7 Lessons from Heaven: How Dying Taught Me to Live a Joy-Filled Life

by Mary C. Neal

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • In this inspired follow-up to the million-copy bestseller To Heaven and Back, Dr. Mary Neal (featured in the Netflix original series Surviving Death) shares untold stories about her encounters with Jesus and powerful insights about how the reality of heaven can make each day magnificent.  “If you want practical ways to bring more of Heaven into your life today, Dr. Neal shows how.”—John Burke, pastor and author of New York Times bestseller Imagine Heaven Dr. Mary Neal’s unforgettable account of the Chilean kayaking accident that took her life and sent her on a journey to heaven and back riveted millions of readers. But as she shared her story with audiences throughout the world, Dr. Neal realized she had more to tell, especially on the biggest questions, such as how does her story help others? And how does knowing that heaven is real change our lives here on Earth?  In 7 Lessons from Heaven, Dr. Neal takes readers deeper into her experience, which included meeting Jesus face-to-face, encounters with angels, and a journey to a “city of light.” She digs into important findings about the physiology of drowning, and shares why—from the perspective of heaven—we can know that beauty blossoms from even our greatest losses. Then she shows how each of us can personally experience God’s presence, develop an absolute trust in the truth of God’s promises, and learn how to live joyfully every day.

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian, Spirituality, Memoir, Religion, Faith, Biography

276 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 19, 2017

Reviews

[Beth · Rating 1 out of 5]

I chose this book to read because I am interested in the after-life. Who isn't? I find it interesting to read about what people have experienced.

7 Lessons From Heaven turned out to be the kind of book that disturbs me. It is a one size fits all experience based on meeting Jesus and other specifically Christian visions. Why is this a problem? Because we live in a world of many religions and many Gods (and Goddesses). Taking this narrow view, and not taking other religions into consideration marginalizes others, and that is never something good.

That said, this is her experience. This is how she views the world. However, this is not a perspective that should assume that it is THE experience for all.

[Producervan · Rating 5 out of 5]

7 Lessons From Heaven, How Dying Taught Me to Live a joy-Filled Life by Mary C. Neal, M.D. Convergent Books.5 Stars. Through a markedly Christian interpretation, Mary C. Neal, M.D. takes on doubters, questioners, believers and—most importantly— miracles. In the straightforward exploration of her near death experience and the truth of the mystical existence of God, angels, and divine comfort and guidance, the author shares her rebirthing from the jaws of death and the death of a loved one, coming full circle to live in a joy that revitalizes the human spirit. Read through the lens of my own NDE, I am continuously awed by others’ experiences and at the very least know I am in good company! Highly recommend as a book club choice, a stand-alone or companion book to Mary C. Neal’s prior (engrossing) book, To Heaven and Back: A Doctor's Extraordinary Account of Her Death, Heaven, Angels, and Life Again: A True Story. Love the cover picture as well. Thanks to NetGalley and Convergent Books for providing this ebook for review.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not read this book because I needed proof of heaven. I was curious to see if the author's experience would contain a similarity to an other-worldly encounter that I experienced on the day my mother died. There was a similarity. And I, like the author, find it difficult to find the right words. I wanted to be with my mother when she took her last breath. On the morning of her death I was awoken by a being. I did not see it, but I heard it. It was not an audible voice, yet just as real. More real. The voice was melodic, pleasant, and somehow sounded like flowing waters. The voice said, "Wake up sweetheart, your mommy is going to die today." The being was not sad. She was excited. And I do believe that it was my mother because those are words she would say. It also sounded like her, only musical somehow. I think that God allowed her to visit me shortly before she departed for good. There was a lightness in my heart as I made the journey to the hospital. She died within about 30 minutes of my arrival. I was holding her hand. I am grateful to God for that gift.
I did not need proof of heaven. But I do appreciate the gift of that foretaste.

[Rissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

7 lesson from Heaven. 4.5⭐️

Reading about her journey to heaven and back and her out of body experience was so beautiful.
Her lessons may comfort some of those who are scared of the unknown. But it is a reassuring moment that when this world comes to an end, that our life ends we will be fine if we are followers of God.


