COMMENTARY: RELIGION, BELIEFS AND SPIRITUALITY
Sociologists tell us that where we are born determines our beliefs and how we perceive the world. This means that people from different backgrounds all have their own particular beliefs (or non-beliefs) about the afterlife. The interesting thing is that in most cases those beliefs are based on other people's experiences rather than their own.
There are roughly 4,200 religions in the world, so what makes people think that theirs is the only true one? Religions are all derived from the experiences with the spirit world of their founders - through near-death experiences (NDEs), out-of-body or shamanic experiences (OBEs).
Over time, as out-of-body experiencer Robert Peterson observed, some of that information became "distorted by religious agendas, centuries of time, ancient language misinterpretations, cultural differences, and just plain lack of words for what really happened".
We can respect all peoples' religions as long as they put emphasis on love and service, which are, after all, at the heart of all spiritual teachings.
GAY PH.D STUDENT DIES AND MEETS JESUS: LEARNS ABOUT EXIT POINTS
Josias Abriel had always been told that Jesus hated him because he was gay. During his NDE he learned he was so loved, that he volunteered to come to Earth. He describes colours that cannot be seen on Earth. He learns that he is a "starseed".
WHY ARE SOME NDEs HELLISH? ALAN CHAPMAN LOOKS TO THE SPIRITS' BOOK FOR AN EXPLANATION
This video includes NDEs by Bill Letson, Tricia Barker, Claudia Edge, Howard Storm, Penny Wittbrodt, Betty Guadagno, Natalie Sudman, M.K. McDaniel, Daniel Giroux, Brooke Grove, Jan Christenson, and Vincent Tolman
Video Chapters
0:00 Why are NDEs so wildly different? 1:19 Decoding the afterlife with The Spirits' Book 2:10 The Welcoming Committee: Meeting your soul family
4:50 The Void: Why some people see nothing 7:15 The Truth about "Hell" NDEs
9:07 Why material attachment makes death painful 13:18 The Law of Attraction: Like attracts Like
14:23 Bumping around in the "Basement of the Universe" 20:04 Earth School: Why we choose the hardest classroom
21:03 The Pre-Life Contract: Choosing your injuries 23:56 Spiritual Bootcamp 25:40 Why we pick difficult lives 28:32 The Rollercoaster: Why the total memory wipe?
30:14 A handbook for your soul
IS THERE A JUDGMENT DAY ON CROSSING OVER?
"As a former priest of the Church, I regret deeply and earnestly, that I ever gave tongue to such misguided teaching," says Mons. Hugh Benson directly from the afterlife. "I speak from first-hand experience when I tell you of the abject terror that consumes so many poor souls when their moment of transition has come. Instead of the winter of their earthly lives passing gently into the glorious fresh, fragrant spring of their new life in these lands, they arrive here with that terror full upon them. Such beliefs are relics of pure paganism, but this wicked fiction has been kept up and disseminated by the Churches of earth as a measure of inspiring fear into the hearts of their 'faithful'. (Facts, 1995 ed., p. 43.)
Timecodes:
0:00 - Episode Teaser 2:20 – Studying Indigenous NDEs
4:04 – Academia’s Resistance to NDE Research 6:23 – Ancient NDEs vs. Modern Cases
7:44 – Shared NDE Elements Across Cultures 10:46 – Roads vs. Tunnels in Indigenous NDEs 13:44 – Why Tribal Cultures Lack Life Reviews 16:32 – Do Materialist Theories Hold Up?
