J U LY / AUGU S T 2 0 1 3 57 NEUROSURGEON’S NEAR- DEATH EXPERIENCE LEADS TO SPIRITUAL AWARENESS Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon’s Journey into the Afterlife comes to Napa Valley Performing Arts Center at Lincoln Theatre After reading an article in Newsweek magazine describing the story of Dr. Eben Alexander, I wanted to have a conversation with this man. A neurosurgeon who taught at Harvard for fifteen years and practiced neurosurgery in Boston-area hospitals for twenty-five years, he dismissed stories from post-surgical patients who chose to share their near-death experiences with him. He thought they were tales of quackery—that is, until it happened to him. In November 2008, Dr. Alexander contracted a rare case of bacterial meningitis-encephalitis. He was in a coma and on a ventilator for a week, with the hope of survival lessening every hour. This weeklong situation of suffering led his family, friends and fellow physicians to pray and keep vigilant watch. Miraculously, on the seventh day of being in a coma, Eben opened his eyes. During his recovery towards complete health, Alexander shared memories about his near-death experience with his oldest son, who encouraged him to write down every detail of his story, which resulted in a life-changing perspective and ultimately culminated in Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon’s Journey into the Afterlife. This book was listed on the New York Times Nonfiction Best Seller mentions for months. The large number of continuing sales clearly demonstrates that many people are hungry to learn about something beyond life on earth. The presentation takes place at 7 p.m. on Friday evening, September 27 at the Napa Valley Performing Arts Center at Lincoln Theater, and launches a scheduled series of speakers. The title of Dr. Alexander’s presentation is “Synthesis of Science and Spirituality: The Arc of Human Destiny over Millennia.” In analyzing his near-death experience, including the possibilities and grand implications, he envisions a more complete reconciliation of modern science and spirituality. In his book Dr. Alexander relates the story of journeying into the afterlife. His account provides a crucial key to the understanding of our reality and human consciousness, and has made an impact on how spirituality, our souls, and the non-material are viewed. Among Eben’s calming messages is one of reassurance: “There is no need to fear; we are unconditionally loved.” Before his curious experience into paradise, Dr. Alexander was unable to reconcile his knowledge of neuroscience with any belief in heaven, God, or his soul. His difficulty with faith created an empty space that none of his professional triumphs could fill. After undergoing his spiritual awakening, he is now a physician who believes that “true health can only be achieved when we realize that God and the soul are real and that death is not the end of personal existence but only a transition.” Psychologists Carl Rogers and Carl Jung also understood this. Those who would like to deepen their faith will be moved by Dr. Alexander; it has been heartwarming to receive the support of many denominations who are all coming together to welcome Eben at Yountville’s Lincoln Theater. Many local book clubs have chosen to read Proof of Heaven, and Napa’s Copperfield’s bookstore can’t keep it on its shelves. There are community efforts to bring physicians and healers from St. Helena Hospital and Queen of the Valley Hospital together for this event. Fitness instructors and trainers from wellness centers and spas are looking forward to attending a presentation that brings a new level of consciousness to integrative health. The interpretive artwork of artist Joslyn Beta Lawrence (www. joslynbetalawrence.com), depicting near-death experiences, will be displayed in the lobby of the Lincoln Theater on the evening of Dr. Alexander’s visit. Copperfield’s Books will host a Proof of Heaven book signing in the theater’s lobby following Eben’s presentation. A wine reception to meet and greet Dr. Alexander can be enjoyed afterwards with the purchase of a VIP ticket. Ticket prices are $18, $25, and $45 (VIP wine reception/meet and greet). All are available by calling the Lincoln Theater Box office at 944-9900 or by visiting www.lincolntheater.com. by Judith Caldwel “I maintain that the human mystery is incredibly demeaned by scientific reductionism, with its claim in promissory materialism to account eventually for all of the spiritual world in terms of patterns of neuronal activity. This belief must be classed as a superstition…we have to recognize that we are spiritual beings with souls existing in a spiritual world as well as material beings with bodies and brains existing in a material world.” —Sir John C. Eccles 1903-1997, Proof of Heaven, p. 140
NVLife_JulyAug_2013
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