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Life in the World Unseen
This is the first in a number of books that claim to be the words of Monsignor Robert Hugh Benson, as received by Anthony Borgia. They have proved very popular, possibly because he was a prolific writer while alive, and held a senior position in the Catholic Church. This volume was first published in 1954 and achieved its eleventh reprint by 1960. While this book covers many interesting topics, the reader should not assume that because Benson was a scholarly academic of a religious bent, that he is suddenly a highly competent spirit narrator. Nevertheless I believe the book is valuable, as a typical tale of what happens to many people post death. The spirit telling the tale in this case is an ex-catholic, Monsignor Robert Hugh Benson. In spite of his previous religious background, he tells us a tale largely devoid of religious comment, save for his indignation at what he previously believed and indeed wrote as a mortal. He does not cover advanced spiritual topics such as achieving the new birth, in fact he has quite limited comment on these matters, reserving them for another book entitled "Facts." The topics include passing over, the magnificence of the spheres, how they move around, eating fruits, their cities and buildings. How buildings are constructed, hospitals and children. A number of topics are better covered here than anywhere else I have found, including the issue of garments, movement, and even boating. Yes boating. For those of us who like boating!
202 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1970
168 people are currently reading
303 people want to read
About the author
Anthony Borgia
56 books14 followersAnthony Borgia was a medium who transcribed the thoughts of a deceased priest and author whom he had known in life; the Catholic priest's name was Monsignor Robert Hugh Benson (1871-1914), and he was a son of a former Archbishop of Canterbury, Edward White Benson.
From the Next World, the spirit priest dictated a wealth of scripts to his friend, Anthony Borgia, and many of these were converted into books. He has a great deal to say, which he hopes will correct the teachings contained in his previous influential Christian books, written when he was living on earth. He speaks about Life in the Spirit World, the Orthodox Church, religious belief, faith, spirit communication, mediumship, and what existence is really like for those who have crossed over into the next stages of life.
His teachings are frank and honest: they pull no punches, but they are delivered in a spirit of compassion and helpfulness.
From the Next World, the spirit priest dictated a wealth of scripts to his friend, Anthony Borgia, and many of these were converted into books. He has a great deal to say, which he hopes will correct the teachings contained in his previous influential Christian books, written when he was living on earth. He speaks about Life in the Spirit World, the Orthodox Church, religious belief, faith, spirit communication, mediumship, and what existence is really like for those who have crossed over into the next stages of life.
His teachings are frank and honest: they pull no punches, but they are delivered in a spirit of compassion and helpfulness.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
November 11, 2007
Imagine, if you will (do I sound like Rod Serling?) that an alien comes to earth, and asking what life on earth is like, you tell him about your life. Is that what life on this planet is? Well, to a very small degree, it is. It is the story of YOUR life in this world.
This book purports to be the story of one person's life on the other side, after he passed away. IT claims to tell about a man who had been a priest on earth in England (I believe he died in the 1920s). When he had been alive he had sermonized, lectured, and even wrote about that the afterlife is like. When he got to the other side, he was quite chagrined to learn how wrong he had been. He sought and received permission to dictate back to someone still on earth who was a "sensitive," someone who would hear what he was dictating. This is supposedly his story.
It is part of a 3 volume set that is very interesting, but very poorly edited (spelling, typos, etc.) Despite that, I would recommend it very highly to anyone who thinks they have some preconceived notions of what the afterlife is like.
And if you don't believe it, let's meet when we get to the other side and discuss it. Was it right or not?
This book purports to be the story of one person's life on the other side, after he passed away. IT claims to tell about a man who had been a priest on earth in England (I believe he died in the 1920s). When he had been alive he had sermonized, lectured, and even wrote about that the afterlife is like. When he got to the other side, he was quite chagrined to learn how wrong he had been. He sought and received permission to dictate back to someone still on earth who was a "sensitive," someone who would hear what he was dictating. This is supposedly his story.
It is part of a 3 volume set that is very interesting, but very poorly edited (spelling, typos, etc.) Despite that, I would recommend it very highly to anyone who thinks they have some preconceived notions of what the afterlife is like.
