My Observations on a book: After-death experience of an 11 year old boy

There's a book out now about a young boy's after death experience.

 Before I even venture to read it, I already have some reservations about it.

According to USA TODAY:  Colton Burpo, an 11 year old is famous for being the boy who had a near-death experience when he was 4 years old during emergency surgery for a burst appendix. Doctors offered little hope he would survive. Not only did he live, he says he went to heaven during the operation, met Jesus, John the Baptist, his great-grandfather and a sister he didn't even know he had (she was miscarried before he was born), then came back to tell his folks about the trip. A book about Colton's journey is called Heaven Is for Real: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back. 

HERE'S WHAT I DON'T QUESTION: 

* I absolutely DO believe that this boy died and came back. 

 *I absolutely DO believe that he had an out of body experience and met is great-grandfather and sister, and even Jesus. 

 * I absolutely DO believe the boy's experience about Heaven being "filled with bright colors and lots of rainbows."

HERE'S WHERE THE DOUBTS COME IN:

USA TODAY SAYS, it was written by Colton's father, the Rev. Todd Burpo, who has a small evangelical congregation in Imperial, Neb. It was co-written by Lynn Vincent, who collaborated with Sarah Palin on the her book, Going Rogue.

   

Having someone write the book that is SO immersed in religion and so biased with conservative religious views makes whatever else is in the book a lot less believable. I've seen this before with a Mormon who had an after-death experience and I stopped reading that book half-way through because it became a Marketing piece and promotion for joining the Mormon Church. 

- People who write books with a religious agenda are doing so for their own benefit. This boy's father is a reverend of a church. It seems that they're exploiting their son's after-death experience to promote their own religious beliefs. 

- Many people have after-death experiences. When we die our energies leave our body and we have the ability to see those who passed before us. Family members are always there when we die. Yes, people may also see Jesus, God or another religious figure because they likely call to them as they're passing. Most of the time, they see their relatives who tell them it's not their time. 

- Just a caution to people who start to read books about after-death experiences: If you find that any of them start pushing or promoting one religion, stop reading it. There's an agenda. If you want to read a great book where the woman who died came to a better understanding of the afterlife, pick up Betty Eadie's "Embraced by the Light."

My First Video Blog!

Here's my first attempt at a video blog. It's certainly a learning process... so bear with me. Anyway, I thought it would be a good idea to say hello and put a face and voice to the blog!

Do Not Be Ruled By Fear or Use Fear On Others

One of the comments on the blog a couple of weeks ago was about religions using fear to "rule" people or give them guidelines to live. It really hit home with me, because I grew up in the Catholic church, and during the 60s, it was "you'll go to hell, you'll go to hell" if you did this and that. I thought back then as a child, "well, how do you get to Heaven?" Fortunately the fire and brimstone in the Catholic Church died down and was replaced with more positive messages.

 - Despite that, I left the Catholic Church years ago because they keep funding political campaigns against gay marriage, and I happily married my partner in 2009. Marriage is a civil right, not a religious right (but that's another story). Atheists, agnostics, Wiccans, elderly and infertile couples marry all the time and shouldn't be ruled by someone else's bible.

- This BLOG, however is about not living in FEAR or instilling fear in others to get what you want. That's in fear of "going to hell" or being afraid of doing things that will make you happy, despite the hurt it would cause others. Believe in yourself.

Credit: www.reginalibrary.ca

 - The bottom line is that you simply need to treat others as you would want to be treated. PERIOD. Everyone should be treated with respect and kindness.

 - Religions and even governments use fear (remember the Bush Administration?) to scare people into doing things that will benefit the organizations who are inciting it.That is WRONG. Think about it. If you don't do what these people "of authority" tell you - you fear a repercussion. Don't be afraid.  People will manipulate you to get what they want and serve their own agenda.

    You should never do something hateful against anyone because it WILL come back to you. Karma is a powerful thing.  The commenter said " people who are ruled by fear do what they do because they think they will go to hell if they don't. The fear is so real to them, that what happens is, its all for yourself and to save yourself and it doesnt matter what you do to others in order to save yourself. Just make sure YOU dont go to hell." So true.

  She went on to say that she's been dealing with anger over being misled by fear-mongers. She realized that leading with or following leaders who use fear is wrong and detrimental to your health and everyone else's health.

  I've learned through the messages I've received from those who passed that those people who use fear to manipulate others deal with a lot of regret. In fact, many of them linger as Earth-bound ghosts hoping that those they hurt and manipulated will forgive them.   All of the knowledge of their mistakes becomes clear after their die. Don't wait. Treat others as you want to be treated. Do not use fear to get what you want... even if you don't regret it now, you WILL in the afterlife.

