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Summary: Nice!
Review: Though there isn't really anything new here that we can't find in other mediums' books, it was still fun to read about James Van Praagh's personal experiences in his field. This book is a quick read that's very easy to comprehend. It's ideal for those who are new to psychism and want to better understand its workings.What I particularly loved about TALKING TO HEAVEN was the part where we learn he doesn't just communicate with departed people. He does it with animals, too. That was touching and very interesting. Can't say I've read much about other mediums doing the same thing.
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Summary: Life altering book
Review: A life altering book, that will bring solace and relief, no matter what stage of grief, or what the circumstances of loss are. The perfect gift for a grieving relative or friend. Arlene Millman, author of BOOMERANG - A MIRACLE TRILOGY
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Summary: Talking to Heaven
Review: This is a wonderful book that brings enter peace as you read. It is meant to be read with a very open mind. Where your griefing for someone or not it is worth the time and effort to read.
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Summary: Talking to Heaven
Review: The book was very helpful in dealing whith the death of my daughter, knowing that she is still with me. I have read the book twice, and probably will read it again. I have order another copy for my friend to read, hoping it will bring him the confort it has brought me.
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Summary: Test Mr. Von Praagh's Easy Methods Yourself - It's awesome!
Review: James Von Praagh's book (and the book on tape) are not only a collection of situations, or readings he has done for others, but also includes "How-To" tips on how to get those you would like to contact to communicate with you, and how to listen, and to let them know how you would understand them, and in what ways they can communicate in simple terms. The book is meant to be simple, and if you are looking for "evidence" then test out his simple exercises yourself, and definitely pay attention to your surroundings! I was a bit skeptical when I first read the book the first time, then I decided to take notes, and be open to communication, and took Van Praagh's ideas on communication to task. This has opened a whole new world for me, and it's awesome! Thank you James! Critics seem to have totally missed the point of this book! It is not a lesson on physics or science, and to apply the terms in the sme way is to totally miss the point... If you are out "looking for evidence" with skepticism,you will find what you are looking for, or what you believe you will find. This is a basic in any metaphysics, and in many religions, "seek and you shall find." I too saw several shows on television with Mr. Von Praagh... Most students of metaphysics can tell you that if there is a "hostile" (as Janet Mitchell puts it on her book on OBEs)(non-believing) presence around, it definitely makes it not only difficult to do readings such as those he does, but to do other metaphysical tasks, such as astral projection, reading auras, and so on. I'm not a ... for anyone who calls themselves a psychic at all, but I DO have an open mind. I too have had what could be referred to as many "psychic experiences," or could be written off as many other things, but some certainly not (such as being in a coma and seeing doctors work on me, including telling the doctor what tie he was wearing at the time and what was said.) If you are a skeptic, or are looking for so-called "scientific evidence", not only will you not find your statistics, etc. in this book, but you really will not find it anywhere and probably should stop your search now and save yourself a lot of time and money on books that will not satisfy you... ... If you don't understand how the word "energy" is used in metaphysics, then talk to a local metaphysician! There are many churches who have members and practitioners that would be happy to do so for free until you understand it! Spiritualist, Religious Science, Christian Science and others... As a doctor friend of mine puts it so well in many of his talks, "to some people the Earth is still flat." If you need absolute proof for every little thing, and are unwilling to be open-minded, then don't waste your time, not only on this book, but on anything spiritual, as it seems your world is still flat. (this type of thinking can even be hazadous to your health, as I used to believe in estblished medicine - now I am VERY cautious with the same!) If you're willing to learn and grow, and to hear others learning about the afterlife, and growing, then by ALL means buy the book - It's awesome and beautiful! Those of us who know how, or even parts of how this stuff works, know that Von Praggh's work is essential to mankind's well-being!
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Summary: Are you buying this?
Review: I found this medium du jour's words patronizing and extremely difficult to believe. Much of what he writes is simplistic, vague and shallow. The age-old art of giving people want you know they want to hear has not been lost in this book. It bothers me that grieving people will pay for such shamelessly peddled drivel.
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Summary: Absolutely the best book I have ever read
Review: First, if you aren't open to believing in Mediums, then perhaps this book may seem like a farce, but I DO believe. This book changed my life, literally. I am no longer afraid of dying or death. There isn't much more to say, other than I highly recommend this to those who are in touch with spirituality and have faith that Mediums are exactly who they claim to be.