18:33 – Community vs. Individual Focus in NDEs 21:13 – Hindu & Vedic Near-Death Experiences 24:48 – Yogic Enlightenment & Ancient NDEs 26:40 – NDEs and Native American Movements 28:39 – Psychedelics and Afterlife Journeys
31:32 – Why NDE Messages Are Positive 32:20 – Why African Cultures Feared “Returners” 35:22 – The Universal Point of No Return
38:07 – Earliest Recorded NDEs in History
41:22 – Pre-Buddhist Chinese NDE Beings
43:06 – Buddhist Texts on the Afterlife
45:25 – Reincarnation Across Cultures
49:31 – Children’s Past-Life NDE Memories
53:21 – Afterlife Beliefs as Social Control
56:55 – Negative NDEs and Their Causes
1:01:01 – Are Afterlife Beliefs Based on NDEs? 1:07:13 – Archaeology Changing Human History 1:10:59 – Science & Spirituality Converging
THE 18TH WITNESS FOR THE EXISTENCE OF THE AFTERLIFE When afterlife historian Michael Tymn submitted his prize-winning essay to the Bigelow Insititute's 2021 challenge for the best evidence for the afterlife,
he only had space to submit details of 12 "witnesses".
Since then he has been blogging about more witnesses, all with compelling evidence. This week he has written about his 18th witness,
Isaac K. Funk, D.D., LL.D. who authored two books dealing with psychical phenomena, The Widow’s Mite and Other Psychic Phenomena (1904) and The Psychic Riddle (1907). Read more about Funk's best cases.
"BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT" BY GORDON SMITH
Celebrated medium Gordon Smith in conversation with Mark Booth about Gordon's book "Beyond Reasonable Doubt". The book charts the rich and varied history of mediumship through the ages - inviting readers to weigh up the evidence for supernatural phenomena in the modern world, allow for any reasonable doubt, and reach their own verdicts.
THE MEDIUM AND THE MINISTER Dr. Roger Straughan's new book The Medium and the Minister explores psychical and religious approaches to the possibility of an afterlife. The tensions and conflicts between these two approaches and the heated controversies they have generated are illustrated by several case studies. These focus on the challenges posed by psychical research and spiritualism to orthodox religion as the ultimate authority for information and teaching about the afterlife. Read more.
HOW MEDIUM ALBERT BEST CONVINCED MINISTER DAVID KENNEDY THAT MEDIUMSHIP CAN BE GENUINE
Albert Best (1927 - 1996) was a Northern Irish medium. He became well known as one of the greatest psychics, mediums and healers of the 20th Century. He was a renowned tutor at the Arthur Findlay College.
David Kennedy was a successful consulting engineer before he gave up his career and went back to university to study to become a minister in the Church of Scotland. Once he was ordained, he became one of Scotland’s most widely known ministers. However, he did not believe in communication through mediums.
JOHN EDWARD'S FATHER HAD MAJOR ISSUES WITH HIS BEING A PSYCHIC
Medium John Edward (not Edwards) began using his first two given names professionally because his father did not want him to disgrace the family name McGee by associating it with mediumship. Here John Edward McGee and Robert Hilland talk with Howie Mandel about their book Chasing Evil.
JOHN EDWARD AT HIS BEST IN A PLATFORM DEMONSTRATION
OUR GUEST ON SUNDAY'S GLOBAL GATHERING- STEPHEN BERKLEY
Stephen Berkley is the writer, director, and producer of the PBS feature documentary Life with Ghosts, a Best Documentary Film Festival winner. The film grew out of a deeply personal experience: after Stephen's father passed away, his mother began reporting interactions with what she believed to be his father's spirit. The film became the culmination of a seven-year investigation into the way survivors grieve better when an emotional bond is maintained with the deceased, often in spite of opposition by counsellors and psychologists who encourage "moving on". After the film, Stephen launched a podcast Life with Ghosts — Let's Chat!, where he interviews both professionals and laypeople about their experiences with grief and after-death communication.
NEXT WEEK'S FREE AFTERLIFE ZOOM GROUPS - ALL WELCOME
Never miss a new video of our meetings: subscribe to our YouTube Channel and it will appear in your video feed.
Saturday May 23rd 2026/ Sunday May 24th Australia
Exploring Different Styles of Meditation with George Lockett
George E. Lockett has spent 50 years practising Transcendental Meditation as taught by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, often in large groups of people meditating together. He has experienced transcending and having out-of-body experiences. He now conducts monthly online meditations for our readers. You can access some of his meditations here.
