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)

Great Story, but...

This book is an enjoyable read and I do recommend the story.

This is why I give 2 stars overall: the author is human. Credentialed or not, the author is fallible, and it is still possible the he was dreaming.

I think the reality (for now) is that science doesn't understand the limits and capabilities of the brain. What the doctor's experience tells me is that the brain is capable of pulling dream states from deeper levels within itself.

Dr. Alexander clearly understands the limits of the human neocortex and thoughtfully ruled out why he could not have been dreaming. But, I am still skeptical. Why?

On the one hand, his brain is shut down (coma) and his neocortex is unable to weave together visual/audio experiences.

But on the other hand he can vividly share his story by applying descriptive attributes to that which he experienced during coma.

If the brain did not produce the experiences, then what and how did those experiences get back into the brain so the Dr. could vividly detail them for us?

Dogs and Mice have less intelligence than humans, yet they both have REM sleep cycles. When I see my dog twitching and barking during REM, it's doubtful he is struggling with the meaning of life. He is probably just chasing around a neighborhood cat...but he still dreams.

If his less "evolved" brain can dream, it still seems very possible to me that the human brain can produce dreams at levels more primitive than the neocortex.

Fairly Typical

While I believe Dr. Alexander's illness was real there are holes in his story that trains could easily speed through. He receives the best of care for his illness, which the general population would never be accorded. His description of his own NDE is nothing more than something a good fiction writer would come up with. He claims not to have read any other NDE books and uses that as part of his proof that the other world he visited is real. I don't know that he didn't read anything else. That's simply a self report with all the holes in it that anyone's self report would have.

But it isn't his experience and description of where he went during his coma that I find true fault with. What makes him less than a credible source is the dogma he flaunts throughout the book. Additionally, his charmed life, incredible education, his own wealth, world travels and even fairy tale resolution to what he claims was a huge emptiness in his life are what makes him less believable. Were I to read such a story from an average person not given all these opportunities and elite life, I would give it more weight.

I'm happy Dr. Alexander found something he can hang on to. I respect his story and even how well it is written and read. It's clear he found something very important to him and it works for him. I'm genuinely delighted about that on his behalf. But for the rest of his, his memoir may be a sign post, marker or pointer, but it is proof of nothing.

Other NDE stories are far more compelling. I would spend your credits on something else.

Great book... well worth the time

Would you listen to Proof of Heaven again? Why?

Yes. I'm always looking to better understand the unavoidable fate that awaits us all. I like the concept of heaven, and find a book like this somewhat reassuring and comforting.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Proof of Heaven?

When Eben saw a picture of his previously unknown , deceased sister... whom he unknowingly met, as his guide in heaven.

What does Eben Alexander bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I always like when an author reads his/her own book... I feel a closer connection to the author.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, but I always listen on my commute to/from work.

Any additional comments?

Great book... really enjoyed it.

This is an incredible story!

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

Unfortunately I have heard very few audio books, however, this book, read by the author is an easy read, err, I mean, listen. Not sure how you say that.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

I am a very spiritual person with a strong believe that God is in everything, now, today. It is quite easy for me hear Dr. Alexander's story and now he is speaking truth. This is not a religious book. It is not about Christ and the church. It is about us and who we really are.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, I did wnat that. Instead I listened in several episodes while driving to work each day. It was a treat I gave myself and I am not at all sorry.

Listened to this more than once

If you like books that looks at unearthly concepts from a scientific view point or in this case from a scientific mind then this is one book you will love. This book describes the actual experience along with all of the science that tried to disprove it but couldn't. This is the type of book that can sway people who are on our close to the fence about things beyond this world

Compelling without being over the top

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Provided time to reflect our our understanding of human consciousness

What did you like best about this story?

The analysis of the author's near death experience

What does Eben Alexander bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He made the story much more believable

Was Proof of Heaven worth the listening time?

Yes

Especially Fascinating Written by a Neuroscientist

I saw a tiny bit of this story on "Through the Wormhole" on the Science Channel before he wrote his book. To see him interviewed on that TV program made his story credible, but I wanted to know more. Hearing his sincere and genuine voice reading this book confirmed that there is indeed so much more to "reality" than what we can tell with our senses. He's not a professional story teller, but that makes it even better for me. It's especially inspiring to hear someone so ensconced in academia and scientific reasoning have his belief system so entirely up-ended. It makes the fear of death put in proper prospective.

Powerful Book...maybe not for everyone

This is a powerful book written by a highly intelligent and factual man. It is a compelling telling of events experienced by him. No matter what you believe this is a powerful story, shared with us by a man that as far as I can tell has no reason to give false information. I am grateful he shared this with the public.
I don't think there are truly descriptive words for these experiences and they do not translate in words entirely well.
I don't have rigid beliefs about heaven. My main concern is that it will be confusing....I really don't want to be confused after death.

Exciting and disappointing at the same time

Would you try another book from Eben Alexander and/or Eben Alexander?
Yes

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)
As a seeker of truth I was excited about this book because it's written by a scientist who's world view was changed by the NDE experience, and while I enjoyed reading it and had many "yes" moments while reading it and found many things that resonated with me, I was very disappointed by how little information there was there about God and our universe. He kept saying that there were many lessons and I kept thinking "Okay, he must get to them in the next chapter", but he never did. What were the lessons? What was the knowledge that he received there? I understand that he was stripped of his identity and probably didn't ask any questions that an average human being would ask given the chance, and yet he said that he did have many lessons, but why did he not get into it? That's the stuff we want to know!

Which character – as performed by Eben Alexander – was your favorite?
N/A

If this book were a movie would you go see it?
No

Any additional comments?
No

Good summary of what humans are learning

From a scientific basis and first hand experience, Eben Alexander does a good job explaining the connection many people have been making seemingly more and more lately of quantum physics and spirituality, as well as their connections to the originations of all faiths. If i could meet Dr. Alexander I would be compelled to see if he was interested in ayahuasca, DMT, or sensory deprivation to compare his experiences. It's further noble of him to express what most people who have experienced deeper realities have realized, that words are far more limited than we realize in communicating our experiences. His end message is a noble cause that with his background in science and personal experience should convince at least a good number of people who haven't yet seen the deeper truths of reality that the likes of Jesus, Buddha, and Einstein all refer to.