~ Joyous Reunions With Deceased Loved Ones ~
©1995; by Bill Guggenheim & Judy Guggenheim

co-authors of Hello From Heaven! published by Bantam Books

Have you been contacted by a loved one who has died? After-death communication (ADC) is probably as old as mankind, but ours is the first complete research study of this field. These spiritual experiences are extremely common, and in many other parts of the world they are discussed openly and freely.

Between 1988 & 1995, we interviewed 2,000 people who live in all fifty American states and the ten Canadian provinces. Ranging in age from children to the elderly, they represent diverse social, educational, economic, occupational, and religious backgrounds. We conservatively estimate that at least 50 million Americans, or 20% of the population, have had one or more ADC experiences – and the actual numbers may be closer to double these figures!

We collected more than 3,300 firsthand accounts of ADCs from people who have been contacted by a deceased family member or friend. These are spontaneous and direct communications that may occur anytime and anywhere, but no third parties such as psychics, mediums, hypnotists, or devices of any kind are involved.

Based upon our research, the following are the twelve most frequent types of after-death communication people report having with their deceased loved ones:

Sensing A Presence: This is the most common form of contact. But many people discount these experiences, thinking, "Oh, I'm just imagining this." It's a distinct feeling that your loved one is nearby, even though he or she can't be seen or heard. Though most often felt during the days and weeks immediately after the death, you may sense his or her presence months and even years later.

Hearing A Voice: Some people state they hear an external voice, the same as when a living person is speaking to them. However, the majority of communications are by telepathy – you hear the voice of your relative or friend in your mind. When you have two-way communication, it is usually by telepathy. In fact, it's possible to have an entire conversation this way.

Feeling A Touch: You may feel your loved one touch you with his or her hand, or place an arm around your shoulders or back, for comfort and reassurance. You may feel a tap, a pat, a caress, a stroke, a kiss, or even a hug. These are all forms of affection, nurturing, and love.

Smelling A Fragrance: You may smell your relative's or friend's favorite cologne, after-shave lotion, or perfume. Other common aromas are: flowers (especially roses), bath powders, tobacco products, favorite foods, and his or her personal scent.

Visual Experiences: There are a wide variety of visual experiences, which we have divided into two broad categories: partial visual and full visual ADCs. Appearances range from "a transparent mist" to "absolutely solid" with many gradations in between. You may see only the head and shoulders of your relative or friend, or someone you love may make a full appearance to you, and you will see the entire body as well, which will appear completely solid. Some visual ADCs occur in the bedroom, next to or at the foot of the bed. Others may happen anywhere – indoors or outdoors – even in a car or aboard a plane. Typically he or she will be expressing love and well-being with a radiant smile. Loved ones virtually always appear healed and whole regardless of their cause of death. Verbal communication may take place, but not always.

Visions: You may see an image of a deceased loved one in a "picture" that is either two-dimensional and flat or three-dimensional like a hologram. It's like seeing a 35 mm slide or a movie suspended in the air. Visions are usually in radiant colors and may be seen externally with your eyes open or internally in your mind. Communication may occur, especially during meditation.

Twilight Experiences: These occur in the alpha state – as you're falling asleep, waking up, meditating, or praying. You may have any or all of the above types of experiences while you are in this state of consciousness.

ADC Experiences While Asleep: Sleep-state ADCs are much more vivid, intense, colorful, and real than dreams. They are very common. Both one-way and two-way communications are typical. You usually feel your loved one is with you in person – that you're having an actual visit together. These experiences are not jumbled, filled with symbols, or fragmented the way dreams are.

Sleep-state ADCs are similar to those that occur when you are wide awake. Your relative or friend can come to you more easily, however, when you are relaxed, open, and receptive, such as while you are in the alpha state or asleep.

Out-Of-Body ADCs: These may occur while you are asleep or in a meditative state. They are dramatic experiences during which you leave your body and often visit your loved one at the place or level where he or she exists. These are extremely vivid, intense, and real – some say, "more real than physical life." The environments usually contain beautiful flowers and butterflies, colorful bushes and trees, radiant lighting, and other lovely aspects of nature – and are filled with happiness, love, and joy.

