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Application of Impossible Things: A Near Death Experience in Iraq by Natalie Sudman (Author)
This is an amazing true story of a female civilian employee of the Army Corps of Engineers in Basrah and Nasiriyah, Iraq. She was riding in a truck with other men when a roadside bomb destroyed the vehicle. Her body was so severely damaged that there was no possible way she could live. She vividly recounts her Near Death Experience when she went out of the body to the spirit world. There it was decided that her work on Earth was not done and with the help of spirit guides, they repaired the body so she could reenter it. She retained the conscious memory of what happened and during the time in the hospital, more details returned. This is the amazing story of a survival in wartime conditions. This has happened to many others in Iraq, but how many remember the spirit side of the experience?
Before this experience, Sudman was dubious about anything that smacked of the paranormal. This experience made her a believer. She shares her story here for the first time to demonstrate that the paranormal is normal and to assist others who have had similar experiences.
This is a book for anyone interested in near death experiences and out of body experiences. It is one of the first such book to come out of the Iraq conflict.
Natalie Sudman earned an MFA from the University of Oregon in 1989. In order to support her art habit, Sudman worked as an archeologist for sixteen years, and as a project manager in Iraq for a year and a half.
Born in Montana, raised in Minnesota, Sudman has lived most of her adult life in the Black Hills of South Dakota, southwestern Montana and eastern Oregon. An enthusiastic traveler, she has lived and worked in such disparate places as Iraq, Florida, and Antarctica. She has visited New Zealand, Europe, Mexico, the Middle East, and – very briefly – China. She currently resides in southern Arizona.
Natalie Sudman's artwork is available from the artist.
Natalie Sudman's poetry and essays have been published in various literary journals. Her non-fiction book , Application of Impossible Things: My Near Death Experience in Iraq, published by Ozark Mountain Press, is available at Barnes & Noble and Amazon, as well as other booksellers. Her first fiction book, Bare Bones, to published by Hearth Bright Books, is due out in 2014. She occasionally blogs at Trace of Elements.
Sudman offers psychic consultation over the phone or by email. More information about readings can be found on the Readings page of her blog at this link: Trace of Elements.
https://nook.barnesandnoble.com/products/2940015871579/sample?sourceEan=2940015871579
Near-Death Experience In Iraq – Natalie Sudman
Natalie Sudman worked as an archeologist in the Great Basin states for sixteen years before accepting a position managing construction contracts in Iraq. After being injured by a roadside bomb (improvised explosive device–IED), Natalie has since retired from government service. She is now enjoying art, writing, and continuing explorations into the non-physical. Natalie Sudman has been a subject of studies performed by the University of Virginia's Division of Perceptual Studies, and welcomes invitations to act as a lab rat for any scientific investigation. Describing herself as an open-minded skeptic, Natalie finds that the rigorous methodology of science appeals to her critical mind, while her artistic nature enjoys the expansive freedom of leaving behind the critical mind in frequent forays into the non-physical. She maintains that an irreverent sense of humor and a willingness to look foolish are the cornerstones of constructive exploration. Raised in Minnesota, Natlie Sudman has lived most of her adult life in eastern Oregon, Montana and South Dakota. She recently moved to southern Arizona. Her artwork is available through Davis
Audio by wsmystic
The Transformative Power of Near-Death Experiences: How the Messages of NDEs Can Positively Impact the World by Penny Sartori (Author), Kelly Walsh (Author)
by wsmystic in Near Death Experience (NDE) / Life After Death / Out of Body Experiences (OBE)
Near-death experiences (NDEs) are often transformative, not only on an individual level, but on a collective level too. This book contains a selection of inspiring stories from ordinary people who have had extraordinary experiences that have changed the course and direction of their lives and opened each and every one of them to the power of divine love.
Recent years have seen a dramatic change of attitude towards NDEs. Unfortunately, the ongoing debates about NDEs have detracted greatly from the very important transformational effects that NDEs have and how empowering they can be for the whole of mankind. The NDE instils knowledge in those who experience it that we are all interconnected and part of one great whole.
This book aims to inspire people from all walks of life, creeds, cultures and faiths to the transformational power of the message of NDEs and show how the love experienced during the NDE has the capacity to heal minds, bodies and souls.
Dr Penny Sartori PhD, RGN is an expert in NDEs, having been an intensive care nurse for 17 years and having undertaken the UK's first long-term prospective study on them, for which she was awarded a PhD. She wrote the bestseller The Wisdom of Near-Death Experiences (2014), which was serialised in the Daily Mail, and she lectures both nationally and internationally. She currently teaches at Swansea University.
Kelly Walsh is the founder of the Positivity Power Movement and Love Care Share charitable foundation. Her life's work has been inspired by an NDE she had in 2009 following a suicide attempt and subsequent spiritual experiences she has had since.
Penny Sartori PhD The NDE Phenomena Documented Cases Near Death Experiences
Dr Penny Sartori worked as a nurse in a British hospital for 21 years, 17 of those being in Intensive Care. She is highly experienced and skilled in her role as an intensive care staff nurse; and has conducted unique and extensive research into the near-death experiences (NDEs) of her patients. In 2005 she was awarded a PhD for her research into NDEs.
Dr Sartori's work has received worldwide attention and media coverage. She has spoken at many conferences both nationally and internationally and her work has received the attention of HRH Prince Charles.
https://www.drpennysartori.com
Short recommendation by Titus Rivas of the interesting book "The transformative power of Near-Death Experiences: How the Messages of NDEs Positively Impact the World" by Dr. Penny Sartori and Kelly Walsh. The book is a publication of Watkins Publishing. ISBN 978-1786780331.
The Transformative Power of Near-Death Experiences
Dr Penny Sartori and Kelly Walsh introduce their book 'The Transformative Power of Near-Death Experiences'. All proceeds go to children's charity.
Included in this promotional video are endorsements by Neale Donald Walsch, Anita Moorjani and Eben Alexander MD.
What if this is heaven? Spiritual teachings from NDE-experiencer Anita Moorjani
by wsmystic in Near Death Experience (NDE) / Life After Death / Out of Body Experiences (OBE), Video/Audio Interview Tags: Anita Moorjani
If the doctors had been right, Anita Moorjani would not be alive today.
Now an international speaker and New York Times best-selling author, Anita had been given mere hours to live by her doctors on the morning of February 2, 2006. Unable to move and in a deep coma caused by the cancer that had ravaged her body for nearly four years, Anita entered another realm where she experienced great clarity and understanding about her life and purpose here on earth. In that realm, she was given a choice of whether to return to life or continue on into death. Anita chose to return to this life when she realized that heaven is a state, not a place. Because of this awareness, she made a remarkable and complete recovery within weeks of coming out of the coma. When she shared her story of healing and the insights she gained from her experience in the other realm, it went viral on the internet, receiving enormous interest internationally.
The 2012 book she wrote about her experience, Dying to Be Me (published by Hay House), hit the New York Times bestseller list within two weeks of its release, remaining there for nine weeks. The book has since been translated into 45 languages and has sold over one million copies worldwide.
Anita's new book, What If This Is Heaven? (Published September 13 2016 by Hay House), debunks 10 common cultural myths most of us have accepted without question that keep us from experiencing heaven on earth.
Now completely cancer-free, Anita travels the globe, giving talks and workshops, as well as speaking at conferences and special events.
Watch interview with Anita Moorjani telling about her NDE: https://youtu.be/-DExbitdDfA
Norwegian subtitles by Vanja Riksfjord.
What If This Is Heaven?: How Our Cultural Myths Prevent Us from Experiencing Heaven on Earth by Anita Moorjani (Author)
by wsmystic in Esotoric, INSPIRATION, Near Death Experience (NDE) / Life After Death / Out of Body Experiences (OBE), Video/Audio Interview Tags: Anita Moorjani
Following her near-death experience as shared in the New York Times bestseller Dying to Be Me, Anita Moorjani knows well the truths that exist beyond common knowledge and acceptance. The clarity she has gained has led her to further understand who she was born to be.
Part of that truth has involved contemplating the cultural myths infused into our everyday lives. Passed down from generation to generation, these myths are pervasive and influential. From the belief we reap what we sow to the idea we must always be positive, cultural myths are often accepted as truths without questioning. Moorjani asserts it is now time for questioning in order to help us reach our fully informed, authentic selves.
Moorjani explores these common myths in their real-world existence while presenting examples from her own life that reveal the falsehoods beneath the surface. By freeing ourselves from these ubiquitous expectations, we can break open an honest pathway to life as it was meant to be lived.
Several of you have written to me saying "How can this possibly be heaven? If this is heaven, why does it feel like hell??" And I want to say that I'm actually not surprised by that reaction, and even when I came up with the title, I expected some of you to say that to me!! So let me explain. Many years ago, my life was hell too. I was bullied very badly as a child, and was taunted and discriminated against for the color of my skin and my family origin–something I had no control over. That really made my life miserable. And it certainly felt like hell when I was going through cancer, being in constant pain and fear for all those years.
Life truly was a struggle for me, and I lived in immense fear for a huge part of my life. I had always believed that life happens to us. In other words, I believed that I was a victim of my circumstances, so I was always reacting to life instead of creating life. Of course I didn't believe I created my life circumstances. Who would create a childhood of bullying and discrimination, all of which shaped my thinking? Who would choose to be born as a woman into a culture that still believes women are inferior to men? Who would create cancer in their own life? Of course I was a victim of my circumstances. Or so I thought…until I "died".
