COMMENTARY: WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF HUMAN LIFE?
This is the ultimate question, and, sadly, one that we often lose sight of in the dreams and dramas of everyday life.
One answer that particularly resonates with Spiritualists was given by the highly credible afterlife teacher, Silver Birch:
"The purpose is to enable the incarnating spirit to undergo a variety of experiences that will fit it for the next stage, the one that begins beyond physical death. Earth is the schoolhouse where the soul should learn its lessons and thus be properly educated and equipped for the next stage of its eternal life."
William Buhlman elaborates on this idea: "Imagine yourself in an ideal world where everyone is free to explore and develop their creative pursuits and experience their unlimited potential. Does this sound like heaven? Just think what an immature or undisciplined being could and would do in this ideal thought-responsive world. Picture the chaos and destruction that a single primitive mind could create.
...Now for a moment imagine what kind of educational environment would be the perfect training ground for this undisciplined mind... Welcome to the dense training ground of matter, where focused thoughts are required in order to create and prosper. Welcome to the ideal environment where the young and undisciplined mind can learn by trial and error without contaminating the pure realm of spirit. Welcome to your life."
William Buhlman, The Secret of the Soul.
BRIAN WEISS: THE TRUTH OF YOUR SOUL
Dr. Brian Weiss describes the soul as our immortal, eternal, authentic, enduring, and timeless nature. It's who we really are before all other concepts, including body and mind, and it isn't attached to material things or other people's opinions.
TRANSFORMATIVE PRACTICES In his pioneering book, Rupert Sheldrake shows how science is investigating and validating seven transformative practices on which all religions are built. It's worth thinking about whether you can incorporate one or more of them into your life. Here's the list: meditation, gratitude, connecting with nature, relating to plants, rituals, singing and chanting, and pilgrimage and holy places. Read more.
THE CHALLENGE OF PLANNING A LIFE FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH
Aaron Green is one of several people who have gone public with their memories of co-planning their lives. He describes a near-death experience at the age of six during which he experienced a life review that included remembering having made detailed choices about every aspect of his life. He was then shown how the life lived by souls affects them after death. Absolutely fascinating and consistent with other accounts.
AUTISM THROUGH THE LENS OF SCIENCE AND SPIRITUALITY
Dr. Raphael Rezende is an assistant professor of Neurology at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School. He is also a Spiritist medium who led Spiritist groups in Brazil. In the video, he is introduced by Ana Castro, leader of the "Spiritist Literature: Directed Study" group. Dr. Rezende talks about autism as a father of two autistic children and someone with autism himself. Struggling to have children, he and his wife had turned to IVF and had three embryos implanted, and miraculously all three were born. During the pregnancy, each of the three children came through to him in dreams with important pre-birth messages telling him their name and, in the case of his son, about his past existence.
OUR LOVED ONES ARE ONLY A WHISPER AWAY Lance Reed, EVP and ITC researcher, writes:
"I believe in a spiritual world that's living and fully awake. My purpose is to bring evidence and comfort of this world to the people. I want to live each moment, where each and every person on this planet realises just how precious we all are, with the thought of knowing there is more to this life than we believe or have been told—knowing that this life is only a small part of the journey, where their loved ones that have passed before them are only a whisper away. This realisation, I believe, would change the world for the better." Learn more about Lance's work.
HOW OLD IS PSYCHIC RESEARCH?
Many people think the beginnings of the Spiritualist movement occurred at Hydesville in New York State in the 19th century, but psychic investigation is much, much older than that. This 22-minute video traces its origins.
STEPHANIE ARNOLD: GETTING THE MESSAGE OUT TO THE MEDIA
Stephanie Arnold had a recurring premonition that the birth of her second child would go wrong and she would die from blood loss. The story of how she was saved by her intuition and how she recaptured what happened in her NDE through a past-life regression is told in her best-selling book, 37 Seconds. In this video Stephanie shares how she used the skills gained in a decades-long career as an Emmy-nominated TV producer to pitch the story to get maximum media coverage.
PMH ATWATER: A MANUAL FOR DEVELOPING HUMANS
This is the third book that P.M.H. Atwater was told to write during her series of near-death experiences. The Manual contains information on how to use your mind, develop and use intuition, understand color, sex, relationships and children, how to take out-of-body trips, interact with spirit beings, meditate, bend time, and rethink money.
