The Dead Saints Chronicles: A Zen Journey Through the Christian Afterlife

by David Solomon

  Some of this really shouldn’t be that much of a problem. E.g., there is considerable support for many aspects of non-traditional medicine. Acknowledging that would not even oblige them to abandon their paralyzing paradigm. Other woo-isms, the Yeti and “Nessie” for instance, are minor issues; genuine curiosities, certainly, but hardly worth rousing celebration if found or derisive abuse if not. Rather like putting a robot appositely named “Curiosity” (the same that killed the cat) on Mars. Such things do not matter much in the grand scheme of things, and even secular science should be able to accommodate them if valid or dismiss them if not without (as the Brits say) “getting their knickers in a twist”.

  Other taboos, however, seem impossible to account for within the Materialist’s paradigm. And they matter. Spiritual transformation matters; all that furthers our individual and collective inner work (all “woo” to the Humanists of course) has value. I believe the NDE phenomenon in particular has the potential to become that one rare paradigm-busting, game-changing “idea whose time has come.” Though it does have a formidable, foreseeable hurdle to cross.

  The Science department back at Secular A&M (Agricultural & Mechanical) has taken it upon itself to define what counts as evidence and what does not.

  High on its what-does-not-count list is anecdotal evidence. Just because someone claims to have witnessed/experienced something doesn’t make it true, much less “Science.” The same thinking (or lack of thinking as the case may be) applies to multiple people claiming to have witnessed the same thing.

  Reincarnation, a favorite eternally popular cinema subject could be sneered away, (despite a lot of very serious and very careful work over the years) since there was no way to verify the many detailed and plausible accounts of reincarnation memories…until very recently when Jim Tucker was able to do just that; verify the detailed past life stories of a number of people alive now able to recall their past lives. Suddenly major media could no longer ignore the solid evidence. Cracks in the castle façade are becoming fissures. Unfortunately, this will refute that great and famous observation by one of America’s most beloved philosophers, Yogi Berra.

  It would appear that in this particular game we call life, “It ain’t over till it’s over,” is true only up to a point. The evidence to the contrary is now commanding. “It ain’t over then, either.”

  And the NDE may now become the coup de grace to the fraud that is Secular Humanism. At a certain point all those thousands of sifted and analyzed Dead Saint testimonials will have to count as real evidence— whether the Paradigm Police like it or not.

  There is too much at stake. The Afterlife is real, and every one of us would do well to start preparing for it. (The Ancient Egyptians went to inordinate lengths to do just that.) The Humanist debunkers, huddled deep underground in their Debunker Bunkers won’t, of course, but that’s their dilemma.

  David Solomon’s unique treatment of the subject, his comprehensive familiarity with its many aspects, along with the emotionally charged circumstances surrounding the writing of The Dead Saints Chronicles put it in a position to make a difference—at a critical time in this epoch of otherwise seemingly irreversible chaos and conflict.

  And there is something oddly satisfying in knowing that if this is, indeed an “idea whose time has come”, not only is it not a new idea, it is a much older idea than the upgraded, genetically-modified, scientifically-enriched cynicism / skepticism / stoicism of ancient Greece.

  The Afterlife may be the very oldest human idea we have. As far as we know, burial practices go back to the earliest human times. In fact, any kind of burial practice or ritual by definition presupposes an Afterlife of some sort. Were that not the case, why would our distant ancestors go to the considerable trouble of digging a grave with primitive tools. The ancient practice of burying the dead in a fetal position strongly suggests our ancestors believed they would be born again—into the Afterlife.

  The sheer volume of evidence for survival after death is so immense that to ignore it is like standing at the foot of Mount Everest and insisting you cannot see the mountain.

  ~Colin Wilson, author of The Outsider and

  The Strange Life of P.D Ouspensky.

  To upset the conclusion that all crows are black, there is no need to seek demonstration that no crows are black; it is sufficient to produce one white crow; a single one is sufficient.

  ~Harvard Professor William James

  David Solomon’s Dead Saints Chronicles may have finally revealed the “white crow “we all have been looking for:

  Conclusion: A surplus of white crows.

  Acknowledgements

  So many relatives, friends and even strangers have contributed encouragement and anecdote to the writing of this book that it is impossible to name them all.