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Summary: Full of New Age Pseudoscience -- Better books are available
Review: I was tempted to avoid writing a review of this book since many people have already pointed out it has flaws and also because some people gain hope from this book. But clearly books like this can cause worry and pain as well as provide hope. I'd like to say, yes there may be reason to hope, but don't worry about Van Praagh's details about the afterlife -- don't let this book worry you or cause you pain. This book is too flawed to worry about its details! I've worked as a Research Physicist / Signal Processor for over 20 years and have no doubt that Van Praagh would flunk high school physics. (Maybe even 6th grade science! My 6th grade son at least correctly uses words like "energy," but Van Praagh doesn't in this book.) His science is New Age pseudoscience which is inconsistent with real science. Also Van Praagh's discussion of religion, spirituality and philosophy is also simple-minded. That makes me think it possible he knows nothing about the afterlife either. But I'm not without hope here. It is possible Van Praagh possesses special abilities, but describes them in unscientific and simple-minded ways. (So those who gain hope from the book should not give up hope.) And lest you think I'm an extreme skeptic, I'm not. I think some (but NOT all) of "psi" has been validated to satisfy most of those scientists who have given it a careful and open-minded look -- I'd recommend Dean Radin's wonderful (and scientifically accurate) 1997 book "The Conscious Universe: The Scientific Truth of Psychic Phenomena." And although Radin doesn't discuss the afterlife in his book, David Ray Griffin does in his ground-breaking book: "Parapsychology, Philosophy, and Spirituality : A Postmodern Exploration." Griffin is a follower of the famous philosopher Alfred North Whitehead. Griffin examines five types of evidence for the reality of life after death: messages from mediums; apparitions; cases of the possession type; cases of the reincarnation type; and out-of-body experiences. His philosophical and empirical examinations of these phenomena suggest that they provide support for belief in these phenomena and experiences in a way consistent with modern science. Of course, even he admits this is all very speculative! My recommendation to readers: read the books by Radin and Griffin instead of by Van Praagh. My recommendation to Van Praagh (and I hope he reads this): if some of what you're saying is real / true, get together with scientists and philosophers to express yourself in a way that isn't totally discredited by your obvious lack of scientific and philosophical knowledge.
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Summary: Incredible Experiences......
Review: First of all, let me say that I do not question James Van Praggh's abilities. However, I have some real concerns with some of the things mentioned in this book. I was not so much comforted as I was baffled, and disappointed. Here is why...... 1. Van Praagh talks about Karma, so reincarnation is part of his belief system about the afterlife. In Eastern religions which adhere to a belief in Karma there is no such place as heaven. Does Van Pragh believe heaven is a real place? It does seem so, but if he does then how can reincarnation or a view of continued life on this planet be consistent with a transcendent place called heaven? This doesn't make sense. 2. Van Praagh claims that he is talking to heaven. I believe he is talking to someone, but how does he know he is speaking directly to heaven? What I mean is this, let's say you know of a person, but have never met them, then you talk to that person on the phone. The person claims to be the person, but you have no means by which to know what the person's voice is like or what their phone mannerisms are. How do you know for certain you are talking to the right person? You don't, but must take it on faith. Likewise, how does Van Praagh know he is talking to a person's dead Uncle? He doesn't. He takes it on faith. My question is, could he be talking to someone or something else? Could he be wrong? 3. The book claims to answer the most profound questions about life and death. What answer does it provide to these questions about life and death? What I mean is, speaking to the dead is presented as the summation of the answer. Life goes on. Ok, but in what regard, or format, or quality? The thing I wonder about is, does Praagh suggest that all people go to heaven? Hitler, Dalmer, Milosovich? If so, then there's nothing we can do to alter our eternal destination? If we can impact it, then what must we do, or how should we live, or what should we believe? These are enormous questions, which the book is silent on. I don't see how not knowing the answer to these can be so comforting. 4. People who have lost loved ones are emotionally vulnerable -- that is undeniable. As a result, when Praagh makes his declarations, people desperately want what he says to be true. That people go on, and everything is happy. I do think he is accurate in relaying what he 'hears'. However, if there is good and bad in this world, how do we know what his source of information is? I'm simply saying it may be naïve to blindly accept that Praagh is speaking to whom he thinks he is speaking. We better have strong evidence if we are to believe Praagh cannot be mistaken on this. 5. Pets play a pretty big role in the book. Pets go on. People go on. What's the difference? There doesn't seem to be any moral foundation or basis for going on. I mean, pets are not, nor cannot be moral or immoral, but people are. Does morality factor into an afterlife? Many people don't want it to, and it seems that Praagh is then telling people what they want to hear -- at least in this regard. In short, I'm not skeptical about Praagh, I think he believes everything he says. I'm just not sure that he is not himself deceived. I would have liked it if he would have provided some objective criteria for determining the authenticity of messages from beyond. (In order to answer the question of certainty regarding who, what, and why) Is it wise to believe what Praagh believes? I guess this is the question.
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Summary: A Solid Confirmation for a Newfound Psychic
Review: During the process of kundalini, a spiritual counselor told me to read this book. There was so much I didn't understand, especially where do I go from here at the end of the process. There's a calmness found in this book's words. The last few chapters were the most helpful since they described exactly what I felt and saw. This is one of two books by James VanPraagh that was suggested reading.
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