And if you don't believe it, let's meet when we get to the other side and discuss it. Was it right or not?
April 7, 2020
I am surprised more people have not heard of this book. Though I do not agree with everything the author wrote, I very much liked his perspective on the after-life. I wholeheartedly concurred with his declaration that hell is what we make for ourselves and that any torment we suffer is due to what we do here on earth. This should be a must-read for anyone with diminishing faith in God or life after death.
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March 22, 2017Monsignor Robert Hugh Benson, once in spirit, was dissatisfied with his spiritual writings as a clergyman on the earth plane, and came through to set the record straight with the help of his medium friend Anthony Borgia. The result is Life in the World Unseen, a cornucopia of colours, sounds, fragrances and pointers that answer some of your questions and make you want to ask hundreds more.
Many reviewers place some pretty meaningful quotation marks around the ‘true account’ part of this book’s description and, in fairness, I can see why. As a medium, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t believe the premise, but I’d also be lying if I said I take every word as gospel. The number of times I’ve asked spirit “really?” as I read would make you laugh. But mostly the answer came back “maybe not exactly, but yes”.
First and foremost, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It has a wonderful charm that only books of a bygone era can have. The charm, though, is probably what detracts from its power to ring true at every step. At first I was reminded of Chaucer’s Parliament of Fowles – the fantastical medieval epic poem that journeys into a realm of surreal unreality. As I read on, various points rang true and my confidence grew.
If you’ve ever questioned what it’s like in the world of spirit, how it looks or how it feels, you could do worse than this book to give you a guided tour. I think, where it seems like fantasy or whimsy, it helps to remember that to explain the sights, experiences and extent of the spirit realm in terms relatable to a person still incarnate on the earth plane, it will always sound surreal. It takes many years to become so experienced at working with spirit that you’d build up a picture as detailed as this gives in one relatively brief book.
Life in the World Unseen is one of several books by Borgia and Benson in collaboration. I have one other still to read and although I have tons more to get through, I know I will pick up the other Borgia book fairly soon.
Many reviewers place some pretty meaningful quotation marks around the ‘true account’ part of this book’s description and, in fairness, I can see why. As a medium, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t believe the premise, but I’d also be lying if I said I take every word as gospel. The number of times I’ve asked spirit “really?” as I read would make you laugh. But mostly the answer came back “maybe not exactly, but yes”.
First and foremost, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It has a wonderful charm that only books of a bygone era can have. The charm, though, is probably what detracts from its power to ring true at every step. At first I was reminded of Chaucer’s Parliament of Fowles – the fantastical medieval epic poem that journeys into a realm of surreal unreality. As I read on, various points rang true and my confidence grew.
If you’ve ever questioned what it’s like in the world of spirit, how it looks or how it feels, you could do worse than this book to give you a guided tour. I think, where it seems like fantasy or whimsy, it helps to remember that to explain the sights, experiences and extent of the spirit realm in terms relatable to a person still incarnate on the earth plane, it will always sound surreal. It takes many years to become so experienced at working with spirit that you’d build up a picture as detailed as this gives in one relatively brief book.
Life in the World Unseen is one of several books by Borgia and Benson in collaboration. I have one other still to read and although I have tons more to get through, I know I will pick up the other Borgia book fairly soon.
