Customer Reviews

Soul Shift: Finding Where the Dead Go

5 star:		(38)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Soul Shift represents a bridge between all of those people who want to believe in soul survival but have been "turned off" by the hype that normally accompanies such books on the subject. Not only does this book clearly make the case for life beyond the grave but it provides consensus type proof. The fact that the author plays devils advocate throughout gives this book and its contents the "feeling" of truth. I would recommend it to anyone who has lost a loved one and would like to know if there will ever be a reunion. This book makes it clear there will be, and they don't have to wait until they die.

My background contains years of reading books about the afterlife, mediums, reincarnation, psychic abilities, and other woo-woo stuff that I tend to believe overall, but take with a grain of salt. (Not sure how reliable the evidence, or how often these phenomena occur.) Personal experience has shown me that people will believe all kinds of craziness simply because it makes them feel better, and they rarely put much effort into figuring out why they choose to be brainwashed by cultural, fundamentalist, or New Age "facts". To compound the problem, there's no shortage of people who take advantage of human gullibility to make money. So...I expected to read another book of interesting possibilities about what happens on the "other side", but didn't expect to find a story I could put my faith in. Maybe I'd agree with 90% of what the author had to say if I was lucky. After finishing this book, it feels like a weight has been rolled off my back. It was great to find an author who explores the nature of consciousness without making me want to interrupt his pontificating every fifteen minutes with an alternate viewpoint or commonly recognized fact. (Dean Radin is the only one I can think of offhand who didn't frequently bring out my doubting side. I enjoy listening to people like Wayne Dyer, but I sometimes wish he would drink poison to illustrate how it's not what we put in our bodies so much as what we think about the whole situation.)

Anyhow, I'd just about lost faith in mediumship after seeing and reading about the materialistic values and "slight of hand" actions of Edwards, Van Praagh, and others. (I'm really disgusted at some of the things they and their employees do to make themselves more "successful", but I'm going to avoid that side topic.) I wasn't having confidence that "inner knowing" or psychic ability could tell us a whole lot, either. I figured the best we could hope for there was a few good hints at reality. Reading about Mark's father Dr. Richard Ireland, and seeing the YouTube videos changed my mind. I'm happy to say my faith in the "sixth sense" has been rekindled after reading Soul Shift.

However, I feel like I have to point out this was not a real "page turner" for me like it was for some. I've already read many accounts of mediums talking to those who have passed on. I can't say that was anythig new. What was new is Mark Ireland's unique personal experience, and how that lead him to talk about, study, and question so many aspects of spiritual "knowing".

If I had one complaint about the book, it would be the subtitle, Finding Where the Dead Go. (Seeking connection is the main topic, IMO.) At least 75% of the book is devoted to helping the reader understand Mark's background (which is necessary to the purpose of the book) and what he went through trying to validate that his son's consciousness survives and is able to communicate with those in the flesh. I sometimes had to force myself to read all the details there, because I already believe in afterlife communication (I'm just not sure how accurate it is most of the time, or how long the personality survives.) I'm hoping in his next book he's able to spend more time questioning exactly "where" it is the "dead" are at, and what life is like for them on the other side. But, as he says, it may be about impossible for those who have passed on to communicate an experience occuring in dimensions we can only dimly imagine.

The last two chapters were the most interesting to me, and I found myself reading, rereading, and underlining MANY points that validated my own sense of truth. I especially appreciated how well Mark put ideas into words and incorporated an assortment of short ancedotes and references to back up his speculations. I mentally breathed a sigh of relief at how he wasn't going to go off in an "indulgent tangent" on quantum physics. Yeah, I think quantum physics could explain much of what is "paranormal" and "miraculous", but I'm tired of New Age wishful thinkers taking bits and pieces of the theory, physicist's words out of context, and proclaiming scientific fact proves their point. Mark Ireland talks about how modern scientific theories and facts broaden his understanding of spiritual leaders and their truths. (Personally, I think just because our physical world is actually 99% "space", and all energy at the smallest level, doesn't mean it is "illusory". But that's a minor difference of opinion.) I loved many of the Buddhist metaphors, but I have to admit, I was glad to know Mark Ireland's experience is predominately from a Christian culture that I can relate to. I would love to know more about how Richard Ireland became a minister and convinced of some of his beliefs. It's not that I doubt what Mark quoted from his father near the end of the book, just that I have a LOT of questions.

Although I realize part of Mark's gift as a "wounded healer" is to help others with their grief, I'm really hoping his next book deals less with Brandon's death and more with the exact nature of the afterlife...although I admit I have no idea how he or anybody else would really know. Regardless, I enjoy his down-to-earth style of writing, his open-minded questioning, and look forward to learning updates of his spiritual discoveries.

