The Near-Birth Experience: A Journey to the Center of Self [Paperback]

Hal Zina Bennett (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 30, 2000

The Near-Birth Experience presents a compelling thesis: that we can reconnect to our life-and specifically our spiritual existence-in the period before our birth. Gerald Bongard introduces us to the concept of the near-birth experience, describes the techniques by which near-birth regression is accomplished, provides accounts of dozens of people who have had near-birth experiences, and outlines the various states-in the womb, in the interlife, and in previous lives-that it has the power to connect us to. "This book will present you with the memory of who you are," Bongard writes, "which is not primarily a human being have a spiritual experience, but a spiritual being having a human experience." The Near-Birth Experience testifies to why these experiences-like their near-death counterparts-have profound effects on the lives of those who have them. "Pioneers like Gerald Bongard are forging an important path that can carry us beyond pathologizing the human condition." - from the foreword by Hal Zina Bennett

Editorial Reviews

Review

"... gives us a clear glimpse of our divine nature. It is a must-read for everyone on a spiritual path." -- Dharma Singh Khalsa, M.D., author of Brain Longevity, The Pain Cure, and Meditation as Medicine

"...demonstrates the eternal presence of the divine and its intelligent design for our lives." -- JOHN WHITE, author of The Meeting of Science and Spirit

"...reveals a healing path as ageless as it is unconventional. There will be many who will find comfort in these pages." -- PAUL SIBCY, author of Healing Your Rift With God: A Guide to Spiritual Renewal and Ultimate Healing

"I recommend the book and the experience for anyone who seeks an intimate connection with God." -- BILL GRACE, executive director of the Center for Ethical Leadership, Seattle, Washington

"Through the experiences ... in this book, we learn ... another way to connect with our spiritual essence and so remember our true identity." -- GERALD G. JAMPOLSKY, M.D., author of Shortcuts to God and Love Is Letting Go of Fear

"With astonishing simplicity, The Near Birth Experience restores our connection to mystery, elegance and meaning in our existence. A beautiful book!" -- JAMAL RAHMAN, Sufi teacher

"With uncommon modesty and utterly engaging style, Jerry Bongard shows the way back to our Source. A precious contribution..." -- Elisabeth Hallett, author of Soul Trek: Meeting Our Children on the Way to Birth

About the Author

Jerry Bongard, M.A., M. Div., is chaplain at Bethany of the Northwest, a multi-facility organization that provides care for the aging. He has thirty years of experience counseling individuals as a teacher and pastor and lives in West Seattle, Washington.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Marlowe & Company (October 30, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1569246025
• ISBN-13: 978-1569246023
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,379,634 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing new concept to me!, October 23, 2000

By 

Mary Toberman-Hanson (Brainerd, MN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Near-Birth Experience: A Journey to the Center of Self (Paperback)

My favorite quote from the book is, "...that who you are is not primarily a human being having a spiritual experience but rather a spiritual being having a human experience."

This book addresses our connection with God without the confines of religious thought. It addresses very human experiences. This book gives support for the idea that the "unexplainable" things we experience may have meaning in the bigger picture.

I recommend pages 135 - 136 as a preface to reading the book for anyone who struggles with the role of God in their lives. This is an excellent book for everyone, even skeptics! This is an uplifting and quick read. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pioneering Research into Pre-Birth Existence, October 6, 2000

By 

John White (Cheshire, CT USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Near-Birth Experience: A Journey to the Center of Self (Paperback)

Here is the entire quote I offered about this book, which the website abridges drastically: Rev. Gerald Bongard's work as a spiritual counselor is pioneering and extraordinarily valuable for science and society alike. The term <<near-birth experience>> will soon be widely known and used, with great acclaim. It identifies a new psychotherapeutic means by which people can consciously contact their own soul or spirit-center for healing, wisdom and love. Unlike the near-death experience, which likewise profoundly alters a person1s manner of living, the near-birth experience can be voluntarily accessed and does not require a person to nearly die. It demonstrates the reality of existence before and after this life; it also demonstrates the eternal presence of the divine and its intelligent design for our lives. This book is a beautiful contribution to the worldwide process, now rapidly accelerating, in which humanity is awakening to its true nature and is returning to its source, God.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Kingdom of Heaven is Within, October 15, 2000

By 

Jerry Bongard (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Near-Birth Experience: A Journey to the Center of Self (Paperback)

I am the author, and I want to thank you for featuring "The Near Birth Experience." I also want to suggest that this book be categorised as Spirituality -- New Thought rather than associating it with the occult. The subtitle of this book: "Journey to the Center of Self," describes the theme. The book is about what is meant by "The Kingdom of Heaven is Within You." This book is about spirituality and psychology. it is not about the occult or something "far-out", but is about what spiritual teachers have always said: Your wisdom is within you, as close as your own heart, and it is available to you.

What is different or new is the approach that allows you to access this knowledge in a way so powerful that it has changed not only my life, but the lives of many others.

Thank you for letting others know of this work.