The Light Beyond: The extraordinary sequel to the classic Life After Life

Life After Life #3

by Raymond A. Moody Jr.

'The Light Beyond' is based on more than a thousand case studies of adults and children who clinically reached the point of death and survived, as well as amazing new research. It shows the many striking similarities shared by all near-death experiences (NDEs), and uncovers secrets and opens the doors to a powerful message of love from the frontier between life and death.

Raymond Moody's research throws new light on the following topics:
--how recent findings in medicine, psychiatry and sociology bring us closer to unravelling mankind's greatest mystery: what happens to us after we die?
--Startling, newly confirmed phenomena such as: the experience of meeting one's loved ones in the afterlife and the ability to 'tap into' knowledge of any sort
--What the moving near-death experiences of children can teach us
--Why NDE's inspire permanent change, greater appreciation of life, more concern for others, increased belief in an afterlife, and decreased fear of death
--Why doctors want more research into near-death experiences-and much more

Based on Dr Moody's groundbreaking studies, 'The Light Beyond' offers both answers and peace of mind to anyone who has ever wondered about death and beyond.

Genres: Nonfiction, Spirituality, Psychology, Science, Paranormal, Death, Philosophy

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

Raymond Moody, M.D., Ph.D. is the bestselling author of eleven books which have sold over 20 million copies. His seminal work, Life After Life, has completely changed the way we view death and dying and has sold over 13 million copies worldwide. His latest book is GLIMPSES OF ETERNITY: Sharing a Loved One's Passage from this Life to the Next.

Dr. Moody is the leading authority on the "near-death experience"--a phrase he coined in the late seventies. He is best known for his ground-breaking work on the near-death experience and what happens when we die. The New York Times calls Dr. Moody "the father of the near-death experience."

Dr. Moody has enlightened and entertained audiences all over the world for over three decades. He lectures on such topics as: Near Death Experiences, Death With Dignity, Life After Loss, Surviving Grief & Finding Hope, Reunions: Visionary Encounters With Departed Loved Ones, The Healing Power of Humor, The Loss of Children, The Logic of Nonsense, and Catastrophic Tragedies & Events causing collective grief response.

In addition to his writing and lecturing, he is in the private practice of philosophical counseling and consulting on dying. Dr. Moody also trains hospice workers, clergy, psychologists, nurses, doctors, and other medical professionals on matters of grief recovery and dying. He helps people to identify systems of support and to cope with their anxiety, grief, and loss through better understanding of mourning and bereavement.

Dr. Moody received his medical degree from the College of Georgia and his Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Virginia where he also received his M.A. and B.A.

He is the recipient of many awards including the World Humanitarian Award and a bronze medal in the Human Relations category at the New York Film Festival for the movie version of Life After Life.

Dr. Moody is a frequent media guest and has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show three times, as well as on hundreds of other local and nationally syndicated programs such as MSNBC: Grief Recovery, Today, ABC's Turning Point, and hundreds more.

Reviews

[Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been fascinated with the phenomenon of the NDE for years. This book is less about Moody's personal experience as it as an overview of the various research and theories developed by others in the Near Death Studies field since Moody's landmark Book, LIFE AFTER LIFE was fist published in 1975. It also serves as a self-justification for the author's own research and explorations.

To Moody's credit he recognizes that NDE research cannot be submitted to the rigors of the scientific method and the evidence is only anecdotal. However, he demonstrates how the phenomenon cannot be simply dismissed easily as simply things such as, Birth Tunnel Rememberance, C02 Overload, Mental Illness, Brain Opiate (endorphin) hallucinations or that it is simply the product of the religious minded reacting to fear in the final moments of death. It is also not the product of it being a part of our current pop culture either.

Raymond Moody is not only an MD, but holds advanced degrees in Philosophy as well. Dr. Moody is a trustworthy guide into the world of NDEs and despite his own personal feelings about the experience lending credence to life after physical death he does not get wrapped up or carried away and presents the information honestly. He understands the limitations of the inquiry. It is natural for human beings to fear or be concerned about death. The research of Raymond Moody suggests that we have nothing really to worry about at all.

[Tim Malone · Rating 4 out of 5]

The follow-up to Dr. Moody’s best-selling first book, Life After Life, this must-read book adds to our knowledge of the spirit world as we learn about meeting deceased loved ones in the afterlife, experiencing an increase in knowledge and the ability to absorb knowledge, the idea of guardian angels, and the way an NDE changes us. As I’ve written elsewhere, my own NDE way back in 1974 changed my life forever. I did not go as deep into it as many experienced and mine was a descent into hell but I was never the same again. My values changed. I understood better the purpose of life and decided I wanted to use my life to prepare to the fullest for my eventual transition to the spirit world. This book addresses the transforming power of NDEs in the lives of those who survive and provides helpful commentary on why an NDE isn’t mental illness, something that is still a problem in our society. If someone claims they almost died and want to tell you about it, then we should be kind and listen with love. Who knows, you might learn something. I know I have.

