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My Son and the Afterlife: Conversations from the Other Side
An emotional journey through grief to healing and skepticism to belief—discover the answers that will change your life forever.Until her son Erik took his own life at the age of twenty, Dr. Elisa Medhus never believed in life after death. But all of that changed when Erik began communicating with her from the other side.
As an accomplished physician, Dr. Medhus had placed her faith in science. But the tragedy surrounding her son’s death forced her to seek answers, to ask those universal questions we have all asked ourselves: Is there life after death? Do the dead communicate with the living?
In My Son and the Afterlife, answers are finally revealed. Through a series of conversations, Erik reveals a compendium of new knowledge on the nature of death and afterlife, the abilities and activities of the soul, and the powerful experience that love knows no boundaries—not even death.
As an accomplished physician, Dr. Medhus had placed her faith in science. But the tragedy surrounding her son’s death forced her to seek answers, to ask those universal questions we have all asked ourselves: Is there life after death? Do the dead communicate with the living?
In My Son and the Afterlife, answers are finally revealed. Through a series of conversations, Erik reveals a compendium of new knowledge on the nature of death and afterlife, the abilities and activities of the soul, and the powerful experience that love knows no boundaries—not even death.
304 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2013
125 people are currently reading
838 people want to read
About the author
Elisa Medhus
24 books34 followersDr. Elisa Medhus is a family physician with over twenty years experience dealing with the issues that today’s families face. Although she retired from medicine to homeschool and be a full time mother to her children, she still has a large following of former patients who frequently call or drop by her home for medical advice, comfort or help. She has a gift for communicating with others, making them feel comfortable and sensing their emotional, physical and spiritual needs.
Being a mother of five children, (Kristina, Michelle, Erik, Lukas, and Annika) and wife to Rune, Dr. Medhus is uniquely suited to discuss issues concerning parents. In Raising Children Who Think for Themselves, her passion to change the world for the better by teaching children how to make self-directed choices is palpable, sincere and deep. Her work has been featured on national broadcast and print outlets including Good Morning America, The Houston Chronicle, a Seattle morning show, The Houston Post. She resides in Houston, Texas with her husband, her five children, their three dogs, and other transients from the plant and animal worlds.
Being a mother of five children, (Kristina, Michelle, Erik, Lukas, and Annika) and wife to Rune, Dr. Medhus is uniquely suited to discuss issues concerning parents. In Raising Children Who Think for Themselves, her passion to change the world for the better by teaching children how to make self-directed choices is palpable, sincere and deep. Her work has been featured on national broadcast and print outlets including Good Morning America, The Houston Chronicle, a Seattle morning show, The Houston Post. She resides in Houston, Texas with her husband, her five children, their three dogs, and other transients from the plant and animal worlds.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
November 18, 2015
The irreverent, back-and-forth dialogue of My Son and the Afterlife reminded me of Neale Donald Walsch's Conversations with God. The topics discussed are very high minded (the evolution of consciousness, the after life, life purpose) but the humor and language is very down to earth. I didn't really enjoy the humor or the cussing, but I can see how those aspects of the dialogue with her son are what bring Elisa Medhus the most comfort because that's how she knew him on earth.
Also, by touting her credentials as a doctor, Elisa reminded me of Eben Alexander's Proof of Heaven but, as in Proof, she doesn't really go into much detail about how that background helped her in this other worldly experience. If you have a spiritual experience, I'll believe you when you write or talk about what happened, even if it hasn't happened to me. It is the uniqueness of your experience that makes it special, not what degrees you have hanging on your wall. I dislike that mindset that says, "you're an expert in this... how?" As if any of us can say for 100% certainty what happens after we die...
Some bits of this book that resonated with me:
"I don't need to know the makings or mysteries of the world. I don't need to know all these things. I could relax, broaden my focus, and receive that information. It's the same talent we have on Earth, though we refuse to use it. If you could open up your energetic body- that's the part that's really alive- everything here is a web of information to be tapped in to. As long as your belief system is such that you're open to even asking a specific question and you're open to its answer, you can access it." pg 103 This brought to mind Jane Roberts and Seth or Esther Hicks and Abraham. Eric is saying that these ladies aren't the exception to the rule, they're the potential for all of us- direct access to our higher spiritual being.
In a part of the book that talked about animals and their relationships with humans: "Those chosen to be with us as animal companions are assigned to us. Their souls are assigned to us just like guardian angel souls are." pg 205 I really liked that idea. I also liked the portions of the book that talked about the equality of all spiritual beings, even plants and rocks. It reminded me of Eckhart Tolle's teachings about how man was created to appreciate nature and nature evolves through man's appreciation of it. Interesting stuff.
If you enjoyed the 'dialogue with spirit' parts of this book, but didn't like the raunchy humor, I'd recommend any of Walsch's Conversations with God (he has a couple of them out there). If you want the near death experience of someone who went there and came back, try Proof of Heaven by Eben Alexander. If you want to read authors who are channeling Source itself or their higher spiritual beings rather than deceased family members, try anything by Esther Hicks or Jane Roberts (the Hicks material has always felt more accessible to me than the Roberts). If you didn't like this book at all, you could try Life After Death by Deepak Chopra or The Art of Living and Dying by Osho. Those authors discuss many of the ideas in this book but do it in a standard format rather than a dialogue.
