Blessing in Disguise: Another Side of the Near-Death Experience

Rating:
Summary: A True Blessing
Review: There's no denying it. Blessing in Disguise is a true blessing. Many books have been written about the near-death experience (NDE), but this is the first book to thoroughly address the darker side of the experience. Whether it has been the result of conscious or unconscious suppression, the fear of being ridiculed, or the individual's expectations, many fewer negative NDEs have been reported. Dr. Rommer has coined the name, less-than-positive (LPD), for these experiences. LPDs frequently occurred in people who had either attempted suicide, had had hateful, harmful, or unpleasant feelings, or had been brought up with the religious expectations that if they did not live up to expectations they would be doomed to an eternity in Hell. The "blessing in disguise" is that the vast majority of these individuals - just like their counterparts who have had the usual-type NDE - come back changed for the better. They are usually, kinder, more loving and caring, spiritual, have a reduced fear of death, and come away believing in a surviving soul, a positive afterlife, and a caring, non-judgmental Supreme Being. Most of them - if they have not had them before - develop psi abilities. Those who had parapsychological abilities before, almost always report increased psi abilities after the LTP. Dr. Rommer doesn't limit her book to cases of LTPs. She also gives outstanding coverage of the usual NDE and the probable reasons why either an NDE or LTP occurs. This is a book written in a down-to-earth style with many clearly reported case studies. As I tried to do in my book, Searching for Eternity, Dr. Rommer uses a scientific approach to explain the LTP and the NDE. And she succeeds admirably. Finally, Dr. Rommer pleads with her medical colleagues to try to understand the NDE and LTP and not ridicule or ignore their patients who have experienced them or tell them that it was merely a hallucination. No one knows for sure whether a NDE or LTP is a real voyage of the soul or some poorly understood brain mechanism. The jury might be out, but with the evidence from authors such as Barbara Rommer, it is beginning to appear that we are not doomed to "ashes to ashes and dust to dust," but can awaken to a brilliant and blissful afterlife. Nevertheless, we must learn our lessons well. It is not enough to accept one particular religion's viewpoint about salvation. We must live a good, moral, caring, kind and considerate life if we expect a joyous afterlife. Blessing in Disguise is highly recommended. Rush out and get it.

Rating:
Summary: Facinating book!
Review: This book is great. Negative NDEs serve the same purpose as positive ones, to teach purpose and meaning in life. The author certainly knows her subject and radiates love and compassion for her patients. Those who really understand what NDEs are about will love this book.

Rating:
Summary: Orginal account
Review: This book offers a new perspective to the NDE and it is filled with interviews that add to its' impact. It is an easy read and done in a research style. It will make you rethink the ultimate question of what happens after death.