[Patricia Hatch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I believe in near death experience.

I worked as a nurse for more than twenty years. I treated patients of the dying. People taking to people who are not there. That is when I knew these people were crossing over. I have heard people say" what do you mean it's not my time" I have experienced many people getting ready to die and they can't wait to leave. I believe there is more beyond this life.

[Madeleine Corfier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow ein sehr interessantes & zum
Nachdenken anregendes Buch. Der Philosoph & Arzt Raymond A. Moody nimmt einen mit in die sehr spannende & faszinierende Welt der Todesnähe Erlebnisse. Er hat diesen Begriff seit seinem Buch ‚Leben nach dem Tod‘. Er beleuchtet diese Ereignisse aus sehr vielen wissenschaftlichen & spirituellen Punkten , zeigt Zusammenhänge & gibt viele Erklärungen. Sehr interessant fand ich dass es wohl bei einem suizid gefährdeten Patienten nach einem Todes Nähe Erlebnisse keine Gefahr mehr besteht. Oder wie das ganze Phänomen sich bei Kindern abspielt (die ja noch keine so Vorstellungen wie Erwachsene vom
Tod haben. Am Ende lässt uns dass Buch mit viel neuem Fach Wissen & Hoffnung zurück, für mich war es eine große Bereicherung , ich kann es nur empfehlen auch zu lesen…

‚Dinge sind real , wenn ihre Folgen real sind.‘ (S. 67)

‚Ich habe natürlich viel darüber nachgedacht. Meiner Meinung nach bin ich gestorben. Ich bin da gewesen, wo man hin kommt , wenn man stirbt. Ich habe jetzt keine Angst mehr vor dem Sterben. Ich habe dort gelernt , dass es das wichtigste ist zu lieben, solange man lebt.‘ (S75)

‚Ich erkannte, dass der Tod unser größtes Geheimnis ist & wir alle danach streben , es zu lösen.
Todesnähe-Erlebnisse faszinieren uns, weil sie den greifbarsten Beweis für eine spirituelle Existenz erbringen, den es überhaupt gibt. Sie sind buchstäblich das Licht am Ende des Tunnels.‘ (S.115)

[Nic · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been wanting to read Raymond Moody's books about near death experiences for some time. I was disappointed in this book in that it feels very brief and not an in depth exploration on this subject. Maybe his first book, Life After Life is more thorough, as this is a sequel. Raymond Moody lists a set of elements experienced by NDEs (near death experiencers) and the percentage of the study group who experienced each element. Throughout the book he goes into depth on each element with the exception of the Precognition element. Precognition and parapsychological experiences are mentioned as occurring in some patients who have experienced NDEs, however, he does not discuss them, in depth, except for the mention of a veteran who claimed that he could predict with 100 percent accuracy who was going to be killed or injured before a conflict. 129 Also this: All of this says to me that every time we think we've opened a door of understanding on NDEs, we find several more doors to open. In this case, other parapsychological issues arise in the course of investigating NDEs. For them, and for NDEs, I have no explanation, only assumptions. 129 I would like to hear more statistics on the percentages of patients who experience precognition after a NDE and to what extent. Do some have more, stronger precognition episodes than others? Also, it would be nice to list, among the statistics, how long patients were considered clinically dead. If a person is dead longer, do they have a stronger experience? I would like more information on the statistics and how they were acquired. For example: They conducted in-depth interviews with forty-one people who were clinically dead or near death as a result of accident, illness, or suicide. Out of this group, a total of fifty NDEs were reported. 145 I'm not quite sure how you get 50 NDEs out of a group of 41 people. There's minimal explanation on data collection. So, my 3 stars rating is based on the weak presentation of the science behind the studies. However, I do find the topic fascinating and am grateful for Dr. Moody to venture into this topic which many won't take serious or even believe. It's beneficial for those who've experienced an NDE to have a resource to turn to and to feel assured that they're not alone in their experience. Many of these patients, especially in the past, were not believed and were even referred to psychiatric care for mentioning their experience. I look forward to reading Life After Life

Excerpts I enjoyed:

One big thing I learned when I died was that we are all part of one big, living universe. If we think we can hurt another person or another living thing without hurting ourselves, we are sadly mistaken. 34