  First, however, to say how much I am indebted to Dr. Jeffrey Long is beyond words. His work to create the world’s largest near-death website, NDERF.org, and its sister website, ADCRF.org, provided me the first inkling so many near-death blogs existed in 2011, where from among thousands of references, your easy to access databases helped me discover the hundreds of stunning Dead Saint stories that made the Chronicles possible. I am forever grateful for the research and support, you and your wife, Jodi, provided me during my race to write the book during my cancer struggle.

  To the webmaster and “student of life” of aleroy.com. Your database of 300 NDE blogs offered several important Dead Saint anecdotes I quoted in the Chronicles. Thank you.

  To Dannion Brinkley for an amazing and jaw dropping Foreword you completed while being so sick. Thank you for ‘going the distance.’ Even though we have never met, I feel we have become good friends after many hours of calls with Delynn and me, not just regarding the Foreword, but your sincere understanding of our struggles from 33 months of going through the “dying process” and its accumulative effects on the family. You practice what you preach. Blessings to the Veteran’s “Twilight Brigade” established at VA Medical Centers throughout the US and the responsibility you take managing 5,500 Hospice volunteers.

  We all need to remember your motto: “No one ever need to die alone.” Blessings. To John Anthony West, my chief editor and friend, who polished my average writing skills; who labored 18 months with me to have the Chronicles well-written. Thank you for your astounding Afterword. Thank you for believing in me and opening your mind and heart to the possibility of a real ‘Jesus.’

  To Dr. Wayne Wheeler for hundreds of editing corrections and several critical theological suggestions that came “just in time” on January 10, 2016. Your caring and attention made a monumental difference in the final published version of the Chronicles. Thank you.

  To Maggie Courter for professional copyediting. You labored for weeks over the holidays and beyond to reach a final proof. You were an “extreme proofer” like the scriptoriums of old. Yet, you were much more than a proofer. Your Christian and spiritual background provided me with valuable observations to re-write crucial paragraphs to clearly elucidate this volumous work. You are an inspiration. God Bless you!

  For editing assistance: Myles Tufts, the Writers Group of Key West, with special help from Robin Robinson. To Dawn, Marti Casey and Mary Ann, who spent the last days with us in Key West, as we raced towards final edit. Our evening spiritual conversations were awesome.

  To Publicist, Dottie Dehart, Meghan, Ashely, Eve, and the whole crew at Dehart and Company for your expert press, marketing and media assistance, and for one of the best book covers and website designs ever. You have angels on your staff who “got it.” Thank you.

  For the wonderful endorsements from Jeffrey Long M.D, Robert Pennington, Ph.D., Mary Elizabeth Marlow, Stephen Haslam, and many others yet to come. Thank you!

  I owe a lifetime of gratitude to my spiritual father and teacher, Paul Solomon, who demonstrated in all sincerity and integrity, the love, wisdom, and intellect taught by our
Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His eternal patience and knowledge empowered my journey to know the truth, without which this book could never have been written. To my Dad, who raised me the best he could, and instilled in me to always try to do things right. To my mother, who endlessly cared for me no matter what I did, or where I traveled, and who always told me to go after my dreams.

  To my Japanese family; Emiko Takahashi, who translated and interpreted; Makoto Asano, who first invited Paul Solomon and me to Japan in 1987; Buddhist priest, Sugasawa san and priestess, Tamo san (Ryoju Kikuchi) who taught me the importance of being like a child; and Bonsai master, Takanohashi sensei, who took me under his wings and taught me everything he knew. To Akito Takahama san, who funded the Chronicle’s initial research for The Armageddon Stones (third book of the Dead Saints Chronicle series), and to Anna Ebell, thank you.

  To Felton Jones who introduced the art of Bonsai to me. You gave me the walking stick and the wisdom that changed my life.

  To Phil Hulbert, my good friend and teacher, whose Japanese garden and granite Feng Shui expertise made Akio Botanical one of the most beautiful gardens in Washington State, creating an enduring

  legacy for centuries to come. I cherish the friendship we made in the years we knew each other.

  To Mike Zblewski, for your excavator work in lifting those ten-ton granite stones and imminently competent and insightful underground installation of all electrical, water, and irrigation systems that made everything above ground work.

