People had near-death experiences for centuries before Dr. Raymond Moody began to study the phenomenon. But although NDE anecdotes could be found throughout literature, and glimpses of the experience could be seen in works of art like Hieronymus Bosch's Ascent of the Blessed, nobody seems to have identified the NDE as a distinct phenomenon. In fact, nobody had even thought to name the experience.
All of that changed with the publication of Moody's first book, Life After Life, in 1975. Put out by a small publisher who optimistically thought it might sell 10,000 copies, the book became an international sensation. In it, Moody coined the term “near-death experience” and listed the main features of the NDE–features which have become almost too familiar through their subsequent dramatization in movies like Ghost and Flatliners, and in innumerable TV shows. Although Moody's book was more anecdotal than scientific, it paved the way for more rigorous studies conducted by Kenneth Ring, Michael Sabom, Bruce Greyson, and others. Today, although the true meaning and nature of the NDE remain in fierce dispute, nobody denies that the phenomenon is real; hundreds, if not thousands, of cases have been carefully documented, and if public opinion surveys can be trusted, millions more have taken place.
In his new book Paranormal: My Life in Pursuit of the Afterlife, co-written with Paul Perry, Moody gives us the background behind his investigations into NDE's and other, even more esoteric phenomena. The book is briskly paced, engagingly written, and remarkably open.
Perhaps the most surprising revelation is that for most of his life Moody has suffered from a serious thyroid condition that can cause severe mood swings, and that, during one period of intense depression when his thyroid had essentially shut down, he attempted suicide and had a brief, preliminary NDE (or at least the prologue to an NDE) of his own.
The suicide attempt is the focus of the book's introduction, where the outcome is left hanging. Several chapters later, the authors return to the subject to tell the rest of the story. (Rather oddly, they choose to recapitulate several pages of the introduction word for word at this point, an unnecessary bit of padding.) Moody observes that he had kept his thyroid problem secret from the general public in part because he did not want it to cast doubt on the validity of his work on NDE's; but at this point, with the reality of the NDE phenomenon acknowledged by all researchers, he felt free to reveal this aspect of his life at last.
Moody recounts an equally dramatic episode from another period of low thyroid activity. At that point he was actively engaged in studying the ancient esoteric practice of mirror gazing, in which people look deeply into a reflective surface and sometimes perceive deceased loved ones in the glass. The effects he obtained in his homemade "psychomanteum," detailed in his book Reunions, were anecdotal but nevertheless impressive; some practitioners even insisted that their deceased loved one stepped right out of the mirror and interacted with them in the room.
But when Moody — his energy at a low point with his thyroid largely out of commission — discussed this work with his skeptical father, the elder Moody decided his erratic son was having a mental breakdown and promptly had him committed! Trapped in a psychiatric hospital, he was misdiagnosed as bipolar, his every move and statement interpreted as further evidence of his disorder. Luckily, thyroid treatment was able to restore his normal functioning within a few days, while friends and associates who had experienced the psychomanteum for themselves arrived at the hospital to testify on Moody's behalf. As a result, he was finally released – but it seems to have been a close run thing. Just one of the perils of exploring psychic phenomena in a skeptical world …
Another intriguing section of the book deals with Moody's developing interest in past-life memories. Initially he was dismissive of such claims, assuming–as most people do–that such memories typically involve reliving the life of a famous historical figure like Joan of Arc or Napoleon Bonaparte. But when a hypnotist convinced him to try past-life regression for himself, he experienced a succession of quite ordinary lives that were sufficiently vivid and realistic to call his earlier doubts into question. I have to say I was unaware of his interest in this subject, although Moody actually wrote a book about it titled Coming Back.
One of the things that have sometimes frustrated me about Moody is that he can seem stubbornly skeptical or iconoclastic about his own investigations, an attitude epitomized by his rather strange book The Last Laugh, in which he seemingly calls much of his own research into question. For someone with a deep-seated interest in paranormal phenomena, he can also be surprisingly hostile toward parapsychologists, a trait I discussed in an earlier post. Now I wonder if these periods of intensified skepticism may be correlated with periods of diminished thyroid activity, with its concomitant self-doubt and self-destructive tendencies. Could the emotional swings Moody vividly describes in his memoir possibly relate to his occasional, baffling attempts to undermine his own credibility and the credibility of like-minded researchers? Moody himself doesn't say this, and maybe I'm wrong about it, but it might make sense of the somewhat contradictory messages he has put out over the years.
