~ Joyous Reunions With Deceased Loved Ones ~
©1995; by Bill Guggenheim & Judy Guggenheim

co-authors of Hello From Heaven! published by Bantam Books

Have you been contacted by a loved one who has died? After-death communication (ADC) is probably as old as mankind, but ours is the first complete research study of this field. These spiritual experiences are extremely common, and in many other parts of the world they are discussed openly and freely.

Between 1988 & 1995, we interviewed 2,000 people who live in all fifty American states and the ten Canadian provinces. Ranging in age from children to the elderly, they represent diverse social, educational, economic, occupational, and religious backgrounds. We conservatively estimate that at least 50 million Americans, or 20% of the population, have had one or more ADC experiences – and the actual numbers may be closer to double these figures!

We collected more than 3,300 firsthand accounts of ADCs from people who have been contacted by a deceased family member or friend. These are spontaneous and direct communications that may occur anytime and anywhere, but no third parties such as psychics, mediums, hypnotists, or devices of any kind are involved.

Based upon our research, the following are the twelve most frequent types of after-death communication people report having with their deceased loved ones:

Sensing A Presence: This is the most common form of contact. But many people discount these experiences, thinking, "Oh, I'm just imagining this." It's a distinct feeling that your loved one is nearby, even though he or she can't be seen or heard. Though most often felt during the days and weeks immediately after the death, you may sense his or her presence months and even years later.

Hearing A Voice: Some people state they hear an external voice, the same as when a living person is speaking to them. However, the majority of communications are by telepathy – you hear the voice of your relative or friend in your mind. When you have two-way communication, it is usually by telepathy. In fact, it's possible to have an entire conversation this way.

Feeling A Touch: You may feel your loved one touch you with his or her hand, or place an arm around your shoulders or back, for comfort and reassurance. You may feel a tap, a pat, a caress, a stroke, a kiss, or even a hug. These are all forms of affection, nurturing, and love.

Smelling A Fragrance: You may smell your relative's or friend's favorite cologne, after-shave lotion, or perfume. Other common aromas are: flowers (especially roses), bath powders, tobacco products, favorite foods, and his or her personal scent.

Visual Experiences: There are a wide variety of visual experiences, which we have divided into two broad categories: partial visual and full visual ADCs. Appearances range from "a transparent mist" to "absolutely solid" with many gradations in between. You may see only the head and shoulders of your relative or friend, or someone you love may make a full appearance to you, and you will see the entire body as well, which will appear completely solid. Some visual ADCs occur in the bedroom, next to or at the foot of the bed. Others may happen anywhere – indoors or outdoors – even in a car or aboard a plane. Typically he or she will be expressing love and well-being with a radiant smile. Loved ones virtually always appear healed and whole regardless of their cause of death. Verbal communication may take place, but not always.

Visions: You may see an image of a deceased loved one in a "picture" that is either two-dimensional and flat or three-dimensional like a hologram. It's like seeing a 35 mm slide or a movie suspended in the air. Visions are usually in radiant colors and may be seen externally with your eyes open or internally in your mind. Communication may occur, especially during meditation.

Twilight Experiences: These occur in the alpha state – as you're falling asleep, waking up, meditating, or praying. You may have any or all of the above types of experiences while you are in this state of consciousness.

ADC Experiences While Asleep: Sleep-state ADCs are much more vivid, intense, colorful, and real than dreams. They are very common. Both one-way and two-way communications are typical. You usually feel your loved one is with you in person – that you're having an actual visit together. These experiences are not jumbled, filled with symbols, or fragmented the way dreams are.

Sleep-state ADCs are similar to those that occur when you are wide awake. Your relative or friend can come to you more easily, however, when you are relaxed, open, and receptive, such as while you are in the alpha state or asleep.

Out-Of-Body ADCs: These may occur while you are asleep or in a meditative state. They are dramatic experiences during which you leave your body and often visit your loved one at the place or level where he or she exists. These are extremely vivid, intense, and real – some say, "more real than physical life." The environments usually contain beautiful flowers and butterflies, colorful bushes and trees, radiant lighting, and other lovely aspects of nature – and are filled with happiness, love, and joy.

Telephone Calls:
These ADCs may occur during sleep or when you are wide awake. You will hear a phone ringing, and if you answer it, your loved one will give you a short message. Two-way conversations are possible. His or her voice will usually be clear but may seem far away. If you are awake, you will probably not hear a disconnect sound or a dial tone when the call is completed.

Physical Phenomena: People who are bereaved often report receiving a wide variety of physical signs from their deceased relative or friend, such as: lights or lamps blinking on and off; lights, radios, televisions, stereos, and mechanical objects being turned on; photographs, pictures, and various other items being turned over or moved; and a long list of "things that go bump in the night."