  To all my garden helpers, Ron, Pat, and Chris. I wish we could have kept our little “yeshiva” going. It was a Camelot for a time. And for the team who helped prepare the gardens before my treatments began. Pete, Achalla, Steve, Dyanne, Sarah,

  To Saint Rick, a nickname I will always remember, and a friend at Akio I will never forget. You were “Boothby” to me.

  To Grace de Rond and Sharon Solomon for digging up old files and photographs when I needed them.

  To Dr. Angela Perry, who advised I get an MRI on the morning of June 13, 2013 to investigate my dizziness.

  To Dr. Lee at the Virginia Beach, VA Medical Center, who always cared about my condition, responded immediately to requests for medication refills, and who listened to me when I talked about my book. He is a credit to the VA medical system. To Dr. Randazzo at Duke University—who tried everything she could to treat me. And to Dr. Gupta at the Hampton, VA Medical Center, who helped me choose the right therapeutic path. I will remember our last discussion on February 10, 2016 about dying cancer patients and their families recognizing their loved ones may have reached their “appointed time,” and begin to accept their approaching death, and “let go.” You just listened with tears in your eyes. You are one of the most caring doctors I have ever met. To Christopher Russel, whose Dead Saint testimonial about Jesus, triggered my own Jesus encounter I would later call Near-Death Lightning. Without your near-death experience, this book may never have been written.

  To Cheryl Broyles for your continuing fight, living 15 years with GBM, and your positive outlook on life despite the odds. I looked up to you more than you can know. Thank you for your support and encouragement.

  To Dennis Raschka and his wife Nancy for your caring, prayers, and support when I was so sick. Our Christian banter about the Chronicles helped me write a better book. Thank you for writing every few months to ask how the book and me were coming along, and giving me the first thumbs up Christian conservative feedback.

  To Colin Reed, a payment business colleague who was diagnosed with GBM a few months ago, and his wife Candice. We have become closer friend aside from business. Stay strong! To my many payment friends made over 15 years: Marty Wood, Jerry Lewis, Edward Slominski, Rick Taylor, Blake Martensen and all the staff at Meritcard. Thank you.

  To James and Laurie Coffin, who purchased the first, early draft of the Chronicles; thank you for your support. And to Mikelynn for your beautiful spirit.

  For loving support: Dawana and Shawn, Paul Michels, Nancy and Joel, Jim and Laura Huayke, Rick and Lauri, Achala for her intense loving ways, Chrissi Sweet and Shelley at the 76 Station where I drove to get coffee, and who check on me almost every month even after I moved away.

  Special thanks to John Forte who has been a special friend; and who took the time on March 6 2016, to record high quality broadcast video of questions and answers for Zen Journey of the Christian Afterlife, Training Wires of the Soul, and The Armageddon Stones for Media future reference.

  To Skip Krause, the pilot who flies close to God smiling all the way.

  To Daniel Davis who cared enough to research and send me every health cure on the planet; to Howdy Kabrins who was a good friend, and who sadly lost his daughter a few months ago, hugs and sincere condolences. Thank you.

  To Sharon and Emil in Florida. To David Bommerito who was a good friend. To Diane and Kurt. Thank you.

  To Sarah Morris; take care of your Bonsai masterpiece!

  To Iriana for her photographs used in the book, and for her ceiling painting of the Sistine Chapel at Akio and for your beautiful spirit. To Kerry Kodat who, after not hearing from him in nearly four years, called me on December 1, 2015, called unexpectedly to pray with me after a disappointing MRI news I received earlier in the day. Thank you.

  Bruce and Martie Shelton, Robert Krajenke, Ruth Ann Pippenger and her daughter Lauri, Judith and Chris Van Cleave, James Yax, Jerry Teplitz, Sam and Dax, Myrrh Haslam, Niti Zudsiri, Susan Thomas, Lloyd Kremer, Jeff Jones, Sarah and Jacob Anderson, Annaleah and Joshua Atkinson, Dick Dingus, John Krysco, Joy Talley, Francis Sporer, Jill Albrandt, Cynthia Funk, Larry Jennings, George Michelow for his jovial countenance, Heidi Gibson who was our champion to raise funds for the needy, local and worldwide, to David Brian Berry for your spiritual support and wisdom, and Sheila Killmon. To Marsha whose drawings I so admired.