This month's guided meditation will focus on Animal Communication, Telepathy, and Nature Spirits. We will enter a meditative state and learn to send telepathic thoughts at the finest level of feeling to communicate with our animal friends. We will also consider the planet Earth, the Ley Lines, and the Nature Spirits, which help guide animals and us. We will appreciate the energy of trees and the plant kingdom, which helps with grounding.
Times:
Pacific Time 10.00 a.m. Saturday
Phoenix 10.00 a.m. Saturday
Mountain time 11.00 a.m. Saturday
Central time 12 noon Saturday
Eastern Time 1 p.m. Saturday
London time 5.00 p.m. Saturday
Vienna 6.00 Saturday
Perth 1.00 a.m. Sunday
Sydney/ Melbourne 4.00 a.m. Sunday
New Zealand 6.00 a.m. Sunday Check time in your city
Co-ordinator: David Wright https://us06web.zoom.us/j/3334491615?
pwd=WUd1amxxMm40TTFpRTVXcVo3NHFIZz09
Saturday, May 23rd 2026/ Sunday, May 17th Australia
Spiritist Literature: Directed Study (SLIDS) 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 4 a.m. Sunday
Check the time in your city.
Co-ordinator: Ana Castro
Just click this link to join.
Sunday, May 24th, 2026 / Monday May 25th Australia
Mediumship Development with Dr. Susan Barnes CSNU Developing the skills of mental mediumship and blending with spirit.
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 5 a.m. Monday
Coordinator: Dr. Susan B. Barnes, CSNU susanbbarnes@gmail.com Check time in your city.
Online in Zoom https://zoom.us/j/8738817733
Sunday, May 24th, 2026 /Monday May 25th Australia
Check out the video of last week's Global Gathering with guest Donna Young.
GLOBAL GATHERING: This week's guest,
Stephen Berkley, is the writer, director, and producer of the PBS feature documentary Life with Ghosts, a Best Documentary Film Festival winner.
It's a seven-year exploration into whether after-death communication can or should be facilitated in a clinical setting to treat chronic grief. Stephen talked about the film with us on the Global Gathering in June 2023.
On September 1st, 2023 Stephen launched a follow-up podcast featuring interviews with mediums, researchers, therapists, healers, and experiencers. See some of the wonderful episodes here. We thought it would be a good time to check in with him on how some of those experiences have affected him.
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
Amsterdam 11 p.m. Sunday
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, May 15th 2026 / Tuesday, May 26th, Australia
Dream Circle with Kim Parker When: Every two weeks on Mondays (UK EUROPE and USA) and Tuesdays 7 a.m. (Sydney). A small group that meets to share and explore the meaning of dreams.
See Kim's Walking Wisdom Trilogy on wakingwisdombooks.com
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
Amsterdam 11 p.m. Monday
Sydney/Melbourne 7 a.m. Tuesday
New Zealand 9 a.m. Tuesday Check the time in your city
Email: billraine49@gmail.com
https://zoom.us/j/7595442928
Tuesday May 26th, 2026
Australian-based Physical Mediumship Development Circle (Dark Circle) Every week participants interested in trying to develop physical mediumship sit in a darkened space in their own homes for 20 minutes, relax, and listen to music.
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 noon Tuesday
Perth/Singapore 6 p.m. Tuesday
Sydney Australia 8.00 p.m. Tuesday
Auckland 10 p.m. Tuesday Check time in your city
Email paulhinson@gmail.com for more information and the Zoom link.
Tuesday May 26th, 2026
Receiving Messages Through Spirit Art with Susan Barnes We are meeting to create spirit art with messages.
No art experience required.
Every 2nd and 4th Tuesday
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 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 time in your city
Coordinator: Dr. Susan B. Barnes, CSNU susanbbarnes@gmail.com
Online in Zoom https://zoom.us/j/873881773
Wednesday May 27th, 2026/ Thursday May 28th Australia
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.
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 9 a.m. Thursday
Sydney/Melbourne 11 a.m. Thursday
New Zealand 1 p.m. Thursday Check time in your city Email r.craig.hogan@afterlifeinstitute.org for meeting guidelines and link.