In any case, in Paranormal the good doctor seems to have moved beyond his earlier skepticism. In the conclusion of his book, he makes reference to “what happens to our souls after death," and then comments that this statement
is a big step forward for me. In the beginning, when I first named the near-death experience and started near-death studies, I made it a point to neither believe nor disbelieve in the existence of the soul or a place called heaven. I was raised in a family that didn't attend church or believe in God. But aside from that personal history, I felt it was unscientific to conclude that we have a soul or that there is an afterlife. To do so would mean to some people that I wasn't objective in my work, that all of my research was merely aimed at propping up a belief, not at testing one. My goal in this research was to remain a true skeptic in the ancient Greek sense–one who neither believes nor disbelieves but who keeps searching for truth.
After more than four decades of studying death and the possibility of an afterlife, I have come to realize that my opinion is buttressed by thousands of hours of research and deep logical thought of the type that few have devoted to this most important topic. I have concluded that if everyone else has an opinion on the subject of life after death, why shouldn't I? As a result of his conviction, I have become brazen about voicing my viewpoint.
He then reproduces an answer he gave during a TV interview:
What do I think happens when we die? I think we enter into another stage of existence or another state of consciousness that is so extraordinarily different from the reality we have here in the physical world that the language we have is not yet adequate to describe this other state of existence or consciousness. Based on what I have heard from thousands of people, we enter into a realm of joy, light, peace, and love in which we discover that the process of knowledge does not stop when we die. Instead, the process of learning and development goes on for eternity.
As Moody points out, he “answered the question from the heart.” It is this heartfelt quality of self-revelation and emotional honesty that is perhaps the most striking feature of this fascinating and worthwhile book.
"this heartfelt quality of self-revelation and emotional honesty that is perhaps the most striking feature of this fascinating and worthwhile book."
Wow--Moody has been such an important figure in my life. I can't believe I didn't know this book was coming out. Thanks for the great review, Michael.
It was reading about NDE's in 1992 that led to one of the two or three most important turning points in my life. And for years, though I quickly discovered other authors whose work also thrilled me, Moody remained a special hero for a number of reasons, not the least of which was his passion for consistently venturing into territory that others--even other NDE enthusiasts--were unwilling to embrace.
And yes, his psychomanteum period was a perfect example. I was a member of West L.A. IANDS at the time, and I'll never forget how some of the NDErs I knew were incensed that Moody, who had done so much to legitimize and even glorify their own experiences, was now saying that ANYONE could contact the Other Side.
Heresy!
Not to mention that it meant that these NDErs were now perhaps just a little bit less "special". (Or that's how I interpreted their attitude, anyway.)
All along there were little bits and pieces of Moody's own experiences (mystical and otherwise) scattered throughout his various books, and they were always tantalizing.
But committed to an asylum? Wow--that's startling. The man was a celebrity--hard to believe that could actually happen to HIM.
I have to say his book The Last Laugh, which you mentioned, Michael, tempered my enthusiasm for Moody. It was not only a rather cold book, but it was downright bitter in parts. And that disappointed me. Plus, he wasn't coming out with new books that might have re-ignited my enthusiasm and taken away that bad taste.
So I'm thrilled to read this review. For my money, Moody is one of the seminal authors of the last 100 years. Naming the phenomenon (NDE) that has done so very much towards bridging the gap between science and spirituality is no small thing.
It sounds like this book may help me to feel really, really, good about him once again.
Posted by: Bruce Siegel | February 21, 2012 at 09:59 PM
Actually, now that I think of it, Moody's recent book on shared NDEs got his reclamation project off to a great start! I like it a LOT. And it's a perfect example of how he keeps stretching the envelope and finding new angles and new phenomena to explore. (Or perhaps I should say re-visiting old subjects with such enthusiasm and insight that they SEEM new.)
Posted by: Bruce Siegel | February 21, 2012 at 10:07 PM
So, in other words, Moody is a little moody. J/k. Great review, thanks!
Posted by: Matt Rouge | February 21, 2012 at 10:50 PM
Great review. I've had an under-active thyroid problem for many years, so I can sympathize with him. It's not a disease that gets a lot of sympathy or much attention. For many doctors the treatment seems to be "Eh, you're still alive." He deserves much credit for the work he's done and what he had to do overcome to do it - incredible.
Posted by: Kathleen | February 22, 2012 at 07:32 PM
This blog often influences my reading--thanks for the excellent review. Via Netflix I recently saw a documentary called Afterlife by Paul Perry, Moody's co-writer on this book. The film was amateurishly produced, but the conversations with Moody are interesting.
