COMMENTARY: WHAT IS A SPIRITUALLY TRANSFORMATIVE EXPERIENCE?
There are many types and many names for experiences that can share common features and be catalysts for spiritual transformation: near-death experiences (NDEs), near-death-like experiences (NDLEs), out-of-body experiences (OBEs), visions, spiritual emergencies, awakenings, kundalini, clairaudience, enlightenment, exceptional human experiences (EHEs), pre-birth memories, past-life experiences, nearing death awareness (NDAs), after-death communications (ADCs), empathic or shared near-death experiences, peak experiences, etc. STEs include numinous, noetic, transcendent, transpersonal, mystical, anomalous, religious, paranormal, psychic, parapsychological or ecstatic experiences. Read more.
SEEKING SPIRITUALLY TRANSFORMATIVE EXPERIENCES Many cultures have developed methods for inducing STEs, usually under the guidance of an experienced practitioner. Sometimes they are designed to serve as an initiation or rite of passage. The most common methods used are chanting, repetition of prayers or mantras, controlling the breath, rhythmic dancing, drumming, fasting, long periods of isolation, and the ritual use of psychedelic plants and substances. Ken Vincent has collected cases of Ancient Attempts at Inducing Spiritually Transformative Experiences.
In Spiritualist and New Age groups these experiences are sought in workshops and development circles.
THE OVERVIEW EFFECT
Sometimes STEs occur without warning. Researchers have recognized that awe-based experiences—such as interaction with nature, religious or spiritual or mystical experiences, meditation, and peak and flow experiences during high-task performance—can change a person and promote the feeling of unity or interconnectedness. Several astronauts have reported a sudden and overwhelming appreciation and perception of beauty, unexpected and even overwhelming emotion, and an increased sense of connection to other people and the Earth as a whole that does not leave them.
WHAT TURNS A POTENTIALLY SPIRITUALLY TRANSFORMATIVE EXPERIENCE INTO A SPIRITUAL EMERGENCY? Stanislav and Christina Grof wrote about this in their 1989 book.
"Increasing numbers of people involved in personal transformation are experiencing spiritual emergencies... they may feel tremendous anxiety, have difficulty coping with their daily lives, jobs, and relationships, and may even fear for their own sanity". Some of the key reasons why the transformation becomes an emergency include:
*lack of preparation *lack of support by someone knowledgeable about the process *speed and intensity of the experience *pre-existing vulnerabilities like trauma or mental illness.
DR. EMMA BRAGDON ON THE IMHU
Dr. Emma Bragdon Is the founder of the Integrative Mental Health University, (imhu.org) a global organisation dedicated to expanding knowledge and skills in the spiritual aspects of mental health care. It does this through online and live educational presentations and certifications for health care providers. See the IMHU courses.
OPEN-MINDED PSYCHIATRISTS APOLOGISE FOR THEIR COLLEAGUES
For a long time, mainstream psychiatry regarded experiences such as hearing voices and other STEs as automatically indicating psychiatric illness. Medium George Anderson wrote in his book We Don't Die (1988) that, as a teenager, he was referred for shock therapy because of his mediumship.
There is clearly a need to educate everyone that normal, healthy, and well-functioning people can have experiences of afterlife contact, clairaudience, and precognition.
HANS OTTO KÖNIG WAUTERS IS NOW WORKING FROM SPIRIT We are sad to report that our world has lost one of its most dedicated ITC researchers. Please join us as we send our warmest wishes, thanks, and respect to Hans' wife, Anna Maria Wauters, and to all his family and colleagues.
Hans, a professional electro-acoustics technician living in Germany, was a pioneer in Instrumental Transcommunnication. His book "Listen! New Discoveries about the Afterlife" was published in English by Dr. Craig Hogan. The book contains some of the messages König received by direct radio voice communications.
Here are a few of those messages:
* We are eternal beings. There is no death as an end to the individual spirit. Nobody ceases to exist; every life is forever.
* The Spirit Beings have a great concern for what is happening on the Earth plane. They send the power of Love to help us.
* They have told König that the time is ripe for an expansion of consciousness.
* The connections will become stronger. The contact bridge will grow in power and capability.
* Many people who lived on the Earth plane want to connect with us now, especially loved ones.
* Extraterrestrial life and other life forms will contact us.
* If we want to change the world we as individuals must change our own worlds within each of us. Spirit overcomes matter. Read more from his autobiography.
GLIMPSES INTO EXTERNAL LIFE Jurgen Ziewe has visited the afterlife for extended periods of time over more than fifty years. Yet for most of that time he kept his detailed journals of his adventures to himself. It was only a few years ago that he began to share them with the world in his first book Multidimensional Man. In his 2023 book,
Elysium Unveiled: A Visual Odyssey of Life Eternal,
Jurgen has used his skills as a digital artist to present photo-real images of the afterlife in colour.