It's been 10 years since I faced death and came out the other side. Now when I look back at these past 10 years, I can see that my life is so drastically different from what it was prior, that I sometimes wonder whether I actually came back from death, or whether I'm still in the other realm. All the fear I used to have, all the pain, all the insecurity – they are all gone! So much so that I wonder whether I'm still dead and this is heaven! Every day, I get to do stuff I love to do! Of course this feels like heaven!
But then I read the letters I have received over the last few years from so many of you, where you share your pain, and your fears. And also, I take a look around at the world around us. And it all brings me back down to earth. And I wonder, "Why can't we all create this state of heaven for ourselves? What is preventing us from doing it? Why did it take death for me to realize how to live my life? Isn't it a wasted life if people only learn the truth of how to live when they die?"
Those are the questions that inspired me to write this book. I don't want you to have to wait until you die to learn how to live. Remember, we are all connected, and I feel what you feel. This book comes from my heart to yours.
★ ANITA MOORJANI: How to Find Heaven on Earth + Guided Meditation | Dying to Be Me
SHOW INTRODUCTION:
If you've ever thought we've got things flip-flopped backwards and upside-down on Earth, then do we have the Heaven on Earth show for you!
Today I'll be talking with Anita Moorjani, the New York Times Best-selling author of Dying To Be Me: My Journey from Cancer, to Near Death, to True Healing; and a guest I've been looking forward to speaking with for as long as we've had this show. She's now the author of a beautiful new book, with a fantastic orange rose on the cover, What If This Is Heaven?: How Our Cultural Myths Prevent Us from Experiencing Heaven on Earth.
And that's what I want to talk with her about today, how our cultural myths prevent us from experiencing Heaven on Earth and unconditional love.
That plus we'll talk about, chocolate and deserts, perfume and handbags, cities vs. seaside's, skirts and synchronicities, the significance of orange roses, and what in the world Battlestar Galactica, has to do with anything!
The Ten Secrets of Heaven Mysteries of the afterlife revealed By Theresa Cheung
by wsmystic in Book Reviews/Interview, Esotoric, HEAVEN, Near Death Experience (NDE) / Life After Death / Out of Body Experiences (OBE), Spirit, Spirituality
What is heaven like? What is your soul's purpose? Can you unlock your divine potential?
With advances in modern medicine enabling more and more people to be brought back from the brink of death, it is now possible to paint a vibrant picture of what lies beyond. It is also possible to discover more about our spiritual destiny from near death experiences. Each afterlife experience offers us powerful clues into our soul's purpose, and in this fascinating new book Theresa Cheung unveils these life-changing truths, or insights, as the Ten Secrets of Heaven. It is only through our understanding of their meaning on earth that we can discover heaven and eternal life.
After explaining each of the ten secrets, Theresa will show how heaven can disguise itself in aspects of daily life, such as health, career, money, love & relationships and life goals, and also during times of crisis, such as when we are depressed, grieving, lacking direction or experiencing heartbreak. Truly understanding how the Ten Secrets of Heaven can be harnessed for our well-being will bring enlightenment, peace and joy. It will also leave no doubt that nothing in this life is as it seems and death is not the end.
Theresa Cheung was born into a family of spiritualists and studied Theology and English at King's College, Cambridge University before launching into a career in education and then journalism and writing.
Theresa has been writing books about the psychic world for over twenty five years now – some of which have gone onto become Sunday Times Top 10 bestsellers, some have been translated into 25 different languages and her internationally bestselling mind body spirit Encylopedias are still selling strongly – yet she have never claimed to be a psychic or a medium. She has written many books about health and well-being too.
Theresa is an ordinary woman who has had extraordinary experiences.
The Ten Secrets of Heaven by Theresa Cheung
With advances in modern medicine enabling more and more people to be brought back from the brink of death, it is now possible to paint a vibrant picture of what lies beyond. It is also possible to discover more about our spiritual destiny from near death experiences. Each afterlife experience offers us powerful clues into our soul's purpose, and in this fascinating new book Sunday Times top 10 best selling spiritual author Theresa Cheung (who has a masters in Theology from Cambridge University and has been writing about the paranormal for two decades and books translated into 25 different languages) unveils these life-changing truths, or insights, as the Ten Secrets of Heaven. It is only through our understanding of their meaning on earth that we can discover heaven and eternal life.
Theresa will show how heaven can disguise itself in aspects of daily life, such as health, career, money, love & relationships and life goals, and also during times of crisis, such as when we are depressed, grieving, lacking direction or experiencing heartbreak. Truly understanding how the Secrets of Heaven can be harnessed for our wellbeing will bring enlightenment, peace and joy. It will also leave no doubt that nothing in this life is as it seems and death is not the end.
The Gifts of Near-Death Experiences: You Don't Have to Die to Experience Your True Home by Sheila Fabricant Linn (Author), Dennis Linn (Author), Matthew Linn (Author), Kenneth Ring (Foreword)
by wsmystic in Near Death Experience (NDE) / Life After Death / Out of Body Experiences (OBE) Tags: NDE, Near Death Experience (NDE) / Life After Death / Out of Body Experiences (OBE)
Near-death experiences (NDEs) are common, well-documented, and similar across cultures throughout the world. Current estimates are that between 4 and 15 percent of the world's population have had an NDE. Some of the fascination with NDEs comes from the fact that they often result in great leaps in personal growth. These leaps are characterized by the loss of the fear of death, the healing of deep hurts, an increase in self-esteem and compassion for others, a sense of union with all things, and a clearer sense of how to fulfill one's purpose in life.
This is a book that teaches readers how to reap the benefits of NDEs without having to experience trauma. In the course of their many workshops around the world, the authors have discovered that when one immerses oneself in accounts of NDEs, one can experience love, hope, healing, and a sense of purpose.
This is the only book that systematically encourages the reader to create a spiritual and psychological healing practice based on NDEs. Each chapter includes an account of a fascinating NDE, followed by a series of questions, meditations, exercises, and video links. The reader is encouraged to contemplate these stories and their own lives. It is truly a profound guide to both living and dying.
Sheila Fabricant Linn, Dennis Linn, and Matt Linn work together as a team, integrating physical, emotional, and spiritual wholeness. They have taught courses on processes for healing around the world. They are the authors of 23 books, including 2 books for children and those who care for them. These books have sold over a million copies in English and have been translated into more than 20 languages. Dennis and Sheila live in Colorado with their son, John. Matt lives in a Jesuit community in Minnesota.
The Gifts of Near-Death Experiences
Aired Wednesday, 15 June 2016, 2:00 PM ET
Today's Stars are Dennis Linn, Sheila Fabricant Linn and Matthew Linn
They are spiritual teachers whose explorations of human consciousness and NDEs, have taught them that universal love knows no boundaries or religious denominations.
About the Guests Dennis Linn, Sheila Fabricant Linn and Matthew Linn
Dennis Linn, Sheila Fabricant Linn and Matthew Linn have taught courses on physical, emotional and spiritual wholeness and healing around the world. They are the authors of 23 books, including 2 books for children and those who care for them. These books have sold over a million copies in English and have been translated into more than 20 languages. Dennis and Sheila live in Colorado with their son, John, and Matt lives in a Jesuit community in Minnesota.
Their latest book is "The Gifts of Near-Death Experiences – You Don't Have to Die to Experience Your True Home." It teaches readers how to reap the benefits of NDEs without having to experience the trauma of dying. In their many workshops around the world, the authors have discovered that when we immerse ourselves in the elements of NDEs, we can experience love, hope, healing, and a sense of purpose. Each chapter includes accounts of fascinating NDEs and discussion of their implications for our lives here, followed by healing processes. It is a profound guide to both living and dying.
http://www.linnministries.org
Vistas of Infinity – How to Enjoy Life When You Are Dead by Jurgen Ziewe (Author)
by wsmystic in Awakening, Consciousness, Near Death Experience (NDE) / Life After Death / Out of Body Experiences (OBE), Spirituality
This book deals with the reality of our life after death, not spirit communication, but actual visits with all sensory perception in tact using Out-of-Body travel. Jurgen Ziewe has spent over forty years refining his Obe skills via a lifelong practice of deep meditation. The author projects his consciousness into parallel dimensions and non-physical reality systems whilst retaining full waking awareness throughout. He probes into the infinite vistas of human consciousness and brings back detailed accounts of his journeys and observations.
The reports gathered followed a strict research protocol, where the author interviewed dead people and visited the higher dimensional realities, from the darkest places to the most illuminated regions of cosmic consciousness and realms which are traditionally referred to as 'Heaven'. These are lively, first-hand accounts providing a narrative which is destined to revolutionize old concepts and perspectives.
Glimpse into the Vistas of Infinity
Suddenly I stood at the edge of a great chasm. As a stared down into the infinite void flames of bliss cascaded towards me and made me yearn to leap over the edge and be consumed by ecstasy. I knew this was only a portal and a new beginning, a journey into the Vistas of Infinity.
Over seven years I recorded my journeys, noting down every detail I brought back so that others could follow. I met many people who had died and found a new life within these non-physical realities, where they lived their most precious dreams or paid their price for not paying attention that all life is sacred and based on universal love.
Jurgen Ziewe – Multidimensional Realities
Is Reality an Illusion? Anthony Peake on NDE, OBE, DMT & Consciousness Beyond Physicality
by wsmystic in Consciousness, Near Death Experience (NDE) / Life After Death / Out of Body Experiences (OBE), Reality Tags: Near Death Experience (NDE) / Life After Death / Out of Body Experiences (OBE)
Author and consciousness researcher Anthony Peake joins me this week to speak about the nature of reality, out of body experiences and the bridge between science and spirituality. Anthony Peake is a writer who deals with borderline areas of human consciousness. His first book, Is There Life After Death? was published in 2006 and since then he has gone on to develop his own ideas together with exploring the latest areas of research in his field.Anthony has written 8 books including "The Immortal Mind", "The Out of Body Experience"and "The Daemon".
