Proof of Heaven

A Neurosurgeon's Journey into the Afterlife

By: Eben Alexander

Narrated by: Eben Alexander

Length: 5 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

The #1 New York Times bestselling account of a neurosurgeon's own near-death experience—for fans of 7 Lessons from Heaven.

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. Listening to it will change your life.

©2012 Eben Alexander (P)2012 Simon & Schuster, Inc

Critic reviews

"Dr. Eben Alexander's near-death experience is the most astounding I have heard in more than four decades of studying this phenomenon. In my opinion, Dr Alexander is living proof of an afterlife." (Raymond Moody, MD, PhD, author of Life Beyond Life)

"Eben Alexander brings a unique perspective to the sacred world combining a glorious, personal vision of spiritual consciousness with patient, insightful scientific inquiry. Proof of Heaven is a compelling story of what may lie ahead for all of us in the life beyond this one. We have nothing to fear." (Allan J. Hamilton, MD, FACS, author of The Scalpel and the Soul and Zen Mind, Zen Horse)

"I can highly recommend this important book that has the potential to break many scientific taboos." (Dr. Pim van Lommel, cardiologist, author of Consciousness Beyond Life: The Science of the Near-Death Experience)

Good Listen on a Bad Day

I downloaded this book on a day that, later that afternoon, brought a surprise pink slip.

It was serendipitous to have this to listen to since I'm a person who swings between materialistic nihilism and "this has to mean something" and a hope that borders on belief, and this was a day that needed a push towards the positive.

The narration of the doctor's Near Death Experience certainly isn't radical if you are familiar with other works about the same subject. But the message is quietly radical in and of itself: life is eternal. Well written and well narrated. Recommend.

LIFE AFTER DEATH IS NOT ONLY POSSIBLE...IT'S TRUE!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I already have recommended this book to several people because the truth of this doctor's personal experience is hard to deny. I believe what his spirit or soul, etc. went through was very real. I appreciated that the author is a doctor and a scientist whose was/is a practicing neurosurgeon (what better person to tell us how the brain works) and the fact that he was a skeptic on the subject, before he had his NDE (Near Death Experience). In other words, he is the last person who might admit there is life after death.

What did you like best about this story?

I was mesmerized by the description of the clouds; the transparent, shimmering beings; the huge, booming sound "like a glorious chant"; the way the author could hear the visual beauty of the silvery bodies of the beings...and how he could see the surging, joyful perfection of what they sang, etc. I particularly loved the "super-vivid aliveness" of the doctor's NDE. It was and is completely welcoming and soothing to know that life is better after death.

Any additional comments?

I just loved this audiobook. It is not just a story or another person's experience. It is the gift of hope and love to those of us who haven't or will never have a NDE.

Exceptional

Would you listen to Proof of Heaven again? Why?

I have listened to it 5 times already.
I had an NDE in 1971 and the issue is closed- it is factual .
But to have a formerly skeptical Neuro-surgeon experience this with no explanation for the severity of the meningitis
I felt Dr Alexanders narration was perfect and needed for the authenticity of the events
no one could have narrateed as perfectly as he did.

What did you like best about this story?

the fact that it happened to a doubting skeptic and now Eben is organizing and co operating with others devoted to exploring a quite "common" experience (Yes transformative NDE's are common but rarely spoken about)
I am excited about the potentials of research to bring about more details of the
processes a real "Science of Spirit"

The skeptics only argue personal non experience not science. the beliefs of reductionist materialist psuedo science is not science but simple dogma

Which scene was your favorite?

All of the book had its various "moments" for variable reasons
but the redeeming qualities (non religious context) where an experience of light and color and consciousness allowed Eben to "become the "All' for a brief period.
the reminders that we are not essentially seperate from the Whole -the Creator .
I never once felt Dr Alexander indulged in religious views.
Anyone that has had transformations like this has to use some contextual language.
I had an experience much like this and I did not want to tell others because of the implications and possible lack of belief even by loved ones.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

the final conclusions that
"All is well!"