Many People Have Spirit Encounters

This week's blog again comes from my recent talk/book event at a women's club. When I began my talk, I asked how many people have lost a loved one, and believe they've received some kind of sign from them? 

A lot of hands went up -and I was pleased to see that. 

 - When I asked if anyone had a dog, cat or horse that passed, a number of people raised their hands. Some of them reported that their pet had also come back and given signs that they were still checking in from time to time.

- One person that talked to me afterward shared a story about her late husband giving her a spiritual "hug" after his passing. This is not uncommon. In fact, the night my dad passed away in 2008, I asked him to give me a sign and I felt a cool hug around me. At that time my Dad conveyed that he was okay and that I needed to be strong for my mother and other family members.

Interesting Story at a Fun Event!

Today I was asked to talk about ghosts and spirits, and my book (Ghosts and Spirits: Insights from a Medium) at a senior woman's meeting in Annapolis, Md. There was also another author there who spoke about her series of books and she was fascinating. It was a wonderful time! 

Rob Gutro talking to the women's club in Annapolis, Md.

   I set up a table in the back of the room and put out my books, business cards, and a sign. After about 15 minutes people started filing in. One woman was approaching my table and I started to get a headache. She told me that she has sensed her late husband around her on numerous occasions. She said that sometimes she would feel him laying next to her in bed. Other times she knew he was just standing nearby. 

  She said to me "doesn't that sound crazy?" Of course it doesn't!  People who lose loved ones often either see, hear, feel, sense or smell something that reminds them of their late loved one. She asked how I sense ghosts and spirits, and I told her that I get a headache (from electrical/energy overload). She said, "that's amazing, because I get these headaches that come and go, and I attribute them to my late husband." She went on to tell me that she was checked by doctors for a cause of the headaches. I told her that I thought her husband's checking in on her may be some of the reason she gets them. She's obviously sensitive to his spirit returning.
  As she turned around to get her seat, I told her "make sure you save a seat for your husband's spirit, too."

  

Ghost in a Virginia Bed and Breakfast!

Stairway where Ann Custis' ghost came to me

Sometimes when you have the gift of sensing spirits, vacation isn't vacation. Unless you're tuned out and not relaxed, you're bound to hear from any resident ghosts. Such was the case this past weekend when my partner and I went to a Bed and Breakfast in central Virginia. 
   As we were taking a walking tour through this incredible Bed and Breakfast, I was contacted by a female ghost as I walked up the stairway from the first floor to the second floor. The ghost actually gave me the name "Ann Custis."
  It's not often that I get a first and last name, but this time I did. I had no idea who that could be or if I even got the name right.
  When we got home we did some research and the Custis family is related to George Washington. (I had no idea). The B&B owners are checking with the local historical society to see if an Ann Custis visited. - There was an Ann Custis who lived in eastern VA and had a farm about 40 miles north of the B&B.
  Of course, it could also be Mary Ann Custis Lee wife of Robert E. Lee.  According to Wikipedia, while he was stationed at Fort Monroe, Robert E. Lee married Mary Anna Randolph Custis (1808–1873), great-granddaughter of Martha Washington by her first husband Daniel Parke Custis, and step-great-granddaughter of George Washington, the first president of the United States
  I'm not naming the Bed and Breakfast because it wouldn't be right to do that. Besides, the managers said that only once did they think they had an encounter when they heard a woman laughing and there was no one else in the entire place or outside. The B&B is also in a remote place, so they couldn't have heard a woman outside either.

  I'm now waiting to hear if the B&B and local historical society can confirm she was there, or owned the place in the 1800s.

Discrimination and the Afterlife

Discrimination and hatefulness in any form is something you WILL atone for after you pass. I bring this up because this week in Maryland churches were responsible for showing hatred and intolerance. YES, Churches!   This has totally infuriated me and sadly, these hateful people will only learn their lesson once they pass away. Once we pass, our minds become aware of hatred, intolerance and mistreatment we did unto others and we regret it (as those churchgoers will).
   Maryland legislators were trying to pass a law to allow gay couples to marry. The churches had people call to convince legislators not to pass the law. That is WRONG. If churches want to get political they need to pay taxes. Further, gay couples SHOULD be allowed to marry. They are no different from you or me. Two consenting adults who want to enter into a legal contract should be able to do so and get ALL of the same protections and benefits offered to straight married couples. Period.
   Marriage is a civil right, NOT a religious right.The argument from the "religious" side is that marriage is for procreation only. WRONG. What about elderly and infertile couples who marry? What about agnostics, aethists? Not everyone is a Christian. Therefore, the "Christian" bible should not dictate law. Period. Our country was founded on separation of church and state.

