Enlightening Times Interview with Annamarie Hemmingway

Welcome Annamarie. It's a pleasure to have you with us.

Etimes: Can you please tell us a little about what initiated your research into near death experiences?

Annamarie: As I began to study the practice of conscious living and dying, I became very interested in narratives describing a near-death experience. As I heard more of these stories, I was profoundly moved by learning how the NDE, which contains powerful symbolism that reflects the teachings of many ancient Holy Scriptures, such as the Tibetan Book of the Dead and The Egyptian Book of the Dead, appeared to have a permanent transformative effect in the future lives of survivors of such an event. These people all described a very similar sensation of leaving the physical body at the moment of death and experiencing another realm of consciousness.

Many returned from this euphoric near-death journey with an unshakable belief in life after death and discovered a unique sense of purpose and meaning to our fleeting earthly existence. I realized the power of such life-changing stories that brought hope and strength to the dying and the bereaved and also inspired a powerful reminder of how to live in a more conscious manner. I found that my research into the phenomenon was of great help to me when my mother became terminally ill and enabled me to be fully present with her during her transition.

Etimes: Your book "Practicing Conscious Living and Dying" has had a profoundly uplifting effect on lots of people's lives. What message would you like to give those who haven't read your book and may be scared of dying?

Annamarie: I think as human beings, we all experience an unconscious fear of death and this fear is born out of the fact that death is something we do not fully understand with our five senses. Unfortunately, the way most people deal with this fear is through ignoring death, the dying and the bereaved in order to somehow forget that death is an integral part of life. For most people, death represents a fear of the unknown and the annihilation of the body and ego, which is often how most people identify themselves. 

I believe that the way to conquer fear is to become curious and expand knowledge about the fears we have, especially in regard to death, which affects every one of us at some point in our lives. My book Practicing Conscious Living and Dying, is an exploration of death from many different perspectives: religious traditions, philosophical debates, the world of ancient mythology and mystical experiences such as the NDE and deathbed visions, which occur to many people as they approach death and have visions of deceased relatives or religious entities that appear to escort them to an afterlife.

From all the wealth of material available, it is possible to see that there is a common thread--death is not the end of consciousness. Seeking out this knowledge, I believe not only helps us conquer our fear of death, but also enables us to value and appreciate life in a much more conscious manner. I also include real-life stories in the book that illustrate how death also has another face beyond that of suffering and pain and that fully engaging with death can allow the individual to become their most authentic selves and remember what is most important in life. My message to anyone who hasn't read the book and is afraid of dying is to expand your knowledge of all the sacred teachings that have been handed down the generations that can help you come to a different understanding of death as merely being a transition rather than a final ending.

Etimes: Have you ever had a near death experience yourself?

I haven't had a near-death experience, but I have experienced altered realms of consciousness many times, and my belief is that all of us do have experiences that we may not always fully recognize as originating from these realms of mystical consciousness. In my research, even amongst disbelievers, I have yet to speak to somebody, who when asked, does not recall some incident that they could not fully explain, which has had a profound effect on them.

Etimes: On the subject of discarnate entities, could you explain a little to our readers about the origin of ghosts, earthbound spirits, and attachments?

Annamarie: Throughout the evolution of human consciousness, there has been an awareness that another reality exists beyond that of the physical world. The motif of otherworldly journeys is one that is found in many ancient world mythologies and scriptures such as the Christian Bible and the Books of the Dead. Ghostly apparitions and all types of paranormal phenomenon have been recorded for thousands of years and would seem to indicate that at times of heightened awareness, it is possible to become aware of manifestations from this other realm. After death communication, following the death of a loved one, is far more common than most people would think and these experiences are so real that it leaves little doubt of their authenticity. I experienced this form of communication after the death of my mother and it inspired me to research and include a section on these experiences in the book.

In regard to earthbound spirits, I think we need to fully allow a dying person to move on in their transition rather than try and keep them physically with us and perhaps delay their journey into another form of consciousness.

Etimes: What advice would you give to someone who has recently lost a loved one, to help them to deal with the grief process?

