«Mi ritrovai in un mondo completamente nuovo. Il mondo più bello e più strano che avessi mai visto. Luminoso, vibrante, estatico, stupefacente ... Eravamo circondati da milioni di farfalle, ampi ventagli svolazzanti che si immergevano nel paesaggio verdeggiante per poi tornare a volteggiare intorno a noi.» Così Eben Alexander, neurochirurgo e professore alla Medical School dell'università di Harvard, descrive il Paradiso. Il dottor Alexander è uno scienziato che non ha mai creduto alla vita dopo la morte; eppure è toccato a lui esserne testimone. Nel 2008 ha contratto una rara forma di meningite e per sette giorni è entrato in uno stato di coma profondo che ha azzerato completamente l'attività della sua corteccia cerebrale. Il suo cervello si è completamente spento, ma una parte di lui era ancora vigile e ha intrapreso uno straordinario viaggio verso il Paradiso. Al suo risveglio il dottor Alexander era un uomo diverso, costretto a rivedere le sue posizioni profondamente razionali sulla vita e sulla morte: perché ora sa che esiste una vita oltre la vita, esiste il Paradiso ed è un luogo d'amore e meraviglia. 'Milioni di farfalle 'è la testimonianza di questa incredibile esperienza.

'Mi ritrovai in un mondo completamente nuovo. Il mondo più bello e più strano che avessi mai visto... Luminoso, vibrante, estatico, stupefacente. C'era qualcuno vicino a me: una bella fanciulla dagli zigomi alti e dagli occhi intensi. Eravamo circondati da milioni di farfalle, ampi ventagli svolazzanti che si immergevano nel paesaggio verdeggiante per poi tornare a volteggiare intorno a noi. Non fu un'unica farfalla ad apparire, ma tutte insieme, come un fiume di vita e colori che si muoveva nell'aria.' Queste sono alcune delle parole usate da Eben Alexander, neurochirurgo e professore alla Medicai School dell'università di Harvard per descrivere il Paradiso. Il dottor Alexander è uno scienziato che non ha mai creduto alla vita dopo la morte eppure è toccato a lui esserne testimone. Nel 2008 ha contratto una rara forma di meningite e per sette giorni è entrato in coma profondo che ha azzerato completamente l'attività della sua corteccia cerebrale. In pratica il suo cervello si è completamente spento, eppure una parte di lui era ancora vigile e ha intrapreso uno straordinario viaggio verso il Paradiso. Al suo risveglio il dottor Alexander era un uomo diverso, costretto a rivedere le sue posizioni profondamente razionali sulla vita e sulla morte: esiste una vita oltre la vita, esiste il Paradiso ed è un luogo d'amore e meraviglia. 'Milioni di farfalle' è la testimonianza di questa esperienza.

«L'aldilà esiste»: parola di neurochirurgo. Eben Alexander, affermato medico di Harvard, racconta la sua incredibile esperienza di vita oltre la vita. 'Mi ritrovai in un mondo completamente nuovo. Il mondo più bello e più strano che avessi mai visto'. Il professor Eben Alexander era sempre stato scettico circa la vita ultraterrena e i racconti di esperienze extracorporee dei suoi pazienti. Ma, da quando nel 2008 rimase in coma sette giorni a causa di una rara forma di meningite, la sua opinione è radicalmente cambiata. La sua storia è finita sulla copertina di Newsweek e in un bestseller, Milioni di farfalle (Proof of Heaven), dove racconta il suo personale viaggio verso il Paradiso, luogo d'amore assoluto e meraviglia. Il video, curato da Raymond Moody, autore del lavoro pionieristico sulle esperienze di pre-morte, costituisce l'eccezionale testimonianza di questa esperienza.

The groundbreaking, bestselling classic, now available in a special fortieth-anniversary edition that includes a new Foreword from Eben Alexander, M.D., author ofProof of Heaven, and a new Afterword by the author.

Raymond Moody is the “father” of the modern NDE (Near Death Experience) movement, and his pioneering workLife After Life transformed the world, revolutionizing the way we think about death and what lies beyond. Originally published in 1975, it is the groundbreaking study of one hundred people who experienced “clinical death” and were revived, and who tell, in their own words, what lies beyond death.

