On a butterfly to heaven

Eben Alexander is a neurosurgeon who was near-miraculously cured from a rare brain disease, while having a so-called “near death experience” (NDE). I've read the Swedish translation of his best-selling book “Proof of Heaven”.

Dr Alexander's NDE was different in many ways from the “classical” experiences described by Raymond Moody or Melvin Morse. Perhaps it's better seen as an “astral journey” á la Robert Monroe (referenced in Alexander's book), rather than an NDE sensu stricto? It also had elements of a mystical “union with God”. Most of the time, however, Alexander's soul or consciousness was flying on the wings of a gigantic butterfly, presumably a symbol of spiritual transformation.

Alexander, a former skeptic and “Sunday Christian”, now has a mission to scientifically prove that the NDEs are indeed real, objective events. He hopes that quantum mechanics will provide vital clues. The “recommended reading” list at Alexander's website is highly ecumenical. Roger Penrose, David Chalmers, Rupert Sheldrake and Ken Wilber are some of the names featured, alongside Monroe.

While delving into the scientific side of the matter, Alexander also wants to spread a gospel of unconditional love. After all, “Proof of Heaven” is above all a story of a family almost broken by sickness and depressions, a family who eventually experienced healing at the hands of Om (as the author calls God or the Divine). It's a human interest story.

Personally, I admit that I didn't find “Proof of Heaven” as interesting as, say, Monroe's or Moody's books, but that's subjective. I haven't read the sequel yet, but will do so in the near future. Personally, I don't think the quantum angle is very promising – QM seems to deal with a kind of sub-natural realm, rather than the properly supernatural one. The whole idea of proving spiritual truths “scientifically”, while perhaps understandable given Alexander's education as a neurosurgeon, strikes me as somewhat anachronistic. Do we really need “Science” to tell us what is so in spiritual matters today, AD 2015?

That being said, I think “Proof of Heaven” is worth three stars. It's interesting to note that this little book has become a best seller in our supposedly “secular” culture…

PS. A curious little detail: the American original shows a Blue Morpho at the cover, while the Swedish edition spouts a Monarch! ;-)