Annamarie: Having a greater awareness of death does not necessarily mean that there is a lessening of sorrow when someone close to us dies, but it does mean that we can look upon their death in a different way. I recently lost my father and know the sadness of not having his physical presence with me. However, I also know that he was ready to leave a worn out body and move on. A few hours before my father's death, I needed to go home and have a shower and change of clothes. I was told by the nursing staff that it would be okay to leave for a while and my younger son stayed with him. He told me that he was watching the television when suddenly, he was very aware of a sense of peacefulness entering the room and he felt a presence, which he believed to be my mother. The television screen then became distorted and the images became blurred in bright colors. He walked over to my father and noticed that he seemed much calmer and was breathing peacefully. There some was some holy water that one of the nurses had brought and my son anointed my father with it---shortly after he made his transition. This experience had a profound effect on my son and one that he will be forever grateful for and cherish and I think that if we overcome our fears and become fully present, we can have such incredible experiences that change our conception of death.

Etimes: Do you think that Ancestral Consciousness plays an integral part in the makeup of our individual personalities and characteristics?

Annamarie: Yes, I do. Mystical states of consciousness whether it be an NDE, deathbed vision, after death communication or related phenomena make us aware of the interconnectedness of all living creatures. Many people's remembrance of past lives also illustrate how closely aligned we all are. I think in essence we are individual people who carry our ancestral heritage within our being.

Etimes: What are your thoughts on the forced mass vaccination issues that we are currently facing?

Annamarie: I think again that fear underlies the thoughts on mass vaccination. While it is obviously reasonable to take precautions, people should voice their opinions in this debate.

Etimes: Finally, would you care to enlighten us as to what you are currently working on.

Annamarie: I am currently working on another book that traces the history of mystical states of consciousness and illustrates how ordinary people have enlightening mystical experiences that transform their lives.

Read Practicing Conscious Living and Dying Book Review Here

Contact the Author

The heart knows that everyone is a soul incarnating for specific purposes. The earlier purposes in our series of incarnations were based on learning from the contrast between what is right compared to what is wrong. These concepts are nothing more than judgments that served important purposes in our spiritual evolution. Eventually we evolve from these types of experiences, which is mind-centered, to a point of no longer requiring judgment, which is heart-centered.

The concepts of what is right behavior and what is wrong behavior are created collectively as the outcome of a group’s mindsets and beliefs as well as personal experiences. All of these judgments are concepts, they are arbitrary, and they are always illusions from the perspective of our hearts. For example, in western culture when a man sleeps with a married woman society tends to judge her harshly. In the not too distant past the husband might even be acquitted if he killed her for that action. This is based on Adam and Eve/blame the female/women are evil when not under the control of a man, etc.

At the same time in other cultures it is a very huge honor and compliment if a man other than her husband, especially visitors, sleeps with a married woman. This is based on the survival of remote cultures needing infusions of new blood into family lines. There is no emotional drama or pain involved in the very same act that had evoked rage, betrayal and violence. The judgments of right and wrong regarding the same act are based on arbitrary mental concepts.

Being heart-centered allows connectedness with that Oneness, with that Love. In that state of Being, behavior isn’t based on the mind-centered judgments of ‘because it’s right or wrong, sinful or saintly,’ but you simply Be about it because it is an expression of who you are in that Oneness, which is all about Love. Your desires for others are the same as your desires for yourself: abundance, peace, joy and other similar intentions. Even if you wanted to, which you won’t, you cannot intentionally cause harm to another without feeling their pain because you live in and are a part of the Oneness.

As our sensitivity increases to the world around us and eventually we must come to terms with our judgments of those who are creating pain and suffering in the world. The heart knows these dramas are always co-creations; there are no victims or victimizers because every person involved is really a very powerful soul in their own right. What does that person playing the victimizer really need? Judging them only adds your energy to the drama. What they really need is the energy of your heart. Many, such as myself, call this energy Love and Light. The same is true for the co-creator who’s playing the role of victim. Buying into the illusion of them being a victim only intensifies their experience because you’re giving energy to the illusion. Remembering who they really are at that moment is easy when you remain heart-centered, but if you’re buying into their illusion it will be most difficult.