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http://www.wisdomfromnorth.com
Jannecke Oinaes (Øinæs), Oslo
Dying to Wake Up: A Doctor's Voyage into the Afterlife and the Wisdom He Brought Back by Rajiv Parti (Author), Raymond Moody (Foreword), Paul Perry (Contributor)
by wsmystic in Near Death Experience (NDE) / Life After Death / Out of Body Experiences (OBE), Transformation /Transformative practices Tags: Near Death Experience (NDE) / Life After Death / Out of Body Experiences (OBE)
A rare glimpse into heaven, hell, and previous lives—Dr. Rajiv Parti's near-death experience brought him on a journey through the afterworld, leading to a spiritual awakening that transformed his career, his lifestyle, and even his fundamental beliefs.
Before his near-death experience, Dr. Rajiv Parti was a wealthy man of science with a successful career as the Chief of Anesthesiology at the Bakersfield Heart Hospital in California. He demanded the same success from his son, whose failures provoked episodes of physical abuse from Dr. Parti. All in all, Dr. Parti was the last man to believe in heaven or hell—that is, until he saw them with his own eyes.
When Dr. Parti had his near-death experience on the operating table, he first watched his own operation from the ceiling—even recalling a joke told by his doctors during his surgery. He was greeted by archangels and his deceased father who led him through the tortures of hell and revealed the toxic cycle of violence that has plagued his family for generations. He even reviewed the struggles of his previous lives which, in many ways, reflected those he still faced in the present. Finally, he experienced heaven. From the angels, he learned lessons of spiritual health that they insisted he bring down to earth—to do so, Dr. Parti knew he had to change his ways.
After his near-death experience, Dr. Parti awoke a new man. He gave away his mansion, quit his career, opened a wellness clinic, and completely turned around his relationships with his family. To this day, he still converses with angels and spreads their wisdom to the living.
In this remarkable true story of spiritual transformation, Dr. Parti provides rare details of heaven, hell, the afterlife, and angels. In sharing the lessons and eternal truths from the Divine that changed him forever, Dr. Parti offers his audience the opportunity to attain peace and live a better life here on Earth.
Rajiv Parti, MD, is a world-renowned specialist in pain management with over thirty years as a cardiac anesthesiologist. In addition to being Chief of Anesthesiology at Bakersfield Heart Hospital for more than a decade, Dr. Parti is founder of the Pain Management Institute of California. Dr. Parti's study in complementary and alternative medicine has led him to formulate an integrative approach to total wellness, especially pain management, stress, and depression. He tours the country extensively, holding workshops to demonstrate methods of healing to help others overcome addiction, depression, chronic pain, and even cancer.
Paul Perry
Paul Perry has cowritten four New York Times bestsellers, including Evidence of the Afterlife, Closer to the Light, Transformed by the Light, and Saved by the Light.
Dying to Wake Up ~ Rajiv Parti, MD
Due for release in Summer 2016 through publishing giant, Simon & Schuster, this much anticipated book release details the full story of Dr. Rajiv Parti's NDE and the divine insights imparted to him which led to an astounding personal transformation. Dying To Wake Up is co-authored by New York Times Best Selling Author, Paul Perry (The Light Beyond, Glimpses of Eternity, Paranormal, Where God Lives, Evidence of the Afterlife).
The NDE of Dr Rajiv Parti, MD – The Afterlife Convention 9/2013
Rajiv Parti, M.D. speaks about his near-death experience at the Afterlife Convention in Santa Monica on 9/28/2013. Dr. parti has a powerful NDE and it changed his life path to become a healer and wellness speaker. Conference chairman Richard Martini ("Flipside") introduces Dr. parti ("The Soul of Wellness") and is joined on the panel by Dr. Den Stoller ("My Life After Life") and Michael Newton trained hypnotherapist Savarna Wiley (HealingJourneysHypnotherapy.com). The conference included scientists, doctors, hypnotherapists who shared their latest research in their field. For more info, afterlifeconvention.com, for Dr. Parti's website, please visit http://www.drparti.com to contact him, find his books and learn more about his amazing story.
by wsmystic in Death / Dying, Near Death Experience (NDE) / Life After Death / Out of Body Experiences (OBE), Transformation /Transformative practices Tags: Anita Moorjani
Anita Moorjani is the New York Times best-selling author of Dying to Be Me (published by Hay House in 2012), an account of her nearly four-year battle with cancer that culminated in a fascinating and moving near-death experience in 2006, which vastly changed her perspective on life. The book, which reached the bestseller list within two weeks of its release and remained there for nine weeks, has since been translated into more than 45 languages and sold more than one million copies worldwide. In February 2015, Scott Free Productions (owned by internationally acclaimed Hollywood producer Ridley Scott) optioned the rights to make Dying To Be Me into a full-length feature film.
Now completely cancer-free, Anita travels the globe, giving talks and workshops as well as speaking at conferences and special events to share the profound insights she gained while in the other realm. She's regularly interviewed on various prime-time television shows around the world, having appeared on CNN's Anderson Cooper 360, Fox News, The Jeff Probst Show, the National Geographic Channel, and the Today show in the U.S., as well as The Pearl Report in Hong Kong, Headstart with Karen Davila in the Philippines, and many others.
Anita was born in Singapore of Indian parents. When she was two years old, her family moved to Hong Kong, where Anita grew up. Because of her background in British education, she is multilingual and has spoken English, Cantonese, and an Indian dialect simultaneously from an early age, later learning French. Before becoming an author and international speaker, Anita worked in the corporate world for many years. Anita and her husband Danny recently moved from Hong Kong to the U.S. Website:www.anitamoorjani.com
Anita Moorjani – What If This Is Heaven? | London, 27/02/2016
Book tickets here: http://www.hayhouse.co.uk/what-if-thi…
Join Anita Moorjani for this enlightening workshop and discover how you can experience Heaven on Earth!
It can be challenging to truly be ourselves, but leading an authentic life is the key to experiencing Heaven on Earth. During this transformational workshop Anita Moorjani will highlight the cultural ideas that keep us locked in a life of fear, guilt and shame and will explain how to replace these debilitating beliefs with concepts, ideas and behaviours that will empower you with new-found strength, ability and authenticity.
Anita will share:
* Incredible insights from her near-death experience that provide a new way of looking at the world
* How learning to love and accept herself unconditionally brought her back from the brink of death
* Practical tools, tips and exercises to put into practice in order to feel truly empowered
* Strength-building processes to help you overcome fear, guilt and anxiety and develop your ability to live an authentic life
Join Anita for this transformational day and discover how to truly be yourself!
Dying to Be Free: From Enforced Secrecy To Near Death To True Transformation by Hannah Robinson (Author)
by wsmystic in Consciousness, Near Death Experience (NDE) / Life After Death / Out of Body Experiences (OBE), Spirituality Tags: Near Death Experience (NDE) / Life After Death / Out of Body Experiences (OBE)
In this compelling memoir, Hannah Robinson relates how she was injured in an accident while on holiday in Tenerife, sustaining life-threatening multiple injuries. While still "unconscious" she entered a "near-death experience", where she experienced true peace and love. She also received the information she needed to come to terms with the biggest, negative issue she would continue to face; the life-long rejection and enforced secrecy of her father, a Catholic priest.
While healing in hospital and at home, Hannah started to understand how her father's actions and her near-death experience were inextricably linked; that they'd both occurred at all was more than just coincidence. Within these pages, Hannah shares many of the stages of her life-transforming journey, both wonderful and excruciating, that have brought her to a deeper understanding of how and why this all happened. Increasingly struck by the contrast between her own spiritual experience and her treatment by the Catholic Church, Hannah examines the relationship between organised religion and near-death experiences and makes a good argument for love being the most emotionally, spiritually and psychologically healing power there is; one that transcends human belief systems and ultimately unites us all as one.
Hannah Robinson was born in London and now lives in Buckinghamshire. UK. She gained a Masters degree from the Courtauld Institute of Art, London, before teaching art in secondary schools for twelve years. She is deeply interested in spirituality and consciousness and supports Coping International, an organisation set up to help the children of Catholic priests.
Suzanne Giesemann – Buddha at the Gas Pump Interview
by wsmystic in Afterlife / Life After Death, Awakening, Channeling, Healing, Near Death Experience (NDE) / Life After Death / Out of Body Experiences (OBE), Psychic / Mediums, Spirituality Tags: BuddhaAtTheGasPump
Suzanne Giesemann is the author of 11 books, an inspirational speaker, metaphysical teacher, and evidence-based medium. She is a messenger of hope who captivates audiences as she brings love, healing, and comfort through her work. Suzanne's gift of communication with those on the other side brings stunning evidence of life after death, as well as validating her teaching about the purpose of life, the nature of reality, and attuning to higher consciousness. Her work has been recognized as highly credible by afterlife researcher Dr. Gary Schwartz, Ph.D., and best-selling author Dr. Wayne Dyer.
Suzanne is a retired U.S. Navy Commander. She served as a commanding officer, as special assistant to the Chief of Naval Operations, and as Aide to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on 9/11. In addition to earning the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, she has a Master's Degree in National Security Affairs and taught political science at the U.S. Naval Academy. Her unexpected and fascinating career transformation to her current work is the subject of the documentary, Messages of Hope, which has been featured at several film festivals, including the Awakened World Film Festival sponsored by the Association for Global New Thought.
