I'd like to thank all of you who responded to my "starving for knowledge questions.  Now I'd like to tell you a little about myself so maybe you'll understand my interest in this subject.
I've been blessed all my life.  I've also been an avid reader since I was able to read.  The smell of libraries have always been attractive to me.  Ever since I can remember I've loved stories about magic, Kings, Queens and the supernatural.  I even dabbled with meditation and fasting during my teen years.  What attracted me to these things I have no idea, but I feel something or someone is guiding me in a certain direction.  Ever feel like you were different from everyone else?  I have all my life and cannot explain it.  If there is such a thing as an ancient spirit and a young one, then I think I'm ancient.
It took me years to listen to myself.  By that I mean I would feel that something shouldn't be done and do it anyway, but the outcome would always be negative... like I knew it would.  I never saw my ex-fiance have an affair.  I just know she did and who with.  Woke up one night in a cold sweat after seeing her in a heated sexual exchange in a dream.  Still, loving her is an experience I'll never forget.  If there is really such a thing as unconditional love, then I experienced it.  I loved her in spite of her faults.  It was so powerful that I knew when she broke my heart, it would take a long time to heal.  Notice I said "when" she broke my heart.  Yes, I knew she would, but the love was so strong I couldn't let it go.  Even though I knew it was one-sided.  It took something traumatic to make me break it off.  Since then, I have always listened to my intuition.  I'm usually right.  I hope I'm right about this afterlife thing too.  That's why I'm researching the subject.  If you don't hear from me in a while, that's probably why.  Thanks for listening, and take care all.
D.

He desmith 1202,
much of what you told sounds familiar to me. I wish you happy researching! Just a note: My own research on this subject came into a new level when I started to meditate/body asleep, mind awake, the TMI style. I knew then that's what I've missed before. To listen to yourself, to perceive subtleties is I think really good and will keep you right on track.

Spooky