Star reasoning:
⭐️ The uniqueness of the story
⭐️The writing style
⭐️her before, during, and after was told as though we are their seeing as she sees.
⭐️The lessons
+.5 It made me think.
- .5 semi repetitive

[Rebecca Patrias · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read Mary's previous book as well as 7 Lessons from Heaven. This most recent book is so much more powerful. Her story is told with more detail and passion.
As a primary care physician, I have the privileged of listening to life changing stories every day. I pretty much only consider personal change if it is attached to a story. Sometimes an individual can change me too by sharing their experience of trauma or challenge. Mary's story can do that for her reader. I don't think her readers will be bored hearing the story of her kayak accident and the story of her child dying. The maturity she gained as an author between her two books will be a treat to those of you who read her first book.
After retelling her stories and sharing those of many other people, she goes on in give us a step by step guide for spiritual growth. This book helps us to know, in a specific sense, ways to use our pain or even regular daily experiences to get to faith, gratitude, and being of service. By sharing her story, she shows us it is possible.
I read some of the few negative reviews of this book and wondered if I read the same book. I didn't find it to be preachy or elitist in any way. I think the book is approachable to those who have a traditional Bible based faith and well as to those who do not. She shares her spiritual and physical experiences and leaves her reader to opt in or out.
Reading this book called me on to spiritual and personal growth. I think it will for you too if you choose to let it.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt it was an honest account and the author was humble. I also loved the numerous examples and stories in the book by other people. Having lost my own son, the stories of angels especially resonated with me.

[Sandra]

I heard the author Mary C. Neal being interviewed recently. Two words that she said stood out and made me know there was a message in her book for me. I was right.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very powerful book! I loved it!

[Kimball · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book. I enjoyed this one almost as much as Visions of Glory: One Man's Astonishing Account of the Last Days. Of course this one wasn't written by a member of the Restored Church of Jesus Christ but still just as good. I still don't know how she didn't have any effects of being underwater for 30 minutes. She wrote another book that I'll read in a few weeks.


Scattered Notes:


Apparently when people die they act like they are getting dressed.

I guess people aren't in physical agony when they die. They also don't feel death during the moment.

"The excitement of obedience is finding out later what God had in mind." I liked this one a lot.

She met two of the Three Nephites. That's all neat.

I wonder why she had two other out of body experiences after.

Every Saint has a past. And every Sinner has a future.

CPR has around a 2% success rate.

It takes a person an average of 7 years to transform the effects of their NDE into their daily life. In fact one guy that one changed so much (even for the better) that his wife divorced him. What a hag.

About 18% of people have NDE.

Some people that have NDEs meet unborn children or miscarriage children, too.

People who are mean and bitter on earth are loving and joyful in heaven. Hmmm that one is iffy.

Glimpses into heaven are meant to change how you and I live now.

Sometimes people will see an animal or thing that was meaningful to the person that died.

Miracles occur when God's desire and power overcome lesser forces.

Supposedly Jeremiah 29:11 is the second most looked up scripture in the Bible right after John 3:16 - classic.

What age did her boy die? She said he was supposed to die before 19 but that his life was prolonged or something.

People who are spiritual but not religious just want to make their beliefs according to their own set of rules and pick it up and put it down whenever they want and not be accountable to a higher being.

A Grove of Aspen trees are genetically identical and they a change leaf colors at the same time.

I like how she suggested to write down Tender Mercies so you can see God's Hand.

There's not a word for coincidence in Hebrew, only a word that means a happening from God.

I want to hear about a NDE from someone who doesn't believe in God at all and is very hardened.

We as a people have forgotten how to be spiritual and that tons of spiritual things happen all around us and we need to open our eyes more.

