Heart to Heart Across The Great Divide

In the past when I’d walk my Samoyed pup, Panda, in the evening, I’d often gaze at the sky lit with stars and talk from my heart, "Thank you, Mom and Dad, for everything; I miss you, I miss you." After death put my folks out of reach, I’d wonder if they were floating spirits in the universe somewhere, perhaps astray out there in the galaxies. I’d recall how my mother shook her head and teased me sometimes as a young child, "You have the greatest imagination." That imagination continued to keep my closeness to them alive, despite the gaping void that hung between us. Always in that same sweep of mental meandering under the cold sky, warm memories of bygone days rushed to my mind and heart to bring connections once again. But, connections to just memories, or, indeed, really to my loved ones? And so, in those sacred moments, I would pray to find answers to "Are you really there?" and "Where are you hanging out if you are really there?"

The German philosopher Immanuel Kant said, "At some future day it will be proved, I can not say when and where, that the human soul is, while in earth life, already in an uninterrupted communication with those living in another world." Research in after-death communication has given us much convincing evidence to take us closer to that day Kant talks about. The darkness of ignorance continues to give way to the light of knowledge that emanates from after-death communication, a communication as old as mankind.

ADC is an experience that occurs when a person is contacted by a family member or friend or other individual (e.g., a religious figure) who has died. Psychic researchers (investigators into the paranormal) say contact from the dead can come in direct and spontaneous communications without the help of hypnotists, psychics, or mediums. The ADCs are always initiated by the deceased and can happen anywhere and anytime. It is not necessary, moreover, for someone to believe in this kind of communication in order to receive a message, with or without words, from a person who has died.

People have reported many different forms of direct ADC with their deceased family and friends. A common form of contact is sensing a presence. It’s a definite feeling that a loved one is right near you, even though the person cannot be heard nor seen; individuals have reported feeling a loved one’s embrace or kiss. You know too when the presence comes and when it leaves. This distinct presence may be felt in the weeks immediately after death and even months and years later. Another common ADC is hearing an external voice, as when a living person is talking to you. Most voice communications, though, are heard through an interior means, i.e., hearing in a nonphysical way. St. Joan of Arc (1412-1431) was one of the greatest historical clairaudients (one who hears without the physical ear). Voices spoke to her from early childhood, giving advice and encouragement and impelling her on a successful mission to defeat the English at Orleans in 1429.