.m. Sunday
Mountain Time 1 p.m. Sunday
Central time 2 p.m. Sunday
Eastern time 3 p.m. Sunday
London 8 p.m. Sunday
Vienna 9 p.m. Sunday
Sydney/Melbourne 7 a.m. Monday
New Zealand 9 a.m. Monday
Check time in your city
Co-ordinator: wendyzammit@gmail.com https://zoom.us/j/7595442928
Monday December 18th, 2023 / Tuesday December 19th, Australia
GOSH with Kim Parker
Please note Kim will be taking a break until the end of January 2024.
When: Every two weeks on Mondays (UK EUROPE and USA) and Tuesdays at 7 a.m. (Melbourne). A small group that meets to share and explore the meaning of strange experiences like missing time, seeing scenes from another time, interacting with a person who suddenly wasn't there, bi-location, etc. If it's something you cannot share easily with others, bring it to this group to get validation and speculate on its cause. See short video about GOSH
Times:
Pacific Time 12 noon Monday
Phoenix 1 p.m. Monday
Mountain Time 1 p.m. Monday
Central time 2 p.m. Monday
Eastern time 3 p.m. Monday
London 8 p.m. Monday
Amsterdam 9 p.m. Monday
Sydney/Melbourne 7 a.m. Tuesday
New Zealand 9 a.m. Tuesday Check the time for your city
Email: Kim at kmrainbow57@yahoo.com https://zoom.us/j/7595442928
Wednesday December 20th 2023/ Thursday December 21st Australia Automatic Writing and Mediumship ETC. Discussion with
Sheila Lowe
Share resources and discuss what participants are experiencing
1st and 3rd Wednesdays.
January 17th - Guest Stephen Berkley. Registration form for a screening of Life With Ghosts, https://www.livingwithghostsmovie.com/regsheila Times:
Pacific Time 5.30 p.m. Wednesday
Phoenix 6.30 p.m. Wednesday
Mountain time 6.30 p.m. Wednesday
Central time 7.30 p.m. Wednesday
Eastern Time 8.30 p.m. Wednesday
London time 1.30 a.m. Thursday
Perth 9.30 a.m. Thursday
Sydney/ Melbourne 12.30 p.m. Thursday
New Zealand 2.30 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 December 20th 2023/ Thursday December 21st 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 GROUP IS CURRENTLY TAKING NEW MEMBERS
Times:
Pacific 6 p.m. Wednesday
Arizona 7 p.m. Wednesday
Mountain time 7 p.m. Wednesday
Central time 8 p.m. Wednesday
New York time 9 p.m. Wednesday
London 2 a.m. Thursday
Perth 10 a.m. Thursday
Sydney/Melbourne 1 p.m. Thursday
New Zealand 3 p.m. Thursday Check time in your city
Email r.craig.hogan@afterlifeinstitute.org
Thursday December 21st / Friday December 22nd Australia
1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month
August Goforth: Exploratorium.
August, a licensed psychotherapist in private practice in New York City, leads a participatory "Exploratorium" where readers of the book "The Risen" will be encouraged to offer ponderings and ideas on grief and growth. Free pdf copies of the book are available here.
This group meets on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month.
Times:
Pacific time 12 noon Thursday
Phoenix 1 p.m. Thursday
Mountain time 1 p.m. Thursday
Central time 2 p.m. Thursday
New York time 3 p.m. Thursday
London 8 p.m. Thursday
Sydney/Melbourne 7 a.m. Friday
New Zealand 9 a.m. Friday Check time in your city
Contact: Glangley@mcn.org
HOW TO MEDITATE ANYWHERE
One way to become more conscious is to meditate. There is a huge amount of research going on about the benefits of mindfulness meditation in reducing the incidence of, and treating, all kinds of diseases, especially heart disease. Even if you do 5 minutes a couple of times a day it makes a huge difference. This cute 1.5-minute video shows how to meditate anywhere, anytime.
TEACHINGS OF SILVER BIRCH
"We give you no creed, no ritual, no ceremony, but only the love of the Great Spirit seeking to express itself through His children. We ask you to follow no book, no dogma, no leader, no authority, no scroll of parchment, no learning, to worship no relic, but only to follow the laws of the Great Spirit, which are the greatest things in the universe. They are the only supreme authority."
(Teachings of Silver Birch p.84)
RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS
Some uplifting clips of people and animals to make your day.