Symbolic ADCs: People frequently ask a Higher Power, the universe, or their deceased loved one for a sign that he or she still exists. Many receive such a sign, though it may take some time to arrive. Occasionally these signs are so subtle they may be missed, or they may be discounted as mere "coincidences." Common signs include: butterflies, rainbows, many species of birds and animals, flowers, and a variety of inanimate objects such as coins and pictures.

According to our research, the purpose of these visits and signs by those who have died is to offer comfort, reassurance, and hope to their parents, spouse, siblings, children, grandchildren, other family members, and friends. They want you to know they're still alive and that you'll be reunited with them when it's your time to leave this physical life on earth – and they'll be there to greet you when you make your transition. Their most frequent messages, expressed verbally or non-verbally, include:

"I'm okay ... I'm fine ... Everything is okay ... Don't worry about me ...

Don't grieve for me ... Please let me go ... I'm happy ... Everything will be all right ...

Go on with your life ... Please forgive ... Thank you ... I'll always be there for you ...

I'm watching over you ... I'll see you again ... I love you ... Good-bye ..."

You may be asked to give a message from your loved one to somebody else. We urge you to write down the message verbatim and to deliver it, if possible, because it may help the recipient far more than you realize.

Nearly all ADCs are positive, joyful, and uplifting encounters that reduce grief, provide lasting comfort and hope, and accelerate emotional and spiritual healing. We encourage you to trust your own experiences and to accept them as being real for you.

Unfortunately, some people react with fear when they have an ADC. This is usually because they are startled by the suddenness of the event, or they may have never heard of one happening to anybody else. Such people may assume they are "losing their mind and going crazy." And others find it difficult to reconcile after-death communications with their philosophical or religious beliefs.

Not all people are contacted by their deceased loved ones. We don't know for certain why some are and some aren't, but it seems that fear, anger, and prolonged heavy grief inhibit the possibility of having an ADC.

Based upon our research, we suggest the following: Ask for a sign that your relative or friend continues to exist. Pray for him or her and others who are affected by the death, including yourself. We recommend that you learn how to meditate, especially if you are currently bereaved or have unresolved grief. Meditation will enable you to relax and soften any fear or anger you may have. It will reduce your depression, improve your ability to eat and sleep, and facilitate your healing process. These deep relaxation exercises will also allow you to unfold your inner, intuitive senses. In fact, you may have an ADC experience while you are meditating.

Our research indicates that after-death communications are a natural and normal part of life. Therefore, we feel ADCs deserve the same public awareness and acceptance that near-death experiences (NDEs) have already received.

For most people, an after-death communication from a deceased family member or friend is valued as a sacred and profound experience that will be cherished for a lifetime. ADC experiences usually expand one's understanding of life and offer a deeper awareness of life after death. They consistently communicate an essential spiritual message: "Life and love are eternal."

Copyright © 1995 - 2009 The ADC Project. All rights reserved.

Webmaster: Will Guggenheim

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Michelle Comment by Michelle on October 17, 2009 at 10:24pm
I dont know if this is what the author was talking about but here is an interesting story..

Maybe 6 months after my Mom passed away, we started attending a new church. We didn't know any body there but the people seemed friendly. After attending a couple months or so, my 7 year old son informed me that there was a person at the church that looked a lot like Grandma (my mom). So, I got curious and started looking around the church to figure out who he thought looked like my Mom. I looked around every Sunday and told him to quietly point this woman out to me next time he sees her. Then one Sunday I asked if he saw her and he said "She is ALWAYS sitting behind us. If you ever want to see her, just look behind you!" I thought that was a strange response. I continued looking around and never saw anybody who looked like her. I asked my son if he still sees her (its been a year now) and he said No. He hasn't seen "the look-alike" ever since he said that.

Weird! Maybe he was really seeing Grandma??
Anne Marie Woodruff Comment by Anne Marie Woodruff on October 16, 2009 at 3:02pm
We just recently lost a great man, a hero from World War II, Korea, Bikini Island, Vietnam, Cold war Vet. His home has always been an open door for family, friends, extended family to visit, and both my Husband and I have been here so many times and we have so many wonderful memories of sitting with Howard in the kitchen for many many hours just listening to him tell us stories of his life ventures. I would often sit with him in the Libary listening to his much loved Big band music, we would loose all concept of time while listening to the music. We were here last weekend to attend his funeral what an emotional roller coaster that was, but We had some comfort knowing that on many occasions while sitting with Howard he would talk about the day he would be reunited with his wife the mouse. That was the nickname he had for her. He told us that he wanted to go "from the house to his mouse". Well with him being a die hard Marien He had a military funeral, which was beautiful, he had the music he had choosen to play while being carried out of his home to the family cemetary, but what gave me peace was I could hear him say...." here we go from the house to my mouse". Well we are back at Bellemonte again this weekend, as we were suppose to be, as Howard phrased it "Babysitting" him. Well even thou we can't see him or hear him, he's very much here with us. My husband has been smelling a fragrance in certain parts of the house, I have not smelt it but I feel Howard around me, and tonight I will be sitting in the libary listening to the old tunes he so loved. I'm happy he's here with us, it gives up comfort in this beautiful old house that was and will always be Lt Col Alberts home.
donna henderson Comment by donna henderson on October 9, 2009 at 11:35pm
my friend kathleen does that occasionally one day i was using my laptop and out of the blue it started to play angel by sarah mclachlan, i think its her way of saying im okay, and i miss you too.
Laura Villarreal Comment by Laura Villarreal on October 5, 2009 at 10:22am
Vivian, after I added my comment I then went to your page to see if I could find a connection and your husband's name jumped off the page...Angel. These past few months have been agonizing and painful for me but I have told my family and closest friends that Angela now has a new job title...just drop the "a" at the end of her name...you get Angel! Like your husband my daughter was also an organ donor...
Some things are coincidental but I truly believe these are spiritual moments we are sharing with our loved ones who have physically left this earth!

