Conversation Board - Appeal for input....

LittleOwl

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Appeal for input....
Oct 2^nd, 2006 at 3:23pm

Hi I'm new, new to a lot of things. I found this site after visiting Dr. Melvin Morse's website, I've now read all his books and have ordered Bruce's Afterlife Knowledge Guidebook.
I am a hypnotherapist and I'm soon to start working at a hospice on a voluntary basis, Dr. Morse's message to stop alienating the dying and help them not to be afraid has really struck a chord with me.
However I have no personal beliefs apart from a feeling that after all the things I've read there must be something to the fact that this is not all there is.
So I'm looking for experiences I can share with people that are dying, people that may not be spiritual or believe in angels or spirit guides, so if you'll excuse the pun, I'm looking for some 'down to earth' practical experiences or journey's that could make a difference and maybe tip the balance of someone dying lonely and scared out of their wits or embracing death as the next step on the journey.
If that is acceptable I'd love to hear from people.

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betson

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Re: Appeal for input....
Reply #1 - Oct 2^nd, 2006 at 3:49pm

Greetings LittleOwl,
Welcome! Many/most people who participate on this site came to get answers because their down-to-earth life was interrupted by spiritual crisis. Then many stay on to learn more. In the 83 index pages of the Afterlife Knowledge Forum alone (not counting the book forums or special interest forums for retrieving and dreams) you can find many titles of inquiries called variations on 'I'm New here...' or 'Please help....'
You'l learn alot by reading those of your own choice there, as you know what you're looking for. Not to say that your question won't be answerred but it takes some time to get the collection you might seek as a professional.
Certainly I don't want to turn you away from the help you will get here, but a site that centers on Near Death Experiences might also be helpful.
Bets

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There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
Shakespeare

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Lucy

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Re: Appeal for input....
Reply #2 - Oct 2^nd, 2006 at 6:24pm

Hi

Nice to see you here; you must have read alot before you decided to do this hospice work, no?

Bruce has so many resources on this site, I hope you enjoy them all. His links page has alot on it. So does the resources page.

I'm not sure you need what is here to work to not alienate the dying. People say the most important thing is to be there and ...just be there. Years ago I worked in a research lab at the Mayo Clinic. My coworker's husband was a bartender. Once a patient who had received some really bad news had no one with him. He asked my friend's husband to fly home with him so he wouldn't be alone on the plane and paid for the plane ticket. That's what scared and lonely is all about! That sort of story was not unusual for Mayo at that time, which is really strange, considering how they routinely deal with catastrophic situations. I believe things are better there now. While I was there I heard Kubler-Ross speak...she was quite charismatic. I think she learned about dying by listening to people. She had some really interesting stories, too.

So this site is here for the folks who ask questions and want answers. There is lots to read here.

I assume you are familiar with Dannion Brinkley's work?

Here's another interesting site:
http://www.near-death.com/guggenheim.html

Hope you will come back often.

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Touching Souls

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LOVE IS ALL, SHINE YOUR
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Re: Appeal for input....
Reply #3 - Oct 2^nd, 2006 at 8:34pm

Welcome Little Owl. I feel you've come to the right place. The best way to learn is by experience and that's what you'll be doing by getting Bruce's Guidebook. I always admire people who volunteer for hospice. Once you KNOW where the souls are going when they transition, it will be so much easier for you to interact with them and their families (if they're amenable to that). You have a very giving soul. Welcome again.

Love, Mairlyn Wink

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I AM THAT I AM -- WE ARE ALL ONE -- TOUCHING SOULS

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spooky2

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Re: Appeal for input....
Reply #4 - Oct 2^nd, 2006 at 10:20pm

Hi Little Owl,

what I've heard, some down-to-earth people tell things when they're about to die that are different- often about persons or beings visiting them. I think it's important to give those people the feeling they can talk openly about this, without the usual "it's hallucination" responds.

Also, what may be very difficult to one who has no belief or certainty of what comes after, people who are dying might ask about this. Because that's naturally one of the most important things for them. So, read around here and on the near-death-experience sites. You may not believe it all, but you then have something to tell.

Spooky

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"I'm going where the pavement turns to sand"&&Neil Young, "Thrasher"

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augoeideian

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Re: Appeal for input....
Reply #5 - Oct 3^rd, 2006 at 5:15am

Little Owl, it is truly wonderful work you are doing. However, my thoughts are you cannot comfort the dying without talking about their souls and this means talking about the Love of Christ and God.
There is no other way. And this is what they need to hear - the soul is definately not down-to-earth. The soul lives with God and the spirit needs to find its way back to God through Jesus Christ.