A smash bestseller that has sold more than thirteen million copies around the globe,Life After Life introduced us to concepts—including the bright light, the tunnel, the presence of loved ones waiting on the other side—that have become cultural memes today, and paved the way for modern bestsellers by Eben Alexander, Todd Burpo, Mary Neal, and Betty Eadie that have shaped countless readers notions about the end life and the meaning of death.

Explores stories of people who have had near death experiences and compares them to religious and philosophical beliefs about the afterlife from around the world.

LA PRUEBA DEL CIELO - ALEXANDER EBEN - Planeta

The author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Proof of Heaven teams up with the sages of times past, modern scientists, and with ordinary people who have had profound spiritual experiences to show the reality of heaven and our true identities as spiritual beings.

When Proof of Heaven was published, some readers contacted Dr. Eben Alexander to argue that his near death experience was impossible. But many more have written to say his story resonated with them in profound ways. Because of what these people have told him, Dr. Alexander has come to realize that sharing his story has allowed people to believe what so many in ancient times knew: there is more to life, and to the universe, than this single earthly life.

Dr. Alexander met and heard from thousands of individuals whom his story has affected. He also studied what the world’s religious traditions, and its philosophers, have had to say about the soul’s survival of death, and he has been deeply surprised at how often those voices from the past synch up with what he heard from people today. In The Map of Heaven, he shares some of the stories that the people have told him and links them up with what the world’s spiritual traditions have to say about the journey of the soul.

Part metaphysical detective story, part manual for living, The Map of Heaven explores humankind’s spiritual history and the birth of modern science in the seventeenth century, showing how we forgot, and are now at last remembering, who we really are and what our true destiny really is.

The author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Proof of Heaven teams up with the sages of times past, modern scientists, and with ordinary people who have had profound spiritual experiences to show the reality of heaven and our true identities as spiritual beings.

When Proof of Heaven was published, some people contacted Dr. Eben Alexander to argue that his near death experience was impossible. But many more have written to say his story resonated with them in profound ways. Because of what these people have told him, Dr. Alexander has come to realize that sharing his story has allowed people to believe what so many in ancient times knew: there is more to life, and to the universe, than this single earthly life.

Dr. Alexander met and heard from thousands of individuals whom his story has affected. He also studied what the world’s religious traditions, and its philosophers, have had to say about the soul’s survival of death, and he has been deeply surprised at how often those voices from the past synch up with what he heard from people today. In The Map of Heaven, he shares some of the stories that the people have told him and links them up with what the world’s spiritual traditions have to say about the journey of the soul.

Part metaphysical detective story, part manual for living, The Map of Heaven explores humankind’s spiritual history and the birth of modern science in the seventeenth century, showing how we forgot, and are now at last remembering, who we really are and what our true destiny really is.

The author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Proof of Heaven teams up with the sages of times past, modern scientists, and with ordinary people who have had profound spiritual experiences to show the reality of heaven and our true identities as spiritual beings.

When Proof of Heaven was published, some readers contacted Dr. Eben Alexander to argue that his near-death experience was impossible. But many more have written to say his story resonated with them in profound ways. Thanks to them, Dr. Alexander came to realize that sharing his story has allowed people to rediscover what so many in ancient times knew: there is more to life—and to the universe—than this single earthly life.

Dr. Alexander met and heard from thousands of individuals whom his story has affected. He, with coauthor Ptolemy Tompkins, also studied what the world’s religious traditions, philosophers, and scientists have had to say about the soul’s survival of death. He has been deeply surprised at how often those voices from the past sync up with what he hears from people today. In The Map of Heaven, he shares some of the stories that people have told him and links them to what the world’s spiritual traditions and its latest scientific insights have to say about the journey of the soul.

Part metaphysical and scientific detective story, part manual for living, The Map of Heaven explores humankind’s spiritual history and the progression of modern science from its birth in the seventeenth century, showing how we forgot, and are now at last remembering, who we really are and what our destiny truly is.

Questions and conflict about homosexual practice and the church abound. We encounter media reports ofsame-gender unions and clergy trials. This leads to talk in congregations and district preacher's meetings, in the hallways atdistrict, conference and general church gatherings, and in the deliberations of the Council of Bishops where we hear prayers,questions, and an outpouring of conviction or anguish.

We observe The United Methodist Church grappling with issues of importance that divide and confound us. We hunger for our church to engage hard questions and decisions in a spirit of generosity, gracefulness, and mutual respect.

This book could change the nature of the conversation. It encourages frank and constructive dialogue that will help us conference together and open ourselves to God's guidance. We seek faithful, fair, just, and loving resolution to issues that challenge our faith community.