  I mentioned before that even a relative of mine was trapped on Earth for over 20 years begging for forgiveness from my own mother. For an entity to remain on Earth is indeed what hell is like for them. Think of all the ghost hunting programs that pick up audio saying "Help me." Those entities want forgiveness and help crossing into the light. The ones that don't get it are trapped here for eternity and experience a living hell. Don't let it happen to you. Don't be hateful to others, don't try to repress others or prevent them from having equal rights. WHY? It's wrong. Everyone is Equal. No one is better or worse than another.  If you believe that you are, you'll have to deal with it in the afterlife and there's nothing worse than being trapped as an Earth-bound ghost after you pass.It's difficult to get forgiveness from the living when you're dead. Trust me.

UPCOMING BOOK APPEARANCES/EVENTS

MY UPCOMING BOOK APPEARANCES/EVENTS

MARCH 29, 2011 (1-2 p.m. EST)
Speaking/book signing at Heritage Harbor Book Club (open to public-FREE)
959 River Strand Loop,
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
CONTACT INFORMATION: Email Rob at Rgutro@gmail.com
APRIL 30, 2011 7-9 p.m. EST (Admission- Open to Public)
Mediumship Demonstration with Barb Mallon
Wyngate Hotel, 3940 Centerview Drive, Chantilly, VA 20151
Barb will conduct a mini talk on her work, and then relay messages from the other side to those members of the audience she's pulled to.
I will help host the evening, and give any readings for spirits that contact me (there's always a couple everytime I'm with Barb!). Check Barb's site under "Events" to register and pay.
BARB is an AMAZING and learned Medium (we've worked together a number of times)
REGISTER ON-LINE at www.barbmallon.com
JUNE 10, 2011, FRIDAY AT 7 PM EST (FREE):
Speaking at Inspired Ghost Trackers
Odenton, Maryland (will have books to sign, too)
I'll be talking about my experiences with the Inspired trackers at Montpelier Mansion, Riversdale Mansion, and Sotterly Plantation. Includes a slideshow of pictures from all locations.
CONTACT INFORMATION: Email: Margaret at: inspiredghst@aol.com to reserve a seat! *FREE*
http://www.meetup.com/inspiredghosttracking/events/16748804/

To buy the book: BARNES AND NOBLE E-Book/NOOK: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Ghosts-And-Spirits/Rob-Gutro/e/9781602645141/?itm=1&USRI=rob+gutro
KINDLE: http://www.amazon.com/Ghosts-Spirits-Insights-Medium-ebook/dp/B003KK57NC/ref=sr_1_cc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1295813675&sr=1-1-catcorr
AMAZON PAPERBACK: http://www.amazon.com/Ghosts-Spirits-Insights-Rob-Gutro/dp/1602645132/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1295813675&sr=1-1

A Message from my late Puppy - While on Vacation!

Dog walker sign in Puerto Rico

Back on February 22, 2005, my Weimaraner puppy "Buzz Wyatt" lost his life at 6 months old when his leash opened and a speeding car suddenly appeared taking his life from me in one horrible instant. Buzz Wyatt has returned to me over the last six years to let me know he's still around, and this year is no exception. 

  This year on February 22, 2011 we were vacationing in San Juan, Puerto Rico and for the first time in a long time I wasn't thinking of Buzz on that date because I decided to focus on his birthdate instead of the day he left us. 

  However, he sent an obvious sign on that date: Feb. 22, 2011 that he's still watching over us.

The Weimaraner (in front) with the Dogwalker in Condado, PR

  While on vacation, we decided to walk down a sidewalk in the Condado area of San Juan, Puerto Rico and we ran into a professional dog walker. I had never heard of a Weimaraner in Puerto Rico, but in the dog walker's pack of about 9 or 10 dogs was a Weimaraner. At the time I saw the dog I was immediately drawn to him and had to go over and pet him, and take his picture. As we were walking away, Buzz sent me a message that he brought us to that dog and dog walker to let us know he's still around and watching out of us. Amazing!  

  Remember, there are NO such things as coincidences!

Buzz Wyatt in 2005

Cape Cod and the Islands Paranormal Research

If you're lucky enough to live in southern New England, either Massachusetts, Rhode Island or even Connecticut, and you're into the paranormal, you need to explore CAIPRS.
 CAIPRS is the Cape Cod and the Islands Paranormal Research Society, Inc. It's managed by Derek Bartlett, and he's SUPER organized. He's a professional ghost hunter, lecturer, tour guide, etc. He's funny, personable, knowledgable, dynamic and a great person to contact about anything paranormal.
  Last year I had the privilege of speaking at one of CAIPRS events and doing a book signing. It was a lot of fun, and the people who attend the events are very knowledgeable in their own right!
  FOR LECTURES, TOURS, OUTINGS, HAUNTED OVERNIGHTS, go to: http://www.caiprs.com/.
Be sure to tell Derek that Rob Gutro sent you!