Once this is understood, there are many analogies that may be spoken to the physical dying body so the soul's spirit may feel calmed and comforted in this time of releasing the spirit back to the soul.

Any other way is a dis-service to the soul and a down-to-earth approach will end up with stuck spirits that need retrieving - prevention is better than cure.

The Love of Christ is not difficult to speak about for it lives within you and will come out of you in simple loving words and gestures. Love and Light talks to a lonely, scared spirit.

PUL
Caryn

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black_panther

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Re: Appeal for input....
Reply #6 - Oct 3^rd, 2006 at 5:51am

I have to respectfully disagree with what Caryn says.

I don't believe that we have to tell dying people (souls) anything they don't want to hear. I believe, like Lucy, that it is enough to just "be there" for them. Let THEM talk to you first and take it from there.

In my limited experience of nursing my husband for two years with a terminal illness and helping him (I hope) through his "transition" in January this year, I feel that I am able to make some comment here. John did NOT believe in Jesus. Nor did he believe in life after death. I tried to talk to him about life after death on a few occasions and he just laughed and said it was all bulls**t!! I also received a call from a friend once who asked me if John had "accepted Jesus". You can well imagine what I told her - where to stick it!!! I felt she was arrogant in believing that her way was the "right way" and the only way John would be saved would be by accepting Jesus into his life. Once I realised that John was comfortable in what he believed, I was happy to leave him alone to deal with his death in the bravest way he could - with dignity and surrounded by my love.

After his passing I asked a friend to retrieve him as I felt that he would need retrieving. And guess what?? He was already at Focus 27 and well on his way to healing. He was not "stuck" anywhere. I have since had contact with him on a few occasions and he is robust and healthy and our contact has been wonderful.

I believe that most on this board have a good understanding of the Afterlife, a lot coming to this forum from many different religions. I would like to think that what unites us is our belief that no one religion is the "right way". We will all go to our final destination in the only way that WE know how to - we don't need to be "saved" by anyone while in this life.

I too, like LittleOwl, would like to work in a hospice. I hope to take with me the ability to listen, like I did with John when he spoke and when he DIDN'T, and I hope to be non-judgemental. Not only will I be helping by just being there and listening but I know that I will gain a great deal of wisdom from them.

With Love
Irene

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"Trusting that our lives are divinely guided gives us the courage to surrender our will and have faith that all is happening as it should"&&&&Cheryl Richardson

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augoeideian

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Re: Appeal for input....
Reply #7 - Oct 3^rd, 2006 at 7:05am

Hi Irene

Fair enough. I expressed my pov and this is my way. You made some lovely comments, especially with the subject so close to you. I feel i must just add further; it is not done in the manner of .. have you accepted Jesus in your life else you will be ....

No, please don't get me wrong that kind of talking to a person who is dying .. or not dying for that matter, is contrary to loving that person .. Christ needs to be spoken once to that person. If that person responds positively than a lot of love and light may be spoken to one another.

If the Name does not evoke a positive response then what you have said is great comfort to that person and that is all you could want.

My love
Caryn

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black_panther

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Re: Appeal for input....
Reply #8 - Oct 3^rd, 2006 at 7:55am

Caryn

Thank you for your response. I responded because of what you said:

However, my thoughts are you cannot comfort the dying without talking about their souls and this means talking about the Love of Christ and God.
There is no other way. And this is what they need to hear - the soul is definately not down-to-earth. The soul lives with God and the spirit needs to find its way back to God through Jesus Christ.

Especially - "there is no other way".

I would still have to say that I would first listen to what the person says to me, whether they mentioned religion, Christ, God or any beliefs that they have. As a hospice volunteer I would feel that I am only there to listen, not introduce them to any of my beliefs.

With love
Irene

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"Trusting that our lives are divinely guided gives us the courage to surrender our will and have faith that all is happening as it should"&&&&Cheryl Richardson

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LittleOwl

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Re: Appeal for input....
Reply #9 - Oct 3^rd, 2006 at 3:56pm

Thanks everyone, such a lot to take in. I know if I have no beliefs - and I am not religious but like to think I am spiritual - then I will not convince anyone, I want to take some faith with me to the work at the hospice or I know people will see right through me! So I'm off to explore this forum and other recommended avenues.
I'll keep you posted and thanks again...

