WE WISH ALL OUR SUBSCRIBERS AROUND THE WORLD THE VERY BEST FOR CHRISTMAS
COMMENTARY: YOU BELONG TO ETERNITY
Our very warmest wishes to all of our subscribers for Christmas, Hanukkah, Winter/Summer Solstice, and all the celebrations of family, community, and culture that take place at this special time of the year. May you experience the peace and certainty of knowing that life and love are eternal, and death is only a horizon that is the limit of our sight.
Many of us will enjoy reunions with family and friends. Those on the spiritual path know very well that these are just a preview of the reunions that we will experience when we reunite with our crossed-over loved ones at the end of this tiny episode in our eternal existence.
Our special wishes also go out to those for whom the holidays are challenging and those who are working for the good of others. But whatever our situation, at this time of year and at all times, we still have reason to express gratitude. Why? Because we are part of an extraordinary ongoing evolutionary adventure.
As Silver Birch puts it so well: "Realise that you belong to eternity. You are but pilgrims treading a temporary passage through life". We are assured that however difficult, the opportunity of a physical life is an enormous spiritual gift. And
those in spirit are applauding us for having the courage to be here at this time and are cheering us on.
TV PRODUCER DIES: MEETS GOD AND IS SHOWN THE LIGHT
In 1999, Bill Dolan had a near-death experience that changed his understanding of God. Having grown up in an abusive home, he expected to find judgment and criticism. Instead, he found overwhelming love beyond description.
DIRECTLY FROM THE AFTERLIFE You will all live after you have ‘died’, and you will not realize until then what it is to live or to feel the real glory of life untrammeled, free to rejoice in liberty of spirit which your imprisoned souls cannot understand today … all the experiences which you like least of all - the sadness, the bitterness, the tears, the disappointments, the suffering, and the pain - these are very valuable for your souls …But you cannot realize that at the time. It is only when you can look back on the whole, and not judge by the part, that you can get a clear picture of the value of life. Through all your adversities the character is tried. Through tears and sorrow the soul is strengthened … How very simple are these great truths, so simple that they are beyond many of your intellectuals!". (Light from Silver Birch p. 69).
DO THE HIGHER SPIRITS CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS? Michael Tymn reports what Silver Birch has said on the matter. "At what might be called retreats here on earth, these advanced spirits take counsel from even higher spirits, share experiences, learn how far they have succeeded or failed, and formulate plans for future missions. Among those higher spirits who give counsel, he said, “is the great figure of the Nazarene, who is still imbued with the task of teaching humanity age-old truth enshrined in all that we seek to do, that love is the fulfilling of the law.” Read more.
TOP TEN THINGS MOST DEAD PEOPLE WANT YOU TO KNOW 1. They're not dead. 2. They are fine. 3. They miss their loved ones. 4. They are now in perfect health. 5. Life there is hugely better than on earth. 6. They hate to see their loved ones grieving. 7. There's no such thing as a devil or hell. 8. They wish they had told their loved ones that they loved them more often. 9. They are sorry for any pain they caused.
10. They look forward to a happy reunion when the time comes.
DO ANIMALS EXPERIENCE LIFE AFTER DEATH? William Buhlman writes:
"On many occasions, I and others have observed and interacted with animals during our out-of-body experiences. It’s clear that animals continue to exist after death just like we do. In my first book, Adventures Beyond the Body, I write about my vivid nonphysical contact with my dog. During one OBE I clearly witnessed a thin string or what some would call a “silver cord” emanating from the nonphysical dog and leading back to its physical body. This cord appeared as thin as a spider’s silk. The bottom line: based on my nonphysical observations for 40 years I know without a doubt that animals are multidimensional and they continue after death".
YOUR LOVED ONES DO RECEIVE YOUR MESSAGES
Brilliant evidential medium, Susanne Wilson (the Carefree Medium) explains that our loved ones in Spirit receive a replica of the cards we write to them. Susanne's book "Soul Smart" is an ideal book to give to someone who is grieving or who is just beginning to ask questions about what happens when you die. It also contains enough new information to be used for discussion by groups of developing mediums and spiritual seekers.
A CHRISTMAS TREE SEANCE One of the most popular events in Spiritualism was the annual Xmas Tree Party for spirit children held by Leslie Flint at his home in Bayswater, London. Presents were provided for spirit children. They would arrive and sitters would hear them unwrapping the presents. Because they had a memory of what the presents looked like, they were able to re-create them by thought when they went back to the astral world. The physical presents were then given to a local hospital. Other physical mediums, including Scott Milligan, follow this tradition even today. Listen to a recording of a Leslie Flint party held at Christmas 1973.
