Eternal Love: How Our Loved Ones Continue to Connect After Passing

Of all of the human experiences on offer during a lifetime, the loss of a loved one is among the most profound and challenging. Yet, amidst the depths of sorrow, many find solace in the belief that those we've lost continue to connect with us in various ways. This 2,000-word blog post explores the enduring bonds of love that transcend physical separation, offering comfort and hope to those grieving.

The Continuity of Love Beyond the Physical Realm

The concept of an ongoing connection with the departed has roots in various spiritual and cultural traditions worldwide. These beliefs often emphasize that while our loved ones may be gone from the physical world, the essence of their being and the love we shared remain.

The Spiritual Perspective

Many spiritual beliefs hold that death is not an end, but a transition to another form of existence. In this view, our loved ones continue to exist in a spiritual realm and can still connect with us in subtle, profound ways.

Cultural Interpretations

Different cultures interpret posthumous connections differently. For example, in some Eastern philosophies, ancestors play an active role in the lives of the living, offering guidance and protection. Western cultures, influenced by Christian beliefs, often view the deceased as guardian angels or spiritual guides.

Seeing butterflies is often a way that the bereaved feel their loved ones reach out across the distance.

Signs of Connection from the Other Side

Those who have experienced the loss of a loved one often report various signs that suggest ongoing connection. These signs are deeply personal and can manifest in numerous ways.

Dreams: A Common Meeting Ground

Dreams are one of the most common ways people report feeling connected to their departed loved ones. These dreams are often vivid and imbued with a sense of realness and profound emotion.

Physical Sensations

Some report physical sensations, such as feeling a touch, hearing a voice, or smelling a familiar scent associated with the deceased, suggesting their presence.

Symbolic Occurrences

Butterflies, birds, or other animals appearing at significant moments, or finding objects in unexpected places can be interpreted as signs from loved ones. While skeptics may attribute these to coincidence, for many, they are meaningful symbols of continued love.

Technological Phenomena

Unexplained phone calls, texts, or electronic glitches are sometimes reported as ways the deceased might communicate.

Personal Accounts of Connection

Personal stories and anecdotes often provide the most compelling evidence of ongoing connection. These narratives, rich with emotion and personal significance, offer comfort and hope to those grieving.

Shared Experiences

Many find solace in sharing their experiences with others, discovering that such occurrences are more common than they initially thought.

The Role of Mediums and Psychics

Some seek out mediums or psychics to bridge the gap between the physical and spiritual realms. While skepticism exists, many find these sessions provide closure and reassurance.

Scientific Perspectives on After-Death Communication

The scientific community remains largely skeptical of after-death communication, attributing such experiences to psychological factors like grief, memory, and wish fulfillment. However, research in fields like parapsychology continues to explore these phenomena with an open mind.

The Power of the Mind in Grief

Psychologists suggest that these experiences can be part of the brain's coping mechanism, a way to process loss and maintain a connection with the deceased.

Studies on After-Death Communication

While conclusive scientific evidence is lacking, some studies have explored the therapeutic effects of these experiences on the bereaved, often finding them helpful in the grieving process.

The Therapeutic Effect of Believing in Connection

Regardless of one's beliefs about the reality of these connections, their therapeutic effect is undeniable for many. They can offer comfort, aid in the healing process, and provide a sense of peace.

Healing Through Continued Bonds

The theory of 'Continued Bonds' in grief therapy suggests that maintaining a connection with the deceased can be a healthy part of the grieving process, contradicting older notions that one must 'let go' to heal.

The Role of Rituals and Memorials

Rituals, memorials, and creating dedicated spaces for the deceased can facilitate a sense of ongoing connection and provide a tangible way to honor and remember them.

Cultural and Religious Rituals for Connection

Cultures and religions around the world have rituals to maintain bonds with the deceased. From the Mexican 'Dia de los Muertos' to the Japanese 'Obon Festival', these traditions provide structured ways to celebrate and remember those who have passed.

Personal Rituals and Practices

Creating personal rituals, such as lighting candles, visiting gravesites, or celebrating anniversaries, can also help in maintaining a bond.

Challenges and Criticisms

While many find comfort in these beliefs, they are not without challenges and criticisms. Skepticism, fear of stigma, and the potential for psychological dependency are issues that some people face.

Balancing Grief and Hope

It's important to balance the comfort these beliefs provide with the reality of moving forward in life. Relying too heavily on signs and messages can hinder the natural process of

Can't Afford a Medium? You Don't Need a Psychic to Contact Your Loved Ones on the Other Side

Connecting with a departed loved one doesn’t always require a psychic medium. In fact, with a little guidance, intention, and openness, you can cultivate this connection in the comfort of your own home.