Telephone Calls:
These ADCs may occur during sleep or when you are wide awake. You will hear a phone ringing, and if you answer it, your loved one will give you a short message. Two-way conversations are possible. His or her voice will usually be clear but may seem far away. If you are awake, you will probably not hear a disconnect sound or a dial tone when the call is completed.

Physical Phenomena: People who are bereaved often report receiving a wide variety of physical signs from their deceased relative or friend, such as: lights or lamps blinking on and off; lights, radios, televisions, stereos, and mechanical objects being turned on; photographs, pictures, and various other items being turned over or moved; and a long list of "things that go bump in the night."

Symbolic ADCs: People frequently ask a Higher Power, the universe, or their deceased loved one for a sign that he or she still exists. Many receive such a sign, though it may take some time to arrive. Occasionally these signs are so subtle they may be missed, or they may be discounted as mere "coincidences." Common signs include: butterflies, rainbows, many species of birds and animals, flowers, and a variety of inanimate objects such as coins and pictures.

According to our research, the purpose of these visits and signs by those who have died is to offer comfort, reassurance, and hope to their parents, spouse, siblings, children, grandchildren, other family members, and friends. They want you to know they're still alive and that you'll be reunited with them when it's your time to leave this physical life on earth – and they'll be there to greet you when you make your transition. Their most frequent messages, expressed verbally or non-verbally, include:

"I'm okay ... I'm fine ... Everything is okay ... Don't worry about me ...

Don't grieve for me ... Please let me go ... I'm happy ... Everything will be all right ...

Go on with your life ... Please forgive ... Thank you ... I'll always be there for you ...

I'm watching over you ... I'll see you again ... I love you ... Good-bye ..."

You may be asked to give a message from your loved one to somebody else. We urge you to write down the message verbatim and to deliver it, if possible, because it may help the recipient far more than you realize.

Nearly all ADCs are positive, joyful, and uplifting encounters that reduce grief, provide lasting comfort and hope, and accelerate emotional and spiritual healing. We encourage you to trust your own experiences and to accept them as being real for you.

Unfortunately, some people react with fear when they have an ADC. This is usually because they are startled by the suddenness of the event, or they may have never heard of one happening to anybody else. Such people may assume they are "losing their mind and going crazy." And others find it difficult to reconcile after-death communications with their philosophical or religious beliefs.

Not all people are contacted by their deceased loved ones. We don't know for certain why some are and some aren't, but it seems that fear, anger, and prolonged heavy grief inhibit the possibility of having an ADC.

Based upon our research, we suggest the following: Ask for a sign that your relative or friend continues to exist. Pray for him or her and others who are affected by the death, including yourself. We recommend that you learn how to meditate, especially if you are currently bereaved or have unresolved grief. Meditation will enable you to relax and soften any fear or anger you may have. It will reduce your depression, improve your ability to eat and sleep, and facilitate your healing process. These deep relaxation exercises will also allow you to unfold your inner, intuitive senses. In fact, you may have an ADC experience while you are meditating.

Our research indicates that after-death communications are a natural and normal part of life. Therefore, we feel ADCs deserve the same public awareness and acceptance that near-death experiences (NDEs) have already received.

For most people, an after-death communication from a deceased family member or friend is valued as a sacred and profound experience that will be cherished for a lifetime. ADC experiences usually expand one's understanding of life and offer a deeper awareness of life after death. They consistently communicate an essential spiritual message: "Life and love are eternal."

Copyright © 1995 - 2009 The ADC Project. All rights reserved.

Webmaster: Will Guggenheim

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Tags: ADC, after, communication, death

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Comment by sandee love on July 4, 2012 at 8:55pm

why does god have to make our communications with our loved ones so mysterious?! why cant it be a definite thing?  if god is making this happen this way i think its sorta cruel. especially when im grasping at straws.

Comment by Storyas Fawnfeather on June 25, 2012 at 7:17am

Cat - I think meditation is a good idea.  I think it will help you during the grief process.  There is a Zen Center not too far from my house, and I have considered doing meditation with them.  Maybe you doing it will inspire me to get off my duff and do it myself.  There is a book I bought to help me learn to meditate called Meditation for the Love of it.  A physical therapist I have recommended it to me.  She said it teaches you how to go into a state of meditation during the middle of a stressful situation instead of getting overcome by the stress.  She said it doesn't just teach you how to meditate when you are sitting down and choosing to but it teaches you how to meditate whenever and wherever without drawing attention to yourself.  I haven't started it yet, but she said it is good.  I also bought a book called The  Breathing Book, so I could start to do the exercises in it to help me with stress. 