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dave_a_mbs Super Member Offline Afterlife Knowledge Member Posts: 1655 central california Gender:	Re: Appeal for input.... Reply #10 - Oct 3^rd, 2006 at 4:43pm HI Little Owl- Welcome to the forum. I do hypnotherapy too, and use it for past life work. Rather than trying to give you a lot of facts, I essentially agree with Black Panther - and would summarize it by suggesting that most people need a good listening to. dave
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recoverer

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Re: Appeal for input....
Reply #11 - Oct 3^rd, 2006 at 5:04pm

Hello Little Owl:

Sounds like you're off to a good start, volunteering to work in a hospice etc. You'll gain more spiritually by growing in love, than you will by reading every book and having every experience there is.

I agree that you might check out Danion Brinkley. In particular his second book because he talks about doing hospice work in an inspiring way.

I also believe it's a good idea to read some of the many near death experiences that can be found on the internet.

If you want to know about a convincing experience somebody had without having a near death experience, here's one I had years ago, when I was an atheist. I found myself in heaven one night. I must say that I got there through grace, because I didn't know how to get there and had no intention of making such a visit. I didn't believe in God and the afterlife at the time, because I had a scientific mind and didn't see how such things could be possible. During this experience I was greatly relieved to find that God and the afterlife did indeed exist, and I completely understood how it was possible for them to exist without having to think about it. It was an automatic knowing that I would call inner, except that the knowing was everywhere. The feeling of happiness there is beyond what can be imagined here. It was like all the happiness you search for while in the physical is found there. I had the feeling that in the end things work out wonderfully for everybody. I also felt like Jesus had something to do with it, even though I can't remember the details. At the end of the experience I saw a very bright light like a star.

In regards to what Augoeideian (Caryn) and Black Panther (Irene) have to say, I believe there is a middle ground. In the above experience I believe that Jesus had something to do with it, but not in a stifling you better believe in him or else manner. What I experienced was way beyond thinking of things in a repressive way. Just as you don't have to force a kid to get excited about Christmas morning, you don't have to force a spirit to get excited about God and heaven once a spirit is there. It's quite automatic. I've been receiving messages about Jesus lately, but not in a stifling way. He's the bearer of a floodlight that shows the way to God and heaven, not the holder of a gun who forces you to go there. Therefore, I believe it is best to speak to each hospice patient according to what touches them inwardly, rather than telling them that they had better believe this or else.

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blink

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Re: Appeal for input....
Reply #12 - Oct 3^rd, 2006 at 7:15pm

I agree with everyone here. There is no reason not to be the companion which you ARE. Who would like to be alone when they die? Well, perhaps some.... others, may love to hold your hand. Others may love to hear your voice, knowing it will be one of the last voices they hear in life. Others have a great message to give you, one that will change your heart forever. When we are alive we just want to be loved, and to know that wherever we are going, we are going to get there safely and enjoy the happiness of true companionship. We want to feel worthy of peace. Therefore, to be with one who is dying is such a gift. May it always be merciful.

love, blink

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Cathy_B Full Member Offline Afterlife Knowledge Member Posts: 212 South Australia Gender:	Re: Appeal for input.... Reply #13 - Oct 3^rd, 2006 at 10:53pm Hi Little Owl owls feature very highly in my life! May i say that you should probably follow your heart and do what feels right for you! i am sure that you probably already have the answers insode of you. anyway good luck with you rsearch and I hope you stick around love Cathy B
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augoeideian

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Re: Appeal for input....
Reply #14 - Oct 4^th, 2006 at 3:12am

Nice replies ... (Cathy btw your pic is great!)

My MSN horoscope the other day said : Get off your soapbox .. i should have listened!
This song kinda sums it up for me "Pride - in the name of love" U2. So i'll calm down, it is better to take it for granted that God goes without saying.

This is a good thread. I think its is also important to recognise that it is hard for the loved ones left behind after a loved one has passed on. I do think there is a on-going need to counsel people who have temporarily said goodbye to a loved one. This is the line between here and there and grief can be a most sorrowful emotion for both spirits.

It must be agonising for the spirit who has left to see the grief of their absence. Especially children (this is heart wrenching) so with a positive light and attitude towards death; i do think the burden of grief may be soothed with spiritual understanding of both worlds.

I am sure Marilyns experience will testify this.

PUL

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