Some of Suzanne's books: Messages of Hope: The Metaphysical Memoir of a Most Unexpected Medium Wolf's Message In the Silence: 365 Days of Inspiration from Spirit "Let Your Spirit S.O.A.R. – the Four Keys to Your Personal Breakthrough" – 6 DVD set with workbook
Website: http://suzannegiesemann.com
The Priest and the Medium: The Amazing True Story of Psychic Medium B. Anne Gehman and Her Husband, Former Jesuit Priest Wayne Knoll, Ph.D. by Suzanne R. Giesemann (Author)
by wsmystic in Channeling, Healing, Near Death Experience (NDE) / Life After Death / Out of Body Experiences (OBE), New Age, Psychic / Mediums
Psychic medium B. Anne Gehman gave her first spirit readings to her teddy bears at age five. Raised in the Mennonite tradition, she left home at age 14 to finish her schooling. A life-changing near-death experience led Anne to develop her natural gifts, including an uncanny ability to predict future events.
She has gained international attention for her help in solving crimes, locating oil and missing persons, healing illnesses, and connecting family members with their loved ones in spirit. She has worked with top government agencies and officials, police departments, judges, and corporate CEOs. While remarkable for her spiritual gifts and experiences, Anne's life is all the more fascinating due to an unusual twist: she is married to Wayne Knoll, Ph.D., a former Jesuit priest.
A brilliant student devoted to his faith, Wayne also left home at 14 to join a Roman Catholic seminary. Even while pursuing his life's dream as a professor of literature at Georgetown University, Wayne felt an emptiness that only a woman could fill. After more than a decade of religious training, he made the wrenching decision to leave the priesthood, not knowing if he would find the love he sought.
The Priest and the Medium shares the remarkable story of two soul mates on parallel paths with divergent beliefs, yet united in their love for God and each other.
Suzanne Giesemann is the author of eleven books, a spiritual teacher, and an evidential medium. She captivates audiences as she brings hope, healing, and comfort through her work. Suzanne's gift of communication with those on the other side provides stunning evidence of life after death. Touted as "a breath of fresh air" with "a quality that is so different from others that it is difficult to describe," she brings messages of hope and love that go straight to the heart. Suzanne addresses questions about the purpose of life, the nature of reality, and attuning to higher consciousness. Her work has been recognized as highly credible by afterlife researcher Dr. Gary Schwartz, Ph.D., and best-selling author Dr. Wayne Dyer. She serves on the executive council of Eternea, where she is the chairman of the Spirituality Leadership Council and also on the Advisory Board of the Academy of Spiritual and Studies. For more information about Suzanne, visit http://www.SuzanneGiesemann.com.
Religion Book Review: The Priest and the Medium: The Amazing True Story of Psychic Medium B. Anne…
This is the summary of The Priest and the Medium: The Amazing True Story of Psychic Medium B. Anne Gehman and Her Husband, Former Jesuit Priest Wayne Knoll, Ph.D. by Suzanne R. Giesemann.
The Afterlife is Real by Theresa Cheung
by wsmystic in Afterlife / Life After Death, HEAVEN, Near Death Experience (NDE) / Life After Death / Out of Body Experiences (OBE), Spirituality
The Afterlife is Real is the latest book from much-loved paranormal expert, Theresa Cheung, and is a captivating collection of true stories from people who have glimpsed the next life. Using as evidence first-hand accounts from ordinary people whose lives have been transformed by near death experiences and/or contact with the other side, Theresa will answer the big questions that everyone asks at some point in their lives whether or not they are religious/spiritual:
* What happens when we die?
* Will we ever see our loved ones again?
* Is there an afterlife?
* Is there a heaven?
Its aim is to empower readers with the knowledge that there are answers, hope and life in the midst of confusion, uncertainty and death. Theresa instructs readers in how to look for signs of spirit communication and how near death experiences can inspire and transform lives. It is a powerful and comforting reminder that there is more waiting for us than we see in the here and now.
Theresa Cheung was born into a family of spiritualists and has been involved in the research of psychic phenomena for over twenty-five years. She has a master's degree from King's College, Cambridge, and has written a variety of books about the paranormal including the Sunday Times bestsellers An Angel Called My Name and An Angel Healed Me. She lives with her husband and two children in Oxford.
Theresa Cheung on Finding Heaven
Theresa Cheung was born into a family of psychics and spiritualists. She has been involved in the research of psychic phenomena for over twenty-five years. A professional writer and journalist, she is the author of a number of bestselling books including An Angel Called My Name and An Angel Healed Me. She considers herself to be an ordinary person who has had extraordinary experiences.
How to Find Heaven brings the age-old search for the meaning of life right up to date with advice on how to recognise the presence of spirits in everyday life and unlock the divine messages they are constantly sending us. The book takes the theme of a journey, presenting the search for heaven like the search for a hidden treasure – easier to discover if you have the right map.It can be used for strength, guidance and encouragement whenever you feel the need of comfort, hope and love; whenever you need reminding that heaven exists and you can find it anytime you want, right here and right now.
Harnessing Heaven How One Reluctant Wall-Streeter Tapped the Power of the Hereafter by Clifford Michaels
by wsmystic in Awareness, HEAVEN, INSPIRATION, Near Death Experience (NDE) / Life After Death / Out of Body Experiences (OBE), Spirituality
Harnessing Heaven is about tapping into the power of Heaven enabling you to embrace a process of self-discovery. You will be able to follow the same steps the author has to awaken and pursue the path of a closer relationship with the heavenly realm.
Now, introducing the Seven Principles for clarifying your life purpose; the material combine's guidance from Heaven with lessons to enable us to discover our own path in life. These lessons along with insights from the authors own spiritual awakening provide wisdom and a road map for humanity.
The book contains many answers to life's riddles as well as a methodology for the reader to embark on his or her own personal development to take on their own challenges in life. The writing is candid and direct with a purpose to every word within its pages.
Harnessing Heaven addresses issues that divide us such as abortion and global warming as well as the reasons for existence in creativity, love and the infinite development of knowledge for people here as well as those residing in Heaven. As we learn they learn and it is a never ending cycle. We are all connected whether we think so or not…
It is important to emphasize that everything you do in this life counts for something. Everything you say in the spoken word affects others. Everything you think affects you. You matter.
Clifford Michaels works in New York City as an investment adviser and financial planner. You can find him online at http://www.conservativeadvice.com/.
His thirty years on Wall Street led him to become the president of the Financial Planning Association of New York. He has appeared on CNN, CNBC, and PBS 13, and has contributed to articles that have appeared in Money Magazine, Smart Money, Newsday, the Wall Street Digest, Bloomberg Business, and the Dow Jones Newswire.
Clifford has taught financial topics as adult education at St. John's University and at Baruch College. He holds a BS from Syracuse University and an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh.
With a foot in two worlds, so to speak, Clifford can help transmit light—either energy for healing or words for communication—from the other side, bringing comfort and healing to others. His desire is to raise humanity's awareness to the true existence of who they are, which will aid in bringing peace among all people. In addition to his spiritual writing, he also teaches metaphysics.
Clifford can be reached at CliffordMichaels@HarnessingHeaven.com.
The open mind is a humble mind and one that leaves room for expansion of new ideas. This in turn leaves room for creativity and wonder, which is the engine for evolution.
Seeking Jordan: How I Learned the Truth about Death and the Invisible Universe by Matthew McKay Ph.D. (Author), Ralph Metzner PhD (Foreword)
by wsmystic in Afterlife / Life After Death, Death / Dying, Mysticism / Mystics, Near Death Experience (NDE) / Life After Death / Out of Body Experiences (OBE), Truth
If you have lost someone you deeply love, or have become strongly aware of your mortality, it's hard to avoid wondering about life after death, the existence of God, notions of heaven and hell, and why we are here in the first place. The murder of Matthew McKay's son, Jordan, sent him on a journey in search of ways to communicate with his son despite fears and uncertainty. Here he recounts his efforts — including past-life and between-lives hypnotic regressions, a technique called induced after-death communication, channeled writing, and more.
McKay, a psychologist and researcher, ultimately learned how to reach his son. In this book he provides extraordinary revelations — direct from Jordan — about the soul's life after death, how karma works, why we incarnate, why there is so much pain in the world, the single force that connects us, and our future as souls. Unlike many books about after-death communication, near-death experiences, and past-life memories, this is a book for those who do not believe yet yearn to know what happens after death. In addition to being riveting reading, Seeking Jordan is a unique heart-, soul-, and mind-stirring reflection on the issues each of us will ultimately face.
Matthew McKay is a clinical psychologist and a professor at the Wright Institute in Berkeley, California. He cofounded Haight Ashbury Psychological Services in San Francisco in 1979 and served as its clinical director for twenty-five years. Currently he serves as the director of the Berkeley Cognitive Behavior Therapy Clinic. Books he has coauthored on professional and self-help psychology have sold more than 3 million copies.
Why are We Here? – Matthew McKay, PhD author of SEEKING JORDAN
SEEKING JORDAN author Matthew McKay, PhD shares powerful insights he gained about the purpose of life through channeled writing sessions with his son Jordan who was murdered in San Francisco in 2008. For more info visit http://www.seekingjordan.com.
Death, the Last God: A Modern Book of the Dead by Anne Geraghty (Author)
by wsmystic in Death / Dying, Near Death Experience (NDE) / Life After Death / Out of Body Experiences (OBE) Tags: Conscious TV
Anne Geraghty was a clinical psychologist and psychotherapist when her son, Tim Guest, author of My Life in Orange died suddenly.
Her old life ended. She went on a search for her lost son.
* Where was he? What was he?
* Did he live on in some other realm?
* Or had he fallen into the darkness of oblivion?