Comment by Cat on June 25, 2012 at 2:40am
They say children and animals are more in tuned to the spirit world than us regular adults. Actually. I am starting Buddhist Meditation with a local group Monday evening. Way before my father was sick I have been wanting to practice meditation but haven't gotten around to it. Now I decided to walk the walk, especially since my father's death has had a tremendous impact on me. I truly feel that meditation will belp me and also be a good complement to my Christian beliefs. Maybe, one day, my mind will be clear enough to accept my father's messages one day.
Comment by Storyas Fawnfeather on June 25, 2012 at 1:43am

Cat, shortly after my mom died, i had a dream where my mom came to me and said, "I feel much better now" which was a relief to hear, because she was suffering so much at the end.  I think she was truly telling me she is okay, and I think your father was telling your daughter he was okay.  Sometimes it is easier for kids to get the messages, because they haven't bought into the notion that this can't happen yet.  My grand-niece kept saying she saw a woman who looked like my mom after my mom died, but my niece wasn't even born until after my mom died, so it wasn't from memory that my niece was seeing my mom.  Besides, every one felt my mom at the birth of this niece, and my mom's birthday was 2/23 and my niece was born at 2:23 pm after well over a day of feeling my mom with us while my niece was in labor.

Comment by Cat on June 25, 2012 at 1:06am

My 8 year old daughter told me that she dreamed of grandpa sitting next to her on a bench and that all he said to her was "I am well". She told me was not making it up at all. My father passed away two weeks ago. I pray to God that this is in fact an ADC with my daughter from my father. Even if he is not able to reach me as my heart still aches I'd feel so much better if my daughter was able to hear from him. She, was, in fact, the very last person he saw before he went into a coma. He looked at her and gave her a final big smile. I miss my dad so much!!

Comment by Storyas Fawnfeather on June 23, 2012 at 4:39pm

I wanted to post this again to make sure others saw it.  I was afraid it would get lost in between all of the pictures jb and I were sending each other.  I think this is important proof that After Death Experiences do happen.  It has been a researched (snopes is a good research tool) and proven that a man called many many people from his cell phone for 11 hours after he died.  It's not our imaginations.  And, the same thing happened with them that happened with my dad - just static and a hang up.  http://www.snopes.com/horrors/ghosts/deadcall.asp

Comment by dream moon JO B on June 22, 2012 at 8:18am

i do get told i let my imanginson go  krazy tht why i have strange dreams tht cat on the tabel u d thng butter woodnt melt in his moth but yrs ago evry cat woz skared of him but kind to humans and the cat with the mush tash wood let cats buly him let other cats pinch his foood our cat we hav now is a bit of rebbel allways doing somthng cute and norty like pulling cloths offff the radihater and geting in side the waste band of trouserss

Comment by Storyas Fawnfeather on June 22, 2012 at 6:49am

jb- that kitty looks so cute it's hard to imagine him beating up the other cats, but I can believe it cuz my Nugget can be that way.  That dog is cute - something about him just makes me believe immediately that he could give the moon a good howl.  They way he is sitting in that chair so prim and proper combined with the look on his face makes him look like a fortune teller, and fortune tellers, as I understand it any way, are affected by the moon.  I guess it's time to tell you that I have a very over-active imagination, and I'm grateful for it.  It keeps me young.

Comment by Storyas Fawnfeather on June 22, 2012 at 6:45am

Everyone - look at this URL.  It has been a researched (snopes is a good research tool) and proven that a man called many many people from his cell phone for 11 hours after he died.  It's not our imaginations.  And, the same thing happened with them that happened with my dad - just static and a hang up.  http://www.snopes.com/horrors/ghosts/deadcall.asp

Comment by dream moon JO B on June 21, 2012 at 2:03pm

and this dog we had yrs ago storyas wood get u out of bed at 1am or 2 am to bark at the mooon she did no the wonde i used to fall asleeep in class and geting kept behind but she died of old age

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