STUDY FINDS GIVING IS GOOD FOR US!! According to Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS)-sponsored research, >acts of altruism can elicit a positive immune system response: 1)Dr. Jeff Levin, an epidemiologist, found that a correlation exists between almost every dimension of love and patients’ descriptions of better health, more positive emotional well–being, higher self–esteem, and a sense of personal control in their lives. 2) Results of IONS’ Compassionate Intention Study suggest that loving or compassionate intention can influence a person’s physiology, ranging from brain activity measurements to skin conductance. 3) Research by IONS colleague Dr. Stephen Post, professor of bioethics at Case Western Reserve University and president of the Institute for Research on Unlimited Love, suggests a strong correlation between a person’s well-being and their inclination toward altruistic acts. 4) An especially compelling study conducted by Dr. Dean Ornish demonstrated that feelings of increased interconnectedness with others can change gene expression, making relationships critical to health and well–being.
HELPING FATHERS HEAL - WITH MEDIUM GORDON SMITH
Some mediums do group mediumship via Zoom. In this video Scottish medium Gordon Smith teaches a group of fathers from Helping Parents Heal how to sense the presence of their deceased children and then gives messages.
Saturday December 23rd 2023 / Sunday December 24th in Australia
Spiritist Literature: Directed Study (SLIDS) with Ana Castro.
A free Zoom group about Spiritism, Kardec, and Chico Xavier. See videos of previous meetings
Times:
Pacific time 1 p.m. Saturday
Phoenix time 2 p.m. Saturday
Mountain time 2 p.m. Saturday
Central time 3 p.m. Saturday
Eastern time 4 p.m. Saturday
London 9 p.m. Saturday
Rome 10 p.m. Saturday
Sydney/Melbourne 8 a.m. Sunday
New Zealand 10 a.m. Sunday
Check time in your city
Co-ordinator: Ana Castro
Just click this link to join.
Sunday December 24th 2023 / Monday December 25th Australia
GLOBAL GATHERING - A CHRISTMAS INVITATION We're opening our Zoom room for people to drop by and say hello at the normal time of the Global Gathering. There won't be anything structured, just an opportunity to talk with like-minded friends. We are inviting all our group leaders, past speakers, and all our
wonderful participants to come for a quick visit or pull up a chair and reflect on the year that's coming to an end.
Times:
Pacific Time 12 noon Sunday
Phoenix 1 p.m. Sunday
Mountain Time 1 p.m. Sunday
Central time 2 p.m. Sunday
Eastern time 3 p.m. Sunday
London 8 p.m. Sunday
Vienna 9 p.m. Sunday
Sydney/Melbourne 7 a.m. Monday
New Zealand 9 a.m. Monday
Check time in your city
Co-ordinator: wendyzammit@gmail.com https://zoom.us/j/7595442928
Wednesday December 27th 2023/ Thursday December 28th Australia
Physical mediumship development group Every Wednesday with Rob Blackburn and Craig Hogan. Participants sit in a darkened space in their own homes; the group has been going for some time and members are experiencing phenomena.
THIS GROUP IS CURRENTLY TAKING NEW MEMBERS
Times:
Pacific 6 p.m. Wednesday
Arizona 7 p.m. Wednesday
Mountain time 7 p.m. Wednesday
Central time 8 p.m. Wednesday
New York time 9 p.m. Wednesday
London 2 a.m. Thursday
Perth 10 a.m. Thursday
Sydney/Melbourne 1 p.m. Thursday
New Zealand 3 p.m. Thursday Check time in your city
Email r.craig.hogan@afterlifeinstitute.org
Wednesday December 27th 2023/ Thursday December 28th Australia
Platform Mediumship with
Paul M. Hinson
2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month USA / at 4.30 p.m. Pacific time
Paul is a classically trained English medium now based in Sydney. He does "platform readings" giving messages to people in the audience.
Times:
Pacific Time 3.30 p.m. Wednesday
Phoenix 4.30 p.m. Wednesday
Mountain time 4.30 p.m. Wednesday
Central time 5.30 p.m. Wednesday
Eastern Time 6.30 p.m. Wednesday
London time 11.30 p.m. Wednesday
Perth 7.30 a.m. Thursday
Singapore 7.30 a.m. Thursday
Sydney/ Melbourne 10.30 a.m. Thursday
New Zealand 12.30 p.m. Thursday Check time in your city
Coordinator: wendyzammit@gmail.com https://zoom.us/j/7595442928
18 INCREDIBLE STORIES OF PETS RETURNING HOME
Does consciousness lie outside the body? Are animals able to tune into information outside their brains? Science has no explanation for cases of animals being able to find their owners years after being separated. Read more.