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was recommended to me since I had a loss of a loved one. It is a true story that the author narrates about her near death experience. Dr. Mary Neal tells her story and it is overwhelming to hear what happened to her. She shares her inspiring experience and GOD's love for us. She paints a
beautiful picture of heaven. When you finish these pages you will surely have learned to believe in angels. It is a must read. If you have had a loss in your life of any family member or friend to know
how they are now in care of such a loving God is so wonderful. This will bring you a joy filled life.
(It is more of a study book, to absorb a little each day, since it is real life, experience.)

[Grace Musgrave · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 outta 5 but I’ll round it to 5! I wish I would’ve read “To Heaven & Back” first. Even though she outlines her story in the first part of the book, she seems to consolidate things & parts of the story. Overall, I appreciated how she applied her experience to her life now. She even says in the book that her first book felt like a checklist, a way to get her story out & on paper, but this book goes into why we should care about her near death experience. I appreciated her scientific mind & how she analyzed from that perspective but ultimately acknowledge God as sovereign over everything. She really encourages readers to examine the world around them & their life to see where/how God might be present & they’re missing it & then invite them into faith!

[Juls · Rating 2 out of 5]

A book chosen from Deanna from book club!!!

I was really intrigued in the beginning, but I found the book a bit repetitive. Even though the book is titled "7 Lessons from Heaven"... I couldn't tell you off the top of my head what one of the lessons were. Most of us rated it a 3-5 out of a scale of 10.

I loved the conversation that came out of it with my friends since middle school (+Grace) and learned more about their views on afterlife, miracles, religion, and more! I'm proud that we all got through it :)

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

A surgeon who experienced a near death experience during a kayaking accident explains what she saw and felt and how it impacted her own life. She also shares accounts from others who have had similar experiences. Thought-provoking read. I’d recommend it to anyone curious about possibilities of an afterlife and the supernatural.

[Karla Kaufman Schneider · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extraordinary! Renewed my faith in God and His promises to us in a world that can be daunting and depressing. It reminded me that God is ultimately in control of all things and that I can live a joy filled life no matter what circumstances I’m in.

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book filled with hope.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice follow up to her first book. The author seems authentic, caring and eager to share what she has learned from her near death experience. Overtly Christian, which doesn’t bother me but could be off putting to those of other religions.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Mary Neal gives not only a view of her own near death experience, but she also presents a compilation and comparison of sorts on the experiences of others. I may be overstating it to say that she delves into the science of it but it did seem to be important to her that she include a lot of facts to support the encounter.

[Sofia · Rating 4 out of 5]

7 Lessons from heaven is a book that brings hope and positivity. This Book is about author Mary C. Neal and her adventures going to heaven and back through an NDE. She struggles with the fact of if she just imagined it, so on her journey see researches millions of different of symptoms that could have caused it and none of them were exactly what she had been through.

This Book brings up a time of being in a state of peace and clarity, where you can see the world clearer smell things better and hear things crisply. This book is great at explaining about what has happened in the first book that she wrote incase you didn’t read it. The author has also lost a son of her own a few years before her incident. The author also talks about being on earth the same time she was in heaven and how she meet with loved ones. The book talks about the perspective of believing in God and not only has thoughts of her own about she has others that have been through heaven and back as well talk about what happened to them when they wen’t.


I recommend this book to Christians or people that believe in god and believe there is a life after the life on earth. This is a book that will never have dust on it from the bookshelf, it will be a book that many people will read and understand thoroughly. This could help someone who is grieving of a loss or wants to learn about what happens when you leave your body here on earth.

[Connie Paddle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Mary Neal, a spinal surgeon, was kayaking in South America in 1999 when she was trapped at the bottom of a waterfall and drowned. She wrote a book of her Near Death experience To Heaven and Back and has now written this follow up book. It is a book everyone should read. I was amazed at the stories she told and though I borrowed the book from the library, I am now going to buy the book so I can read it again and again. Perhaps you do not believe in Heaven or God but read this book and you just might change your mind. Perhaps you have lost people in you life and you wonder if they are in heaven and if they know what is going on in your life, read this book! I could go on and on but my message is this READ THIS BOOK, it could change the way you look at life and death!