Her search for Tim became an exploration into the nature of death itself. We die as we have lived. Our lives are not like those of a C12th Tibetan, a C15th Cardinal or a Zen monk; we cannot, therefore, simply turn to old maps and myths of what happens when we die. We need a new narrative of death that embraces our modern understandings of our humanity and the workings of the universe.
This book is the story of a grieving mother looking for her dead son, an investigation into death in our modern world, and an exploration of our struggles to live well in the ever-present shadow of death. It is not a book with answers; it is an invitation to look at death differently. This book offers fresh and original ideas about death and dying. And it will radically change your understanding of what death is.
Anne worked as a Clinical Psychologist and worked with RD Laing. She went to the first Women's Liberation conference in Oxford in 1970 and wrote for the original Spare Rib. Many adventures later she began to look beyond the personal and the political for more spiritual understanding and travelled to India. There she met Osho and became his disciple.
She ran workshops and courses all over the world on love, relationships and family dynamics and was director of Medina Rajneesh Healing Centre. She then set up and was director of the Amap Centre in London where, with a team of therapists, she ran Diploma Courses in Counselling, Group Dynamics and Psychodrama. She has written several books on love and the psycho-spiritual journey. All seemed fine and then her son, Tim Guest died suddenly in 2009. He was the author of several best sellers including a memoir of his childhood – My Life In Orange. Her old life died. She now lives with her husband and spiritual comrade of 35 years on a market garden with their bees, hens and dogs and runs courses on love and death.
Anne Geraghty – 'Death; The Last God' – Interview by Iain McNay
Author of 'In The Dark And Still Moving'. Anne talks about the sudden death of her son Tim Guest and how that started her journey to find out what death means for her
http://www.conscious.tv
Avenues of the Human Spirit ~ Graham Nicholls [updated Dec 27, 2015]
by wsmystic in Book Reviews/Interview, Mysticism / Mystics, Near Death Experience (NDE) / Life After Death / Out of Body Experiences (OBE), Paranormal, prophecy / Prediction, Spirituality, Supernatural Tags: Near Death Experience (NDE) / Life After Death / Out of Body Experiences (OBE)
Avenues of the Human Spirit takes us on a compelling journey through many life-changing experiences towards a greater sense of spiritual fulfillment. Genuine life changing experiences such as perceptions through time, out-of-body experiences and a profound spiritual awakening illustrate how the author reached a philosophy of benevolence and freedom that we too can draw upon in our everyday lives.
These Avenues of the Human Spirit are the ecstatic changes we can experience beyond our bodies, in deep meditation or removed from the everyday world in nature, but they are also the everyday choices we make that define our world. The author's spiritual awareness has also grown from an understanding of the spectrum of human experience, from the harsher sides of his childhood in working class London to the joys of spiritual exploration. The result of these combined perceptions is what makes Avenues of the Human Spirit a unique and life-affirming book.
Graham Nicholls – Navigating the Out Of Body Experience: Part One
Graham returns for a 2nd show to discuss his debut book, Avenues of the Human Spirit published by O Books. Graham shares his journey growing up as young boy in London where the real threat of constant violence was never too far away. At this time he was also having many vivid precognitive out-of-body experiences. Graham is now using his own journey to recognise the different paths one can take given the experiences and influences we are subjected to.
Graham Nicholls Interview 2010 – Spiritual Lounge
An interview with Dhara Kothari of Spiritual Lounge Magazine
What does spirituality mean to you?
Spirituality for me means a process of growth towards greater awareness of our interconnectedness to all people and life, a liberating awareness or truth. It is about dissolving the beliefs that divide and limit. Like the scientific method, spirituality in my approach is about tuning our perceptions so that we can see things as they really are. This often means giving up long held assumptions and going it alone outside of the security of religious dogma or mainstream society, which can be scary for people but I believe it is the only way to experience true liberation.
You have had many life changing experiences, can you talk about some of them?
I would say that there have been four main stages in my life in which I was transformed in some way spiritually. The first took place when I was a small boy. I awoke in the middle of the night and walked into the hallway outside my bedroom. As I did I encountered a tall figure standing at the doorway to the apartment. Not surprisingly I was terrified, especially as I could not have been more than six or seven years old. The figure just stood there looking at me with an intensity that I have never experienced since. It is not an exaggeration to say that that night changed the direction of my life and opened me to the possibility of other levels of reality.
The second major shift took place when I was around twelve. I began to have fleeting out-of-body experiences (OBEs). They didn't last more than a few moments at that point but they again focused me on the idea of another aspect to the universe. So around a year later I bought a book on OBEs from a local bookshop and began experimenting with inducing the experience intentionally. It took me six months but I then experienced a jolt shoot through my body before I found myself floating in the air looking at an almost foreign vision of myself lying below. Energy seemed to pulse in every direction and the room seemed lit from a radiant light emanating from my floating form. I remained there rotating for a minute or two before I sensed the soft texture of the bed again and opened my eyes to see the moving shadows from the traffic outside subtlety cascading across the ceiling.
There was no turning back after that, my OBEs began to take place on a regular basis and I started researching all I could on the topic. I took up various spiritual disciplines from meditation to committing to abstain from alcohol, recreational drugs and meat. To this day I have never gone back on these commitments and have never drunk alcohol, smoked or taken drugs. I have not eaten meat for nearly twenty years now and I'm now a vegan.
Essentially my OBEs opened up my world and initiated me into a spiritual understanding of life that has defined me since that time. They also led to the next shift in my awareness that took place in 1999. I had arranged to run a workshop with a few friends on some new techniques and ideas. We had booked a space under a railway bridge, as it was cheap and very spacious. I spent the first part of the meeting going through a breathing technique I had developed that I nicknamed the G-Technique as it drew upon a process used by pilots to help them deal with G-force during their training. It was a very powerful approach and within minutes of working with it I experienced the most powerful OBE in my life so far.
I found myself standing on a London street watching the people passing by with the normal energy and life you might expect of a large city. Then, as I watched, an explosion seemed to burst out onto the street leaving broken glass and people running. Emotion seemed to hit me as if it was a tangible physical force. It was like nothing else I'd ever experienced. Once it was over and I was back in my body I had a sense that this was something going to happen in the future and sure enough five days later a bombing did take place in Soho on the same street I had seen it happen in the OBE.
This precognitive aspect to my experiences was only to become more prominent as I was also to witness the Aldgate East bombing that took place in London in 2005 long before it actually happened. But in-between these two events I was to have probably the most personally powerful and transformative experience in my life.
I was away on holiday in Sardinia, an Island off the coast of Italy, when because of a series of chance events I had no money left for the trip except a few pounds to cover very basic food requirements. The result was the holiday became a kind of retreat and I spent my time practicing a form of Zazen meditation and reading. After several days of this I lay on my bed and experienced a sense of liberation. It is very hard to describe, but in a subtle moment I felt as if the universe touched a part of me and transformed me. It was like seeing my life replayed but without fear, only compassion and peace. That day put in motion the process that led me to write my first book and to found the Shahmai Network.
Tell us something about your professional work and how it has helped you spiritually?
Well I've always been a person who is inspired by many diverse areas, so I suppose my professional work as an artist, writer and activist allows me to share my understandings with others and also to explore in a deeper way what my life means. Art, especially contemporary art affords a level of freedom that few other areas do. I also always wanted to immerse people in an experience that they might never have in another context. Art allowed me to build and exhibit complex environments that I designed to take people on a meditational journey deep within themselves. I also try to offer guidance and healing to people through my various workshops, courses, retreats and one-on-one sessions. This is a really satisfying way of working for me as I can see directly the impact that my approaches have, which are often very transformative for the people involved.
You are the founder of Shahmai Network, can you tell us more about it?
The network was envisioned mainly as a focal point for my activism, a way of reaching others who support my vision and understanding of the world; with the ultimate goal of putting something positive and life affirming out into society. Our first undertaking in this direction was to become members of the Make Poverty History coalition back in 2004. It underlined to me the importance of working not just for personal growth, but for a fairer more equal world. Spirituality when it is divorced from compassion or a real focus on others is not fully realised in my understanding.
Since the end of the MPH campaign in 2005 I have focused on three slightly diverse areas, these being poverty, animal rights and personal rights such as relationships free from state limitations. These are all areas that I see as causing great suffering. I hope to expand the network as more people become aware of what I do with the goal of making lasting change in the world.
What have you learnt about the scientific understanding of consciousness?
Well I have always been fascinated by science, especially areas like parapsychology that seek to answer some of the greatest questions in human experience. Do we survive physical death? What are the boundaries of consciousness? etc etc. So my understanding of consciousness is constantly evolving. Part of me feels that consciousness may be illusory in the sense that it may not really be a consistent whole in the way we experience it. This is because the brain fills in the gaps left open by our senses giving rise to the 'stream of consciousness' we experience. This is interesting to me as if it is true that the brain completes the process of sensory perception, what would it look like if the mind was extended beyond the brain or if we could project our awareness to another place such as in remote viewing or an OBE? It seems to me that what we experience in psychical perceptions would appear fragmentary without the filling in process of the brain, we would also expect that we might not have the references of full memory or emotional context. As far as I can tell so far in my understanding psi perceptions do seem to match very well with this hypothesis.
In order to explore these areas more I have worked with Rupert Sheldrake, a biologist and psi researcher, in a series of telepathy experiments and I also support his work challenging the limited perspectives of many sceptics. Sheldrake believes that the brain might be more like a receiver and that our mind might be extended via a morphic field. This idea of the brain being more like a receiver is also popular with scientists researching near-death experiences. For example NDE researchers Pim Van Lommel and Penny Sartori have both put across this kind of understanding, as has Dean Radin a prolific researcher into psi.