Read more on Amazon
SUSANNE WILSON - SETTING THE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
Susanne Wilson is an incredible medium. Here she shares some techniques she has developed to cooperate with those in spirit to get spectacularly accurate and detailed communications. Her highly recommended book is 'Soul Smart: What The Dead Teach Us About Spirit Communication.' To learn more about her classes, events, books, meditations, and group and individual sessions, see her website https://carefreemedium.com/
NDES ARE CHANGING THE FACE OF RELIGION Many people are gaining new insights into universal spirituality as a result of experiencing or reading about near-death experiences. Kevin Williams, the founder and webmaster of near-death.com, writes as folllows. "By studying NDEs, I found peace of mind and freedom from rigid belief systems and a far greater love for people and Jesus than I would ever have found in the Bible. I discovered truth was everywhere including in other religions ... Once I discovered the kind of love and spirituality found in NDEs, I realized I was not concerned about religious dogma anymore. Just follow the simple principle established by Jesus, John, and Paul when they said, "All you need is love." Read more.
SYDNEY NORTHERN BEACHES SPIRITUALISTS FRIDAY, 3rd OCTOBER, 2025
Northern Beaches Spiritualists (Sydney, Australia), is holding a face-to-face meeting on Friday, 3rd October, 2025, at Manly Vale Community Centre Innes Road Hall. From 6 p.m. to 6.45 p.m. we will be holding a healing circle. See location and transport details. For more information email paulhinson@gmail.com.
OUR GUEST MEDIUM THIS MONTH is Marcia Quinton who has been an international clairvoyant and medium for over 40 years. She has met with thousands of clients to support and guide them on their spiritual journey. Marcia is also a powerfully advanced trance channeler, Reiki healer, rescue medium, spiritual counsellor and workshop leader. Marcia is a passionate inspirational writer. She can be contacted at quintonm@bigpond.com Read more about her
Red Feather Lodge School of Psychic and Spiritual Studies.
TIME CHANGES AHEAD-
Programs hosted in Australia will be changing by one hour from Sunday, October 5th, 2025. New Zealand goes 1 hour ahead from Sunday 28th September
Saturday September 27th 2025 / Sunday September 28th 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 1 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 6 a.m. Sunday
New Zealand 9 a.m. Sunday
Check the time in your city
Co-ordinator: Ana Castro
Just click this link to join.
Sunday, September 28th, 2025/ Monday, September 29th, 2025
Mediumship Development with Dr. Susan Barnes CSNU Developing the skills of mental mediumship and blending with spirit.
Meetings: Every 2nd and 4th Sunday
Note: If Dr. Sue is not there at the appointed time, it is probably because she is dealing with an ongoing health issue.
She apologises in advance and will try to be back next time.
Times:
Pacific Time 10 a.m. Sunday
Phoenix time 10 a.m. Sunday
Mountain Time 11 a.m. Sunday
Central Time noon Sunday
Eastern Time (New York) 1 p.m. Sunday
London 6 p.m. Sunday
Rome 7 p.m. Sunday
Sydney/Melbourne 3 a.m. Monday
New Zealand 6 a.m. Monday Check time in your city
Coordinator: Dr. Susan B. Barnes, CSNU susanbbarnes@gmail.com
Online in Zoom https://zoom.us/j/8738817733
Sunday, September 28th, 2025/ Monday, September 29th, 2025
Global Gathering: Powerful Places Elyn Aviva and Gary White are delighted to be back with the Global Gathering. Over the years, they have studied geomancy, earth mysteries, dowsing, sacred geometry, etc, in order to deepen their experiences at sacred sites and powerful places.
Gary has written a book called “The Dowsing Mind.” They are co-authors of the transformative-travel book series, “Powerful Places in ….” which consists of 9 books about Cornwall, Wales, Malta, Brittany, Ireland, and more. Elyn is co-author, with Ferran Blasco, of “Where Heaven and Earth Unite,” which explores some of the features of dolmens, standing stones, and ancient churches that maximize their impact.
Elyn and Gary look forward to sharing stories and to hearing from the Global Gathering community about their transformative travel experiences.
Times:
Pacific Time 2 p.m. Sunday
Phoenix 2 p.m. Sunday
Mountain Time 3 p.m. Sunday
Central time 4 p.m. Sunday
Eastern time 5 p.m. Sunday
London 10 p.m. Sunday
Rome 11 p.m. Sunday
Perth 5 a.m. Monday
Sydney/Melbourne 7 a.m. Monday
New Zealand 10 a.m. Monday
Check the time in your city Co-ordinator: wendyzammit@gmail.com https://zoom.us/j/7595442928
Monday, September 29th 2025/ Tuesday, September 30th, Australia GOSH: Gatherings over Strange Happenings with Kim Parker When: Every two weeks on Mondays (UK EUROPE and USA) and Tuesdays at 7 a.m. (Sydney).