Also, by touting her credentials as a doctor, Elisa reminded me of Eben Alexander's Proof of Heaven but, as in Proof, she doesn't really go into much detail about how that background helped her in this other worldly experience. If you have a spiritual experience, I'll believe you when you write or talk about what happened, even if it hasn't happened to me. It is the uniqueness of your experience that makes it special, not what degrees you have hanging on your wall. I dislike that mindset that says, "you're an expert in this... how?" As if any of us can say for 100% certainty what happens after we die...
Some bits of this book that resonated with me:
"I don't need to know the makings or mysteries of the world. I don't need to know all these things. I could relax, broaden my focus, and receive that information. It's the same talent we have on Earth, though we refuse to use it. If you could open up your energetic body- that's the part that's really alive- everything here is a web of information to be tapped in to. As long as your belief system is such that you're open to even asking a specific question and you're open to its answer, you can access it." pg 103 This brought to mind Jane Roberts and Seth or Esther Hicks and Abraham. Eric is saying that these ladies aren't the exception to the rule, they're the potential for all of us- direct access to our higher spiritual being.
In a part of the book that talked about animals and their relationships with humans: "Those chosen to be with us as animal companions are assigned to us. Their souls are assigned to us just like guardian angel souls are." pg 205 I really liked that idea. I also liked the portions of the book that talked about the equality of all spiritual beings, even plants and rocks. It reminded me of Eckhart Tolle's teachings about how man was created to appreciate nature and nature evolves through man's appreciation of it. Interesting stuff.
If you enjoyed the 'dialogue with spirit' parts of this book, but didn't like the raunchy humor, I'd recommend any of Walsch's Conversations with God (he has a couple of them out there). If you want the near death experience of someone who went there and came back, try Proof of Heaven by Eben Alexander. If you want to read authors who are channeling Source itself or their higher spiritual beings rather than deceased family members, try anything by Esther Hicks or Jane Roberts (the Hicks material has always felt more accessible to me than the Roberts). If you didn't like this book at all, you could try Life After Death by Deepak Chopra or The Art of Living and Dying by Osho. Those authors discuss many of the ideas in this book but do it in a standard format rather than a dialogue.
June 26, 2014
I was very excited to read this book, but was horribly disappointed. My own son, also named Erik, took his own life at age 21. I expected something a bit different. I am an open minded skeptic and so was intrigued by the fact that she was a medical dr. and "raised by athiests". I was hoping to hear more about how she dealt with the experience and how she reconciled her disbelief and doubt. I felt that the dialogue between the medium and Dr. Medhus and her son seemed super corny and not at all realistic. The dialogue about how "we can go out for pizza" and how he has therapy in the afterlife and his "therapist is real hot", made me feel that the book was silly and that Dr. Medhus was taken for a ride by the medium... I could see some sort of communication and life in a different energy plane, etc. but come on!!!
November 21, 2014
There is so much I can say about this book but I want to keep it simple. The author mentioned several times that she was raised as an atheist and that she is a skeptic and a scientist. But she didn't discuss atheism in a way that indicated she had any productive understanding of it. And she didn't use any kind of scientific method or skeptical understanding to really evaluate what was happening.
In my opinion, the author missed a golden opportunity to really evaluate the issue of whether she could communicate with her son after his death. The medium presented her interactions with Erik in such a preposterous way that it would have been easy to put her abilities to the test. Instead, the author's goal seemed to be to negate her grief and to maintain some semblance of contact with her loved one.
That's fair enough and she is more than entitled to approach her despair in whatever way she chooses. But it is disingenuous to present this book as any kind of credible evidence for the afterlife. The very fact that she listed the M.D. title in her name on the book was also misleading because she didn't present any kind of medical knowledge that would be relevant to her son and the afterlife. I had high hopes that this would be a compelling book about an important topic and it fell utterly flat.
In my opinion, the author missed a golden opportunity to really evaluate the issue of whether she could communicate with her son after his death. The medium presented her interactions with Erik in such a preposterous way that it would have been easy to put her abilities to the test. Instead, the author's goal seemed to be to negate her grief and to maintain some semblance of contact with her loved one.
That's fair enough and she is more than entitled to approach her despair in whatever way she chooses. But it is disingenuous to present this book as any kind of credible evidence for the afterlife. The very fact that she listed the M.D. title in her name on the book was also misleading because she didn't present any kind of medical knowledge that would be relevant to her son and the afterlife. I had high hopes that this would be a compelling book about an important topic and it fell utterly flat.
September 6, 2016
This book tells of the communication between the author, a sceptical doctor, and her son, Erik, after he killed himself. This communication takes place with the aid of so-called spirit translators, first Kim and then Jamie.