  To Steve Courter who has the patience and quietness of a Saint.

  To Terrance Melchar for the 35 million year-old fossils from the Chesapeake Bay, the Japanese Maples, and our theological discussions. And to Rev. Jeanette Vivier, who died suddenly on December 12, 2015, before I could say goodbye. You will be missed.

  And all those at the Fellowship I have not named, thank you.

  To all those at Nick’s Restaurant where I spent hundreds of hours writing during breakfast: Pooch, Valerie, Cheryle, Chookie, breakfast cooks Tim and Trish, and to Francisco who cared enough to check on how I was doing every day. Special thanks to the proprietors “Pooch” and Frank for your $3.50 Pooch Eggs, bacon, potatoes and toast, plus the waffles and hot syrup, and the ceiling tile with the Chronicles book cover that looks down on my favorite breakfast booth sitting under the picture of the 18th hole of St. Andrews in Edinburgh, Scotland.

  To my payment industry friends; Blake Martensen, Gabe Nickens, Chris Thill, Joe Cloud, Frederick Wilgram, and all the employees of Meritcard, thank you. To Richard Davis, Rick Taylor, CEO of Bridgepay, Marty Wood, and Edward Slominski.

  To Lisa Rivera, Mandy Winegarner, Ginger, Kathy Charlee, and all my former friends and employees of Fast Transact, thank you. To Locke Walsh and Frederick at Ezic; without you, Fast Transact would never have existed and Akio Botanical G1ardens would never have been built. Thank you.

  Special hugs, appreciation and thanks, to my family; Mother. Mom. Annalee Gregory. What words will express the depth of her love for me and my love for her? No words will suffice. I will be forever grateful and we both will grieve: To my Dad who taught me everything I needed to know and who loved me so. And to his wife Lou. Hear me. I love you; to Michelle and her husband David, Alex, Josh and his wife Melissa, Terri and her husband John, Isabella, Zach, Leah, James, Jason, grandchildren, Liam, Aiden, and new born granddaughter, Mila; my nephew, Scott and his wife, Doreen, Ralph and Sue Petty, Linda and Steve Woodruff, Paul and Sonia Ferris, Stephanie Jekel, and my spiritually adopted sons, Patrick Jekel and Nathan Blood.

  To Delynn’s huge
family—too many to say thank you by name; but especially to brother Kevin, sister Loretta and Doug, brother Jay and loving wife Sue. Jay thank you for the 15 games of cribbage in February. I won fair and square! I hope you enjoy the near-death books from my library. Bring them back in late March and we’ll play another set of cribbage matches!

  To Jean Marie and Ranny, who rented their beautiful Bay Colony home to us; the gardens, screened porch, wood fireplace, brought peace to our family. Thank you.

  To Jimmy Stratton (Zenbilly) who took my last headshots for Facebook and the Chronicles. Thank you for the “heart agate” stone. It is special to me. Thank you brother.

  To Benjamin and Angela, my beloved children, who eagerly awaited these long years to see the fruits of my thoughts actually make it to print; this book is dedicated to you. Always know how much I love you and will be sitting on Heaven’s balcony looking down on you, helping when I can. I hope Heaven has Earth TV, so I can watch football and Stargate with you in spirit!

  To Delynn, my lovely wife with a commanding heart, who patiently saw my attention ever diverted to this book; whose contribution in both writing and editing helped me when I was unclear; who gently and firmly pushed me when I felt ill: who gave up her dreams to help me fulfill mine; who suffered through doctors, hospitals, fearful decisions and financial collapse; who persisted through my family strife and my suffering; who relived your mother’s death from GBM; and watched me slowly die from the same disease; who took upon your shoulders the great responsibility for my care and the stress of publishing of the Chronicles and its sequels. You never gave up. You are a hero to me. I love you so much and will so miss you when I am gone.

  To all my friends and family on the “other side” whose visitation in my dreams gave me hope and the knowledge all was on track. You were there when I needed you. And finally, to Jesus Christ, who gave me the shmeda to make Holy and a camel to traverse the desert of the impossible in just enough time, who trusted me to deliver this message before it was too late.