The Afterlife Connection: A Therapist Reveals How to Communicate with Departed Loved Ones [Hardcover]

Dr. Jane Greer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2003

This fascinating and surprising book is the first ever by a classically trained therapist to explore the spiritual aspects of the bond that exists between the living and the dead. Dr. Jane Greer began with the belief that this bond was not purely a psychological one but was, in fact, much more dynamic and empowering. It was only in the shattering aftermath of her own mother's death, however--a turning point that, Dr. Greer admits, challenged her own ability to cope--that she began to explore and understand how to recognize and even initiate an ongoing communication that can have a profound impact on the ways we grieve and heal.

In these pages we learn that transcommunication is not simply "a hello from heaven" but a powerful therapeutic tool that is available to any of us. Through the story of her deceased mother's many dream visits and manifestations--as well as those visits her patients receive from their loved ones-we learn to be alert to the signs of such phenomena and to recognize the messages they contain.

We see how her patients come to feel safe and protected again--as though they have a guardian angel-once they learn to open themselves up to these possibilities. Through this communication, which is at once spiritual and very concrete, the pain of grieving can be made more bearable. Ambivalent relationships can be healed. And a loved one's messages can bring relief and joy.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

According to this comforting New Age primer, death can be the beginning of a beautiful relationship. Indeed, it seems to open up lines of "transcommunication" as never before, Greer says, and messages from beyond the grave come in a multitude of formats, including dreams, friendly animals, rainbows and electrical disturbances. She offers examples, too, of departed loved ones taking a more active role-by counseling the living on life projects, helping them find apartments, even fixing them up with Mr. Right. Greer, a Redbook online sex columnist and author of Gridlock: Finding Courage to Move On in Life, Love and Work, describes herself as a "psychoanalytically trained" therapist, but departs from Freudian orthodoxy by collaborating with a psychic and urging her patients to directly contact their deceased relatives as an integral part of the therapeutic process. Her material is drawn mostly from their case studies, and from her experience with her own late mother, a particularly voluble spirit who manifests herself in the form of rabbits, doves, butterflies, toppled family photos, stopped clocks, malfunctioning radios and serendipitous encounters with the song "La Vie en Rose." Greer offers some practical tips on communicating with the dead to enable readers to bypass mediums and seances; candles and meditation exercises help, but a simple blurted entreaty ("Hi, Mom...Please let me know you're here") often does the trick. She takes a stab at rationalizing everything by reference to relativity, quantum physics, thermodynamics and paranormal research, but grieving survivors may be happy to take it all on faith.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"What a wonderful compilation of stories that shimmer with truth and beauty! Dr. Greer's intimate sharing of her experiences with her mother, coupled with detailed instructions on how to make contact with those we have loved and lost, truly make this a book you can't put down."
--Sinclair Browning, author of Feathers Brush My Heart: True Stories of Mothers Connecting with Their Daughters After Death

"The Afterlife Connection is a lucid description of the survival of consciousness after death and how a deeper understanding of our connection with this transcendent consciousness can help heal and transform our lives."
--Deepak Chopra, author of How to Know God

"Thank you, Dr. Greer, for adding an authoritative--yet wonderfully personal--voice to the body of evidence that there is life and emotional continuity after physical death."
--Raymond Moody, author of Life After Life

"Dr. Greer has written a heartwarming and inspiring book about seemingly miraculous afterlife connections that can be observed by all of us--if we are open--in everyday life. Scientists and laymen alike should read these accounts with wonderment and appreciation."
--Gary E. Schwartz, Ph.D., Director of the Human Energy Systems Laboratory at the University of Arizona and author of The Afterlife Experiments

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; First Edition edition (October 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312306520
• ISBN-13: 978-0312306526
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #606,893 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #67 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Personal Health > Stress > Mind-Body Connection

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Amazing and Inspiring!, December 10, 2004

By 

Donna Gaudette (North Smithfield, RI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Afterlife Connection: A Therapist Reveals How to Communicate with Departed Loved Ones (Hardcover)

Losing someone you love to death is one of the most devastating things one can experience. Is it possible for those who have passed on to communicate with us in normal everyday routines? I always beleived it could be, but after reading this book I am truly amazed at how many signs I missed. From the smell of perfume to a symbol or sign, those that have passed on can and do communicate with you. After reading this book I took the lessons learned and applied them to my recent loss and before I knew it, I was comforted by the thought and sense that the people I have lost are still around me in spirit and in ways that one would never think. I strongly suggest you read this book if you are looking for comfort. It opened my eyes and actually made me 'stop and smell the roses'. I will stop short of saying, it may have saved my life. If I had not read this book, I would not have allowed myself to relax and sense my mom around me. I would not have 'listened' or paid attention to the signs she was given me. I did read this book, and I was seeing the signs. This book is intutive, interesting, therapeutic and honest. You will be amazed and in awe at how much you were missing. Thankyou Jane Greer for your wonderful book and sharing your experiences!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Beautiful and Inspiring Book, October 20, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Afterlife Connection: A Therapist Reveals How to Communicate with Departed Loved Ones (Hardcover)

I found Jane Greer's book "The Afterlife Connection" to be a beautiful and inspiring book. I suffered a devastating loss within the last couple of years and reading Dr. Greer's book really has helped me come to terms with my loss. Her story, as well as those she came into contact with, filled me with so much hope, that those we loved and lost are watching over us and guiding us through our journey. Many of the stories were really lovely, especially from those who suffered tragic losses at the World Trade Center. I would definitely recommend "The Afterlife Connection" to believers and skeptics alike.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Ok, but there are better books out there on afterlife connections, October 18, 2010

By 

Anoushah Shokouhi (DC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Afterlife Connection: A Therapist Reveals How to Communicate with Departed Loved Ones (Paperback)

I have read many books concerning the same topic and wasn't really impressed with this book. When reading the title of the book, I thought it would mostly talk about "how" to communicate with your lost, loved ones; however, the author keeps talking about her mother and her experiences and other people's experiences, but doesn't really cover the "how". She has some suggestions here and there, but I wasn't impressed at all.