Finding Our Way: Love and Law in The United Methodist Church is authored by several United Methodist bishops. These writers enunciate and clarify pathways that represent faithful, responsible, and constructive ways forward through the current controversies. Each bishop articulates a prescription for moving through current conflict about homosexual practice, same-gender unions, qualifications for ordination, and maintaining the "good standing" of elders. Go towww.ministrymatters.com/FindingOurWay to read the introduction and to comment.

Contents:

Frame: An introduction about the guiding vision and theological framework as we seek together to be faithful to God and to our covenants. By Rueben P. Job, retired, from the Iowa Area, and by Neil M. Alexander, who is publisher for The United Methodist Church.

Part One: Options

Enforce (follow the Book of Discipline): The Discipline interprets scripture and contains the rule of law for UM congregations and elders. When sacred promises are violated, leaders must uphold the spirit and letter of the law and follow the process defined by the Discipline. By Gregory V. Palmer, who serves the Ohio West Area.

Emend (work to change the Book of Discipline): The General Conference legislative process must be engaged to emend theBook of Discipline -- or not. This is the responsible and thoroughly United Methodist way ofmoving through disputes and reaching consensus. By Hope Morgan Ward, who serves the Raleigh Area.

Disobey (biblical obedience): Scripture and the sanctity of love are a higher authority than theBook of Discipline.Therefore, the current impasse must be broken by loving acts of conscientious fidelity to higher principles. By Melvin G. Talbert,retired, from the San Francisco Area.

Disarm (suspending conflict between personal and social holiness): In many kinds of conflicts, in marriage and in war, the conflicted parties drop their weapons or grievances, agree to a cease fire, and search for a peaceful way to resolve their disagreement. By Kenneth H. Carter Jr., who serves the Florida Area.

Part Two: Responses

Order (supporting our covenant): Our sacred trust depends on keeping our promises. By J. Michael Lowry,who serves the Forth Worth Area

Unity (dwelling in God's church as a family of Christ followers): When two elephants fight, the grass suffers. By John K. Yambasu, who serves the Sierra Leone Area.

Diversity (coexisting with differences). By Rosemarie Wenner, who serves the Germany Area and is current president of the Council of Bishops.

Part Three: Steps

Trust God (discernment): Immerse ourselves in an intense process of prayerful discernment. This approach pleads for the guidance of the Holy Spirit and asks all to open themselves without condition or pre-judgment to the insight and inspiration that comes through deep prayer and listening. By Rueben P. Job, retired, from the Iowa Area.

Dopo il successo internazionale di 'Milioni di farfalle', Eben Alexander è stato contattato da moltissime persone che erano state toccate personalmente dalla sua storia e che a loro volta avevano esperienze analoghe da condividere. Esperienze di vita oltre la vita, visioni di un altro mondo pieno di pace e amore incondizionato. 'La mappa del Paradiso' parte da queste testimonianze e le unisce a quelle di colleghi scienziati e grandi saggi di ogni tempo, per mostrarci con sorprendente chiarezza una nuova, sconvolgente prospettiva sull'Aldilà. Il neurochirurgo che con la sua testimonianza di vita oltre la vita ha convinto anche i lettori più scettici dà in queste pagine un potente messaggio di speranza, e ci porta a vedere quale grande destino è riservato alle nostre anime, ben oltre la piccola e limitata esperienza terrena.

The #1 best seller Proof of Heaven has already touched millions of lives, turning skeptics into believers in the existence of a universal dimension characterized by peace, acceptance and unconditional love that is accessible to all of us.

In the closing pages of Proof of Heaven, Dr. Alexander writes that he uses meditation audio programs to achieve the altered state of mind that enables him to return to the idyllic realm he describes in the book, and suggests that readers and listeners can use similar audio programs to alter their consciousness and achieve comparable results.



In SEEKING HEAVEN, Dr. Alexander presents four thirty-minute audio meditations produced specifically to support and enhance the experience of readers and listeners of Proof of Heaven who want to access the brain state of blissful higher consciousness and that he attained during his Near Death Experience. Working closely with meditation audio specialist Sacred Acoustics to develop four guided meditations that combine digital harmonic frequencies, sacred instruments, sounds from nature and the human voice to help listeners recreate the four stages of his miraculous spiritual journey: “Everything is a Vibration,” “Thinning the Veil,” “Shift Your Perspective,” and “Connecting with Source.”