Dr. Greyson is a doctor of emergency psychiatry at the University of Connecticut and deals with attempted suicides on a daily basis. He finds that if you compare a group of people who have had NDEs as a result of attempting suicide with a group who didn't have NDEs while attempting suicide, you will find that almost none of the NDEers attempt to kill themselves again. On the other hand, a high percentage of the people who didn't have an NDE will try again to commit suicide. So having an NDE tends to resolve suicidal inclinations. 77

By and large though, the very religious come back from NDEs very nondenominational. They report that God is more interested in the spiritual aspects of religion than the dogmatic ones. 144

Although these out-of-body experiences might be the most solid scientific reason to believe in life hereafter, the most impressive thing about NDEs to me is the enormous changes in personality that they bring about in people. That NDEs totally transform the people to whom they happen show their reality and power. 154

[Terry Earley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, I should have read his classic "Life After Life" first, but this was a gift, and I must say it was fascinating and affirming. I personally have a very strong conviction that life goes on after death, and Moody and his fellow researchers confirm it.

He also responds very specifically to skeptics who insist that it must be chemical or some kind of hallucination. Neither possibility can explain how clearly and specifically these subjects can describe their surroundings after "death". It is also quite remarkable how each has such a positive outcome from their experience. Nearly all attest that only two things are carried into the next life, Love and knowledge. After their experience, both are what becomes the focus of their life.

Now, I am starting "Life After Life" to read more of these experiences.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Moody's book on near death experiences, way back in 1974. It was newly out and I was fascinated with it when I was a teenager. I never forgot what I read, and I've read other books about near death experiences since then. YOu can imagine that during the time from when I first read that original book, and now...things have changed in my life quite a bit. I got three degrees in science, one from medical school. I took care of my mother in law within the past few years who was dying of Lewy Body Dementia. I raised three children. I lost a child. All of these experiences have had a big impact on my thinking. So when I saw this book, I thought I should read it and see how I feel now about Moody's research.

More and more people are researching near death experiences. This book was written several years later, when more people had had these experiences and shared them. This book included children who had experienced them as well. I found it very important that these were shared. I know from being in Neuroscience, scientists try to explain these experiences as chemical actions of the body while its shutting down. That might be somewhat true from research I've done, but it doesn't explain why so many people including children who have not been exposed to religion or the other experiences of life end up having very similar experiences. There is a list of common experiences that all these people have, one of which is the bright light. Another is meeting someone who guides, and the feeling of peace and love. I've never forgotten my feelings when I read that first book fifty some odd years ago, and frankly, this book confirmed those thoughts and feelings, in spite of all the science I've been exposed to. These books offer comfort, and that is never wrong.

[Sian · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very interesting read and all quite fascinating.

[Dark-Draco · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whether you are a believer or not, this book is a fascinating look at NDEs (Near Death Experiences). It covers a few different researchers and shows that many people who have NDEs experience the same things. The chapter on children was probably the most interesting, as they have no preconceived notions of what NDEs are, and yet they report the same things as adults.

The book is showing its age in places (the idea that NDEs and the act of becoming more spiritual is in response to the threat of being blown up by a nuclear bomb!) and there are a few times when I felt the author was a bit too dismissive of apposing views or ideas. But on the whole I enjoyed contemplating the phenomenon is a new way.

[Ellen Jeskey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Evidence that memories of life after death does exist!

This book leaves one with a feeling of peacefulness as ones fears are put to rest and their feelings of reassurance of hope that there is life, happiness or positive things to look forward to after death!

[D.B. Barton · Rating 5 out of 5]

After losing my daughter of 4 years old to a kidney disease, I was so thirsty to hear about the after life. Moody's book, along with others about the NDE, saved my life. For anyone who has lost a loved one, please know that there's a heaven and a God, and your separation is only temporary.

[Michael Hentrich · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good quick read. I'm enjoyed his previous book so much and wanted to see what the sequel held. Although not as good as the original, I still found it to have many noteworthy points and fascinating stories of patients and their NDEs

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devoured this book.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eye opener!

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another after death book, but I think it is one of the first ones written, so it is better than some of the newest ones. Life after death seems very likely.

[Lauren Carrington · Rating 3 out of 5]

I first read Life after Life in combination with Reflections on Life after Life. I found those books to be more affecting and interesting.

[Norma Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent reading

I enjoyed very much reading this book. I’m very interested in what happens to us after death. Especially as I age.

[The Overflowing Inkwell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as good as the first/original book, as this was mostly just a rehash of that original work.

[Steven H · Rating 5 out of 5]

ANOTHER SUPPLEMENT TO "LIFE AFTER LIFE" AND "REFLECTIONS ON..."