THE GREAT UPSHIFT LAUNCH SUMMIT
This book is a compilation of 35 contributions by planetary thinkers edited by Ervin Laszlo and David Lorimer. "This vital book leads us beyond today’s crisis- and conflict-prone world to a higher stage of our evolution. We have reached a historic turning point – a point of bifurcation – at which we must find new ways to upshift our individual and collective consciousness to ensure the desired resolution of these crises".
You are invited to join an online launch of the book by the Scientific and Medical Network on Friday, 29 and Saturday, 30 December 4.00-8.30 PM (GMT, UK) Read more and register for this free event.
FEEDBACK: (4 only)
1) "Hi Victor & Wendy, what a fabulous video from Jeff O'Driscoll. It was so real and so instructive - love is all we need - what a message in today's troubled world". Regards Roger
2) "It is now 13 years since my husband died. His birthday was yesterday and I needed more than ever your reassurance that he is waiting for me and I get that from you more than anywhere else".
Helen
3)
"I look forward to this newsletter every week. It never disappoints. Thanks, Victor and Wendy." Ann
4) "I just finished reading Mike Marable’s new book “ How To Have A Good Life After You’re Dead”. It's an absolutely fascinating read! A good book for the Christmas break reading list. Waiting on delivery of Jurgen Ziewe’s Elysium now." Kerrie
INSPIRATIONAL MUSIC - TRUE COLOURS
The title song, written by Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly, has been covered by many other artists, and was used as the theme song for the 1988 Summer Olympics, the 2003 Rugby World Cup, and for Kodak cameras and film.
Lyrics
You with the sad eyes Don't be discouraged, oh I realize It's hard to take courage In a world full of people You can lose sight of it all The darkness inside you Can make you feel so small
Show me a smile then Don't be unhappy Can't remember when I last saw you laughing This world makes you crazy And you've taken all you can bear Just call me up 'Cause I will always be there
And I see your true colors Shining through I see your true colors And that's why I love you
So don't be afraid to let them show Your true colors True colors are beautiful I see your true colors Shining through (true colors) I see your true colors And that's why I love you So don't be afraid to let them show Your true colors True colors are beautiful (they're beautiful) Like a rainbow Oh oh oh oh oh like a rainbow
Ooh can't remember when I last saw you laughing Ooh oh oh oh This world makes you crazy And you've taken all you can bear Just call me up 'Cause I will always be there
And I see your true colors Shining through I see your true colors And that's why I love you So don't be afraid (don't be afraid) To let them show your true colors True colors are beautiful (you're beautiful, oh) Like a rainbow Oh oh oh oh oh like a rainbow Mmm mmm
Whilst we encourage and publish many papers and reports by afterlife researchers, we are not in a position to guarantee the accuracy of all claims.
ALL WORK IS COPYRIGHT BY THE CONDITIONS SET AT THE GENEVA CONFERENCE ON COPYRIGHT
"From the astral world we come at birth, and there we shall return at death...In the astral world, everything is changeable at the command of the mind. How important it is to live in that finer realm! I am all the time there—even now as I am talking to you. Such happiness comes; there are no words I can use to describe it to you. In this gross world, you get tired of everything; even the most enjoyable things eventually become tedious or boring. But in the astral world the creations of your will are ever new. You will never tire of that world. If you want to be young you can be so. If you want to appear as a man or as a woman or in any form you wish, you can do so. You do not have to worry about money for your needs; a mere command of your will provides whatever you want. Wouldn't it be wonderful to be able to do that here? This earth is so limited; some persons have plenty while others starve. But in the heavenly astral world there are no such inequities; every being has according to his desire. If you want an opulent palace, it is there for you. If you want snow or heat or light or rain, you can have it just by the power of thought. With astral light the mind can create anything."
f you're still not sure about the afterlife, or even if you are, you must read Michael Tymn's book 
From Jacqui Hirdler on 
Spiritist Literature: Directed Study (SLIDS) with Ana Castro.
Global Gathering: Guest Sheri Perl "What's New and What Gets Me Through". Sheri is well known to our community from her 
When: Every two weeks on Mondays (UK EUROPE and USA) and Tuesdays at 7 a.m. (Melbourne).
Automatic Writing and Mediumship ETC. Discussion with
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. 
August Goforth: Exploratorium.
THE GREAT UPSHIFT LAUNCH SUMMIT 
FEEDBACK: (4 only) 