Though Erik suffered from learning difficulties, Tourette´s syndrome and bipolar disorder, he was a wonderful, non-judgemental person who could talk to anyone and listened to people with compassion. He had a big heart; he was loving, kind, understanding and willing to sacrifice for others.
After his death Erik began to visit friends and family in their dreams, communicated with them and played pranks on them.
Erik explains “that spirits can move objects by altering the energy field in front of or behind them”.
Erik uses at times rather obscene language, as he did when on Earth.
Elisa asks about the life review, and Erik tells her that you get to feel the “emotions and impressions that other people perceived of you. You get to see yourself, what you´ve done … You see yourself through other people. --- You´re seeing through their eyes and feeling what they felt.”
There is sex and food on the other side, but it´s “not physical like that” – it´s different.
“There´s no conflict in Heaven or Home. So when the human dies and becomes a spirit again, the ease of life is sometimes shocking --.”
There is Peace, Unconditional love, and telepathy. You can go wherever you want to go.
Other things Erik loves in Heaven are time travel, going back into your past lives, and the Akashic Records. “I go into (the library) and all my past lives, my future lives, my now lives, my afterlife lives are all finely tuned.”
In the Akashic Records, or the library, when you look for information it´s like a never-ending page --- “You don´t have to manually unroll it. The information just comes to you.”
Erik has a “welcome home” cake, and is offered therapy, which he accepts.
They can manifest anything they want. They imagine what they want to eat, and it´s right there. They live where they want and how they want. (This fits in with Robert Monroe´s descriptions of the afterlife in his three books.) They don´t feel hot or cold, unless they want to. Thought creates reality instantly.
Erik says he´s got “a very high level of enlightenment”. He figures he has one more lifetime to go and that´s it.
He has a boat and his own place like a condo, a bachelor pad. They can “go out for pizza, have relationships, get married, it´s just the same.” They have “their life´s work as souls”, they travel and can have children. He has a leather couch and a big flat-screen television.
He informs us that anyone in spirit form knows what people on the earthly plane say. They eavesdrop on what we say, and on what we think and feel!
There are exciting chapters on death in general, on the life review, and on “the abilities of an untethered soul”.
Erik´s life work now in Heaven is “bringing to light the story of teen suicide” and teaching and healing. There are spirits like counsellors who help people look at their life plans. They help those with torn energy to mend and heal.
In the afterlife there are energy healing centres, particularly for those who first cross over, or those who died of a sudden illness or had traumatic lives or deaths.
There are different areas of the afterlife based on different intensities and kinds of energies (again as described by Robert Monroe).
Atheists have a “narrower vibration – a different vibrational afterlife”.
There are fascinating, deep chapters on souls, the nature of consciousness, time and space, matter and reality, love and fear, the nature of higher powers and “who are we and why are we here?”
The human spirit is never born, it´s just a piece of the whole. Prime Source has always existed. We are the parts and the whole, like a hologram.
The book was even better than I´d expected, and I can´t recommend it highly enough – I found it to be extremely important for those seeking metaphysical knowledge.
Though Erik suffered from learning difficulties, Tourette´s syndrome and bipolar disorder, he was a wonderful, non-judgemental person who could talk to anyone and listened to people with compassion. He had a big heart; he was loving, kind, understanding and willing to sacrifice for others.
After his death Erik began to visit friends and family in their dreams, communicated with them and played pranks on them.
Erik explains “that spirits can move objects by altering the energy field in front of or behind them”.
Erik uses at times rather obscene language, as he did when on Earth.
Elisa asks about the life review, and Erik tells her that you get to feel the “emotions and impressions that other people perceived of you. You get to see yourself, what you´ve done … You see yourself through other people. --- You´re seeing through their eyes and feeling what they felt.”
There is sex and food on the other side, but it´s “not physical like that” – it´s different.
“There´s no conflict in Heaven or Home. So when the human dies and becomes a spirit again, the ease of life is sometimes shocking --.”
There is Peace, Unconditional love, and telepathy. You can go wherever you want to go.
Other things Erik loves in Heaven are time travel, going back into your past lives, and the Akashic Records. “I go into (the library) and all my past lives, my future lives, my now lives, my afterlife lives are all finely tuned.”
In the Akashic Records, or the library, when you look for information it´s like a never-ending page --- “You don´t have to manually unroll it. The information just comes to you.”
Erik has a “welcome home” cake, and is offered therapy, which he accepts.
They can manifest anything they want. They imagine what they want to eat, and it´s right there. They live where they want and how they want. (This fits in with Robert Monroe´s descriptions of the afterlife in his three books.) They don´t feel hot or cold, unless they want to. Thought creates reality instantly.
Erik says he´s got “a very high level of enlightenment”. He figures he has one more lifetime to go and that´s it.
He has a boat and his own place like a condo, a bachelor pad. They can “go out for pizza, have relationships, get married, it´s just the same.” They have “their life´s work as souls”, they travel and can have children. He has a leather couch and a big flat-screen television.
He informs us that anyone in spirit form knows what people on the earthly plane say. They eavesdrop on what we say, and on what we think and feel!
There are exciting chapters on death in general, on the life review, and on “the abilities of an untethered soul”.