A SCIENTIST’S CASE FOR THE AFTERLIFE



Near-death experiences, or NDEs, are controversial. Thousands of people have had them, but many in the scientific community have argued that they are impossible. Dr. Eben Alexander was one of those people.



A highly trained neurosurgeon who had operated on thousands of brains in the course of his career, Alexander knew that what people of faith call the “soul” is really a product of brain chemistry. NDEs, he would have been the first to explain, might feel real to the people having them, but in truth they are simply fantasies produced by brains under extreme stress.



Then came the day when Dr. Alexander’s own brain was attacked by an extremely rare illness. The part of the brain that controls thought and emotion—and in essence makes us human— shut down completely. For seven days Alexander lay in a hospital bed in a deep coma. Then, as his doctors weighed the possibility of stopping treatment, Alexander’s eyes popped open. He had come back.



Alexander’s recovery is by all accounts a medical miracle. But the real miracle of his story lies elsewhere. While his body lay in coma, Alexander journeyed beyond this world and encountered an angelic being who guided him into the deepest realms of super-physical existence. There he met, and spoke with, the Divine source of the universe itself.



This story sounds like the wild and wonderful imaginings of a skilled fantasy writer. But it is not fantasy. Before Alexander underwent his journey, he could not reconcile his knowledge of neuroscience with any belief in heaven, God, or the soul. That difficulty with belief created an empty space that no professional triumph could erase. Today he is a doctor who believes that true health can be achieved only when we realize that God and the soul are real and that death is not the end of personal existence but only a transition.



This story would be remarkable no matter who it happened to. That it happened to Dr. Alexander makes it revolutionary. No scientist or person of faith will be able to ignore it. Reading it will change your life.

EL CASO DE UN CIENTÍFICO A FAVOR DE LA V IDA DESPUÉS DE LA MUERTE

Miles de personas han tenido experiencias cercanas a la muerte, pero los científicos han sostenido de que son imposibles. El doctor Eben Alexander era uno de esos científicos. Un neurocirujano altamente entrenado, Alexander sabía que las experiencias cercanas a la muerte se sienten reales, pero que simplemente son fantasías producidas por el cerebro bajo un estrés extremo.

Luego, el cerebro del propio doctor Alexander fue atacado por una extraña enfermedad. La parte del cerebro que controla los pensamientos y las emociones —y en esencia nos hace humanos— se le apagó por completo. Estuvo en coma durante siete días. Entonces, mientras sus médicos consideraban parar su tratamiento, los ojos de Alexander se abrieron. Volvió.

La recuperación de Alexander es un milagro médico. Pero el verdadero milagro de su historia yace en otro lugar. Mientras su cuerpo estaba en coma, Alexander viajó más allá de este mundo y se encontró con un ser angelical que lo guió a los terrenos más profundos de la existencia suprafísica. Allá conoció a, y habló con, la fuente Divina del universo.

La historia de Alexander no es una fantasía. Antes de comenzar su viaje, no podía reconciliar su conocimiento de la neurociencia con ninguna creencia del cielo, Dios ni el alma. Hoy en día, Alexander es un médico que cree que la verdadera salud se puede adquirir solo cuando nos damos cuenta de que Dios y el alma son reales y la muerte no es el final de la existencia personal, sino solo una transición.

Esta historia sería extraordinaria sin importar a quién le haya ocurrido. Que le haya ocurrido al doctor Alexander la hace revolucionaria. Ningún científico ni persona de fe la podrá ignorar. Leerla te cambiará la vida.

A SCIENTIST’S CASE FOR THE AFTERLIFE

Near-death experiences, or NDEs, are controversial. Thousands of people have had them, but many in the scientific community have argued that they are impossible. Dr. Eben Alexander was one of those people.

A highly trained neurosurgeon who had operated on thousands of brains in the course of his career, Alexander knew that what people of faith call the “soul” is really a product of brain chemistry. NDEs, he would have been the first to explain, might feel real to the people having them, but in truth they are simply fantasies produced by brains under extreme stress.

Then came the day when Dr. Alexander’s own brain was attacked by an extremely rare illness. The part of the brain that controls thought and emotion—and in essence makes us human— shut down completely. For seven days Alexander lay in a hospital bed in a deep coma. Then, as his doctors weighed the possibility of stopping treatment, Alexander’s eyes popped open. He had come back.