Tell us more about your out of body experiences?
This could fill several books as I have now had hundreds of OBEs over some 23 years (as of October 2010). But what I can say is they have allowed me to travel to locations across the world and even to look down at the planet from the upper atmosphere. I have been able to explore the nature of consciousness directly without appeal to theory or dogma. That is the real value of these states of being, they offer us access to non-physical reality and let as ask questions about our spiritual nature. When I induced my first OBE at a teenager I simply wanted to experience something incredible, something life-affirming and that is exactly what happened. I entered a world of exploration and expanded my world view in ways I could never have imagined at the time.
How has astral projection helped you and in what way?
Astral projection is the term favoured in various esoteric traditions, many of which draw their ideas from Theosophy and western occultism, as someone focused on a more scientific approach I tend to use the term out-of-body experience. My OBEs have opened me to everything I now value in my life really. It is no exaggeration to say beginning to explore my OBEs made me look at the world with new eyes and begin to understand that there is more to this world than I ever imagined. I began to learn and educate myself in areas that I literally didn't know existed before this shift in consciousness. Science, religion, philosophy, poetry and literature all became areas of fascination for me as a result of the desire for knowledge that arose from being awakened to psychical and spiritual potential.
You organize retreats, what do they consist off?
Yes, I run retreats that are focused on personal growth and spirituality as well as teaching approaches to help people have out-of-body experiences for themselves. My workshops usually consist of a one or two day event in which I guide people through a step-by-step process working with their strengths as well as limitations. When the group is focused on out-of-body experiences I use a wide range of approaches including my immersive technology, which I've developed since the late 1990s. I realised that most of the techniques for inducing OBEs were very generic and not based on the individual involved, so I started to develop a system that takes into account the psychology and particular strengths of the person I'm teaching. I then realised that most of the traditional techniques used only visualisations, which seemed limiting when we have all the other senses and the possibility to immerse ourselves in a compete sensory experience. I also draw on a much more scientific approach than anyone else I'm aware of, this helps to identify the approaches that are most likely to work drawn from the evidence in parapsychology.
I want people to walk away from my workshops and retreats with a sense that they have made a change, a real breakthrough. That's my job in a way as the facilitator really, to take someone who is open to explore and grow and offer a genuine and personal teaching that lets them find the resources within the core of themselves.
Tell us more about your first book Avenues of the Human Spirit that is soon going to be published?
Avenues of the Human Spirit is a poetic journey through my experiences since my early childhood. But more than that it is an exploration of how they have transformed me and led me to a spiritual world view based upon direct experience, compassion and awareness. It was a very hard book to write and took me deep into myself and challenged me in ways that I could not have imagined. It even took me into the harsher sides of growing up in a large complex city like London. But the result I believe is quite unique in spiritual literature and early readers have already commented that they believe it is destined to be a classic. For example I have received endorsements from authors including bestselling Karen Ralls, who said that it is "Searingly honest, real and spiritually inspiring" and Herbie Brennan who said it is "An important, multi-layered work" and William Bloom also called it a "wonderful, entertaining and unique book".
How do you envisage the future and spirituality?
I envision a spirituality that is grounded in change and growth rather than adherence to the beliefs of the past. This wouldn't just be science and spirituality coming together in the sense of science supporting what we already believe about spirituality, it would be a spirituality grounded in the methods of science. A philosophy of awareness and human transformation that is interlinked with learning and inquiry in a way that has never existed before. I envision communities of spiritual awareness growing stronger and further reaching, so that the margins of aggression, violence and ignorance are diminished and ultimately replaced with compassion and peace.
Not I, Not other than I: The Life And Teachings Of Russel Williams by Russel Williams (Author), Steve Taylor (Editor) [updated Sept 11, 2015]
by wsmystic in compassion, Consciousness, Ego, Near Death Experience (NDE) / Life After Death / Out of Body Experiences (OBE), Spirituality, Stillness Tags: Steve Taylor
Russel Williams is one of the most remarkable enlightened spiritual teachers of our time. After an early life of extreme hardship—leaving school at the age of 11, and becoming an orphan shortly afterwards—he underwent a spiritual awakening at the age of 29.
Since the late 1950s, he has been a spiritual teacher, and is still actively teaching now, at the age of 94. Previously, Russel has avoided publicity and never published any writings or transcripts of his talks, preferring to work quietly with small groups. This is the first time any details of his teachings or of his life have appeared in print.
This book is partly a record of his teachings, and partly also the story of his extraordinary life. Working with well-known spiritual author Steve Taylor—who has attended Russel's meetings regularly since the 1990s—Russel has created a profound text which will surely become known as a classic of spiritual literature.
Russel Williams was born in London in 1921. He now lives in lives in Atherton, near Manchester, UK, with his wife Joyce. Since 1974, he has been the president of The Buddhist Society of Manchester. This is his first book. Steve Taylor PhD is a senior lecturer in psychology at Leeds Metropolitan University. He is the author of several best-selling books including Waking From Sleep and Back to Sanity, and a book of spiritual poems The Meaning. http://www.stevenmtaylor.co.uk
Not I, Not other than I: Russel Williams
Georgi & Bart join spiritual author and teacher Steve Taylor (http://www.stevenmtaylor.com/about-st…) in a conversation with Russel Williams in Manchester, 2015. Here Russel gives a simple exercise to use right now, to bring heaven to earth.
[About Russel Williams, from the introduction to Not I, Not Other than I]
Russel Williams is a simple man. On the surface, you would think of him as a fairly typical man of his generation, although perhaps one who looks unusually young and sprightly for his 93 years. If you visited him at home with his wife Joyce, you wouldn't find anything unusual there either. Again, it would strike you as a fairly typical house for a couple of their senior years.
Russel is not educated – he left school at the age of 11 (in 1932) and has had no formal education since. He's not an intellectual; he hasn't read a great many books, and in his teachings he only rarely refers to texts or other sources. Although he has been the president of the Buddhist Society of Manchester since 1974, and sometimes uses Buddhist terms or talks about the Buddha as an individual, he doesn't consider himself a Buddhist. He certainly doesn't 'teach' Buddhism in any formal sense.
As a result, Russel's spiritual teachings are very 'naked' and pure – that is, they are very free of theories, concepts and categories. This gives his teachings a rare clarity and power. There is no system. There are no rituals or rules to follow, and no ideas to take on board. You don't have to believe anything. You don't have to accept anything. You don't have to become anything. All you have to do is be.
Russel often says that he's not interested in convincing people of anything. He encourages people to play with his teachings, to question them, to find out for themselves whether they are true. He doesn't think of himself as a guru, and has no desire to accumulate followers or disciples. Everything he teaches stems very directly from a particular state of being, one which he experiences as his constant reality, and which he has done for almost 65 years. There are many different terms for this state: stillness, pure consciousness, emptiness of being, the essence of our being, our true nature…
(Extract from the introduction to the book by Russel Williams "Not I, Not Other than I", by Steve Taylor.)


First preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and butter or grease a 12-cup muffin pan. If you don't have butter or grease, you can use muffin cups. Next, take out a medium mixing bowl and begin to mix the cannabis oil, mashed bananas, vanilla extract and egg together, until mixed thoroughly. Now, in a separate but larger mixing bowl, mix the remaining dry ingredients, after which point it's time to mix in the initial, wet mixture. Lastly, mix in the chocolate chips and place in muffin pan cups. Bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown.
The picture on these looks so delicious. I love the banana and chocolate flavors together.


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Q: How does pressure cooker increase cooking speed? My teacher mentioned something about pressure cookers making cooking faster and I was wondering what exactly is the reason behind this?

A: If we heat a liquid, the average Kinetic Energy of the liquid increases and at a certain stage, the energy becomes sufficient to break the molecular attraction. The molecules anywhere in the liquid can form vapor bubbles. These bubbles float to the surface of the liquid and finally come out of the liquid. This phenomena is called boiling and temperature at which it occurs is called boiling point. The boiling point of a liquid depends on the external pressure over its surface. When pressure decreases, boiling point decreases. That's why at place with high altitude, water will boil before reaching 100 degree Celsius. For example, boiling point of water at 1atm is 100 degree Celsius but at 0.5atm it is 82 degree Celsius.
*A pressure cooker is a sealed pot with a valve that controls the steam pressure inside. As the pot heats up, the liquid inside forms steam, which raises the pressure in the pot.*This enables us to cook at a higher temperature, making the process faster.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Shocking Movie Scenes: Part 2 (With Videos)
by King Hazard
No.5 Sorry boss! I fucked up.
Ichi the Killer (2001) – Japan
If we didn't include a shocking scene from a Takashi Miike film, it would be an insult to this list, and any horror/shock fan alive. The god of Japanese V-Cinema (direct-to-video) has made an entire career, directing over 80 films, specifically making them ultra violent, and breaking the boundaries of censorship. Takashi has also influenced some of the best American directors, such as Quentin Tarantino and specifically Eli Roth (Takashi even had a cameo in Roth's Hostel).
Ichi the Killer was one the very first Takashi films I watched, and the entire film left me confused as well as shocked. Let's just say if you are new to his films, this isn't the one you should start with until you understand his style and his intentions as a film maker. In this scene, we see Kakihara slice off his tongue and offer it to the head Yakuza boss of a rival gang. He does this to make restitution with him because Kakihara tortured an innocent member of his by suspending him with hooks, shoving metal yakitori skewers through his body, and pouring boiling oil on him. In Yakuza tradition, members slice off their thumb if they disgrace the gang too many times, since it's the most important finger, but Takashi always wants to show things in the most extreme manner, and really emphasize the craziness that lurks inside Kakihara. The sound of the slice during the scene makes it even more gut-wrenching.
