Spirituality, After-Death Communication, and OT
By Rebecca Austill-Clausen, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA
Occupational therapy practitioners have included spiritual components in treatments since the mid-1990s and often previously (Humbert, 2016). Near-death experiencers describe spiritual, emotional, physical, and psychological after effects. With the recent recognition of near-death experiences being considered scientifically valid, John Hopkins University Press published an entire journal called Closing the Gap in Medical Care for Near-Death Experiencers. This resource document provides physicians and medical professionals with information about treating millions of patients who traveled beyond our physical reality during their near-death experiences (Narrative Inquiry in Bioethics, 2020).
Between 10-20% of people who are resuscitated experience a near-death experience (NDE) where they have an out-of-body event, such as meeting deceased loved ones, traveling through a tunnel of light, and/or feeling great love. The great majority of NDEs are pleasurable. Although, a small percentage are distressing, which can be challenging for the patient.
It is highly likely that OT practitioners working in hospitals, critical care units, mental health facilities, and/or community mental health agencies will have patients who had an NDE. Communication with deceased loved ones frequently occurs during these events. Understanding signs and symbols indicative of after-death communication can assist OT practitioners in providing supportive treatment for clients experiencing an NDE.
In November 2021, the Bigelow Institute for Consciousness Studies awarded $1.8 million to 29 people who wrote award-winning essays verifying that human consciousness is separate from bodily death. A scientific panel of six experts analyzed thousands of extensively researched submissions that validated the reality of life after death. Many of the prize-winning entries provided substantiating facts about near-death experiences. After-death communication was an integral component in multiple winning essays.
The Bigelow Institute provides all 29 prize-winning essays for free to help advance the understanding and recognition of the afterlife here: Bigelow Contest Awards. Dr. Jeffrey Mishlove, PhD was the first prize winner for his essay is entitled Beyond the Brain: The Survival of Human Consciousness After Permanent Bodily Death. Hundreds of validated examples of eternal life are provided. Occupational Therapist Emmy Vadnais is cited three times as she describes spiritual experiences including an after-death communication text message from her deceased mother-in-law, Sally Dixon. Emmy has recently been chosen to CoHost Dr. Mishlove’s New Thinking Allowed YouTube channel.
Dr. Pim van Lommell, M.D. is the Bigelow contest second place winner who analyzed 344 patients that had near-death experiences. His article is entitled The Continuity of Consciousness: A Concept Based on Scientific Research on Near-Death Experiences During Cardiac Arrest. Multiple scientific validations of the afterlife are provided. A subsequent longitudinal study of 74 patients showed fear of death had significantly decreased combined with a statistically significant increase in the belief of an afterlife.
The Near-Death Experience Research Foundation includes over 5,000 reports of NDEs. This website, organized by Dr. Paul Long, M.D., has over half a million monthly readers. It contains numerous informational book links, audio podcasts, and NDE research studies, including thousands of reported after-death communication experiences.
Communication with loved ones after they have experienced bodily death is a scientific reality. Occupational therapy practitioners can increase treatment effectiveness by acknowledging the fact of life after death. After-death communication is an integral component in the majority of NDEs. Helping clients heal spiritually and emotionally by recognizing the validity of after-death communication can provide insightful treatment clarification.
Join the FREE webinar The 3 Secrets to Communicating with Your Deceased Loved Ones, which introduces the After-Death Communication Weekend Workshop on Saturday, October 8, 2022 from 1-2:30 pm EST, 10-11:30 am PST virtually on Zoom. If you can’t make it, register anyway and you will receive the recording.
References:
Humbert, T. (2016). Spirituality and occupational therapy, A model for practice and research. Bethesda, MD: AOTA Press.
Narrative Inquiry in Bioethics: A journal of qualitative research (Winter 2020). Healthcare after a near-death experience, Vol. 10, No. 3., Baltimore, MD: John Hopkins University Press.
Rebecca Austill-Clausen, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA had a Spiritual Transformative Experience when she learned to communicate with her deceased 37-year-old brother even though she had no psychic or spiritual awareness. She explored the afterlife for 20 years before gaining the courage to share her story in the award-winning book, Change Maker, How My Brother’s Death Woke Up My Life. Rebecca has taught Reiki, A Biofield Energy Modality at every in-person AOTA Annual Conference since 2015. She teaches Reiki Immersion online and After-Death Communication workshops.
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