~ 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

Views: 56268

Tags: ADC, after, communication, death

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Comment by Shirley on October 1, 2014 at 6:46pm

I do not own a camera that would let me get those kind of pictures. But I am sure you know what you see in the clouds just as I am sure. I have seen tops of mountains that look like a face with a forehead, eyes, nose open mouth and  chin... We just have a good eye Jo B

Comment by dream moon JO B on October 1, 2014 at 4:13pm

plus lourania ul thng im a loon thrs few tms iv ended up waving it clpuds evry 1 thns im nuts i am

but tht 1 i posted yday it lks so human i dont if its a man or woman

its got eye noze moth so on 

if u hav a camra tryng ctch sm try posted on hear

Comment by Shirley on September 30, 2014 at 5:06pm

I feel the same way.  Have seen many shapes and items in the clouds and my friends all think I am crazy.  I can see pets, people and objects that remind me of  someone or something all my life.

Comment by dream moon JO B on September 30, 2014 at 3:49pm

u wud thng it wz a person

Comment by dream moon JO B on September 21, 2014 at 3:19pm

i dont no if its a sine or not 

2 i saed i wish i cud sea my dad anti so on i fnd a dvd not mrkt after i juts sad wot i sead my anti popet up on it thn my dad s voise popet up on as well 

tears in my eyes starded it felt so sad but happy 2 sea thm on a hm vid on dvd only t i sea thm is in dreams

Comment by dream moon JO B on September 14, 2014 at 4:52pm

2 day i fond a foto album o a seat not sean it for ages a lot of famly it sts on fotoos hav died thy wear all happy 1s thy wear 1s wear we wear ats1s party on my dads sde of famley wear thy hav bear wine so on thm 

i dont no if its a sine or not

any 1 else fond a foto album lk it

Comment by dream moon JO B on September 10, 2014 at 4:18pm

on hear dolly its weid hw we get a d c difrent ways songs or lites on off or so on stuf bean mved or so

its evn spooky if we tk a pic wn we get orbs on or lk sprit angel orbs it is

or loved 1s orbs 

jo

Comment by Dolly on September 10, 2014 at 8:48am

My Brandon also seems to fiddle with lights and other electronic things... more at first, but still from time to time .. at first it was just amazing and so assuring to me.. now it seems more like a quick 'Hi mom' as he is on the run off doing whatever one does in heaven... I too would SO love to see him again, but don't feel I can ASK God for that... I do hope for it though and would welcome it totally... I did once feel as if he had his hands on my shoulders and was behind me... it was a steady pressure on both shoulders that I became aware of gradually as I was playing a song on my autoharp... It reminded me of the picture we made of him with a new body and angel wings... a new strong able body like one would expect to have in heaven if we do have bodies in heaven... all those technicalities about heaven I just don't understand ... I know the Bible says this and that but usually it just confuses me more to try to understand what the Bible is saying about heaven... one place says the dead sleep, and one place says to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord... so unless the Lord is sleeping too?? I don't get it... I just don't get those seeming discrepancies ... I always love to hear of other's experiences Kristine... it makes me feel more confident that what has happened and hopefully will continue to happen are really signs from heaven that mean my boy is still alive there, and is MORE than fine.... losing my son has been the most devastating thing ever to happen to me... I will never be the same... I so want to see him and hold him again... LOVE YOU SWEET BRANDON!!

Comment by Kristine Rosendale on September 9, 2014 at 11:48pm

I found this information very interesting.  My aunt told me about an experience she had.  When I read this is was exactly like what she said.  Since Brandon passed the lights in bathrooms flicker.  No matter which bathroom or whose house i'm at this happens.  I know its him I feel him.  It doesn't frighten me it brings me peace.  I pray that God will send him to me in a dream I would love to touch him one last time and let him know how much I love and miss him. 

Comment by dream moon JO B on August 26, 2014 at 4:10pm

bean lking it sm old fotos so i cn put on y use b wot u call it for digel foto fram i fnd sm halwean 1s of lst yr 

i dress up so wn kids cm 2 dor i can giv thm a treat lk a big i am

i jst ntse ths m weid orb or so

iv only juts notce orbs oe so on

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