Instead of judging those involved or situations or anything, stay in your heart and simply do what comes naturally to you. It’s the transformative energy of your heart that allows them to resolve and complete their life lesson more quickly thus raising the vibrational rate of the planet.

As you move through life in the awakened state allowing your heart to lead, you find that there is nothing to fear. There is nothing to judge. There is only compassion and love for yourself and for all of the other souls incarnating here now. What is real will no longer be the mind’s arbitrary perceptions and judgments, but rather the heart-centered, perfectly peaceful state of non-judgment in the universal sea of Love.

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Motivation vs Inspiration by Kenneth MacLean

"My doctor says I need to lose some weight."

"My boss says I need to get more motivated at work."

"I know I should clean out the garage, but I don't feel like it."

Sound familiar?

If only we could motivate ourselves to do the things we need to do! Then life would be a lot easier, wouldn't it? An entire industry exists around the subject of motivation. The problem is that there are so many books, seminars and videos out there! How do you know which one is best for you? Well, if there was one technique or formula that really worked, we wouldn't need all that stuff! There must be something fundamentally flawed with existing motivational procedures.

Governments, religions, and authority figures use fear to motivate. That works for a while, because when people get scared, their biological "fight or flight' mechanism kicks in and there is a rush of adrenaline. The threat of physical punishment often works temporarily to keep people on the straight and narrow. But like an energy drink filled with sugar and caffeine, that high always wears off. People eventually come to understand that toeing the line is less important than maintaining personal integrity and dignity.

Personal resolutions for change that come from somebody else's idea of what is right or good -- like losing weight (doctor), or doing better at work (boss) or cleaning the garage (the wife has been nagging you about it) also fail.
But what would happen if you were inspired to do these things?

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Watching your Spiritual and Emotional Welfare, by T Stokes

The human body can contain 200 different species of life, 80 of those live in the gut. The best known of these are lice and mites, and a square centimetre of human skin can harbour 10 million bacteria, more so in the bowel, through waste and sweat we excrete nearly one trillion bacteria every day.

The mouth according to Science magazine, is a complex eco system of its own, and our teeth, tongue mouth and gums house a vast microbial community which can migrate to other bodily areas and cause problems there. Heart and stomach problems have been linked to oral hygiene, as has premature births.

The spiritual side to man can also harbour a range of unwelcome inhabitants, from the astral realms, that are drawn to us through the magnetism of similar linkages, such as the disebodied spirits of sex, alcohol or nicotine addicts who although dead will still crave the sensation for those drugs and will attach themselves to the aura of a smoker or problem drinker etc, to still fulfil the cravings by proxy.

Many of the earthbound spirits will find it difficult to leave behind a loved one, or possessions,  and the saying that you cant take it with you, does not stop those who miss their money from hanging about in distress to witness the relatives squabbling over it.

Sometimes even loyal dogs will stay with their master for long after their death. Just as if you go to places on this earth that are unclean or unwholesome, just as you may pick up a bug or a virus, so similarly in the thought realms you can also attract entities which may live as parasites in your aura, and interfere with your thought process’s. Deceased personality fragments and decaying astral husks can adhere to both those who may watch violence or pornography, and the unwary astral traveller.

Many people feel at times they are carrying a heavy weight, the great exorcist the Rev. Christopher Neil-Smith would describe it as a feeling of a“monkey on your back” which is an apt description of what is technically known as a “Symphile” or creature living off your life energies and processes.

These Symphiles are normally deceased humans, but can be a separate life category from the lower elemental arenas, coming from the detritus and exuviae of evil thought and deeds residing in the baser astral realms.

So just as we have concern over physical health and cleanliness, so should we be aware that the emotional and spiritual realms carry their own respective dangers, and we watch violence crime porn and crap on the T V at our peril, as studies show this lessens our tolerance to these baser aspects of mankind, and we must insulate ourselves with fellow workers who dwell in the lower realms of material thought and acquisition.

In short, “guard your thoughts”

www.tstokes.co.uk