THREE PRE-BIRTH EXERIENCERS ANSWER FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 00:00 Question 1: Are We Being Tricked into Reincarnation?
23:52 Question 2: Why Do We Have to Learn About Love?
39:54 Question 3: Why is the Veil Necessary? 59:16: Question 4: Why Would Anyone Agree to Come Here and Suffer?
01:18:19: Question 5: How Vivid is Your Memory? 01:30:41: Question 6: Why Can Some People Remember and the Majority Don't? 01:52:00: Question 7: What is One Message You Took From Your Pre-Birth Memories?
BEWARE OF FAKE NDEs Before NDEs were widely accepted, you could be fairly sure that the people who would put themselves out there telling their experiences at no benefit to themselves were genuine. But suddenly YouTube is full of videos with AI-generated content with no names of experiencers. Some are clearly made to make money and some to support a religious or political agenda.
In this YouTube video Melissa Dence gives examples of what to look out for.
THE INNER VOICE MAGAZINE
"The September issue of The Inner Voice Magazine offers guidance for walking through life’s lessons with courage and hope. Among the many articles are: Hope of the Afterlife, you’ll find comfort and assurance of what lies beyond this world. In Angels as Agents for Transformation, you’ll discover how our heavenly messengers walk beside us, and Inner Feng Shui for Creating Peace offers simple ways to restore harmony within and around you.
Each article is a gift for your journey, a reminder that when the lesson is embraced, the blessing follows. May this issue bring inspiration, peace, and encouragement as you step into the season ahead."
Nancy Freier
Read it here.
SYDNEY NORTHERN BEACHES SPIRITUALISTS FRIDAY, AUGUST 5th, 2025
Northern Beaches Spiritualists (Sydney, Australia) is holding a face-to-face meeting on Friday, August 1st, 2025, at Manly Vale Community Centre, Innes Road Hall. See location and transport details.
From 6 p.m. to 6 45 p.m., we will be having our healing service led by our guest medium Robin Lamb. And from 7 p.m., Robin will be giving messages from spirit. He will be travelling for two hours from Wollongong each way to attend - a true indication of his dedication to spirit. You can contact Robin at robinlambmedium@gmail.com.
For more information email paulhinson@gmail.com.
Saturday, 6th September, 2025 / Sunday, September 7th, 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 8 a.m. Sunday
Check the time in your city
Co-ordinator: Ana Castro
Just click this link to join.
Sunday, September 7th, 2025/ Monday September 8th 2025
This week the Cosmic Voices Team presents: Messages from the Greater Reality.
What wisdom do past leaders offer about our world today? Come and listen as they step forward from the Greater Reality to share their insights with you.
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 9 a.m. Monday
Check the time in your city Co-ordinator: wendyzammit@gmail.com https://zoom.us/j/7595442928
Monday, September 8th 2025/ Tuesday September 9th, Australia
Dream Circle Kim Parker When: Every two weeks on Mondays (UK EUROPE and USA) and Tuesday 7 a.m. (Sydney).
A small group meets to share and explore the meaning of dreams.
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 9 a.m. Tuesday Check the time for your city
Email: Kim at kmrainbow57@yahoo.com https://zoom.us/j/7595442928
Tuesday, September 8th 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 10 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
Tuesday, September 9th 2025/ Wednesday September 10th Australia Receiving Messages Through Spirit Art with Dr. Susan Barnes CSNU.
We are meeting to create spirit art with messages.
No art experience required.
Every 2nd and 4th Tuesday
If Dr. Sue is not present at the appointed time, it is likely because she is attending to an ongoing health issue.
She apologises in advance and will try to be back next time.
Times:
Pacific time 6 p.m. Tuesday
Phoenix time 6 p.m. Tuesday
Mountain Time 7 p.m. Tuesday
Central Time 8 p.m. Tuesday
Eastern Time (New York) 9 p.m. Tuesday
London 2 a.m. Wednesday
Perth/Singapore 9 a.m. Wednesday
Sydney/Melbourne 11 a.m. Wednesday
New Zealand 1 p.m. Wednesday Check the time in your city
Coordinator: Dr. Susan B. Barnes, CSNU susanbbarnes@gmail.com
Online in Zoom https://zoom.us/j/873881773
Wednesday, September 10th 2025 / Thursday, September 11th 2025 Australia
Platform Mediumship with Paul M. Hinson (at times suitable for the USA and Australia) Paul is an English medium now based in Sydney. He does "platform readings" giving messages to most people present. 2nd Wednesdays of the month USA/ following Thursdays in Australia 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
Rome 2.30 a.m. Thursday
Perth 8.30 a.m. Thursday
Singapore 8.30 a.m. Thursday
Sydney/ Melbourne 10.30 a.m. Thursday
New Zealand 12.30 p.m. Thursday Check the time in your city
Coordinator:paulhinson@gmail.com https://zoom.us/j/5562413788
Wednesday, September 10th 2025 / Thursday, September 11th 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 1 p.m. Thursday Check the time in your city
Email r.craig.hogan@afterlifeinstitute.org for meeting guidelines and link.