First of all, I found myself getting in my own way a lot when I was first trying to contact my brother on the other side. I kept thinking I would be able to “hear” him with my ears, or even “see” him with my eyes.

But the only sense necessary for us to make contact is our imagination. I know what you’re thinking: “So it’s just in my imagination?” And the answer is, simply: YES.

Think about it: whatever and wherever THE OTHER SIDE is, it’s right here. It’s another dimension that exists right alongside ours. At least, that’s what I believe. And just like you can be right where you are, reading this right now, you can also imagine yourself in another place, doing something completely different. Right?

We’ve been programmed to think that messages from the other side have to be tangible, and I’m not saying they’re not! But spirit uses what it has to communicate with us, and depending on who you ask, that’s going to be something like our intuition.

When I am calm, quiet, and meditative, my mind gets still. And when my mind is still, I can sometimes feel or think things that don’t seem to originate with me. Sure there’s also tons of straight up garbage that flows through, but when I meditate with an intention to connect to the other side, and I take steps to make that more likely (see below) I find I am able to very easily slip into that “place” where contact is effortless.

I’ve got two tutorials for you below: one is to set up a deal with your loved one on the other side: they’ll bring you signs, and you’ll recognize them. The second is about making direct contact, which takes a bit more focus and practice. Note that before my brother died, I had been a meditator for eight years, using the Vipassana or Insight method. So I think that helped me a lot when it came to stilling my mind so I can make contact with my brother on the other side.

Inspired by the words of Laura Lynne Jackson in her book, "Signs: The Secret Language of the Universe," here’s a comprehensive tutorial to help you set intentions and recognize the signs from your loved ones on the other side.

1. Setting Intentions for Recognizing Signs:

Step 1: Find a Quiet Space – Choose a place where you feel at peace and won’t be disturbed. This could be a cozy corner of your home, a garden, or even a serene park.

Step 2: Deep Breathing – Start with a few minutes of deep breathing to calm your mind and body. Feel yourself becoming grounded and present.

Step 3: Be Specific with Your Intent – Think of a specific sign you wish to receive from your loved one. It could be a specific animal, a particular song, a certain number, or even a coin.

Step 4: Meditation & Visualization – Close your eyes and visualize your loved one. Ask them, in your mind, to show you the sign you’ve chosen. Feel their presence and the love they have for you.

Step 5: Trust and Let Go – After setting your intention, release any expectations. Trust that you’ll receive the sign when the time is right.

Don’t forget to thank your loved one when you see a sign! They are eager to make contact, and they will absolutely feel your gratitude when it happens.

And here’s a method for inducing the kind of contact a medium might make.

2. Making Direct Contact With a Deceased Loved One:

Step 1: Create the Atmosphere – Light some candles or incense, dim the lights, and play soft, evocative music that relaxes your mind. I think it’s best to try this very early in the morning, just as the sun is coming up, or in the early evening, just as the sun is setting. Both of these settings provide a sense of transition or openness, I think.

Step 2: Grounding Exercise – Sit comfortably and take deep breaths. Feel the connection between your body and the Earth. This will help you center your energy. I like thinking of space all around me on all sides, even beneath me deep down into the earth. I see myself as surrounded by open, limitless space, all the way out into the distant stars.

Step 3: State Your Prayer of Intention – Say aloud or in your mind: "Dear gods, guides, and friends on the other side: anyone dedicated to the light, please collaborate with me. I wish to send and receive messages from _______ with the highest intentions for love, light, and growth."

Step 4: Call Out to Your Loved One – Clearly state their name. Picture them in your mind. I say to my brother, “Hey, do you want to hang out with me?” Then I wait for a few moments until I feel a difference in my state of mind. A slight lift, or a shift. That means he’s joined me, energetically.

Step 5: Ask Your Questions – While I think it’s fine to ask questions like, “Who was there to greet you when you crossed over?” or “What are you doing over there?” I think the best use of your time with your loved one on the other side is discussing what you’re going through. They want to help you with your grief, but also with your life! You can tap into the deep bond that you have and ask them to be a collaborator in your life. Not sure what to do about a relationship? Feeling anxiety and stress about something? Ask for help! That’s what they want.

Step 6: Listen for Immediate Answers – If you get a response before you even finish formulating your question, it’s a good sign you’ve established a connection. My brother interrupts me a lot. That’s because as soon as I think of what I want to say, it’s already been communicated. That’s just how it works on the other side. Your intention to connect means you’re connected!

