Books on Spiritualism?

[Left Behind]

I think that I might do one today, Mac.

Everything is dead around here today: people are down in the French Quarter or along the parade routes. It's really weird: hours go by without a motorcar passing your house!

Jim

Originally Posted by Left Behind

I think that I might do one today, Mac.

Everything is dead around here today: people are down in the French Quarter or along the parade routes. It's really weird: hours go by without a motorcar passing your house!

Jim

what? skateboarding!

It's quiet here in AZ too - post Presidents' Day blues?

[Left Behind]

This was the first book I ever read on the topic of Spiritualism. It was recommended to me by a lady on a Near-Death forum (she's also on this Forum ).

UNSEEN (as I shall refer to it), first published in 1954, is a revelation from the spirit world.

Monsignor Robert Hugh Benson was, in his earthly life, the son of Edward White Benson, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, and therefore the spiritual leader of the Church of England, and titular leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

Robert followed his father's footsteps into the Anglican priesthood: however, he eventually converted to Roman Catholicism, was ordained an RC priest, and eventually honored with the title of Monsignor. He was a prolific and prominent Catholic writer, on a par with GK Chesterton or Hilaire Belloc, but has largely faded from popularity with the reading public.

In 1909, Monsignor Benson became friends with an English medium named Anthony Borgia.

Benson passed into the spirit world in 1914, but continued communicating with his old friend. Benson's purpose was two-fold: he wanted to correct his earthly condemnation of Spiritualism, as he had done in his book THE NECROMANCERS: and he wanted to inform those on the earthly plane what life was like in the spirit world.

His revelations are very similar to those of Near-Death Experiencers, in that he finds very little similarity between the actual spiritual plane and the misconceptions promulgated about "heaven" by those who interpret the Book of Revelations literally. There are no winged angels or hosanna-singing harpists in Benson's spirit world. Instead, life there is an ideal version of life on earth, complete with real bodies, flowers, and natural terrain. There is no nighttime or darkness there, no unpleasant weather, and the spirit bodies are subject to neither sickness nor injury nor aging, nor do they need to eat or sleep. There are, however, opportunites to rest, and there is refreshment in the form of delicious, energy-producing fruit.

There is both recreation and occupation in the spirit world, with the opportunity both to continue with a beloved earthly vocation, or try one or a number of new ones.

Just as NDE'rs report quickly meeting earthly loved ones, so too Benson is escorted from the earthly plane by Edwin, a priest friend in earth life. They soon make the acquaintance of Ruth, a young lady who is likewise a newcomer to spirit life.

Well, I won't ruin the book by telling you all the details: but if you have any interest in the topic of daily life in the spirit world, I strongly recommend that you read this book.


Jim

Originally Posted by Left Behind

This was the first book I ever read on the topic of Spiritualism. It was recommended to me by a lady on a Near-Death forum (she's also on this Forum ).

UNSEEN (as I shall refer to it), first published in 1954, is a revelation from the spirit world.

Monsignor Robert Hugh Benson was, in his earthly life, the son of Edward White Benson, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, and therefore the spiritual leader of the Church of England, and titular leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

Robert followed his father's footsteps into the Anglican priesthood: however, he eventually converted to Roman Catholicism, was ordained an RC priest, and eventually honored with the title of Monsignor. He was a prolific and prominent Catholic writer, on a par with GK Chesterton or Hilaire Belloc, but has largely faded from popularity with the reading public.

In 1909, Monsignor Benson became friends with an English medium named Anthony Borgia.

Benson passed into the spirit world in 1914, but continued communicating with his old friend. Benson's purpose was two-fold: he wanted to correct his earthly condemnation of Spiritualism, as he had done in his book THE NECROMANCERS: and he wanted to inform those on the earthly plane what life was like in the spirit world.

His revelations are very similar to those of Near-Death Experiencers, in that he finds very little similarity between the actual spiritual plane and the misconceptions promulgated about "heaven" by those who interpret the Book of Revelations literally. There are no winged angels or hosanna-singing harpists in Benson's spirit world. Instead, life there is an ideal version of life on earth, complete with real bodies, flowers, and natural terrain. There is no nighttime or darkness there, no unpleasant weather, and the spirit bodies are subject to neither sickness nor injury nor aging, nor do they need to eat or sleep. There are, however, opportunites to rest, and there is refreshment in the form of delicious, energy-producing fruit.

There is both recreation and occupation in the spirit world, with the opportunity both to continue with a beloved earthly vocation, or try one or a number of new ones.

Just as NDE'rs report quickly meeting earthly loved ones, so too Benson is escorted from the earthly plane by Edwin, a priest friend in earth life. They soon make the acquaintance of Ruth, a young lady who is likewise a newcomer to spirit life.

Well, I won't ruin the book by telling you all the details: but if you have any interest in the topic of daily life in the spirit world, I strongly recommend that you read this book.


Jim

Nice review, Jim but I was initially horrified when I quickly flicked over your first few words - I'd thought it said "This was the worst book I ever read...."! oops

I enjoyed the book immensely.

[Left Behind]

Yes! It's a great introduction to daily life in the spirit world. And an interesting book to read, even if you have no interest in the afterlife: it's just a great story!

Jim

[Left Behind]

If you're looking for a good introductory overview of the topic of Spiritualism, written by someone who really knows his stuff, you couldn't do better than this! Maurice Barbanell was the editor of PSYCHIC NEWS and TWO WORLDS, knew and was known by all the leading and many of the lesser Spiritualist luminaries of the 20th century, and was a medium himself.

Chapters are devoted to many Spiritualistic topics; life in the world of spirit: stories from the past: mediumship, and spirit guides: spirit writing: psychometry: and spirit healing.

Interesting, readable, and as the dust jacket notes, "Containing some of the most remarkable psychic photographs ever published," THIS IS SPIRITUALISM should be a must first-read for anyone interested in the subject.

Jim

Originally Posted by Left Behind

If you're looking for a good introductory overview of the topic of Spiritualism, written by someone who really knows his stuff, you couldn't do better than this! Maurice Barbanell was the editor of PSYCHIC NEWS and TWO WORLDS, knew and was known by all the leading and many of the lesser Spiritualist luminaries of the 20th century, and was a medium himself.

Chapters are devoted to many Spiritualistic topics; life in the world of spirit: stories from the past: mediumship, and spirit guides: spirit writing: psychometry: and spirit healing.

Interesting, readable, and as the dust jacket notes, "Containing some of the most remarkable psychic photographs ever published," THIS IS SPIRITUALISM should be a must first-read for anyone interested in the subject.

Jim

spot on! (as we Brits say)

[Left Behind]

Originally Posted by mac

spot on! (as we Brits say)

Thanks, Mac!


Jim

Thanks for this thread. I'm noting down book titles and authors... I've downloaded a couple already. I'm going to be busy reading for a while :)

[Left Behind]

Originally Posted by Loneblossom

Thanks for this thread. I'm noting down book titles and authors... I've downloaded a couple already. I'm going to be busy reading for a while :)

Thanks, Loneblossom! And now that I know that someone other than Mac and myself reads this Thread, I'll review some more books for it.

Jim