Any additional comments?

this book moved me deeply and I read at least 35 books based on science and research per year minimum. I value science . but the science that is based on open research and open discussion and open views as well as the willingness to research and not condemn the condemnations dont do anything but show prejeudice.
If anything Dr Alexanders experience could not have happened to a more perfect person a skeptical neurosurgeon

it seems like a "setup " by many forces ... i wont define those forces or put names as most are too religious or boring. Suffice to say..those who know the experience will resonate and not like with MOST of the other books on NDE which are not as authentic and not to a person of such integrity and respect

Skeptics will face the moment one day.. we all have this experience or the other the result of our nihilisitc beleifs so careful with the skeptical attacks . you might have to emerge on day after death to your beliefs

Do you want to "believe"?; this for encouragement!

He starts out a little dry and if you have no medical background you may get a little lost but stick through that first part. It will end shortly.

The really thought provoking moment comes toward the end and when it can all be wrapped up. The revelation at the end will you give you pause, especially if you have ever encountered and kind of NDE or if you have only just encountered 'an out of body' experience. If neither of those apply, the you may want to read this for some answers to those unanswered questions in the back your mind.

Since the loss of my 'heart parent' - my father, I am always looking for different verifications that death as we know it, is certainly not The End. This was a comfort to me to read this and to see what so may others have also said in the past. Although I wish no ill on others, it would be well interpreted by those who are in the medical field when these kinds of experiences occur. When the Right brain meets the Left brain, both brains are better together, correct?

I glad you wrote this account Eben. May more people realize and acknowledge that there is something greater to be had.

Excellent book

If you could sum up Proof of Heaven in three words, what would they be?

I wish it was longer . I would like to hear more from him .

Credible Account of Peek into Afterlife

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

A learned man of Science critically reviews and affirms his own experience of the afterlife.

This Book had really open my eyes

Where does Proof of Heaven rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Top 1st book

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

This is a very interesting book, it help me understand some situations that I am currently leaving in my family. in addition to revitalize my faith in people.

Which scene was your favorite?

The favorite scene is the awakening of the author "the Photo" and the poem that comes with it. I have repeatedly listen to it in order to revive it.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Sure Did. It was quite motivational and I had times of pure joy

Any additional comments?

Love it and review it some time next year again

Accurate and analytical

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

The author did his own narration. He was very good! I enjoyed his medical approach to what happened and felt the compelling series of events that was unique to his situation. The story could have been very boring and too medical, but that never happened, His explanation of events and situations in his life were really honest and good. A very uplifting book.

If you could give Proof of Heaven a new subtitle, what would it be?

This is a good title.

Great read!

I wish the afterword was the forward...I had some doubts come to mind until listening to that.

Tantalizing but falls a little short

Dr. Alexander paints an enticing picture of the afterlife but does so in a very general way. He can introduce his main concepts of worm darkness, Gateway, and The Core; but it is only a cursory description using ineffability as an excuse. His approach aroused enough skepticism in me leading me to suspect that he may be holding back so he could write multiple books on this topic and maybe cash in on meditation/auditory tapes and so forth.

I never expected this to be a technical book aimed at the medical community, but it’s not even targeted to an intelligent reader – – instead it’s marketed to the general mass public which tends to be gullible and anxious to grasp at any possible positive news about life after death. There were countless numbers of times when my mind would drift away from his reading because there were no intellectual calories to metabolize. (There is an intelligence squared debate video on YouTube featuring Dr. Eben Alexander with Dr. Raymond Moody on the affirmative side of the debate. Moody is far more persuasive demonstrating a much broader and deeper understanding of NDEs despite Alexander’s in depth knowledge of his own personal experience)

I’ve made it a point to watch a couple of videos on YouTube he has made – – and there are a lot – – and there is something not right about him. I doubt I would ever buy a used car from him.

After doing a little Google searching on Alexander and Chopra — two medical doctors who are promulgating the same general message about the universe as consciousness — it’s interesting to note that the two haven’t ever teamed up. (Chopra had no problem teaming up with Wayne Dyer).

The best thing I learned from listening to this book was the referral to another book called “Irreducible Mind: Toward a Psychology for the 21st Century” by Edward Kelly.