In his book Orthodoxy, G. K. Chesterton wrote: "Mysticism keeps us sane. As long as you have mystery, you have health; when you destroy mystery, you create morbidity." Yet many people still cling tightly to their reason and refuse to deal with mystery in their own experiences.
Louis LaGrand is a certified grief counselor who is currently the bereavement coordinator at Our Lady of Lourdes Church and Director of Loss Education Associates in Venice, Florida. In this paperback, he looks at the strange and often beautiful encounters individuals have had with loved ones after they have died. These "Extraordinary Encounters" can be precipitated by dreams, a smell, a vivid memory, touch, or a third party. LaGrand says: "Extraordinary Encounters bring about healing and expanded consciousness for mourners; they tap into a multidimensional realm that has been victimized by the technological revolution. Time and again, in the face of wrenching change, they give meaning to life and counterbalance the often-held view that Western culture is drifting toward disunity and a primarily physical orientation."
Those who have experienced EEs share these common perspectives:
• Love is eternal and survives bodily death.
• Relief and comfort from emotional turmoil
is possible.
• The Self is much more than a physical being.
• You can find renewed courage, optimism, and motivation.
• We all have spirituality, if we recognize it.
• It's necessary and good to forgive and complete our unfinished business with the deceased.
LaGrande also presents nine skills for coping with loss and change, including "Trust Mystery and the Unseen."