You probably won’t “hear” their voice, but it will often seem like you will just get thoughts that don’t feel like your own. My brother “talks” to me in a sort of dry, humorous tone. That’s how I know it’s him. But I don’t hear his voice in my ears like I might someone in the other room. Instead, it’s telepathic communication. At first I didn’t trust it because I thought, “it’s just me making it up in my own head!” But remember: that is the venue for our connection — our imagination! Trust that and keep an open heart.

Step 7: Conclude and Express Gratitude – After your session, thank your loved one and any other spiritual guides for their messages and presence. It’s essential to acknowledge and show gratitude for their effort and energy.

Final Note: Remember, the key is to approach this with an open heart and mind. There will be times when you might not receive a sign or message, and that’s okay. The spiritual realm operates beyond our understanding of time and space. Keep practicing, stay patient, and trust the journey. With time and dedication, you’ll find yourself forming deeper connections and understanding the language of the universe better.

Let me know if you try either of these methods and if you’re able to make contact with someone who has died. And keep in mind, this is a process and a practice that you’ll get better at over time. I believe in you!

Adam Barry's Goodbye Hello: When the Paranormal Meets Grief

Grief, as you know, can take you to places you never thought you'd venture, both metaphorically and sometimes quite literally. In the world of the paranormal, where mysteries about the afterlife and connections between our world and the next captivate so many, rarely do we find a spotlight that also shines on the raw and real emotion of grief. Until now.

Recently, news broke of an upcoming book by Adam Berry, paranormal investigator extraordinaire, and a man deeply entrenched in the mysteries of the unknown. The book, Goodbye Hello: Processing Grief and Understanding Death Through the Paranormal, seems set to bridge a vital gap, intertwining the threads of grief with the allure of the paranormal.

For those of us who've mourned, the thought of contacting loved ones or receiving some form of sign from them isn't unfamiliar. It’s the yearning for a connection, an assurance, or maybe just a way to process the pain. Now, Berry, who's familiar to many as the host of ‘Kindred Spirits’ and a former member of the legendary ‘Ghost Hunters’ team, is diving deep into this intersection of grief and the supernatural.

From the publisher's synopsis, this book aims to answer burning questions that many of us secretly harbor. What really happens after death? Why do some spirits linger? Is there a tangible connection between our dreams and the afterlife? These aren’t just fascinating queries for the paranormal enthusiast, they’re also profoundly important for those grappling with loss.

What makes Berry's perspective so riveting is his extensive experience in the field. I recently came across an interview with him on Bloody Disgusting where he dives into his journey, from winning 'Ghost Hunters Academy' to forming a dynamic investigative duo with Amy Bruni in 'Kindred Spirits'. Their strong bond, one that resonates on and off screen, highlights how interpersonal relationships can deeply influence paranormal investigations.

Now, when it comes to paranormal investigations, many often label them as mere "thrill-seeking" endeavors. But this upcoming book paints a different picture. It hints at a deeper, healing essence, a spiritual exploration of grief and the afterlife, grounded in tangible experiences and evidence.

The paranormal community is vast, and there are many paths one can walk. But seldom do we find individuals who not only seek to understand the mysteries of the beyond but also look at how these mysteries can provide solace to the grieving heart.

When I first stumbled upon the announcement for Goodbye Hello, it was through an Instagram post from none other than Tyler Henry. If you're unaware of him, Tyler is the prodigious medium fronting Netflix’s ‘Life After Death’. I can't quite articulate the solace that show provided me, especially in the tender weeks that followed my brother's passing. Every episode was like a balm to my ravaged soul. Tyler's singular talent is not just about communicating with the departed; it's about healing. It's about extending a gentle hand to the grieving, offering a chance at closure and a reassurance that death is not the end. To see such a figure endorsing Adam Berry’s new book was nothing short of a glowing testimonial.

The realm of the paranormal, often relegated to late-night TV and spooky campfire tales, hides a deeper, more therapeutic potential than many give it credit for. At its core, it's about connections; bridges between our world and what lies beyond, between the living and the departed. It's these connections that provide an avenue for healing, especially in the wake of traumatic grief that accompanies the sudden loss of a loved one.

Enter Laura Lynn Jackson, another powerhouse in the field. A renowned psychic medium, she's assisted countless individuals in navigating their grief. Through her readings, she offers a window into the beyond, often delivering messages that bring profound closure to bereaved families. It's a thing of beauty, watching her at work. Witnessing a family's anguish morph into acceptance, gratitude, even joy – it’s a testament to the healing potential the paranormal holds.

Both Laura and Tyler have demystified the esoteric, making it accessible and relatable. They've shown that mediums are not just conduits for the deceased, but also guides for the living, helping us understand our losses and teaching us to find meaning in them.