March 11, 2018
One of the most fascinating books I've ever read. Robert Benson was a Roman Catholic priest who became famous for several novels he had written during his lifetime. When he passed he realized that most of what he had written wasn't truth. One of his most notable books was "The Necromancers" where he ridiculed and condemned spirit communication as the work of the devil. When Benson crossed over he began channelling his descriptions of heaven to a clairaudient medium Anthony Borgia. Borgia was only a child, when he first met Monsignor Benson and was only 13 when passed away, but had always regarded the priest with affection and reverence. "Life in the World Unseen" was first published in 1954 and is now in it's thirteenth printing. It can also be downloaded online for free. It is one of several books dictated by Benson to Borgia who also passed away in 1989 at age 93. If you've ever wondered what heaven is like this is essential reading. There are 15 chapters describing heaven in great detail. Benson begins by giving background into his earth life, describes what it felt like when he was crossing over, and gives vivid descriptions on every aspect of heaven. There are detailed chapters on his first experiences in heaven, homes for rest for newly deceased, halls of learning and music, types of work in heaven, the darker realms, flowers, soil, building methods, time and space, recreation, the children's sphere, famous people, organization, and the higher realms. One thing Benson makes clear is that there are many levels and dimensions in heaven, and you earn your place in heaven through service to others. He also stresses that it was never intended that there be a separation of communication between heaven and earth, and that gradually the channels of communication will be more open. If you have ever had a fear of death and dying this is one of the best books you could read. Benson paints a picture of the afterlife of a place of beauty, opportunity, and vastness beyond anything our mortal minds could imagine.
May 14, 2014
Robert Hugh Benson was a Catholic priest who discovered when he transitioned that things he had written during his lifetime were in error, so through his friend Anthony Borgia he wrote a series of books of which this is the first and the best. Many researchers consider this to be the most comprehensive and accessible account of the afterlife ever communicated to us.
March 26, 2008
A priest has a near death experience that completely changes his relgious views and his life. It is along the lines of Betty Edie's books. It had a big impact on me and my husband Ren. Easy read.
August 28, 2013
I pick this book up again and again. It's like a reference book, an autobiography and a novel all under one cover.
September 4, 2017
Very interesting description of life in the spirit world. Whether it is exactly like that, we won't know until we get there, but I have enjoyed reading all about it and a lot of questions I had on the subject have now been answered, despite the many spelling mistakes!
August 26, 2019
This was an awesome read!! I have read a lot of books about the afterlife,none of them went into such beautiful detail as this one. If you are curious about the afterlife or want to prepare yourself for what happens when we did I highly recommend this book.This book left me filled with love and hope for ALL our souls.
I can't imagine anyone will continue to fear death after reading this book, unless you have lived a selfish life;)
I can't imagine anyone will continue to fear death after reading this book, unless you have lived a selfish life;)
February 26, 2015
Excellent read. Ranking this book up with the esoteric classics.
December 6, 2021
Have you ever wondered what the afterlife will be like? Will you face fire and brimstone—or a glorious heaven filled with love? Or perhaps you doubt if there really is an afterlife? Maybe our life on earth is all that there is. Personally, I hope not.
However, if you are curious about such things, you might enjoy reading the book, Life in the World Unseen, by Anthony Borgia. This is not a new book by any means. In fact, it is a very old book as it was first published in the 1950’s from my understanding.
So what is the book about? It is an account of what the afterlife is really like based on the experiences of a priest who died in 1914. After his death, the priest (Monsignor Robert Hugh Benson) provided a detailed look into the different realms of the afterlife—from the lowest to the highest. The priest wished to clarify/correct some misinformation that he had helped to spread in his lifetime. He wanted to tell the truth about the afterlife.
You might be wondering—how could a deceased priest write a book? Well, the explanation presented is this. At a certain point after his death, the priest was able to communicate with a medium that he had known during his time on the earth-plane. The medium was Anthony Borgia, and the priest’s words were channeled through him.
I don’t feel that you need to believe in mediums nor in this version of the afterlife to find this an interesting book. You only need a willingness to learn about what others might believe.
Basically, this book provides a description of the different realms of the afterlife. It also firmly sets forth the idea that one reaps what he or she sows. However, it also explains that when or if a soul has a genuine wish (a spark of light within), it is possible to evolve and move to a higher spiritual realm. However, the book also states this: “The urge must come from within the fallen soul himself.”
The book describes in great detail the overwhelming beauty and wonder of the higher realms and the “ugliness” that is found in the lower realms. It also describes the process of death, or more precisely, the process of crossing over. Additionally, there is a discussion of spirit guides, communication between the spirit world and the earth-plane, and how the spirit world influences the earthly world. Further, there is a very interesting section on the children’s sphere.