No.4 Combo, just leave him!
This Is England (2006) – UK
This Is England centers around a group of young skinheads in England from the early '80s. Shane Meadows illustrates that skinhead subculture, whose roots go as far back as the '60s, include elements of black culture, especially ska, soul, and reggae music was adopted by white nationalist, which led to divisions within the skinhead community.
Not all films need gore or over-the-top violence to recreate the shock effect. This concluding scene between Combo and Milky from This Is England is a perfect example of this. When mixing the right combination of music, emotions, and violence like director Shane Meadows did, you will see how effective these elements can be to create an emotional shock ride full of hatred and anger.
This scene happens moments after Milky (Andrew Shim) and Combo (Stephen Graham) bond over a conversation they have while drugged up on cannabis. Milky expresses how great the food is that his mother makes and their relationship as a family. Combo is agitated by Milky and his race, after calling him a nigger and violently beating Milky unconscious. A remorseful Combo seeks out Shaun (Thomas Turgoose) for help in getting him to the hospital.
Note: the voices in the video above are slightly off from the original.
No.3 Running out of luck!
I Saw the Devil (2010) – South Korea
If you read the synopsis for I Saw the Devil you would almost mistaken it for a Chan-wook Park film, who previously directed three revenge films including Oldboy. Oddly this one is directed by Kim Ji-woon (The Good, the Bad, the Weird, and A Tale of Two Sisters) who also casts the multi talented South Korean actor Min-sik Choi as Kyung-chul (the killer).
In a short summary, the story follows a psychopathic serial killer who murders young women and children in diabolical ways for pleasure. This character is as evil as the one Min-sik Choi plays in Lady Vengeance, I'd like to add. One evening, Kyung-chul kills a woman whose fiance is a top-secret agent who is determined to track him down. Soo-hyun is ready to do anything in his power to make this happen, even if it means he must become a monster himself.
This scene happens moments after Soo-hyun lets Kyung-chul free another time (this happens a few times throughout the film). Kyung-chul is left alone alongside a road in middle of nowhere. A taxi pulls up with two strange men, and they exchange a few words until Kyung-chul realizes the cab driver is the wrong cabi — apparently other killers just like Kyung-chul. He laughs momentarily (realizing how the hell he will get out of the situation) and proceeds in a blade fight with between the two. The scene is shockingly incredible with a 360-degree camera movement around the men, and it really feels like a fight for your dear life. Oddly enough, this is the only moment you actually think Kyung-chul is cool.
No.2 This is a new genre, Milos! Newborn porn!
A Serbian Film (2010) – Serbia
A Serbian Film (original title Srpski film) is probably one the most over-the-top shock films made in recent years in terms of subject matter (probably equivalent to Salò, and graphically comparable to Cannibal Holocaust). It puts 8mm to shame, another film about snuff that stars Nicolas Cage and Joaquin Phoenix.
Basically, the theme in A Serbian Film is about pedophilia and necrophilia, and can only be viewed by those who have been desensitized by extreme subjects — like the Serbs who have dealt with crap in their country for over 20 years. The entire film is considered a metaphor by writer Aleksandar Radivojevic of the political situation in Serbia.
In this scene we see Vukmir (the snuff film director) show Miloš a film project he made with Rasa (Vukmir's driver) helping a women give birth to a baby girl. Rasa then rapes the baby in what the director calls "newborn porn." Brutal, sick and shocking, right? Since the entire film has many bestial scenes, too many to list, it was actually a tough call to chose between the ending, and this. If you are curious, you will have to watch the film for yourself.
Overall, this isn't a film you can watch with a group of friends on a Friday night and have a blast. You would have to jump over to a film by Lucio Fulci or Umberto Lenzi for a few scares, and giggles. Also, don't mistake this film as a horror, it really isn't; it's more a drama straight out of hell said by director Srdjan Spasojevic.
No.1 Do you know what your parents did?
Martyrs (2008) – France/Canada
I have to admit that Alexandre Aja was the director to push me toward French horror with Switchblade Romance (Haute Tension). It was the bloodiest film I saw during the time of its release. I strongly believe it was the film that fueled a spring of modern extreme horror films from France like Calvaire, Frontier(s), and Inside to name a few.
Martyrs, directed by Pascal Laugier is not just another addition to the list, but it's the one that is most shocking to this day, some might even say it's the most ferocious film ever made (as labeled on the Blu-ray/DVD). This scene shows Lucie burst into the families home 15 years after being physically tortured by the two parents for a lengthy period of time in a disused abattoir. Everyone gets killed, including the kids, with a shotgun. Overall, this is very similar to the nightmare Nazi demon scene in An American Werewolf in London, but much more dramatic. I guess Lucie definitely ain't no Justin Bieber fan, either (note the similarities in the victim). I honestly don't understand why Lucie kills the kids, but it surely leaves you thinking if they knew anything about the tortures. This summer I can't wait to see how extreme Pascal will go with Jessica Biel in his upcoming film The Tall Man.
Related Items: 28 Days LaterA Serbian FilmBlack DeathHaute TensionI Saw the DevilIchi the KillerInsideMartyrsShockingTaxidermiaTouch of Death
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Darien es una villa ubicada en el condado de Walworth en el estado estadounidense de Wisconsin. En el Censo de 2010 tenía una población de 1.580 habitantes y una densidad poblacional de 472,9 personas por km².

Geografía
Darien se encuentra ubicada en las coordenadas . Según la Oficina del Censo de los Estados Unidos, Darien tiene una superficie total de 3.34 km², de la cual 3.34 km² corresponden a tierra firme y (0%) 0 km² es agua.

Demografía
Según el censo de 2010, había 1.580 personas residiendo en Darien. La densidad de población era de 472,9 hab./km². De los 1.580 habitantes, Darien estaba compuesto por el 86.01% blancos, el 0.76% eran afroamericanos, el 0.38% eran amerindios, el 0.57% eran asiáticos, el 0% eran isleños del Pacífico, el 10.82% eran de otras razas y el 1.46% pertenecían a dos o más razas. Del total de la población el 22.03% eran hispanos o latinos de cualquier raza.

Referencias

Enlaces externos

Villas de Wisconsin
Localidades del condado de Walworth (Wisconsin)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Washington NFL
Playoff schedule
Ron Rivera likes what he's seen from Kyle Allen, but Washington's offensive issues remain
Washington has lost both games in which Kyle Allen has started, but Ron Rivera has found key areas that he hopes will serve as building blocks for the future, both short- and long-term. (Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post)
Nicki Jhabvala
Reporter covering Washington's NFL team
Oct. 21, 2020 at 10:43 p.m. UTC
The Washington Football Team has only three wide receivers on its active roster who are healthy enough to play Sunday. Its leading tight end is dealing with a neck injury. The fourth-round offensive lineman who was supposed to be the answer at left guard is out with a knee injury, and oh, by the way, the team sits dead last in the worst division in the NFL.
And yet Coach Ron Rivera is optimistic. With quarterback Kyle Allen at the helm, he sees a young if depleted team that still has enough talent to win the NFC East — especially after its upcoming opponent, the Dallas Cowboys, lost in a blowout to the Arizona Cardinals on Monday.
Though Allen may be regarded as a Band-Aid at the quarterback position, Rivera said he believes his play has led to incremental improvements for Washington's offense.
"I thought he did some really good things," Rivera said of Allen's performance in Sunday's loss to the New York Giants. "I thought he made some really good decisions, moved the ball when we had to. Obviously the two things you want back are the two takeaways. But other than that, he did the things that we're expecting of him … and he put us in position to win the football game, and that much I think is promising."
Washington has lost both games Allen has started, but Rivera has found key areas he hopes will serve as building blocks for the future, both short and long term. The most notable has been Washington's ability to sustain long drives, which has allowed it to control the clock. In Week 6, Washington had a league-high five drives that spanned 10 or more plays. Four of those drives resulted in points. In the first four games of the season, the team totaled six drives of 10 or more plays.
"Well, we converted on third downs," Rivera said. "I think we were right around 50 percent if not a little over 50 percent last week on third downs. That's big. Our first and second downs, we had success where we put ourselves in second and short, and then we put ourselves in third and short. When you're converting that way, that's huge. It gives you an opportunity to maintain the ball."
A five-win season gets NFL coaches fired. This year, it might get one a playoff berth.
In the first quarter of the season, Washington converted a league-worst 33.3 percent of its third-down attempts. But with Allen at quarterback, the team converted 50 percent of its attempts. Week 6 also was the first game this season in which Washington outgained its opponent by at least 10 yards (97), and the first time it made more big plays (rushes of 10-plus yards and catches of at least 20 yards) than it allowed.
Yet for the small steps forward Washington has taken on offense, it continues to take giant leaps backward. At times those mistakes have come from Allen and the offense. Rivera and offensive coordinator Scott Turner — who both coached Allen with Carolina for two seasons — have stressed the need for him to play within himself and the system because forcing plays often got him into trouble last season, when he averaged nearly two giveaways a game.
On Sunday, he had two turnovers — an interception and fumble — that led to 14 Giants points.
"A lot of that has to do with decision-making," Turner said. "... The first thing you have to do is protect the ball. He'd be the first person to tell you that. Trust in the rest of your team that we're going to get a punt off, we'll pin them, it's a tie game. So, we talk a lot about: 'Play the game, don't play plays.' I think just understanding situations is big and know when to say when."
But the mistakes have been shared all around. Washington's defense has had continued communication issues and coverage breakdowns that have led to chunk plays and scores for the opposition.
