Intimations of Immortality

This book begins with some intriguing evidence in favour of the belief in survival. It consists of a study of the testimonies of people who, like Lazarus of Bethany, suffered suspended animation, or pseudo-death. The conclusions that were reached by over a hundred serious investigators of the problem of survival are reviewed. Of these investigators, including psychical researchers, psychologists, physicians, surgeons, physicists, lawyers, businessmen, authors, clergymen, etc, about eighty-one percent became absolutely sure of survival, about fourteen percent were more or less convinced, and only about four per cent remained in doubt. These results preceded the publication in 1960 of the 'Palm Sunday' case by the Society for Psychical Research, representing the most convincing evidence of all. This case is discussed in some detail. Specific matters considered include possible preparations for one's own 'passing' and for the 'passing' of others, the most desirable method of disposing of a corpse, whether by cremation, burial, or embalming, etc. The hypotheses that have been advanced alternative to the survival hypothesis are given due consideration. The author concludes that survival is a 'virtual certainty'.