Alexander’s recovery is by all accounts a medical miracle. But the real miracle of his story lies elsewhere. While his body lay in coma, Alexander journeyed beyond this world and encountered an angelic being who guided him into the deepest realms of super-physical existence. There he met, and spoke with, the Divine source of the universe itself.

This story sounds like the wild and wonderful imaginings of a skilled fantasy writer. But it is not fantasy. Before Alexander underwent his journey, he could not reconcile his knowledge of neuroscience with any belief in heaven, God, or the soul. That difficulty with belief created an empty space that no professional triumph could erase. Today he is a doctor who believes that true health can be achieved only when we realize that God and the soul are real and that death is not the end of personal existence but only a transition.

This story would be remarkable no matter who it happened to. That it happened to Dr. Alexander makes it revolutionary. No scientist or person of faith will be able to ignore it. Reading it will change your life.

A SCIENTIST’S CASE FOR THE AFTERLIFE

Thousands of people have had near-death experiences, but scientists have argued that they are impossible. Dr. Eben Alexander was one of those scientists. A highly trained neurosurgeon, Alexander knew that NDEs feel real, but are simply fantasies produced by brains under extreme stress.

Then, Dr. Alexander’s own brain was attacked by a rare illness. The part of the brain that controls thought and emotion—and in essence makes us human—shut down completely. For seven days he lay in a coma. Then, as his doctors considered stopping treatment, Alexander’s eyes popped open. He had come back.

Alexander’s recovery is a medical miracle. But the real miracle of his story lies elsewhere. While his body lay in coma, Alexander journeyed beyond this world and encountered an angelic being who guided him into the deepest realms of super-physical existence. There he met, and spoke with, the Divine source of the universe itself.

Alexander’s story is not a fantasy. Before he underwent his journey, he could not reconcile his knowledge of neuroscience with any belief in heaven, God, or the soul. Today Alexander is a doctor who believes that true health can be achieved only when we realize that God and the soul are real and that death is not the end of personal existence but only a transition.

This story would be remarkable no matter who it happened to. That it happened to Dr. Alexander makes it revolutionary. No scientist or person of faith will be able to ignore it. Reading it will change your life.

A SCIENTIST’S CASE FOR THE AFTERLIFE

Thousands of people have had near-death experiences, but scientists have argued that they are impossible. Dr. Eben Alexander was one of those scientists. A highly trained neurosurgeon, Alexander knew that NDEs feel real, but are simply fantasies produced by brains under extreme stress.

Then, Dr. Alexander’s own brain was attacked by a rare illness. The part of the brain that controls thought and emotion—and in essence makes us human—shut down completely. For seven days he lay in a coma. Then, as his doctors considered stopping treatment, Alexander’s eyes popped open. He had come back.

Alexander’s recovery is a medical miracle. But the real miracle of his story lies elsewhere. While his body lay in coma, Alexander journeyed beyond this world and encountered an angelic being who guided him into the deepest realms of super-physical existence. There he met, and spoke with, the Divine source of the universe itself.

Alexander’s story is not a fantasy. Before he underwent his journey, he could not reconcile his knowledge of neuroscience with any belief in heaven, God, or the soul. Today Alexander is a doctor who believes that true health can be achieved only when we realize that God and the soul are real and that death is not the end of personal existence but only a transition.

This story would be remarkable no matter who it happened to. That it happened to Dr. Alexander makes it revolutionary. No scientist or person of faith will be able to ignore it. Reading it will change your life.

What are the major issues and challenges film archives, cinémathèques and film museums are bound to face in the Digital Age and at a time when there is an expectation of Access on Demand?

Film Curatorship neither offers a scholarly analysis, nor attempts to provide definitive answers to a complex situation involving aesthetic as well as technological, economic and political issues. As a collective text, a montage of dialogues, conversations and exchanges between four professionals representing three generations of film archivists and curators, this book calls for an open philosophical and ethical debate on fundamental questions the profession must come to terms with. What is curatorship, and what does it imply in the context of film preservation and presentation? Is there a concept of the "film artifact" that transcends the idea of film as "content" or "art" in the information age?

The four authors of Film Curatorship have agreed to lay bare their concerns, visions, and strategies in a multi-faceted brainstorming session, aimed at fostering an open, non-dogmatic debate on the relationship of film to other forms of moving image and its presentation and preservation in the 21st century.