A small group that meets to share and explore the meaning of strange experiences like missing time, seeing scenes from another time, interacting with a person who suddenly wasn't there, bi-location etc. If it's something you cannot share easily with others, bring it to this group to get validation and speculate on its cause. See short video about GOSH
Times:
Pacific Time 2 p.m. Monday
Phoenix 2 p.m. Monday
Mountain Time 3 p.m. Monday
Central time 4 p.m. Monday
Eastern time 5 p.m. Monday
London 10 p.m. Monday
Vienna 11 p.m. Monday
Perth 5 a.m. Monday
Sydney/Melbourne 7 a.m. Tuesday
New Zealand 10 a.m. Tuesday Check the time for your city
Email: Kim at kmrainbow57@yahoo.com https://zoom.us/j/7595442928
Tuesday, September 30th, 2025
Australian-based Physical Mediumship Development Circle (Dark Circle) Every week participants interested in developing physical mediumship sit in a darkened space in their own homes for 40 minutes, relax, and listen to music. At the moment the group is focusing on table tipping with several members experiencing phenomena.
Times:
Pacific time 3 a.m. Tuesday
Phoenix Time 3 a.m. Tuesday
Mountain Time 4 a.m. Tuesday
Central Time 5 a.m. Tuesday
Eastern Time (New York) 6 a.m. Tuesday
London 11 a.m. Tuesday
Rome 12 p.m. Tuesday
Perth/Singapore 6 p.m. Tuesday
Sydney, Australia 8 p.m. Tuesday
Auckland 11 p.m. Tuesday Check the time in your city
Northern Beaches Spiritualists
Contact paulhinson@gmail.com for more information
Tele +61 (0) 412 276 960
Wednesday October 1st 2025/ Thursday October 2nd Australia
Spirit Search and Rescue with Gordon Phinn
1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month/ Thursdays in Australia
The Spirit Search and Rescue group is held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month at 3 p.m. Eastern US time ( 8 p.m. London time).
Gordon is teaching the technique of conscious meditation to connect and assist souls needing help to complete their crossing over following death of the physical body. Each session contains an introduction, a period of around 15 minutes for conscious meditation (during which Gordon joins each group member in turn to observe their work) and then a de-brief session.
For more information about the group, contact davidmonroewright@gmail.com. You can see more of Gordon's astral adventures on his YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@thewordofgord
To contact Gordon about the many services he offers email mooninjoon@yahoo.com
Times: - NOTE ROOM CHANGE THIS WEEK
Pacific Time 12 noon Wednesday
Phoenix 12 noon Wednesday
Mountain Time 1 p.m. Wednesday
Central time 2 p.m. Wednesday
Eastern time 3 p.m. Wednesday
London 8 p.m. Wednesday
Vienna 9 p.m. Wednesday
Sydney/Melbourne 5 a.m. Thursday
New Zealand 8 a.m. Thursday Check time in your city
Co-ordinator: David Wright
CHANGE OF ROOM FOR THIS WEEK ONLY-
Gary Langley's room
https://zoom.us/j/3155117825?
pwd=RWtBOVJRRFJP
TmpxWlNKUXo3bWlmQT09|
Wednesday October 1st 2025/Thursday October 2nd Australia
Automatic Writing and all Things Spiritual Discussion Group with Sheila Lowe Discussion and sharing of resources with afterlife author and handwriting expert
Sheila Lowe. Often features guest speakers.
Times:
Pacific Time 5.30 p.m. Wednesday
Phoenix 5.30 p.m. Wednesday
Mountain time 6.30 p.m. Wednesday
Central time 7.30 p.m. Wednesday
Eastern Time 8.30 p.m. Wednesday
London time 1.30 a.m. Thursday
Perth 8.30 a.m. Thursday
Sydney/ Melbourne 10.30 a.m. Thursday
New Zealand 1.30 p.m. Thursday Check time in your city
Coordinator: Sheila Lowe sheila@sheilalowe.com https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87248527074?
pwd=cXNNZERDbGtSc3VWU3hCQ05OSlFndz09
[if the room is not open email Sheila]
Wednesday, October 1st, 2025 / Thursday, October 2nd, 2025
USA-based Physical mediumship development group 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 6 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
Paris 3 a.m. Thursday
Perth 10 a.m. Thursday
Sydney/Melbourne 11 a.m. Thursday
New Zealand 2 p.m. Thursday Check the time in your city
Email r.craig.hogan@afterlifeinstitute.org for meeting guidelines and link.