At times, however, I found the descriptions to be overly “detailed,” and I skimmed over some paragraphs. However, that is really my only negative comment.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is even somewhat interested in the afterlife.
However, if you are curious about such things, you might enjoy reading the book, Life in the World Unseen, by Anthony Borgia. This is not a new book by any means. In fact, it is a very old book as it was first published in the 1950’s from my understanding.
So what is the book about? It is an account of what the afterlife is really like based on the experiences of a priest who died in 1914. After his death, the priest (Monsignor Robert Hugh Benson) provided a detailed look into the different realms of the afterlife—from the lowest to the highest. The priest wished to clarify/correct some misinformation that he had helped to spread in his lifetime. He wanted to tell the truth about the afterlife.
You might be wondering—how could a deceased priest write a book? Well, the explanation presented is this. At a certain point after his death, the priest was able to communicate with a medium that he had known during his time on the earth-plane. The medium was Anthony Borgia, and the priest’s words were channeled through him.
I don’t feel that you need to believe in mediums nor in this version of the afterlife to find this an interesting book. You only need a willingness to learn about what others might believe.
Basically, this book provides a description of the different realms of the afterlife. It also firmly sets forth the idea that one reaps what he or she sows. However, it also explains that when or if a soul has a genuine wish (a spark of light within), it is possible to evolve and move to a higher spiritual realm. However, the book also states this: “The urge must come from within the fallen soul himself.”
The book describes in great detail the overwhelming beauty and wonder of the higher realms and the “ugliness” that is found in the lower realms. It also describes the process of death, or more precisely, the process of crossing over. Additionally, there is a discussion of spirit guides, communication between the spirit world and the earth-plane, and how the spirit world influences the earthly world. Further, there is a very interesting section on the children’s sphere.
At times, however, I found the descriptions to be overly “detailed,” and I skimmed over some paragraphs. However, that is really my only negative comment.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is even somewhat interested in the afterlife.
October 14, 2020
An intellectually lightweight and disturbing book which describes a plastic style level higher realm inhabited by an elite that have access to a viewing area where they can observe the torture going on with the human 'creatures' in the lower realms who had not conformed to spiritualist religion. Their plight is described in the most lurid infernal way as they wallow in filth and are subjected to centuries of continuous torment. They had been cast into doom for as little as declining to believe in spirits during their earthly life .
The author has not a hint of scientific explanation as he attempts to describe a material yet spiritual world using colours and textures. Soil becomes a synthetic grain which is refined in the higher realms but is gross in the lower. In this place that apparently doesn't rain the Flowers similarly are a kind of plastic and are beautiful for the elite but dead like everything else for the creatures. The whole work though clearly written by a person of an articulate education is nonetheless on the level of a child who might rewrite a hell. Confused how to describe a divine place made of spiritual energy which the author claimed retains solidity. All of the description's expect the reader to accept the most vague details related to the spiritual solids these planes exist of. Stone & concrete possess a rubbery springy property for example but no attempt is made to explain that not the entirely plastic make up on the entire place.
If the author wanted to contrive a fear mongering grimoire to help people to be scared of not being a spiritualist he may of succeeded. Otherwise anyone can see that this is just the old testament customised to inflict fear upon psychic & mediums who get a nu plastic age afterlife and a viewing window into the devils parlours.
The author has not a hint of scientific explanation as he attempts to describe a material yet spiritual world using colours and textures. Soil becomes a synthetic grain which is refined in the higher realms but is gross in the lower. In this place that apparently doesn't rain the Flowers similarly are a kind of plastic and are beautiful for the elite but dead like everything else for the creatures. The whole work though clearly written by a person of an articulate education is nonetheless on the level of a child who might rewrite a hell. Confused how to describe a divine place made of spiritual energy which the author claimed retains solidity. All of the description's expect the reader to accept the most vague details related to the spiritual solids these planes exist of. Stone & concrete possess a rubbery springy property for example but no attempt is made to explain that not the entirely plastic make up on the entire place.