CHRISTMAS TREE MIRACLE STORY AND HOW I GOT ENGAGED TO MY WIFE Rev. Bill McDonald is a superb storyteller. Enjoy.
FEEDBACK: (4 only)
1) "Love Bruce Greyson Michael Tymn Gordon Smith and Silver Birch.... what's not to like?" Tricia
2) "The 3-page description of the astral realms by Yogananda is wonderful, and A LOT to digest." David
3)
"Thanks for the wonderfully informative newsletters. They are a wealth of information and I enjoy watching the videos and learning of other people’s experiences". Jackie
4) "Thank you both for another wonderful report. I especially appreciate the opportunity to see Doris Stokes and learn a bit about her." Lana
FUNERAL NOTIFICATION: PHYSICAL MEDIUM BILL MEADOWS Bill Meadows' daughter Jacqui Hirdler has asked people to share the details of his funeral with his friends from all over the world. Date: Thursday 4th January 2024 at 13:30
Place: Parndon Wood Crematorium, Harlow, Essex CM19 4SF.
Flowers to Daniel Robinson and Sons, 10 Wych Elm, Harlow, CM20 1QP by 10am 4th January 2024 or Donations to Dementia UK via this link https://drobinson.co.uk/donate-in-memory/Please join us for refreshments afterwards at The Link, Parsloe Road, Harlow CM19 4RT to share memories of a lovely man.
Please let me know if you will be attending so we know numbers via email to jacdgirdler@gmail.com
INSPIRATIONAL MUSIC: THE INCREDIBLE HARMONIES OF LIFE IN 3D
The comments say it all:
"*Daura and Devon, that was truly an amazing duet. I love to hear your beautiful voices harmonizing together!
*Can’t stop playing this over and over. The smoothness of harmony is beyond anything I’ve ever heard.
*I love your voices. They blend really well. Your pitch is right on. Vibratos are beautiful. Very well done. Thanks for posting. Keep up the great work!
*Smooth, gorgeous, peaceful, lovely! What a Christmas gift to music lovers! God bless you"
Whilst we encourage and publish many papers and reports by afterlife researchers, we are not in a position to guarantee the accuracy of all claims. ALL WORK IS COPYRIGHT BY THE CONDITIONS SET AT THE GENEVA CONFERENCE ON COPYRIGHT
COMMENTARY: YOU BELONG TO ETERNITY 
You will all live after you have ‘died’, and you will not realize until then what it is to live or to feel the real glory of life untrammeled, free to rejoice in liberty of spirit which your imprisoned souls cannot understand today … all the experiences which you like least of all - the sadness, the bitterness, the tears, the disappointments, the suffering, and the pain - these are very valuable for your souls …But you cannot realize that at the time. It is only when you can look back on the whole, and not judge by the part, that you can get a clear picture of the value of life. Through all your adversities the character is tried. Through tears and sorrow the soul is strengthened … How very simple are these great truths, so simple that they are beyond many of your intellectuals!". (
Michael Tymn reports what Silver Birch has said on the matter. "At what might be called retreats here on earth, these advanced spirits take counsel from even higher spirits, share experiences, learn how far they have succeeded or failed, and formulate plans for future missions. Among those higher spirits who give counsel, he said, “is the great figure of the Nazarene, who is still imbued with the task of teaching humanity age-old truth enshrined in all that we seek to do, that love is the fulfilling of the law.”
1. They're not dead.
William Buhlman writes:
One of the most popular events in Spiritualism was the annual Xmas Tree Party for spirit children held by Leslie Flint at his home in Bayswater, London. Presents were provided for spirit children. They would arrive and sitters would hear them unwrapping the presents. Because they had a memory of what the presents looked like, they were able to re-create them by thought when they went back to the astral world. The physical presents were then given to a local hospital. Other physical mediums, including Scott Milligan, follow this tradition even today.
According to Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS)-sponsored research, >acts of altruism can elicit a positive immune system response:
Spiritist Literature: Directed Study (SLIDS) with Ana Castro.
We're opening our Zoom room for people to drop by and say hello at the normal time of the Global Gathering. There won't be anything structured, just an opportunity to talk with like-minded friends. We are inviting all our group leaders, past speakers, and all our
wonderful participants to come for a quick visit or pull up a chair and reflect on the year that's coming to an end.
Every Wednesday with Rob Blackburn and Craig Hogan. Participants sit in a darkened space in their own homes; the group has been going for some time and members are experiencing phenomena. 
Platform Mediumship with 
Robert (Bob) Peterson has been studying OBEs for almost forty years and is highly respected in the OBE community. He has made his first book, 
FEEDBACK: (4 only)
Bill Meadows' daughter Jacqui Hirdler has asked people to share the details of his funeral with his friends from all over the world.