Thursday, September 11th 2025 / Friday, September 12th Australia
SHERI PERL'SA Word to the Wise from the Very Wise From mediums to mystics, from poets to experiments, from those in Spirit and those in body we will scout out the wisdom and find the inspiration.
This group will alternate the times it meets on the second Thursday of the month. The TEA TIME meetings will take place at 3 p.m. EST.
The following month The TWILIGHT meeting will be held at 9 p.m. EST.
This month's meeting: EVP FOR DUMMIES
Sheri will be joined by EVP researcher Vicki Talbott. They will explain how EVP works and answer any questions. An EVP recording will be made, and results will be emailed to all attendees. This class will be interactive. Bring a recorder if you have one (see How to Record on Your Mobile Phone).
TWILIGHT MEETING Times:
Pacific time 6 p.m. Thursday
Phoenix time 6 p.m. Thursday
Mountain time 7 p.m. Thursday
Central time 8 p.m. Thursday
New York time 9 p.m. Thursday
London 2 a.m. Thursday
Sydney/Melbourne 11 a.m. Friday
New Zealand 1 p.m. Friday Check the time in Your City
Contact: sheriperl@gmail.com
masseusiebennett@comcast.net http://zoom.us/j/8700196553.
Thursday, September 11th 2025 / Friday, September 12th Australia
MEDIUMSHIP DEMONSTRATION
The Sydney Northern Beaches Spiritualists are organising demonstrations of mediumship, free or by donation, featuring excellent platform mediums giving readings via Zoom to those present. It is designed to be an easy way for people to have a first experience of mediumship. Doors open 15 minutes before the starting time.
This week's medium is Dr. Elizabeth Raver. She is highly recommended in Australia, USA, UK, and New Zealand for her detail and accuracy in all areas of spirituality, ranging from one-on-one reading to teaching & platform demonstrations.
Times:
Pacific Time 5.00 p.m. Thursday
Phoenix 5.00 p.m. Thursday
Mountain time 6.00 p.m. Thursday
Central time 7.00 p.m. Thursday
Eastern Time 8.00 p.m. Thursday
London time 1.00 a.m. Friday
Rome 2. a.m. Friday
Perth 8. a.m. Friday
Singapore 8.a.m. Friday
Sydney/ Melbourne 10.00 a.m. Friday
New Zealand 12.00 p.m. Friday Check the time in your city
Coordinator:paulhinson@gmail.com https://zoom.us/j/5562413788
A "What Feels Right by You" donation to keep the lights on would be appreciated Paypal:NBSC2024@gmail.com
Bank Donations to
BSB 484-799 A/C # 165 648 823
Account Name – Northern Beaches S C
Thursday, September 11th 2025 / Friday, September 12th Australia
Pet Communication Group with Gretchen Bickert Do you have questions about animal care or how to support an animal with a disability or illness? Would like like to be able to communicate better with your fur baby? 2nd Thursdays/ Fridays in Australia
Times:
Pacific time 1 p.m. Thursday
Phoenix time 1 p.m. Thursday
Mountain time 2 p.m. Thursday
Central time 3 p.m. Thursday
New York time 4 p.m. Thursday
London 9 p.m. Thursday
Sydney/Melbourne 6 a.m. Friday
New Zealand 8 a.m. Friday Check the time in your city
Contact Gretchen: ursus88@gmail.com https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87870490412?
pwd=KzMvTlNFRTdRQWtiY002YzBnOWgzZz09
DID DOLORES CANNON PREDICT THE AWAKENING OF 2025/2026? Dolores Cannon's work wasn’t just about past lives and lost civilizations. It was a roadmap for awakening, designed for the exact shift we’re living through today. One of her personally trained Advanced Practitioners watched her teachings unfold in real time—across over a thousand of QHHT sessions, energetic upgrades, and soul awakenings. In this video, she shares what she believes was Dolores' true message to this generation—and how to finally align with it.
SILVER BIRCH - A VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS "The spirit grows through kindness, tolerance, sympathy, love, service and doing of good works. Character evolves only when you allow the divine spirit to be made manifest in your daily lives. If you harbor unkind thoughts, thoughts of hatred or malice, of vengeance, of selfishness, you yourself will be the victim and you yourself must pay the price in a warped, distorted and thwarted character."
Silver Birch Anthology Chapter 1.