The universe has unpleasant, shocking ways of fully awakening us to the stark importance of the mystery of being. In January 2004, Mark Ireland's life of worldly success was profoundly shaken by the untimely and tragic death of his youngest son. From this sudden loss, Mark and his family were sent spiraling from a safe, comfortable life style toward an existence orbiting ever closer to the core mystery of being. Soul Shift documents Mark's unique journey as he is thrust into a challenging, new phase of life. In squarely facing that challenge, he garners solid spiritual insights transcending the conventional explanations of secular materialism and mainstream religion. As he probes for evidence of his son's continued existence, he reconnects with a profoundly unique spiritual inheritance and discovers the depths of his compassion for those burdened by the loss of loved ones. His fascinating book has the potential of performing a "soul-shifting," transformation on readers everywhere.

This book is a MUST for everyone's reading list, book club and a book to be referred to friends and family! Once you start reading it you don't want to put it down, when finished you want to call everyone you know to tell them about Soul Shift and then start to read it again!

Mark Ireland shares his and his families personal loss and the journey he has taken in such a way that evokes all emotions- laughter, tears, joy, hope; educating us along the way in a story format that keeps the pages turning. Mark has a gift of story telling that transcends across all self imposed boundries.

Soul Shift soothes those that have experienced a devastating loss while also providing hope and understanding as all of us live life's journey.

Mr. Ireland has done a great job of researching a subject that some people find tough to talk about. Anyone who's lost someone they were close to wonders if there's a chance they could still communicate with them. This book explores that possibility and gives people hope. An educational and entertaining read!

I have read many books around this subject matter and found Mark's book one of the most fascinating yet! I could not put this book down and devoured every word. I also love that Mark has been able to bring forth his father's many years of research and writings.

I think about Brandon often, it feels like I know him, in a tiny way. I only wish I had had the privilege of knowing him, and I'm positive, of loving him too. I am grateful to him for giving his life so that we may benefit from his death, through his father and grandfather's work. I'm also grateful that Brandon and his grandfather have a contract to bring this awareness to the masses. Now is the time.

Thank you Mark for taking this on and enlighting us all! I'm inspired by you and your family and look forward to any future works from you and your dad.

With love and smiles,

Danise Conrad

Half Moon Bay, Ca.

Mark Ireland's book was excellent reading for me. I have read many books of this nature and his is right up there with the others. My son died at the age of 20 and many, many of the things he writes about I have experienced, also. I was really excited to read that his father lived a short time in LeRoy, Illinois because that is where I have gone for my medium visits. I hope this book brings comfort to those in need of it and helps the skeptics think "what if...?"

I lost my only Son this year unexpectly of an unknown Enlarged Heart he was 18 years old. I saw the previews of this book and knew I had to order it ASAP. I was so happy I did, because it has given me new hope and a new look at life.

I was amazed at the research and different levels of understanding and how many people pass and present have known about the spirit world in the author's life. The authors father and Uncle knew back when others thought it was all hear-say.

The Author's Father and the Author the two of them and the author's son reminded me of the Father-Son-and holy spirit "Bandon" (author's son) of Connecting SOLES with each other.

As years have gone by for the author my hell has just began and to connect with my son in the way he has and his father had for others was REMARKABLE TO ME...

I was like "WOW" and "WOW" and "WOW" all the way into this book. The here and now and the other side and his fathers past of his amazing ablitiies (he stated we all can learn). It was proven by Mark the author too with great details and beyond detail and insight that even I a greiving mom could see is true. It was simply amazing to read! It gives me new hope to learn all I can about connecting with my son and learning to speak to him again, without giving up and going to hell...i can hang on and learn about reaching heaven in a more advance way.

The 'journey' begins with the loss of Mark's youngest son, Brandon. To his advantage, Mark Ireland knew just where to go for answers. His own father, Richard Ireland was a well known psychic-medium, who had appeared on The Jack Parr Show 'NKA The Tonight Show' and The Steve Allen Show. Yet for most of his life, Mark really had no need for what his own dad was well known for, again that of a psychic-medium. Upon the death of his son Brandon, Mark embarked upon a race in search of life after death. He wanted and needed answers, thus seeking out the wisdom and knowledge not only from some top U.S. Mediums, but from fraternal family members as well. Mark Ireland has written far beyond anyones expectations, with regards to the loss of a loved one. Religion, for most, teaches us very little if nothing, as to how we will FEEL, upon the death of someone close to us. Not only did I feel the words written in this book, it has left me 'begging' for more! And I'm looking forward to Mark's second book (soon to come).

I have read countless books over the last couple of years, following my own brush with death, and a subtle but inexplicable shift in my own consciousness. And though I have read many heartwarming & convicing books by many who are connected to the afterlife in some way, this was without question the absolute most amazing book I have come across yet. Mark Ireland has a very simple approach to reaching his viewing audience, so you're not left with a headache trying to decipher a lot of lofty "foreign language". Yet at the same time, a very polished and sophisticated style that doesn't leave you feeling like you're reading the sometimes elementary, recycled words of a million authors before him. This is truly a book that will grab you from the very first page and hold you captive until the very end. It might not sway the determined skeptic, but then again, nothing likely ever will. But for all of you who have any open mindedness whatsoever, I can almost guarantee it will leave you with a new perspective on life to consider, and a film of tears in your eyes.