"Last week was their ninth play of 40-plus yards [allowed]," said former Washington guard and current Fox Sports analyst Mark Schlereth, who was part of the broadcast crew for Washington's game against the Giants. "They've given up four plays of 50-plus yards. ... They don't have enough offensive talent to overcome the explosive plays they give up on the defensive side of the ball."
That includes the quarterback position, Schlereth said.
"This is not a knock on Kyle Allen, but I don't think he's going to play above the X's and O's," Schlereth said. "It's not like Kyler Murray. Kyler Murray was awful throwing the ball on Monday night. ... He made the one deep pass to Christian Kirk and it looked great, but for the most part, he was not on time and he was inaccurate. And they still blew out the Cowboys ... because he could play above the X's and O's. When s--- breaks down, he just goes and makes ridiculous plays with his feet."
Rivera's biggest reason for switching to Allen five games into the season was his experience in Turner's offense.
"It's a very high-volume offense, so the more time you spend in it, the more you get the nuance with all the plays and the more you feel good about it," Allen said. "... I think I can feel myself out there on game day compared to last year getting through my reads quicker, understanding where the ball needs to go quicker and understanding when there's not a play to be made, when to get out of the pocket and make a play."
But many of the same roadblocks that Dwayne Haskins hit in his four starts are the same ones Allen will have to overcome. Washington lacks depth at nearly every position on offense, and injuries have piled up. Rookie wide receivers Antonio Gandy-Golden (hamstring) and Isaiah Wright (shoulder) and veteran tight end Logan Thomas (neck) are dealing with injuries that kept them from practicing Wednesday.
Defensive end Chase Young, who missed time earlier in the season with a groin injury, did practice but on a limited basis because of the same injury. His status is another potential challenge facing Washington and its young quarterback.
"I think [Allen's] a really solid quarterback that needs a really good football team around him," Schlereth said. "I don't think they have a good enough football team around him both offensively and defensively."
More Washington Football Team coverage:
Ron Rivera says bold call fits Washington's top priority: Win games now
Washington's placeholder name could remain into next season, new president says
Sally Jenkins: Ron Rivera has a vision, and it's bigger than one failed two-point conversion


In 2018, Dare to Care began offering a School Pantry program to elementary, middle and high schools in Kentuckiana.
Through this new approach, students and their families can visit a food pantry at participating schools to receive grocery items to take home. Examples of food items available in school pantries include fresh fruits and vegetables, pasta, pasta sauce, beans, tuna, cereal, canned vegetables and soups. Schools that partner with Dare to Care can choose whether the Backpack Buddy or School Pantry program best addresses the needs of students.


Devereaux is a futurist, and she and her colleagues point out in the book that we are about 50 years into a 75-year stretch of turbulence (probably one of the most turbulent times in history). During this 75 year stretch, some people will move forward in the world, and some just won't, and participation in innovation and new approaches to leadership is not optional…it will be required in order to move ahead.
1) Stop trying to resist the chaos in the world. Chaos is a sign of innovation and growth. The more you resist chaos, the more you will stay stuck, the more exhausted and frustrated you will be.
2) Start reading everything you can get your hands on about the next generation of leaders (both Gen X, Gen Y and about Tweens). If you are going to lead, you have to know who your future followers are and what makes them tick.
3) Act daily. Get up each day and take 3 big action steps every day in the direction of growth.  Drop your perfectionism and move on.
4) Do the right thing. In this day and age, the public is watching every move you make. When in doubt, step back and make sure that you are making an honest, truthful decision.
5) Stop spending time or doing business with people who don't share your values or who are stuck in the past. Design your personal and professional relationships based on your core values and by all means, don't do business with people who lie, cheat or steal your stuff (including taking your ideas and claiming them as your own).
6) Move forward or just get out of the way. If you are stuck, stop trying to get other people who want to move forward caught up in your old ways of thinking and living. If you are one of these people, you will know it, because the people around you will be pushing you away (trying to get you out of their forward path).
8) Listen to the clashes and complaints. Inside a clash or complaint is an answer to growth. Don't fight a complaint…listen to it and find out what message you need to learn.


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At the eleventh hour, Chinese regulators on November 2 halted what was to be Ant Group's record-setting $37 billion IPO – two days before it was to list on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. The offering was hugely oversubscribed, reflecting the intense investor interest. The IPO is still expected to go forward, but with a significantly lower market valuation due to the changes in Ant's business model necessary to comply with hastily rolled out regulatory requirements.
The episode shines a light on the formation of Chinese regulatory policy and holds important lessons for the future development of China's financial system. It also reflects the challenges facing policymakers worldwide in deciding how to regulate innovative payments initiatives and fintech lending platforms. Ant branded itself first and foremost as a tech company but functioned in many ways as a bank. Its algorithms underwrote loans which its partnering banks funded. The status of Jack Ma's fintech empire as a national champion further complicated the matter for Chinese regulators.
Champion status also created difficulties for Germany's bank regulator earlier this year. Wirecard's emergence as the long sought-after candidate as national tech champion led to highly improper supervisory practices by the German authorities. BaFin, the bank supervisor, was willfully ignorant of the company's accounting fraud, blinded by the prospect of a company that – at last – rivaled the size and heft of a successful Silicon Valley fintech firm. At bottom, Wirecard's wrongdoing was garden variety accounting fraud. In contrast, Ant has not engaged in any evident wrongdoing.
The attractiveness of the innovative fintech space has bedazzled some US financial regulators and troubled others, with mixed results. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency had planned to issue special purpose bank charters to fintech companies that don't provide full banking services. Litigation in 2018 quickly stopped these efforts dead in their tracks. The OCC was sued by New York's financial regulator and by the Conference of Bank Supervisors. A court later ruled that the OCC had no authority to issue a bank charter to an institution that doesn't take deposits. Yet, the OCC is at it again. In September it signaled a revamped licensing initiative. Over the last year and a half, Facebook's Libra, a payment system based on digital currency, received a cold reception in the US Congress and central banks worldwide.
But the regulatory action taken against Ant had a unique twist. At a conference in October, Ma had criticized both the traditional banking sector and its regulators as outmoded and timid in launching and approving innovative business practices. Ma said banks had an old-fashioned "pawnshop mentality" – insisting on tried-and-true collateral for small business loans rather than algorithmically analyzing large data sets that more effectively priced default risk. Ma's tirade would have been unwise for an issuer even in a mature financial regulatory system such as the US's.
On orders from President Xi Jinping, four Chinese regulators promptly took action, meeting with Ma to take him and his company to task, and later stopped the IPO. The commandment from the top reflected the need for President Xi and the Communist Party to maintain control over an increasingly independent and dominant force in the financial markets. In addition to reigning in Ma's ambitious business model, the regulatory action reflected concern over the systemic risk posed by the online giant.
The regulators quickly drafted a rule that was even tougher than was being contemplated and aimed it directly at Ant. Henceforth, micro-loan firms will need to fund 30% of each loan co-originated with a bank – many multiples of the 2% Ant currently provisions. Further, Ant must cap loans at the lower of (i) Rmb300,000 (about $44,000) and (ii) one-third of a borrower's annual pay. The capital requirement and loan cap significantly reduce the profit potential of micro-lending in China.
This hasty and unscheduled regulatory chain of events stands in stark contrast with the rules- and process-based route for new regulations in the US. An IPO's registration with the SEC typically take months of SEC review and comment before the agency declares a registration statement "effective". Pending, material regulation that would impact the issuer would be part of the comment process, ensuring few surprises as the issuer and underwriter prepare for eventual launch. Lead underwriters – which for Ant included Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase, and Morgan Stanley in its Hong Kong arm of the IPO – assist an issuer in marshaling an IPO through the regulatory process. Without doubt, both they and their Chinese co-lead mangers were caught completely off guard by the IPO's stoppage. As for issuing a new rule, US regulators must follow a long-drawn-out, transparent notice-and-comment process that enables firms to provide industry's perspective on the rule's costs and benefits for their business. The process often results in the softening of a rule's impact.
Nonetheless, in taking the action against the Ant Group, the Chinese authorities had a deep understanding of the financial risks that the fintech behemoth and its business model posed. They were haunted by the severe disruptions in the domestic stock market in 2015-16 and the role debt played in fueling a stock bubble. The Shanghai stock market suffered a severe downturn beginning in June 2015. Volatility continued into 2016.
Throughout this episode supervisory actions were chaotic and haphazard. Regulators before the crash had tried to reign in stock margin lending then, following the crash in June 2015, frantically sought to pump up the market through massive injections of cash by the central bank, commandeering companies to buy up stock, and even offering investors cash to purchase stock. The agencies' panic stemmed from the high amount of leverage incurred by unsophisticated retail investors to buy stock on margin and the potential for a backlash against the government and social unrest. Such a backlash would certainly have occurred in the Ant case if the rule had been issued after investors purchased Ant's stock.
As in 2015, the Ant episode involved systemic risk to the financial system, this time due to the twofold risk of Ant's market dominance and its role in contributing to a growing pile of consumer debt. Ant engaged directly in lending through its online payments platform, gaining over half a billion domestic customers. It was acting as a bank by underwriting loans while banks took the default risk, giving Ant a skewed incentive to write risky loans. Compounding this problem, the loans were unsecured, putting at risk not only Ant but its customers as well since they were not constrained by a loan-to-value ratio that is the staple of mortgage lending. Ant's business model thus posed high risk to the lender, the borrower, and the financial system as a whole.
By waiting so long to put guard rails on Ant and the micro-lending sector, the Chinese authorities risk slowing the country's quest to join the league of countries that boast efficiently regulated and trusted financial markets. That said, fintech has tripped up even the most developed of the world's regulatory systems.
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