Hugs to you,
Laura
Vivian Henriquez Comment by Vivian Henriquez on October 5, 2009 at 1:07am
Laura, you may be right, it could be possible that your daughter was delivering the message, because before I drifted to sleep I followed the advice above and asked for a sign that my husband still exists, and a funny thing his name is Angel. It also goes to show you that there are signs that we may receive a sign and not realize it. Although it has been a little over 3 1/2 years since his passing and some days I still find it difficult to get out of bed. But experiences like this is what gives me hope. Thank you
Laura Villarreal Comment by Laura Villarreal on October 4, 2009 at 7:56pm
Vivian, thank you for your kind thoughts and words; and I am so sorry for the loss of your husband. Words just can't convey the heartfelt pain and sorrow we feel everyday but somehow we manage to put one foot in front of the other and slowly move forward. Could it possibly be your husband was saying hello to you through my daughter? It would be just like my daughter to help others...she cared so much about the well being of those around her! And thank you for taking the time to share your experience with me. While we may be strangers we share the very strong bond of grief...as do the other members of this website.

Take care and stay in touch!
Laura
Vivian Henriquez Comment by Vivian Henriquez on October 4, 2009 at 4:20pm
Hello Laura, I read your story early this morning and was touched, I just came in from washing my cars and had the radio playing and just as I went to turn the radio off the song "Angie" began to play and I immediately thought of you and your daughter Angela and I too sat in the driveway and listened to the entire song. I wanted to write to let you know because it felt as if she was saying hello to you. I have had such feelings about my husband and don't always tell others because they may think I am just imagining because I miss him so much. But after reading the article above know that these precious little signs are OUR loved ones letting us know they are still watching over us.
XOXO, Vivian
Vivian Henriquez Comment by Vivian Henriquez on October 4, 2009 at 5:46am
After my husband passed I bought many books on ADC in hopes that I could open any possible communication with my husband. I have had many dreams in which I wake and have this strong sense of his presence. My most memorable experience was the first Valentines Day after his passing. I was sad that he was not here with me and while sitting with my daughters my 2 1/2 year old grandson (who did not know how to read at the time) open up my planner looked me in my eyes, and looked down at a piece of paper then said I love you. My daughter asked him what he had said and he turned the paper around and showed her a note my husband had wrote for me months before. This was a simple note that he had taped to the television one morning before work, which said "I love you Viv." I had not shown or even told anyone about the note and had put it in my planner to look at any time I missed him.
Laura Villarreal Comment by Laura Villarreal on July 16, 2009 at 7:02pm
Thank you, Diana. It seemed so surreal at the time and yet I knew it was her! I have had one other communication from her...a few days ago (Tuesday) I needed to run a couple of errands but I've been okay with taking my car so I got dressed and left the house. I tend to stay close to home because I have been having anxiety/panic attacks and on the way home I could feel my anxiety starting to increase. I was listening to my Fergie CD (we both loved Fergie) and I told Angela to please help get me through this attack, that I was switching over to the radio. Well, "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" was playing and I told her "hey kiddo, you know I hate Diana Ross" so please send me something I could understand! Less than a quarter mile from home I made one last stop at the convenience store for some bottled water. I got back in the car, headed toward home and you guessed it, "Angie" started to play on the radio. I started crying but made it safely home and sat in the driveway until the song ended. Just as I reached for the key "Tears of a Clown" came on! I then started laughing through my tears because again, this had Angela written all over it!
I really don't "look" for communications but what are the chances the song "Angie" would be played when I was no more than 3 minutes from home and only after I had asked for her help?
We were very close and had a wonderful relationship. She was not perfect but she was the perfect daughter!
Diana Young Comment by Diana Young on July 15, 2009 at 4:50pm
Wow, what an awesome story, Laura.

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