If the author wanted to contrive a fear mongering grimoire to help people to be scared of not being a spiritualist he may of succeeded. Otherwise anyone can see that this is just the old testament customised to inflict fear upon psychic & mediums who get a nu plastic age afterlife and a viewing window into the devils parlours.
May 30, 2022
This drew me in from the first page. Descriptions were in depth and fascinating, largely in line with much of what I already understand of the spirit world. I will probably look for his other books. I loved the descriptions of music and art. Definitely gives one something to look forward to in terms of ongoing learning opportunities. The idea of self judgement also makes perfect sense; we are not forced to progress, but move ahead as we are ready to change and accept more truth. There is compassion and help available to those who choose darkness, but not until they are ready to make a different choice. This perfectly honors the idea of agency. There is much to think about here.
September 20, 2018
A thought provoking read.
I found this to be different from other books along this line of thinking. This first person account was something that I looked forward to each evening and I was kind of sad to reach the end. It has some typos, mostly like autocorrect on a smartphone. But it is easy enough to read. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in this topic. Enjoy! I did.
I found this to be different from other books along this line of thinking. This first person account was something that I looked forward to each evening and I was kind of sad to reach the end. It has some typos, mostly like autocorrect on a smartphone. But it is easy enough to read. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in this topic. Enjoy! I did.
July 28, 2020
Sweet
This book is somewhat difficult to read, as the formatting is often quite off. Worth it however, as it is a very sweet and inspirational visit to the world of spirit to which we will all eventually journey. Well worth your time.
This book is somewhat difficult to read, as the formatting is often quite off. Worth it however, as it is a very sweet and inspirational visit to the world of spirit to which we will all eventually journey. Well worth your time.
April 13, 2012
Wonderful exploration of the universe beyond what we can see.
May 22, 2024
Although this book wouldn’t be for everyone I enjoyed it. Took me almost 2 years to finish. Definitely took my time. But if you enjoy the paranormal and books about the afterlife this is for you! It’s supposedly the channeled spirit of a high Catholic priest who had been friends with the author while on the earth. He wants to let people know that the afterlife is much different from what he preached about while on the earth including being a much more accepting and loving place. And it’s up to the soul to determine where they are in the different levels of the afterlife spheres. This made more sense to me than many of the religious and spiritual books that I’ve read.
July 13, 2022
Whether it is indeed a channelled work or not - it might simply be a fiction book - is irrelevant for me. It resonated for me in a deep level and I was excited about the story itself. So for me it was worth reading.
September 27, 2019
I love it.
September 1, 2022
I found the writing spellbinding. I was disappointed that no mention was made of animals in the spirit world. There were many typos and grammar mistakes !
May 20, 2024
Fascinating!
May 12, 2025
Life in the World Unseen by Anthony Borgia is a spiritual classic that offers a detailed account of the afterlife, channeled through Borgia by Monsignor Robert Hugh Benson, a former Catholic priest who died in 1914. First published in the 1950s, the book describes Benson’s experiences in the spirit world, aiming to correct misconceptions from his earthly teachings. It explores various realms of the afterlife, from the lowest to the highest, emphasizing that the spirit world is not a place of eternal reward or punishment but a continuation of the soul’s journey toward enlightenment. Key themes include free will, spiritual evolution, and the absence of traditional religious dogma, with vivid descriptions of the spirit world’s beauty, occupations, and daily life. The book addresses questions about heaven, hell, and the nature of existence after death, offering hope and reassurance to readers curious about the afterlife. Despite skepticism about its channeled origins, it remains a compelling and uplifting read for those exploring spiritual and metaphysical topics.
View my complete review at: https://wp.me/p9J5H9-kT
View my complete review at: https://wp.me/p9J5H9-kT
January 12, 2012
This book was very interesting and there are some things that match up to Latter-day Saint theology.
August 22, 2016
Eyeopener.
February 1, 2017
Título em português: A vida nos mundos invisíveis - Robert Hugh Benson
Want to read
May 9, 2013wdmc bibliography
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews