Searching For Eternity : A Scientist's Spiritual Journey to Overcome Death Anxiety [Paperback]

Dr. Don Morse (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2000

Sooner or later, everyone faces the stark reality of impending death. Many people experience increasing anxiety as they face this issue as did Dr. Don Morse. Dr. Morse, a scientist who believed in the absolute finality of death, encountered a near-death experience that led him on a quest to uncover what science knows about the realities of death. His quest, detailed in this book, led him through the entire realm of science and all of the major religious traditions regarding death. After sifting through modern physics, research on near-death experiences, apparitional and out-of-body experiences, psychic phenomena, and a vast body of religious literature and theories offered by a host of organizations and individuals, Dr. Morse came to an inescapable conclusion: Some form of afterlife must exist. This remarkable book details what modern physics tells us about the underlying nature of the universe and its creation, what virtually every religious and philosophical g! roup tells us about life/death, and results from a host of research findings. Readers with uncertainties about death and those seeking a single source summarizing all of the relevant issues will find this book indispensable.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dr. Don Morse is Professor Emeritus at Temple University in Philadelphia. He holds a Ph.D. and D.D.S. and has advanced degrees in clinical psychology, dentistry, endodontics, microbiology, and clinica nutrition. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief of The Journal of Religion and Psychical Research. He was Editor of The International Journal of Psychosomatics for 10 years. He has authored over 200 scientific articles and 12 books. He has been the principle investigator in many research projects involving hypnosis, meditation, acupuncture, and brain wave synchronizers.

Product Details

• Paperback: 428 pages
• Publisher: Eagle Wing Books Inc (February 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0940829274
• ISBN-13: 978-0940829275
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.8 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,275,042 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Searching for answers, April 15, 2000

By 

Dr.Thomas Gleghorn (Dallas, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Searching For Eternity : A Scientist's Spiritual Journey to Overcome Death Anxiety (Paperback)

The sub-title of the book is somewhat of a misnomer, as Dr. Morse covers a great deal more than handling death anxiety. This material should be read and kept as a reference by anyone who considers themselves a "seeker".

With surprising objectivity, Dr. Morse covers such topics as Near Death Experiences, Out of Body Experiences, psychic phenomenon, reincarnation, and past life regression. Case studies that he presents are well-documented, lending credibility to an field that has not been considered a science.

Particularly helpful was the comparison of teachings of the soul and afterlife. Ancient belefs, the worlds great religions, as well as modern-day schools of thought were outlined in great detail.

Dr. Morse concludes with a personal view of the afterlife, where he beautifully outlines his concept of eternity. Whether you are struggling with the death of a loved one, dealing with death anxiety, or (in my case) trying to keep the stresses of everyday life in perspective, Searching For Eternity can set you on your way toward peace of mind.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Overcoming Death Anxiety by Embracing Death, February 29, 2000

By 

Michael E. Tymn (Kailua, Hawaii) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Searching For Eternity : A Scientist's Spiritual Journey to Overcome Death Anxiety (Paperback)

The book is a concise yet comprehensive treatise on the survival of human consciousness upon death of the physical body. The author is Professor Emeritus at Temple University with graduate degrees in dentistry, endodontics, microbiology, clinical psychology, and clinical nutrition. He therefore approaches the subject from the perspective of a scientist. Among his 12 previous books were seven dealing with stress management. Although he had a near-death experience in 1983, Dr. Morse was too busy satisfying his material needs to concern himself with the spiritual implications of his NDE. It was not until after he retired from Temple University 10 years later that he started to seriously consider his spiritual needs. Triggered by the deaths of several close friends and relatives, Morse began dealing with his own stress disorder -- death anxiety. Rather than continuing to repress or suppress his fear of death, as the vast majority of people do, Morse did an about-face and met those fears head-on. He read everything he could about near-death experiences so that he could better understand his own NDE. He began to see connections between the NDE and general out-of-body experiences (OBEs), i.e., the ability of some people to loosen the etheric or spirit body from the physical body and explore other dimensions of reality. His investigation then took him to apparations, visions, dreams, seances, and the reports of credible mediums. As a result of his investigation, Morse makes a "Kierkegaardian leap" by embracing death, thereby finding peace of mind and greater enjoyment of this lifetime.

The second half of the book is a summary of the afterlife concepts of all of the major religions and sects, even including fraternal orders such as the Freemasons and Rosicrucians.

The book touches all bases in man's quest for understanding what follows physical death -- Biblical accounts of the afterlife,reincarnation, the stages of the afterlife, evolution vs creationism, electromagnetic spectrum theories, every conceivable topic related to the survival of consciousness. Morse ends the book with his "personal concept of the afterlife."

The book can serve as an introduction to the the metaphysical realm for the beginning seeker or as a valuable reference, an encyclopedia, for the more advanced student of the subject.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars OK, but don't be misled by some of the other reviews, July 18, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Searching For Eternity : A Scientist's Spiritual Journey to Overcome Death Anxiety (Paperback)

For not the first time, I feel I have been "suckered" to some extent by glowing reviews by people who must either be the author's friends or fellow authors at the same publishing house. I too have read widely -- really, really widely -- in this field, and this book would not make my Top 100. When an author repeatedly cites Brad and Sherry Steiger as sources -- well, I don't think too many serious seekers look to the Steigers for insights. The book is riddled with distracting typos which likewise suggest it is not a serious work. The author does seem to have solid academic credentials and to be a well-meaning individual, but you are going to be disappointed if you are expecting a well-written, in-depth treatment of this subject. It is comprehensive in scope and would serve as a good introduction for someone who has not read widely in the field, and I hesitate to be too harsh toward anyone with the author's impressive background who is willing to dive into the evidence for a scientifically taboo subject such as life after death. I wouldn't go so far as to say "Don't buy it" -- merely "Don't buy it thinking it is going to be something of the level you would expect from a Professor Emeritus at Temple University." If you are going to buy this, spend a few dollars more and also buy "Death and Personal Survival" by Robert Almeder, who is also a professor. You'll see what I'm talking about.