Erik´s life work now in Heaven is “bringing to light the story of teen suicide” and teaching and healing. There are spirits like counsellors who help people look at their life plans. They help those with torn energy to mend and heal.
In the afterlife there are energy healing centres, particularly for those who first cross over, or those who died of a sudden illness or had traumatic lives or deaths.
There are different areas of the afterlife based on different intensities and kinds of energies (again as described by Robert Monroe).
Atheists have a “narrower vibration – a different vibrational afterlife”.
There are fascinating, deep chapters on souls, the nature of consciousness, time and space, matter and reality, love and fear, the nature of higher powers and “who are we and why are we here?”
The human spirit is never born, it´s just a piece of the whole. Prime Source has always existed. We are the parts and the whole, like a hologram.
The book was even better than I´d expected, and I can´t recommend it highly enough – I found it to be extremely important for those seeking metaphysical knowledge.
Read
March 31, 2014I'm not going to rate this book but I'm definitely setting it aside for good. I would give it 1 star if I felt that was appropriate but I don't rate books I've not read in their entirety.
There is a foreward by the deceased, Erik (translated by Erik's "spirit translator"), so I went into the reading of this book with a healthy dose of skepticism but last night I reached a quote by Erik via his spirit translator that actually made me angry. "Erik" claims that his suicide was unusual:
"Because it was the spiritual contract I'd written for this life, it was the end of my line, whereas, with most people who take their lives, it's not the end of their line. They're just doing it out of revenge, or because they want an out or avoidance."
~p. 55
First of all, you have a 20-year-old who committed suicide allegedly playing pranks on people, claiming he knows everything about the afterlife and how it works and how everyone else who committed suicide thought, and speaking like a living human through a "spirit translator". That's difficult enough to buy. But, read that quote to anyone who has been in the pit of despair and considered suicide or known people who committed suicide and you'll find that there are very, very few people who kill themselves for revenge, although they tend to be the ones who make the news.
I would guess, rather, the vast majority of suicides take their own lives because they can't fathom continuing to live another moment in that extraordinarily painful dark place . . . which is exactly why Erik took his own life. He was bipolar and severely depressed at the time of his death. This quote indicates to me that the so-called "spirit translator" was merely trying to make the deceased's mother happy - to make her think that her son was still present and, hey, his suicide was no big deal because he was different! He ended his life at the point that he was supposed to! That's not only ridiculous, it's demeaning to every other person who has done the same exact thing and to their struggling survivors.
There is a foreward by the deceased, Erik (translated by Erik's "spirit translator"), so I went into the reading of this book with a healthy dose of skepticism but last night I reached a quote by Erik via his spirit translator that actually made me angry. "Erik" claims that his suicide was unusual:
"Because it was the spiritual contract I'd written for this life, it was the end of my line, whereas, with most people who take their lives, it's not the end of their line. They're just doing it out of revenge, or because they want an out or avoidance."
~p. 55
First of all, you have a 20-year-old who committed suicide allegedly playing pranks on people, claiming he knows everything about the afterlife and how it works and how everyone else who committed suicide thought, and speaking like a living human through a "spirit translator". That's difficult enough to buy. But, read that quote to anyone who has been in the pit of despair and considered suicide or known people who committed suicide and you'll find that there are very, very few people who kill themselves for revenge, although they tend to be the ones who make the news.
I would guess, rather, the vast majority of suicides take their own lives because they can't fathom continuing to live another moment in that extraordinarily painful dark place . . . which is exactly why Erik took his own life. He was bipolar and severely depressed at the time of his death. This quote indicates to me that the so-called "spirit translator" was merely trying to make the deceased's mother happy - to make her think that her son was still present and, hey, his suicide was no big deal because he was different! He ended his life at the point that he was supposed to! That's not only ridiculous, it's demeaning to every other person who has done the same exact thing and to their struggling survivors.
May 17, 2014
First let me say, in November 2007 my 26 year old Son lost his life at the hands of a 17 year old killer. So, I am always interested in books that give a look at what is called the "Afterlife". My wife saw this book on the Goodreads web site and bought for me thinking it might provide hope and comfort.
One problem with reading a book on this topic, and then reviewing it, is the baggage we bring with us when we decide to read it. Most people have a set of beliefs that they hold or a religious bias that they bring with them when they read a book such as this. In general they are looking to validate the beliefs they already hold. In honesty I am no different in this respect. In that same vein a person who writes a book such as this they bring their beliefs and bias to the written page.
It appears to me that Dr. Medhus has brought her own beliefs into the writing of this book. Dr. Medhus openly admits that she and her siblings were raised in an Atheist household and I think it shows in the writing of this book.
What I find in this book is an aggrieved mother that is trying come to grips with the loss of her 20 year Son Erik, to suicide. With the loss of her Son she now has to come to grips with her Atheistic belief which is that there is no "Afterlife". In her desperation to overcome a lifetime of Atheistic beliefs she has sought out a way to create a "Heaven" based on science or secularism rather than the spiritualism taught be most religions. In fact the author seems to do everything she can in order to avoid mentioning the "God" that many religions teach. She talks of a source of energy or light, a scientific power. And yet, in order to reach her Son she reaches out to mediums and psychics, although she chooses to call these people Spiritual Guides or Interpreters. She deludes herself into believing these title give more scientific credence to the channeling of Erik.