Raymond A. Moody, Jr. (born 1944) is both a philosopher and psychiatrist. He has written many other books, such as: 'Life After Life,' 'Reflections on Life After Life,' 'Coming Back,' 'Reunions: Visionary Encounters With Departed Loved Ones,' 'The Last Laugh: A New Philosophy of Near-Death Experiences, Apparitions, and the Paranormal,' etc.

He wrote in the first chapter of this 1988 book, "The work we have done over the past decade has shed a tremendous amount of light on this subject. We have been able to address most of the questions put forth by those who feel that the near-death experience is little more than a mental illness or the brain playing tricks on itself. Frankly, it has been good to have the skeptics around, because it has made us look at this phenomenon much harder than we probably would have otherwise. Much of what we researchers have found is included in this book." (Pg. 5)

He states, "I was able to derive a set of nine traits that define the near-death experience... In 'Life After Life' I said that I had never met anyone who had experienced all of these traits while undergoing an NDE. But since writing that book, I have interviewed more than a thousand NDEers and have found several who had 'full-blown' episodes that exhibited all nine NDE traits. Still, it's important to note that not all people ... have all of the following symptoms. Some might have one or two, others five or six. It is the presence of one or more of these traits that define the NDE." (Pg. 7)

He admits, "since all of the NDEers returned, they were never really dead. What happened was that various criteria of death were fulfilled... Although they are very near death, by definition they aren't there yet. Many of these situations bring into question the five-minute rule, which states that if the heart stops for more than five minutes, there is no reason to continue resuscitation because the brain would be hopelessly starved of oxygen. With modern resuscitation techniques, this rule of thumb may have to be reconsidered." (Pg. 82-83) He also concedes, "As it now stands, [NDEs] are just anecdotal evidence... science can't accept these stories as proof of anything but the existence of something that happens to people who almost die." (Pg. 103)

He confides, "Doing near-death experience research has changed my life in many ways. For one thing, I have become more 'spiritual.' Not 'religious,' mind you, but spiritual... What is the basic message that the NDEer comes away with? That knowledge and love are the most important things. It is the formal religions that have added all the dogma and doctrine." (Pg. 162-163)

Fans of Moody's earlier books will also love this one.

[Missy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was expecting this book to be more compelling, but maybe it wasn't because I already believe in the afterlife and unseen spiritual reality. I felt like a lot of the writing was trying to convince the reader of the reality of NDEs. One chapter was speculating about why NDEs intrigue us. Another chapter was dedicated to explaining how NDEs cannot be explained as various mental disorders.
My favorite part was how people's lives were transformed after the experience. I believe there are many aspects of "dying to ourselves" that can produce the same effects, so this chapter made sense to me and was encouraging.
But I was annoyed at a chapter on researchers that included silly conjecture from a philosopher. His section smacked more of ouija boards than science.

[Joanna Bold · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed the book. It's more a discussion of the validity of NDEs rather than the accounts themselves. Some interesting points of discussion, & Moody clearly confirms his belief in an afterlife but not from a 'religious' viewpoint. I found this book interesting, I didn't agree with all aspects of it & it's hard to be 'objective' when I have firmly held beliefs of my own. I would like to read some of his other books.

[Lisa in AZ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not really much here

I've had several out of body and NDE experiences. My reaction to this book is . it's all so obvious. The author insists on framing his research h in a scientific box. He has experienced none of it first hand. He is reacting to shadows of someone else's experiences

[Olea Nel · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent summation of the research

This book draws the threads together of what is known of NDEs. While I haven't read LIFE AFTER LIFE I have read IMAGINE HEAVEN by Burke in which he mentions examples recorded by Moody. What I think is missing, is a discussion of those NDEers who have negative experiences. Otherwise a good summation.

[taskeinc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read !

Mr. Moody was the best at writing metaphysical books! Myriad plausible examples, tons of research. The hundreds of thousands of people interviewed, most say pretty much the same about the beauty, the peace, the serenity... and no one wants to return.

[Lynda B Buermann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing look at NDEs!

I enjoyed reading the actual cases of people who have experienced an NDE. There are. so many commonalities that it makes one wonder if there is an actual life after this life.

[w gall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moody is the first to write of near death experiences. This is his second book. He addresses the views of the skeptics with good arguments and evidence. He does draw some conclusions from the evidence that are simply opinions.

[Kim Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ten years after the bestselling Life After Life - a follow up by this doctor author which sets out the fascinating similiaries for people arouond the world when it comes to near death experiences (dying during surgery, an accident, etc., and coming back from death).

[Glenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it because it’s has amazing true stories !!!

Have read Dr Moody’s first book a long time ago . I am elderly now and hope this is true. It might help with fear of death and also transform your life now.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and enjoyable

[John Will · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moody is great, and this book is no exception. Loved it!