GALACTIC CONNECTIONS WITH LEE HARRIS
Lee Harris is a best-selling author, musician, healer, and energy intuitive, who has been channelling the 'Zs' since his 20s. His 'Portal' he describes as a modern-day mystery school, where he trains people to expand their intuition. Lee is also well-known for his annual and monthly energy forecasts on YouTube. In this video, Pam Gregory and Lee Harris discuss current energetic shifts, the nature of consciousness, and navigating ongoing global transitions.
All of this and his upcoming events you will find on his website.
NEARING THE END OF LIFE - A GUIDE FOR RELATIVES AND FRIENDS OF THE DYING Sue Brayne and Dr. Peter Fenwick have teamed up to write this guide, which draws on their research into end-of-life experiences. It looks at the physical, emotional, and spiritual progression of the dying process, and the impact this can have on you as relatives and friends, especially if you have never been with a dying person before. Available as a pdf download
THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT "The Power of the spirit is here to stay in your world. Every centre, every group, every individual who is aware of these truths and has become a repository for them, spreading them wherever they can, is a lighthouse of the spirit. Its rays will enable pilgrims who have lost their way to find the truth that has brought you spiritual and mental freedom."
"More Philosophy of Silver Birch" p. 141
FEEDBACK (3 only)
Please send any feedback, comments or suggestions about the report or items you would like to see to wendyzammit@gmail.com.
1) "Thank you again for all you do to show the reality." Louisa
2) "Just looking through your latest Afterlife Report...
Glad to see Aubrey Rose included!
Thank you for adding the link to Lord Birkett's communication.
(Aubrey was never a doctor though.) Karl
3)
"At that point in my life where so many more people and friends are on the other side than on this side I miss them all so much. And I thank you guys for all you do; you give me so much hope that I will see them all again." Ron.
INSPIRATIONAL MUSIC: DANCING IN THE SKY
“Dancing in the Sky” is one of 12 songs featured on Dani and Lizzy’s "Working of Hearts" album released in September 2013. The then 27-year-old Vancouver twins were inspired to write the song in remembrance of one of Lizzy’s close friends who had recently passed away. It stayed number 10 of the top 100 songs for two months straight.
FRIDAY
AFTERLIFE REPORT 
COMMENTARY: RELIGION, BELIEFS AND SPIRITUALITY 
When afterlife historian Michael Tymn submitted 
Dr. Roger Straughan's new book 
Albert Best (1927 - 1996) was a Northern Irish medium. He became well known as one of the greatest psychics, mediums and healers of the 20th Century. He was a renowned tutor at the Arthur Findlay College. 
David Kennedy was a successful consulting engineer before he gave up his career and went back to university to study to become a minister in the Church of Scotland. Once he was ordained, he became one of Scotland’s most widely known ministers. However, he did not believe in communication through mediums.
George E. Lockett has spent 50 years practising Transcendental Meditation as taught by 
A free Zoom group about Spiritism, Kardec, and Chico Xavier. See 
Developing the skills of mental mediumship and blending with spirit.
This week's guest,
Stephen Berkley, is the writer, director, and producer of the PBS feature documentary 
When: Every two weeks on Mondays (UK EUROPE and USA) and Tuesdays 7 a.m. (Sydney). 
Every week participants interested in trying to develop physical mediumship sit in a darkened space in their own homes for 20 minutes, relax, and listen to music. 
We are meeting to create spirit art with messages. 
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. 
Sue Brayne and Dr. Peter Fenwick have teamed up to write this guide, which draws on their research into end-of-life experiences. It looks at the physical, emotional, and spiritual progression of the dying process, and the impact this can have on you as relatives and friends, especially if you have never been with a dying person before. 
"The Power of the spirit is here to stay in your world. Every centre, every group, every individual who is aware of these truths and has become a repository for them, spreading them wherever they can, is a lighthouse of the spirit. Its rays will enable pilgrims who have lost their way to find the truth that has brought you spiritual and mental freedom." 