We do learn that as Erik got older he developed Bi-polar disorder and also suffered with Tourette's Syndrome. As he got older Erik withdrew from family and friends and eventually took his own life.
We learn that through these guides Dr. Medhus is able to talk with her Son who has now become a higher evolved being. The author does warn us that Erik, who had a propensity to swear before his death continues to swear in the afterlife in part due to his Tourette's. In Tourette's syndrome the sufferer has emotional outbursts often of a profane nature, using profanity to express this emotion. Two points. One: In portraying her Son swearing she does not express the words in a way that a Tourette's sufferer would express them. Two: Her Son was now a higher evolved being. I have to ask why a higher evolved being would constantly have to resort to vulgar language. What I find here is a foul mouthed 20 year old that wasn't very evolved at all, and I might add that his Mother, the Author was not above some vulgarity of her own. She sure knows how to take God's name in vein.
She talks of learn about the light that most people with "Near Death Experiences" see. I find it interesting that the author reduces it to a scientific phenomenon. Her explanation is that it is the lack of oxygen that causes the light and not some spiritual manifestation. Correct me if I'm wrong but wouldn't a Dr. know that a lack of oxygen would destroy the optic nerve and cause blackness and not light?
Dr. Medhus talks quite often to her Son over the period of this book, asking many questions about what the "Afterlife" is like. We learn that spirits can create homes and pizza and big screen TVs, although I have to wonder why a higher spiritual being without a flesh and blood body would need these things. We learn that Erik has lived many lives and will live many more lives. That as we live progressive lives we overcome the problems we have had in the past. What horrible problems did Erik have in the past that led to suicide in this life?
She asks about human consciousness and states, "Erik dove into some of the into the science behind the nature of consciousness , which went a long way to smoothing the ruffled feathers of the scientist in me". Question: Why does the afterlife have to be based on ANY science? Just because the as a Dr. the author has a scientific background? Excuse me but "Heaven" doesn't need to have a scientific bases in order to exist.
One of the other problems that disturbs me is that as Dr. Medhus talks to her Son she constantly feeds him the answers or Jamie, one of the Spiritual Guides, states that Erik is quite often searching for answers. Does a self proclaimed higher spiritual being need to be fed answers or even need to struggle to find answers?
Also we learn that Erik the spirit can become absorbed into the "Spirit God". That we came literally become God if we choose.
A little side note. As I stood with my cousin, my clergy and a funeral home representative the man from the funeral home asked if we had a religious affiliation and a belief in an afterlife. When asking why he wanted to know he stated that in all the years he had been in the business the single group that had the greatest difficulty facing the finality of death were self proclaimed Atheists. When faced with a lifetime of belief many could not handle the fact that a loved one was now lost to them forever. Now they were hoping that this long held belief in no life after death was false.
What I find in this book is a Mother filled with guilt and a desperation that her long held beliefs or not true. So she turns to the only source that can help her and that is "Spiritual Guides" because "Mediums" are not "Scientific" enough. When her Son, or the guide? can't give her the answer she wants, she creates a scientific answer to her problem and even finds a way to keep "God" out of the equation.
As for the two "Spiritual Guides", I found them very disturbing. Especially Jamie. I found them both lacking in any credibility. And all the giggling was very troubling.
This book gave me no comfort at all, and I had to stop reading it for awhile. But I felt that I needed to finish it in order to give me honest opinion. Should everyone choose to not read this book? I will not suggest that to be the case as it has received many more positive reviews so far than 3,2 or 1 star reviews. I cannot tell a grieving parent what they should read in order to bring them comfort. If this book helps anyone then that is wonderful, it just didn't help me. I would only caution that a potential reader check out the book first, before spending $16 at a book store.
And to those of you that have attacked lower starred reviews, we have the right to our opinions and it doesn't stop you from reading and getting enjoyment out of this book, but it might help someone else from undo pain of reading a book that disturbs more than it helps.
One problem with reading a book on this topic, and then reviewing it, is the baggage we bring with us when we decide to read it. Most people have a set of beliefs that they hold or a religious bias that they bring with them when they read a book such as this. In general they are looking to validate the beliefs they already hold. In honesty I am no different in this respect. In that same vein a person who writes a book such as this they bring their beliefs and bias to the written page.
It appears to me that Dr. Medhus has brought her own beliefs into the writing of this book. Dr. Medhus openly admits that she and her siblings were raised in an Atheist household and I think it shows in the writing of this book.