[James Maxon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having found meaning in her first book, To Heaven and Back, I was excited to see a follow up. 7 Lessons from Heaven goes deeper into both the significant events of Mary Neal’s experience and how it can apply to us. While there are times the wording makes this feel a little too much like a self-help book, I believe in her genuine concern for growth. I appreciate how she goes into scientific examination as well as answers questions commonly received after the release of her first book. Both the insight and depth of this story offers encouragement and challenge to one’s faith. I have personally recommended it to two of my friends, and it is my hope that Mary Neal’s account will make a positive difference in their lives--as well as it could do for you.

[Barbara P · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fascinating book to read. Dr. Reed, an orthopedic surgeon, writes about a time when she
nearly drown and was unconscious for almost 30 minutes. According to medical facts she did die. Through that time she experienced heaven, a city of light. And in this book, writes about what she learned. She offers spiritual reflections of depth AND medical facts that give her experience reality and a story we can believe. I so appreciated the many broad theological perspectives and different religions she brings in her writing, but centers on her relationship with Jesus and how dying taught her to live a joy-filled life.

[Jordyn Redwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read quite a few books based on NDEs (near death experiences) and I did read the first book the author wrote on her experiences. Both are worthy reads in their own ways.

She does expand her thoughts on the issue in this book and it is surprising how God can speak to people through these experiences-- particularly those in the medical field. In this book, she gives her insight as to why NDE experiences should not be viewed as the hallucinations of an oxygen deprived brain.

The last half of the book is more an affirmation guide for Christians.

If you're intrigued by this topic as I am than I highly recommend this book to you.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the first few chapters multiple times, and the rest I skimmed. This is a fascinating account of her death by drowning in a kayak accident. What was most interesting, and what I hope most to be true, is that she felt no pain or panic as she died, and as she reviewed her life-film with Jesus, she understood the motivations and feelings of other people in the scenes, not just herself, which gave her deep compassion and forgiveness for people who had wronged her. The sense of belonging, being loved, and being full of love for others is what is most appealing. It's something I've experienced at moments, but I'd like to feel that way always.

[Jeannie Mertens · Rating 3 out of 5]

A follow up to To Heaven and Back, Dr. Neal writes of her continued learning and understanding since her accident in which she experienced a life-changing NDE. Another book from which I journaled. Recommend also to anyone who is having a particularly difficult time grieving the loss of a loved one, even if it's been years. She lost a son a few years after her own accident.

Absolute trust in God transforms into a more joy-filled life.

[Cc · Rating 2 out of 5]

Enjoyed the reviewing of near death experiences, but the book itself was Waaaaaaay to preacher for me!

[Eric Blackledge · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was curious about what this book might say about the afterlife and it is the typical positive, optimistic, Christian view. It would be nice if she had some research of what people from non-Christian viewpoints experience in these NDEs. From what she describes, you would think that any non-Christian who had an experience like this would come back and immediately convert.

[Diane Hurst · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t usually read these kind of books, but after seeing her being interviewed on television, I was intrigued and decided to give her story a try. It was a very good read, made me want to read similar accounts. She’s written her story in a fashion so believable, it makes me hope for a glimpse of what she’s seen.

[Donna Snyder · Rating 3 out of 5]

The near death experience was very interesting. I already live with a lot of the “lessons” she shared. I have heard the afterlife mimics what you are used to in your world view, which is a lovely idea. The author is devoutly Christian, and she interpreted her experience thusly. There were far too many Bible quotes to my liking and seemed to be used as justification to her own words.

[David Barney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read other NDE books and this was a good read. I think some read these type of books and are amazed or unsure of what they read. For me this is nothing new. No, I haven’t died, yet I have been taught and have found out for myself that there is life after this earth life. For those that read this book, I hope it helps them.

[Suzan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw a show where Mary Neal was telling of her near death experience. After hearing her I knew I wanted to needed to read this book. I was not disappointed. Mary does a great job of describing her experience. She tells how through her NDE she has helped others with leaving this life with out fear.