As someone who’s been on a personal journey of grief, I can attest to the power of mediums. Their work transcends mere communication; it's an education. From them, I've learned not just about the other side, but also about how to reach out on my own. They teach us that every one of us has an innate ability to connect, to feel those who've left us. It's not about seeing spirits in every shadow, but about understanding the signs, the messages they send, and the sense of presence they project.

It’s been awhile since I got really excited about a new grief book, because they all seem to be the same. But I’m very much looking forward to Adam Berry's Goodbye Hello. If Tyler Henry's nod is any indication, this book will be another step in that beautiful dance between our world and the next, helping souls on both sides find peace.

It’s refreshing, and frankly a relief, to see someone like Adam Berry, with a vast platform and influence, delve into the nuanced world of grief through a paranormal lens. It holds the promise of providing readers not just with captivating tales of the unknown, but with insights that may ease the journey of grief. If the paranormal can provide even a flicker of understanding, comfort, or healing to those mourning, then books like Goodbye Hello are more than just reads - they're lifelines.

Adam’s book can be pre-ordered here, and comes out on the 24th of September.

Beyond the Veil: How Loved Ones Reach Out

After-Death Communication

In the quiet moments following the loss of a loved one, an emotional chasm often forms, echoing with a silence that's deafening. But what if that silence was not as complete as we thought? What if those who've passed on were still trying to communicate with us? Across cultures, the notion of after-death communication—receiving signs from the afterlife and messages from the other side—has been a source of comfort and curiosity for many. This idea is not just born from age-old folklore and rituals, but from modern experiences and testimonials shared by people around the globe.

SIGNS by Laura-Lynn Jackson:

Among the contemporary proponents of this idea is Laura-Lynn Jackson, a psychic medium whose book, "SIGNS: The Secret Language of the Universe," delves deep into this phenomenon. In her poignant narrative, Jackson beautifully weaves her personal experiences with heartwarming stories of others who have received signs from their departed loved ones. The book does more than just share stories; it offers readers a lens to view the world differently, to see it as a place where the boundaries between life and death are permeable. One review notably praises the book as “a bridge to understanding the subtle, yet powerful, connections that bind us to the other side.”

Examples of Signs from "SIGNS":

Jackson relays numerous experiences in her book. One particularly touching account is of a mother who lost her son. She kept finding pennies in the most unexpected places following his passing. While this might seem coincidental to some, to her, it was her son's way of saying he was still around, still watching over her. Another story speaks of a grieving individual who constantly dreamed of receiving text messages from their deceased loved one. These dreams, vivid and real, became a source of solace in their grieving process.

Signs in Pop Culture:

The idea of receiving signs isn't limited to books or personal testimonials; it permeates popular culture. Celebrities, often with their lives laid bare, have occasionally shared their own mysterious experiences. For instance, the famed Paul McCartney once shared that after asking for a sign from his late mother, he dreamt of her. She told him everything would be alright, inspiring his song "Let It Be."

Netflix's LIFE AFTER DEATH:

Expanding on this concept, Netflix's documentary series "LIFE AFTER DEATH" dedicates an entire episode to the theme of signs. The episode interviews several individuals, each describing their unique experiences with the other side. One poignant example is of a widow who, while visiting her husband's grave, would often find the same type of butterfly fluttering nearby. She took it as a sign from him, a reassurance of his enduring presence.

How to Ask Your Departed Loved Ones for a Sign:

If you feel drawn to this concept and yearn for a connection with someone you've lost, consider reaching out for a sign. Here's a simple guide:

1. Find a Quiet Space:

Solitude and silence often make it easier to sense subtle signs.

2. Speak Aloud or Mentally:

Directly address your loved one. Express your feelings, your wishes, and explicitly ask for a sign if you're comfortable. On the other side, we communicate telepathically, so this is the best way to send your message.

3. Be Open and Patient:

Signs can be subtle or might not come immediately. It could be a familiar scent, a song on the radio, a dream, or even a feeling.

4. Keep a Journal:

Document your experiences. Over time, patterns may emerge, reinforcing your belief in the signs you're receiving.

5. Trust Yourself:

Skepticism is natural, but trust in your feelings and experiences. The comfort and connection are what truly matter.

In conclusion, the universe is filled with mysteries that go beyond our comprehension. Whether you're a believer in after-death communication or just intrigued by the possibilities, it's undeniable that countless individuals find solace and meaning in these ethereal experiences. As Laura-Lynn Jackson beautifully expresses in her book, there is a language that exists beyond words, one that communicates through signs, offering comfort, love, and the enduring bond that exists beyond the veil.