What I find in this book is an aggrieved mother that is trying come to grips with the loss of her 20 year Son Erik, to suicide. With the loss of her Son she now has to come to grips with her Atheistic belief which is that there is no "Afterlife". In her desperation to overcome a lifetime of Atheistic beliefs she has sought out a way to create a "Heaven" based on science or secularism rather than the spiritualism taught be most religions. In fact the author seems to do everything she can in order to avoid mentioning the "God" that many religions teach. She talks of a source of energy or light, a scientific power. And yet, in order to reach her Son she reaches out to mediums and psychics, although she chooses to call these people Spiritual Guides or Interpreters. She deludes herself into believing these title give more scientific credence to the channeling of Erik.
We do learn that as Erik got older he developed Bi-polar disorder and also suffered with Tourette's Syndrome. As he got older Erik withdrew from family and friends and eventually took his own life.
We learn that through these guides Dr. Medhus is able to talk with her Son who has now become a higher evolved being. The author does warn us that Erik, who had a propensity to swear before his death continues to swear in the afterlife in part due to his Tourette's. In Tourette's syndrome the sufferer has emotional outbursts often of a profane nature, using profanity to express this emotion. Two points. One: In portraying her Son swearing she does not express the words in a way that a Tourette's sufferer would express them. Two: Her Son was now a higher evolved being. I have to ask why a higher evolved being would constantly have to resort to vulgar language. What I find here is a foul mouthed 20 year old that wasn't very evolved at all, and I might add that his Mother, the Author was not above some vulgarity of her own. She sure knows how to take God's name in vein.
She talks of learn about the light that most people with "Near Death Experiences" see. I find it interesting that the author reduces it to a scientific phenomenon. Her explanation is that it is the lack of oxygen that causes the light and not some spiritual manifestation. Correct me if I'm wrong but wouldn't a Dr. know that a lack of oxygen would destroy the optic nerve and cause blackness and not light?
Dr. Medhus talks quite often to her Son over the period of this book, asking many questions about what the "Afterlife" is like. We learn that spirits can create homes and pizza and big screen TVs, although I have to wonder why a higher spiritual being without a flesh and blood body would need these things. We learn that Erik has lived many lives and will live many more lives. That as we live progressive lives we overcome the problems we have had in the past. What horrible problems did Erik have in the past that led to suicide in this life?
She asks about human consciousness and states, "Erik dove into some of the into the science behind the nature of consciousness , which went a long way to smoothing the ruffled feathers of the scientist in me". Question: Why does the afterlife have to be based on ANY science? Just because the as a Dr. the author has a scientific background? Excuse me but "Heaven" doesn't need to have a scientific bases in order to exist.
One of the other problems that disturbs me is that as Dr. Medhus talks to her Son she constantly feeds him the answers or Jamie, one of the Spiritual Guides, states that Erik is quite often searching for answers. Does a self proclaimed higher spiritual being need to be fed answers or even need to struggle to find answers?
Also we learn that Erik the spirit can become absorbed into the "Spirit God". That we came literally become God if we choose.
A little side note. As I stood with my cousin, my clergy and a funeral home representative the man from the funeral home asked if we had a religious affiliation and a belief in an afterlife. When asking why he wanted to know he stated that in all the years he had been in the business the single group that had the greatest difficulty facing the finality of death were self proclaimed Atheists. When faced with a lifetime of belief many could not handle the fact that a loved one was now lost to them forever. Now they were hoping that this long held belief in no life after death was false.
What I find in this book is a Mother filled with guilt and a desperation that her long held beliefs or not true. So she turns to the only source that can help her and that is "Spiritual Guides" because "Mediums" are not "Scientific" enough. When her Son, or the guide? can't give her the answer she wants, she creates a scientific answer to her problem and even finds a way to keep "God" out of the equation.
As for the two "Spiritual Guides", I found them very disturbing. Especially Jamie. I found them both lacking in any credibility. And all the giggling was very troubling.
This book gave me no comfort at all, and I had to stop reading it for awhile. But I felt that I needed to finish it in order to give me honest opinion. Should everyone choose to not read this book? I will not suggest that to be the case as it has received many more positive reviews so far than 3,2 or 1 star reviews. I cannot tell a grieving parent what they should read in order to bring them comfort. If this book helps anyone then that is wonderful, it just didn't help me. I would only caution that a potential reader check out the book first, before spending $16 at a book store.
And to those of you that have attacked lower starred reviews, we have the right to our opinions and it doesn't stop you from reading and getting enjoyment out of this book, but it might help someone else from undo pain of reading a book that disturbs more than it helps.
January 29, 2019
Having recently lost a loved one, I am currently reading all I can after the afterlife. This book helped me a little with my grief. I believe there is an afterlife, but I somehow felt this book was concocted; much of this is due to the the artificial "interview" style and Jamie Butler's lack of credibility. The last few chapters dealing with physics was incomprehensible; it felt like Dr. Medhus wished to end the book with a scientific perspective but it was out of place and poorly written.
April 10, 2020
I would maybe give this one a 3.5. I think the information is interesting and compelling, but I really disliked the format of the book. The question answer format with a smart- alecky mother just was jarring to me. I think better information on the same topics can be found in the Seth books by Jane Roberts.