THE POWER OF DEEP LISTENING "When we honestly ask ourselves which persons in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand.
The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing, and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares."
Henri Nouwen, priest (1932-1996)
FEEDBACK: (Three only).
1) Thank you for this week's newsletter. I noticed you covered a section on Maddalena De Leo from Italy the spirit radio experimenter.
Out of interest, my two spiritualist medium friends, Philomena and Natalie, made an appointment with Maddalena to experience the spirit radio contact and were amazed. They had a two-hour session with the radio, and spirit came through confirming many things to Philomena and Natalie that were correct. Even making some predictions of future events. The spirit people spoke in Italian and Maddalena's daughter interpreted the messages into English because the daughter is very fluent in English.
Maddalena has asked Philomena if she would be willing to do a talk about spiritualism and her role as a minister in her work. Maddalena is also organising four workshops for Philomena to teach history of Spiritualism and mediumship that will be certificated.
Appreciate your newsletters.
Many thanks." David.
2) "I'm scared I won't exist after death. I want to retain my personality...I'm scared." Jamie
3) "My heartfelt thanks go out to you both for the weekly Friday Afterlife Report. I look forward to it each time and have found the most interesting interviews, articles, and books ever. Your work has greatly enriched my life, and again I thank you." Karen.
SOMETHING UPLIFTING: I CHOOSE LOVE
"We are all living in a troubled world at this time, and this video spells out a choice for humanity. With Love we heal, with Fear we self destruct, what do you choose? I Choose Love". Shawn Gallaway
Lyrics - Shawn Galloway
I can see laughter or I can see tears
I see a choice
Of love or fear
What do you choose?
I can see peace or I can see war
I can see sunshine
Or I can see a storm
What do you choose?
I choose to live with freedom flying
From my heart where the light keeps shining
And I choose to feel the whole world crying for the strength that we can rise above
I choose love, I choose love
I can see sharing
Or I can see greed
I can see caring or poverty
What do you choose?
I can see gardens or I can see flaws
I can see life or death
Coming on strong
So what do you choose?
I choose to live with freedom flying
From my heart where the light keeps shining
And I choose to feel the whole world crying for the strength that we can rise above
I choose love, I choose love
I see us healing
Darkness dying
I see us dawning as one world united
So what do you choose?
Love or fear?
Oh, what do you choose?
I choose to live with freedom flying
From my heart where the light keeps shining
And I choose to feel the whole world crying
And I choose to feel the one voice rising
And I choose to feel us all united in the strength that we can rise above
I choose love, I choose love, I choose love
Love, love
I choose love
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.
WHAT IS A SPIRITUALLY TRANSFORMATIVE EXPERIENCE? 
Many cultures have developed methods for inducing STEs, usually under the guidance of an experienced practitioner. Sometimes they are designed to serve as an initiation or rite of passage. The most common methods used are chanting, repetition of prayers or mantras, controlling the breath, rhythmic dancing, drumming, fasting, long periods of isolation, and the ritual use of psychedelic plants and substances. Ken Vincent has collected cases of 
Stanislav and Christina Grof wrote about this in 
We are sad to report that our world has lost one of its most dedicated ITC researchers. Please join us as we send our warmest wishes, thanks, and respect to Hans' wife, Anna Maria Wauters, and to all his family and colleagues.
Before NDEs were widely accepted, you could be fairly sure that the people who would put themselves out there telling their experiences at no benefit to themselves were genuine. But suddenly YouTube is full of videos with AI-generated content with no names of experiencers. Some are clearly made to make money and some to support a religious or political agenda.
From 6 p.m. to 6 45 p.m., we will be having our healing service led by our guest medium Robin Lamb. And from 7 p.m., Robin will be giving messages from spirit. He will be travelling for two hours from Wollongong each way to attend - a true indication of his dedication to spirit. You can contact Robin at robinlambmedium@gmail.com.
Spiritist Literature: Directed Study (SLIDS) with Ana Castro. 
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.
We are meeting to create spirit art with messages. 
Paul is an English medium now based in Sydney. He does "platform readings" giving messages to most people present. 
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.
From mediums to mystics, from poets to experiments, from those in Spirit and those in body we will scout out the wisdom and find the inspiration. 
This week's medium is 
Do you have questions about animal care or how to support an animal with a disability or illness? Would like like to be able to communicate better with your fur baby? 
"The spirit grows through kindness, tolerance, sympathy, love, service and doing of good works. Character evolves only when you allow the divine spirit to be made manifest in your daily lives. If you harbor unkind thoughts, thoughts of hatred or malice, of vengeance, of selfishness, you yourself will be the victim and you yourself must pay the price in a warped, distorted and thwarted character." 
"When we honestly ask ourselves which persons in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. 