James Van Praagh

I like this author, so decided to read this book while I am not acutely grieving, since, if I was, I don't think I'd feel like reading. He writes here about loss, not just the loss of a loved one, but any loss. He discusses the unique pains of losing a child, losing a parent, losing a house, or a job. There are words of comfort, advice, and compassion. For reassurance that existence continues beyond "death", he has included many examples of loved ones that he has been privileged to reconnect across the great divide, both people and animals. He concludes with physical, emotional and spiritual healing meditations.… (more)

Van Praagh would have done himself a favor had he followed the wise marketing mantra: "under-promise and over-deliver." A passage in one of his opening salvos suggests that this book will forever change the way readers view their lives. That's a tall task -- even with readers who are eager to embrace his assertions. I've always been at least tenuously interested in spiritualism. My late mom was a spiritualist. Over the decades, many of her predictions and apparent other-worldly encounters were chillingly authentic. I thoroughly enjoyed much of this book, but it felt a bit redundant three-quarters of the way through -- almost as if the author was trying to hit a _targeted page length. Still, "Ghosts Among Us" reinforced my view that we're not alone. Van Praagh's tips for using our dreams to foster spiritual connections have spawned some intriguing nocturnal encounters!… (more)