Death, I found out in the worst way possible on the worst day of my life, is the one and only inevitable truth of life. While the passing of a loved one often results in profound grief, a significant number of people —including me!—report experiencing what they believe to be communications from those who have crossed over. These experiences, known as after-death communications (ADC), provide solace, closure, and even spiritual awakening for many.
As the demand for understanding and connecting with the spirit realm grows, both researchers and therapists are diving deep into the world of induced after-death communication. This article aims to shed light on this emergent area of interest.
Disclaimer: While this article discusses therapeutic techniques related to induced after-death communication, I'm not a therapist and cannot provide medical advice. Always consult with a professional when seeking therapeutic interventions.
Understanding After-Death Communication (ADC)
At its core, after-death communication represents spontaneous and usually unexpected encounters or experiences that convey a sense of being contacted or communicated with by someone who has passed away. These can manifest in various ways, including:
Dreams:
Often the most reported form of ADC, where the deceased appear vividly and often convey messages of love, reassurance, or guidance.
Symbols:
Certain recurring symbols, like specific animals, numbers, or natural phenomena, can be perceived as after death communication symbols from the departed.
Sensations:
A sudden fragrance that relates to the deceased, a fleeting touch, or even a familiar voice.
While these experiences have been anecdotally reported for centuries, it's only in recent years that the field of psychology has begun to seriously consider the implications and applications of ADCs in therapeutic settings.
Induced After-Death Communication (IADC): Bridging the Gap
Induced after-death communication is a newer therapeutic technique, drawing comparisons to Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), a treatment primarily utilized for trauma and PTSD. IADC aims to help individuals in grief access healing visions or communications with the deceased.
In an IADC session, under the guidance of a trained therapist, individuals are led through a series of visualizations and bilateral stimulation (similar to EMDR) to help facilitate potential communication with the deceased. Many report profound, vivid experiences that assist in the healing process.
After-Death Communication Research: The Science Behind the Spirit
Scientific validation for such phenomena remains a topic of debate, but strides have been made in understanding ADCs' psychological and therapeutic implications. Studies have looked into various facets:
Frequency & Forms:
A majority of bereaved individuals report some form of after-death communication. The nature of these varies, but dreams and symbolic encounters are common.
Psychological Effects:
Many who experience ADCs report reduced symptoms of grief, depression, and anxiety. The therapeutic potential of these experiences is increasingly being recognized.
Neurological Underpinnings:
Some theories propose that ADCs, particularly induced ones, might be linked to specific brain activity or neural pathways. While this doesn't negate the authenticity of the experience for the individual, it provides a possible explanation for why some people are more receptive to ADCs.
Navigating the Journey: Stories and Experiences
After death communication stories are both poignant and diverse. From a mother sensing the reassuring presence of her departed child to a widower receiving messages in dreams, these tales echo the timeless human yearning to bridge the gap between life and death.
Books on the subject, such as "Hello From Heaven!" by Bill and Judy Guggenheim, offer a comprehensive look into hundreds of firsthand ADC accounts, adding layers of depth to our understanding.
Dreams: A Direct Line?
After death communication dreams stand out as particularly vivid and emotionally charged. The clarity of these dreams, combined with the often profound messages they carry, make them a subject of both fascination and research.
Quotes and Reflections: What Happens After Death?
"What happens after death?" is a question that has intrigued humanity for millennia. Philosophers, spiritual leaders, and thinkers have weighed in:
"Death is not extinguishing the light; it is only putting out the lamp because the dawn has come." - Rabindranath Tagore
"The boundaries between life and death are at best shadowy and vague. Who shall say where one ends and the other begins?" - Edgar Allan Poe
Such reflections offer a glimpse into the vast tapestry of beliefs and perceptions surrounding death and the possibility of continued existence or communication.
The Spiritual Test: How Do We Know?
The after-death communication test is, for many, a deeply personal one. While some look for undeniable proof, others lean into their experiences with faith and openness. It's essential to approach these experiences with an open heart but also a discerning mind, recognizing the profound impact of grief and our innate desire for connection.
In Closing: My Journey Beyond the Veil
I first heard of Induced After-Death Communication just a few weeks before the first anniversary of my brother’s sudden and tragic death. I devoured everything I could find about it, and was disappointed to learn there wasn’t a therapist in my area who could conduct a session.
Now, what I did next isn’t something I am even remotely qualified to do, nor is it something I am qualified to suggest anyone else do: I tried it on myself.
I had done EMDR and bilateral stimulation (tapping) in the past in a therapeutic setting, so I read everything I could find to prepare, then I set out on a little adventure.
Just like is suggested in the book, Induced After-Death Communication, written by its founder Alan Botkin, I searched for the most upsetting aspect of my sadness. It wasn’t difficult to uncover, and I began tapping either thigh, over and over, as I plumbed the depths of this core sadness. When I felt the sadness alleviating, after about 20 minutes of pretty uncomfortable ugly crying, I settled down and closed my eyes.
And immediately, I felt my brother.
I didn’t see him, and I didn’t “hear” him, but I felt him and I received a message from him. It wasn’t like words that were written or spoken, but rather a full concept that occurred to me all at once:
I’m okay. You’re okay. Everything is okay.
I had already settled down quite a bit by then, but whatever sadness or. tension remained in my body completely left at that point, and, as I was to find out over the next days and weeks, so did the worst of my grief.
I don’t know if it was a combination of the anniversary and my desire to turn a page in my bereavement journey, or if IADC, as it’s called, is a miracle straight from the divine, but ever since that day I have not felt the ragged, raw, tugging depths of grief. Instead, I feel momentary sadness and a little pull of regret every once in awhile. I think about my brother every day. EVERY. DAY. But the pain has been replaced with a simple and neutral knowing.
It’s okay. I’m okay.
What a miracle.