The Map of Heaven

How Science, Religion, and Ordinary People Are Proving the Afterlife

By: Eben Alexander M.D.

Narrated by: Eben Alexander M.D.

Length: 4 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

The author of the number-one New York Times best seller 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.

WhenProof 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 17th century, showing how we forgot, and are now at last remembering, who we really are and what our true destiny really is.

©2014 Eben Alexander (P)2014 Simon & Schuster Audio

An organized historical & current overview

I’ve read a lot of books about the near death experience, reincarnation, consciousness, and the greater reality - some written by people who have graduate physics training but also appear to be mystics. Each book adds to a big picture as I’m seeking to understand what is reality, what is the purpose of life, is there something beyond death.

What I like about Dr. Eben Alexander’s book is that he has read a lot of the classic or relevant “hard books” and has thought about how they relate to his and others’ consciousness-stretching experiences.

I know that I too should read Plato, Socrates, Emanuel Swedenborg, and the other authors’ works that Dr. Alexander read and referenced. But I probably won’t, so I do appreciate Dr. Alexander’s distillation of the essential points he found in these books with regard to consciousness and the human experience of life and beyond.

There is a long introduction to this book, and then it starts with classic philosophy lines of thought, so I was worried that I was going to be bored. Nope. Dr. Alexander reads his own work, with a voice that is easy to listen to and I loved hearing out loud words I’ve often read, but never heard pronounced. That was a bonus!

Classic writings throughout history and expert opinions on consciousness are the bones of this book, giving those who are scientifically-minded food for thought and places to start reading. Throughout the book are letters people sent to Dr. Alexander after having read his first book, sharing their own experiences. Such letters, with their common points, add to the validity of the existence of a greater reality and flesh out the narrative.

The logical thought process of Dr. Eben Alexander has helped me to clarify and organize the ideas and experiences read from other books related to the continuation of Consciousness and the existence of a greater reality. This book is a clean and clear introduction and review at the same time. Pleasant and interesting too.

Lovely sequel to Proof of Heaven and NDE studies

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

Life is Eternal

What other book might you compare The Map of Heaven to and why?

All of the many books on Near Death experience

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

His personal commitment to the fileld of NDE's from his own experience and his role as a key figure in promoting the field of NDE research including symposiums and conferences and the many researchers he has dialoged with since his own NDE.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The Love of Heaven

Any additional comments?

I appreciated this collection of research and studies of the NDE experience and the current state of this new "science" of documentation and enquiry into the reality changing integration of NDE's into philosophy and psychology and ethics in to human experience and the resulting life changing effects of NDE's on all those involved with the experience and those close to those who have had NDE experiences. From Eben Alexander's background as a respected clinical physical/surgeon to the colorful writing style of Ptolemy Tompkins this book synthesizes many other books and research projects and stories on the subject of NDE and transformational effects and the life changing elements.

Wonderful book

I thoroughly enjoyed Dr. Alexander's first book, "Proof of Heaven", and so was looking forward to this one. I was not disappointed. The book synthesizes scientific and religious evidence of heaven, gently chiding both for their preconceived dogmas, and liberally salts it with accounts both from others' research and from letters Dr. Alexander received. The book presents a compelling case, with steps to move forward. Recommended.

WOW!

I read Eban Alexander's previous book, "Proof of Heaven", and loved it. Based on that experience I purchased this audible book. I was not disappointed!Neither will you. I just finished the book for the third time.

Phenomenal

Simply the most influential book I have ever read, and Dr. Eben Alexander's message has changed me in profound ways, beyond anything I could have imagined. What a marvelous gift to each of us, and to all humanity.

wonderful book

I am so grateful for this book! What an illumination on spirituality and what is.

Excellent for personal reflection

I've come to really enjoy this author as well as his narration. There's plenty to ponder through anecdotes and his own thought process regarding the subject of survival after death from a medical and personal perspective. As with his previous book, that was a welcomed touch. The scientific elements that were included were very stimulating and satisfying and I do wish that reflection and exploration of this subject throughout history and science was covered more than personal reflection. Overall, I felt it was very much worth the time, money, and consideration.

Inspiring

A book of this nature wrtten by a man of science opens the door to a new beginning, full of hope for the individual and humanity. Loved it and highly recommend it.

Infomercial for writer's first book.

What would have made The Map of Heaven better?

Sincerety. Fresh information.

Has The Map of Heaven turned you off from other books in this genre?

no

Would you be willing to try another one of Eben Alexander’s performances?

I loved Dr. Alexander's first book; but, based on this one, would not buy another from him.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

no

Any additional comments?

The entirety of this book was a canned infomercial for Dr. Alexander's original book, Proof of Heaven, which I loved.

a lot of references, very little story

I read his first book. This one is spent referring to the people's stories, past evidence in history, and a lot of quotes. very wordy. was let down by lack of meat to the orig premise: map of heaven. What is the map? idk...