April 7, 2018
My own personal opinion is that Dr. Medhus is either trying to pull off an elaborate and profitable con job, or she is just incredibly gullible and naïve, and allowing herself to be fleeced by a pair of hustlers masquerading as mediums. Dr. Medhus basically uses two supposed mediums, Jamie being the more annoying of the two, who are constantly able to contact her son Eric with almost ludicrous ease. Even after contact is supposedly made the answers from the other side are the usual predictable and generic ones as found in countless other new age and paranormal books out there. What makes this even more ironic is that even as predictable as Eric's answers are, they seem to be force fed to him then gently cajoled out of him by both the good doctor and her two side kicks. Adding indult to injury, instead of treating the proceedings with the dignity it deserves (even if it is nothing more than fabricated B.S.), Medhus and her
psychics seemed more like giggly, gum chewing thirteen year olds at a slumber party than supposedly mature adults looking for the answers to a subject which has mystified us since the dawn of time.....what really happens to us when we die.
psychics seemed more like giggly, gum chewing thirteen year olds at a slumber party than supposedly mature adults looking for the answers to a subject which has mystified us since the dawn of time.....what really happens to us when we die.
January 8, 2015
If you ever wondered about life after death you need to read this book. Erik is also such an enlightening character! Jamie s a wonderful medium, there is also a lot of funny bits and Erik and Jamie keeps it so real, which I just LOVE. You will relate to Erik, and come out understanding a lot of things you could have wondered about. I follow their blog too, and it is very soul nourishing. I love watching their interviews with famous passed people. Trust me, read this and it will definitely give you a new view on life. Thank You ERIK, Dr Medhus and Jamie!
September 2, 2015
Won this book on Good Reads. Had a hard time reading this book due to (no offense to the author) the way the book was written. Basically the whole book was a conversation with her son through a Medium. Anyway what I got out of this book and another book I read on the afterlife is that it all comes down to what you believe in and how you live your life here on earth. Everyone has their own way of looking at death and the afterlife.
May 4, 2020
I have been looking forward to reading this book for a really long time and was quite disappointed in its overall content. It was not what I thought it would be, however interesting the questions were and the answers that were given it was very much a physics based book along with theology/religion. I was hoping for more of the personal relationship between the deceased and his Mother.
It was a positive read though, just had to think a lot harder than I was expecting.
It was a positive read though, just had to think a lot harder than I was expecting.
October 30, 2013
This book was very inspiring, regarding the loss and rekindled relationship of a mother and child. I found the question and answer format similar to Conversations with God, which is my favorite book of all time. Many of the descriptions and explanations given by Erik were also uncannily similar as well. It gave me great hope and faith in the information revealed. I would recommend this book to anyone experiencing the pain of losing a loved one or anyone curious in the afterlife in general. Erik's charm, wit, and understandable language made a complex subject easy, and sometimes funny, to understand.
January 9, 2014
If you have someone is has passed, committed suicide, is contemplating suicide, contemplating death or generally interested in increased spiritual understanding, this is a wonderful book. For the people who grieve, the afterlife is so well explained it's spectacular. The book demonstrates how we can continue relationships with those that have crossed over while we are on this side of the veil. It explains the afterlife, the nature of life, of spirit, and the universe. It's fabulous.
October 15, 2014
I recently lost my son to an illness and am still grieving .... i guess i bought this book looking for something - not quite sure what - but i didn't get it from this book. First of all, I have a strong faith and I believe there is Heaven and Hell and I believe that some can talk to spirits. i am not sure those spirits would be cursing. Not recommending it to anyone. most parts for me where just unbelievable.
November 3, 2014
Loved this book! Have been glued to her blog which has every topic of conversation you can imagine. Erik is amazing!! Love Seth? Abraham? You will love Erik, he is a real as you and me, with the same access, fresh perspective, and plenty of pranks!!
October 15, 2013
this book is amazing-a more tender story of a mother's love I have never experienced. j adore erik
October 31, 2013
LOVED it! What an inspirational book about life after death. This is definitely one for the keeper shelf.
January 15, 2014
This book changed my life!
September 12, 2020
If you have seen Heaven, it means it exists. That’s exactly what Erik is telling us in this book. Erik says he is in heaven and enlightens us on his experience after death in great detail. I know a lot of people may not take Erik seriously but I felt like I had an awakening of self purpose . Death is NOT the end. In fact it’s just the beginning of yet another great fulfilment of our souls.The fact that our souls, as Erik explains, are full of infinite information about our past, present and future lives is mind boggling. He explains about reincarnation and how our souls, which are pure energy are full of so much information and how we can channel ourselves towards enlightenment. I felt a sense of satisfaction after having read this book. It was a very pleasant and uplifting experience.
Thank you Erik for sharing such an Amazing experience and so much knowledge with us; and of course thank you to your Mum for her persistence and to Jamie for her mediumship. A must read. I highly recommend it and will pick up any future books.
Thank you Erik for sharing such an Amazing experience and so much knowledge with us; and of course thank you to your Mum for her persistence and to Jamie for her mediumship. A must read. I highly recommend it and will pick up any future books.
