Here & Hereafter, The Eternity Connection (Second Edition)
A Synopsis
Here and Hereafter, The Eternity Connection is a series of real-life stories that explore meaning in life and connections to the afterlife. From the preface: "When present reality is intertwined with glimpses of the eternal, we are taught something of the nature of ultimate reality. We realize what is most important in life. Life keeps getting better! We begin to see curious connections between people and events, synchronicities!" Here and Hereafter relates 24 true stories about life-endings from many different causes including illness, accidents, errors in judgment, suicide, alcoholism, assassination and old age. The characters in the stories are real people in various roles and stages of life—baby, child, teenager, college student, wife, husband, grandparent, father, mother, national leader, teacher, priest, patriarch, poet, politician—and yes, even a dog. Each story stands alone but like life, the sum is greater than its parts. There are four parts about responding to life-endings: Part I—Confronting Life-Endings, Part II—Asking Why: Part III--New Perceptions and Other Dimensions: Part IV--Acceptance, Integration, and New Beginnings. Why this book now? "We are in the beginning phase of a new spiritual enlightenment, and experiencing immense upheavals that typically accompany great changes. We have made remarkable technological advances in the last two centuries, but it is necessary for humanity to make remarkable spiritual advances this century! Glimpses of the hereafter, now rejected by many, may soon be considered as elementary as the alphabet." —Joy Ibsen An abundance of joy can be found in all of her published works. Quotation from Here and Hereafter, Chapter 18: "From this incredible point of view, human foibles, including our own, were outrageously funny. The dying Gordon, from his external viewpoint of mankind, had a gracious, accepting enjoyment I had never before nor since experienced. I didn't want to leave this dying, but very-much-here man, who knew how to be present and at the same time in a higher state of profound hilarity. Finally, we laughed one more time and bade Gordon good-bye. What a great last time!" —Chapter 18, "Gordon." p. 160 |
Tell your story...
When someone close to us dies we sometimes experience glimpses of eternity intertwined with present day reality. When mortality and eternity come together we are sometimes open to new truths and able to experience reality beyond our usual ability.
If you would like to share your own experience of the eternity connection, please Contact Us. We would be very interested in your story.
If you would like to share your own experience of the eternity connection, please Contact Us. We would be very interested in your story.
Reader Comments |
“Just finished reading your book. Sounds strange but your take on deaths did not demoralize me but somehow energized me. Thoughts of all the deaths I have encountered were brought to mind, not sadness, but lots of wonderful memories. I too have lost: 4 grandparents, both parents, both in-laws, 13 aunts and uncles, 22 first cousins and 2 poodles, Cheri & Rufus, close friends, my own sister Jeanne at age 49 and my wife Paula at age 57. I want to commend you for both your book and your tenacity for overcoming much adversity during your lifetime and maintain a wonderful attitude.” — Carlyle Nelson, Rapid City SD
“The author guides you through a collection of thoughtful and insightful stories with such imagery that I forgot I was reading. It felt as though I was there as a witness. Each story is an intimate sharing of an individual and varied experiences of living and dying. While this may seem a dark topic, the author guided me though the stories with such grace and ease that I actually felt privileged to be a witness in such intimate moments. It is refreshing that the author simply presents what is/was, without editorial or evangelizing a particular viewpoint. That allowed me to explore all of the depths of my own ideas about what happened, and philosophies about what’s next. I highly recommend this book.’ -- Ginny Joyce, Bonita Springs, FL “ Your book arrived today and what a beauty. I have read the chapters titled ‘Charlotte,’ ‘Socrates,’ ‘Max and Minnie’ and the beginning and ending pages. I am stunned by your assignment to readers to get on with their legacies. Point taken. Thanks for giving me a richer look at my friendships with some of the people and dogs who have been in my life. Guess what? They are still in my life. Your writing has an all encompassing truth in it that only you could have brought to us. I am so grateful that you are sharing it with us. That takes courage and then a lot of ability. You’ve got both. I can’t wait to continue readingtonight…again.” — Joyce Behrens, Galesburg, IL “Joy Ibsen writes with gentle sensitivity as she shares her childhood life in rural America’s Danish communities and adult life in the city. Embracing both life and death with compassion and integrity she brings comfort with and acceptance of death as final and sacred.” -- Dr. Lois West Bristow, Los Olvios , CA “What a fabulous book, so poetically written!! Once I started I had a hard time putting it down!!! I want 4 copies!” -- Dr. Ann Becker, Marquette, MI “Thank you for putting words to the 'indescribable' glimpses of the beyond.” --Asta Twedt, Ankeny, IA |