Anchali’s Reviews > The Roads Chosen > Status Update

I've liked it to share it, not because I like what Charlie has posted. I've heard of this. When the author brings the phenomenon into play (page 41), I did sit and think for a time. Is there anyone out there who can add to this?

Someone, I'm 99% sure, on GR has mentioned this phenomenon and having first-hand/second-hand knowledge of it. I've looked but cannot find the post. It is something that does get talked of. Anyone?

A few months before I joined the care home staff a resident passed before the morning change over. Trying to be considerate, the staff waited for a short time before phoning his wife. There was no answer. They tried a few times. She had gone to neighbour and asked for transport. They arrived at the home: she knew. She told the staff when he died. It is still talked of today when a resident passes on.

Just now, I'm unable to give you the data. I'll ask my brother. He's a psychologist. We spoke of this when he was an undergrad. It's a recognised, unexplained (by science), phenomenon. There is data, a large amount anecdotal. It must be on the Net somewhere. Recordable data came out of the Great Wars: wives: brothers, sisters, knowing of the death, injury of the other before they were told by the authorities. Also, in WW2, soldiers overseas knew a loved one had been killed/injured in the blitz...... Anyone?

Folks, I'm of the mind we put this up as a discussion. Fringe Fiction? It may attract more comments: it is, Gail suggests, a recognised phenomenon.

Done: Fringe Fiction - Crime, Mystery, Thriller Reccs... I'll find some time this weekend and dig around on the www.

I’ve bought the book and read the relevant chapter. It’s now on the top of my WTR pile.

My brother gave me the lead on this update......

Parapsychology: the systematic study of alleged psychological phenomena involving the transfer of information or energy that cannot be explained in terms of presently known scientific data or laws.

Empathic Death Experience: these experiences might be described as events in which a person suddenly senses the feelings of a loved one on the verge of death many miles away.

Knowing Someone Has Died: Bernard D. Beitman M.D.

Beitman named this coincidence pattern "simulpathity," from the Latin word simul, which means “simultaneous,” and the Greek root pathy, which means both “suffering” and “feeling,” as in the words sympathy and empathy. With sympathy (“suffering together”), the sympathetic person is aware of the suffering of the other. With simulpathity, the person involved is not consciously aware of the suffering of the other.

In ways yet to be explained by science, some people may experience and know that a loved one distant from them is dying or has died. Anecdotes and research data suggest this phenomenon is real and deserves further exploration.

THIS IS WORTH HIGHLIGHTING: Beitman states: “With simulpathity, more commonly, people experience the pain or distress of a person who is many miles away.”

In the relevant chapter, we find that since parting ways with Sam, Rebecca has experienced frequent bouts of discomfort.

I’m told by a qualified medical practitioner, ‘This is often talked of in the profession and that it is more widespread than many believe. Some, probably for fear of being ridiculed, may not come forward.

Thank you Jenny: my g-uncle died some years later from natural causes: he never worked after the injuries he suffered. He was a family man and devoted to his wife. My g-aunt died soon after: it was accepted by the family, she died of a broken heart.

My grandmother worked on an assembly line. She sat next to the same women day-in-day-out for years and years. One day the women dropped her tools onto the work table and turn to my grandmother. She said, "It's my husband. He's dead." She was taken to a mangers office and sat down to rest. An hour later the police arrived at her place of work. That is a true story. It was a small town. My mother said, "Everyone talked of it."

manager's office

Hi Mya, Beth has put this up for discussion on Fringe Fiction - Crime, Mystery, Thriller Recs. It's also a discussion on The Roads Chosen book page. It would be good to share your anecdote.

The topic is: Fringe Fiction, Crime, Mystery, Thriller Recs, A recognised, unexplained (by science), phenomenon. I think many people would be interested in what you've shared.

Thanks Anchali. Thanks Mya. I've posted a comment on: 'Fringe Fiction, Crime, Mystery, Thriller Recs, A recognised, unexplained (by science), phenomenon.' This is really interesting.

Thank you Iain and Kori. I will post on the relevant pages. I spoke with my Mother last night and we took the bus to spend the evening with my grandmother. I have another story that directly relates to 'simulpathity'. I will write it up on those pages. I agree, this is interesting. Talking last night gave rise to thoughts and I've spent a few hours cogitating.

I'm a Fin. I speak English, but have spent little time reading for leisure. Most of my reading is native books. Please excuse my shortcomings.

No shortcomings in what you've written, Mya. We all make the odd typing error. Thanks for sharing.

This needs a little context, I'll try and keep it short (I'll post on FF with more detail). Hubby and I worked in London for an organisation that wanted their people to network with each other (out of work shindigs). Married couple we knew for years and liked (wife did not work with us). Husband tells wife he has to work the weekend (that was common) and goes off with a younger version. Wife wakes late on the Friday night with intense stomach cramps. Gets dressed, wanders the streets, stops at a house miles from hers. A house she had no previous knowledge of. At six o'clock in the morning she starts knocking on the door. Guess who opens the door.

I've just read up on the Beitman work: Wow! I always assumed talk of this, you do hear people talk of it, was just uncorroborated gossip. It's closer to an unexplained phenomena!

Beitman states: “With simulpathity, more commonly, people experience the pain or distress of a person who is many miles away.”

Charlie states: 'That does give credence to the simulpathity Rebecca experiences.

Mya's grandmother and the injured forester - That gives credence......

Based on the information posted, I think we should classify this as a recognisable phenomenon.
'That’s big.' - I've seen the film.

Two points: Meg, what film?

When I was in training, during a boozy night we talked of this. Nobody that I know has first-hand experience, but it does get talked about. Jimp has said the same. Radar (of MASH fame) is based upon a real person (Donald Shaffer). Shaffer is talked about often when I'm with the military reserve: it is believed he could sense the impending arrival of incoming casualties, not as the helicopters crested the hill line, but 15, 20, 30 minutes before the helicopters came into view.