Posted by: abcdefg | February 22, 2012 at 09:30 PM
I noticed that Afterlife is available for streaming on Netflix, but I haven't looked at it. BTW, for those who have a Roku box, there's a nice $2.99 app that allows you to search and browse the entire Netflix streaming catalog on your TV. It's sold in the Channel Store under "Top Paid."
Posted by: Michael Prescott | February 22, 2012 at 10:00 PM
This is a change of topic, but Anita Moorjani's book about her NDE is out now: Dying to Be Me. She says some of the same things Nanci Danison does, though she has a very different way of expressing herself. Just in case you want to review that one next...
Posted by: abcdefg | February 23, 2012 at 06:10 PM
Wow, that's good news, Mr. Alphabet! Anita is one very impressive lady and experiencer. This is a good time to be reader. I'm greatly enjoying Paranormal, and now this.
Funny--I was just thinking today that I might enjoying re-reading the Danison book soon. It'll be a pleasure to hear some of the same basic truths (as I and many others see it) described by someone else.
And apropos of some of the discussions we've had here re Danison, Anita is harder to accuse of being arrogant.
Posted by: Bruce Siegel | February 23, 2012 at 07:37 PM
It's Ms. Alphabet. : )
Posted by: abcdefg | February 23, 2012 at 08:19 PM
I knew I was taking a gamble there. :o)
Posted by: Bruce Siegel | February 23, 2012 at 11:14 PM
I think we had discussed Moody being institutionalized by his family a few years ago. (in the comments on one of your previous posts) It was definitely not a secret...and definitely added to the lure around his eccentric persona. (although the details he describes are interesting to hear)
I've always found his personal credibility (or conclusions) questionable based on some of his erratic and contradictory statements...and attacks on other parapsychologists that seemingly came out of left field, considering the "sympatico" you would think they shared. (he was dismissive of mediums and associated research, maligned the term "life after life", and seemed to "poo poo" whether the NDE had any relationship to an afterlife at all for the longest time....seeming to give long winded speeches about seeing himself as a philosopher, etc.
I'm sure he is a very engaging guy - but ironically, I think he's really far down on the totem pole of trust when it comes to what reality the NDE really reflects. (simply because he'll change his mind the next time you hear him speak..:-)
From the loose conversation on some of the social networks...it appears like some of his peers feel the same way.
Posted by: felipe | February 24, 2012 at 07:44 PM
"It is this heartfelt quality of self-revelation and emotional honesty that is perhaps the most striking feature of this fascinating and worthwhile book." That personal honesty is what I think I'd appreciate most about this book.
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for being on the tour.
Posted by: Heather J. @ TLC Book Tours | February 24, 2012 at 10:05 PM
"attacks on other parapsychologists that seemingly came out of left field . . . he was dismissive of mediums and associated research"
You've got my curiosity up, Felipe. Can you give me some examples?
Posted by: Bruce Siegel | February 24, 2012 at 10:21 PM
Felipe, I just re-read one of Michael's old posts on Moody, so there's no need to respond to my last comment. i understand what you're referring to.
It's funny--I'm in the middle (closer to the beginning, really) of Paranormal, and it's made me forget some of the cynicism that Moody has expressed at times, particularly around the time of "The Last Laugh".
Paranormal is such a warm, confident, and optimistic book (as was his last book on shared NDEs), that it's easy to forget some of the quirkier opinions, shall we say, that he's put forward at times.
Still, I feel differently than you. I trust Moody. I have no problem with his vicissitudes, as they remind me of my own. I don't see changes of heart (within reason) as being any less deserving of respect, necessarily, than unwavering certainty.
And when I think now about the larger picture, I see a man who's been bold in his explorations, cautious in his conclusions, and generally, if not always, positive and even inspirational in his message.
Posted by: Bruce Siegel | February 24, 2012 at 11:12 PM
Hi Micheal,
Remember Raymond Moody background is medicine and philosophy. He is inherently skeptical to everything. Raymond moody cannot prove that NDEs are a sign of an afterlife. Like a prosecutor who gets story of a rape, the story itself does not indicate that a rape really occurred. It may or it may not. Accordingly some people lie. So is it real?
I think this adds more to Dr Moody's credentials. He knows his study weaknesses and tries his best to correct them. In my opinion, this show signs of a good researcher instead of someone who has a presumption and sets out to prove that presumption.
Posted by: passenger | April 10, 2012 at 02:32 AM