Thursday October 2nd 2025/ Friday October 3rd 2025
Exploratorium - Grief and Growth with August Goforth August, a licensed psychotherapist in private practice in New York City, leads a participatory "Exploratorium" where readers of the book "The Risen" will be encouraged to offer ponderings and ideas on grief and growth. Free PDF copies of the book are available here.
This group meets on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month.
LIONEL FRIEDBERG HOW HEALING FROM AN AFRICAN SHAMAN CHANGED HIS APPRECIATION OF REALITY
In his book "Forever in my Veins" filmmaker and author Lionel Friedberg talks about his discovery of the field of hidden knowledge that all of us are connected to and that we can learn to access. This is a short extract from a longer talk he gave on June 20th 2022.
STAY POSITIVE "Keep radiant, optimistic, and cheerful. Try never to allow yourself to be downcast. The best atmosphere in which we can work, help and guide is one in which there is no gloom, no despondency, no despair, All these blanket the aura and create obstacles that have to be surmounted".
"When things and people seem difficult sometimes, withdraw into the silence. Allow the great love emanating from our world to enfold you in its embrace and to recharge you with its power so that you emerge stronger as a result." More Philosophy of Silver Birch pp.243 and 246.
SITTING IN THE POWER MEDITATION
Mediums trained at the Arthur Findlay College claim that "sitting in the power" for a few minutes every day contributes to spiritual awakening and greater intuition and enriches psychic and evidential mediumship as well as healing development. There are various versions by different mediums but this one by Beverly Anne Freeman explains the process very well.
FEEDBACK: (Three only)
1)
"I would just like to say that I enjoy your afterlife reports that I get emailed.
Thank you very much!" Kim
2) "Loved that poem [Desiderata] for many years now. Thank you for using it.
Amanda
3)
"We are both doing the same job from a long time and every time I receive your report I wonder how you can do all that big job every week." Claudio
SOMETHING INSPIRATIONAL: FARAWAY PLACES
The song has endured across generations, sung by many great artists, but this version by Vera Lynn evokes childhood memories in many people. It's both an invitation to daydream and a gentle reminder of the vast, beautiful worlds beyond our doorstep.
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 COPYRIGHTED BY THE CONDITIONS SET AT THE GENEVA CONFERENCE ON COPYRIGHT.
COMMENTARY: WHAT IS THE 
PURPOSE OF HUMAN LIFE? 
"Imagine yourself in an ideal world where everyone is free to explore and develop their creative pursuits and experience their unlimited potential. Does this sound like heaven? Just think what an immature or undisciplined being could and would do in this ideal thought-responsive world. Picture the chaos and destruction that a single primitive mind could create. 
In his pioneering book, Rupert Sheldrake shows how science is investigating and validating seven transformative practices on which all religions are built. It's worth thinking about whether you can incorporate one or more of them into your life. Here's the list: meditation, gratitude, connecting with nature, relating to plants, rituals, singing and chanting, and pilgrimage and holy places. 
Lance Reed, EVP and ITC researcher, writes:
PMH ATWATER: A MANUAL FOR DEVELOPING HUMANS
Many people are gaining new insights into universal spirituality as a result of experiencing or reading about near-death experiences. Kevin Williams, the founder and webmaster of 
OUR GUEST MEDIUM THIS MONTH 
Spiritist Literature: Directed Study (SLIDS) with Ana Castro. 
Developing the skills of mental mediumship and blending with spirit.
Elyn Aviva and Gary White are delighted to be back with the Global Gathering. Over the years, they have studied geomancy, earth mysteries, dowsing, sacred geometry, etc, in order to deepen their experiences at sacred sites and powerful places. 
When: Every two weeks on Mondays (UK EUROPE and USA) and Tuesdays at 7 a.m. (Sydney).
Every week participants interested in developing physical mediumship sit in a darkened space in their own homes for 40 minutes, relax, and listen to music. At the moment the group is focusing on table tipping with several members experiencing phenomena.
Discussion and sharing of resources with afterlife author and handwriting expert
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.
August, a licensed psychotherapist in private practice in New York City, leads a participatory "Exploratorium" where readers of the book "The Risen" will be encouraged to offer ponderings and ideas on grief and growth. Free PDF copies of the book are 
"Keep radiant, optimistic, and cheerful. Try never to allow yourself to be downcast. The best atmosphere in which we can work, help and guide is one in which there is no gloom, no despondency, no despair, All these blanket the aura and create obstacles that have to be surmounted".