May 29, 2025
“My Son and the Afterlife: Conversations from the Other Side,” emotionally charged account of a mother’s journey through grief, skepticism, and ultimately, spiritual awakening. After losing her son Erik to suicide, Dr. Elisa Medhus,a physician and lifelong skeptic who placed her faith in science, found her worldview upended when Erik began communicating with her through a medium.
At the heart of the book is Erik himself, speaking from the afterlife in his own raw, unfiltered voice (be prepared for frequent F-bombs). His candid, often humorous, and surprisingly insightful messages offer a new perspective on death, the soul’s journey, and what lies beyond. His detailed accounts challenge conventional beliefs and invite readers to consider the possibility of life after death.
As someone who has read extensively on mediums, psychics, and channelers, I found this book both unique and—at times—difficult to fully embrace. Most mediums describe receiving impressions or symbolic messages, not full-on conversations with such specificity. That level of detail kept me slightly skeptical. Still, the narrative is compelling, well written, and emotionally moving. Whether you believe or remain uncertain, My Son and the Afterlife is a heartfelt exploration of love, loss, and the enduring bond between parent and child.
At the heart of the book is Erik himself, speaking from the afterlife in his own raw, unfiltered voice (be prepared for frequent F-bombs). His candid, often humorous, and surprisingly insightful messages offer a new perspective on death, the soul’s journey, and what lies beyond. His detailed accounts challenge conventional beliefs and invite readers to consider the possibility of life after death.
As someone who has read extensively on mediums, psychics, and channelers, I found this book both unique and—at times—difficult to fully embrace. Most mediums describe receiving impressions or symbolic messages, not full-on conversations with such specificity. That level of detail kept me slightly skeptical. Still, the narrative is compelling, well written, and emotionally moving. Whether you believe or remain uncertain, My Son and the Afterlife is a heartfelt exploration of love, loss, and the enduring bond between parent and child.
January 13, 2018
Phenomenal
Love love love !!!! Amazing book ! A must read :) I’ve also ready Elisa’s other book that her son Erik helped her write “My Life After Death.” That book is phenomenal as well !! This is the kind of book that changes your life and makes you want to buy a million copies to give all your friends and family !
Love love love !!!! Amazing book ! A must read :) I’ve also ready Elisa’s other book that her son Erik helped her write “My Life After Death.” That book is phenomenal as well !! This is the kind of book that changes your life and makes you want to buy a million copies to give all your friends and family !
November 28, 2018
Finding the right words is impossible
I like Elisa’s candidness about having mediums channel her son. Heartbroken Elisa develops her relationship with Eric beyond the grave and shares it with anyone. Four inches above the ground, the spiritual candor takes the reader into self knowledge. andYou either like what you’re reading or you don’t.
I like Elisa’s candidness about having mediums channel her son. Heartbroken Elisa develops her relationship with Eric beyond the grave and shares it with anyone. Four inches above the ground, the spiritual candor takes the reader into self knowledge. andYou either like what you’re reading or you don’t.
January 2, 2019
A colleague has done some work with Medhus and I watched a video they made together which is how I learned about this book - it has received some really negative reviews but you have to appreciate where and how this came to be. Narrative is sometimes difficult to follow but it's a fascinating read.
March 1, 2020
Dear Erik and Elisa have clarified so many things about the afterlife. As a Hindu, I was familiar with most of the concepts, but I was able to visualize every aspect through Elisa’s intelligent questions/observations and Erik’s picturesque descriptions and vivid analogies. Thank you so much Erik and Elisa! Thanks to Jamie, too, without whose gift this gift (book) would not have been possible.
November 28, 2022
Untimely Departure Returns With So Much More
Never have I experienced a Mother and son bonding after death. This book opened new possibilities of hope for grieving families. I lost my niece through suicide and worked through most of that on my own. Erik also uncovered what the after death experience was like. God! Very good and thank you.
Never have I experienced a Mother and son bonding after death. This book opened new possibilities of hope for grieving families. I lost my niece through suicide and worked through most of that on my own. Erik also uncovered what the after death experience was like. God! Very good and thank you.
August 12, 2017
There is a lot of overlap between this one and the second book. I found the second one much more interesting - but that's because the format is friendlier for my taste. I find the Me: .... Erik: ... format a little tedious.
July 11, 2019
Amazing detail of the afterlife and answers to all of the big questions..This book have clear insightful answer to all our doubt about life after death.. Must read with open mind if u have spirituality in ur mind.. Good book n overall new experience.. 👌
July 21, 2020
Informative, Enlightening and Encouraging
I read this book to understand the suicide of a friend. Not only does this book help me to deal with the grief of loosing him, I also am learning so much more about death and the afterlife. Thank you for sharing your story.
I read this book to understand the suicide of a friend. Not only does this book help me to deal with the grief of loosing him, I also am learning so much more about death and the afterlife. Thank you for sharing your story.
March 15, 2021
While the continuous "laughing" at lame jokes was quite annoying, the story is inspiring to the open minded. I really enjoyed the book and I wish many more people could find the means to communicate with the loved ones they so grieve.
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