Celebrity medium James Van Praagh has offered enormous comfort to the bereaved by helping them converse with their deceased loved ones. Rather than hoarding the secrets to his phenomenal success as a clairvoyant, Van Praagh now offers Heaven and Earth--a step-by-step course in developing psychic ability. He shows readers how to heighten each of their senses, not just the sixth one. In another chapter he describes the methods that spirits use to contact us, such as instilling thoughts that seem like "inspirations" (which mean "in spirit," according to Van Praagh). He also teaches readers how to protect themselves from negative entities, such as "psychic vampires." True to his bestselling formula in Talking to Heaven and Reaching to Heaven, Van Praagh uses real-life anecdotes to keep the narrative grounded and compelling. And there's an unexpected bonus: buried within the chapter "Psychic Protection," Van Praagh shares his clairvoyant insight into the assassination of John F. Kennedy. --Gail Hudson


From Publishers Weekly
rominent clairvoyant Van Praagh (Talking to Heaven) has been on Larry King Live, Oprah and the New York Times bestseller list. His latest book part fragmentary memoir and part how-to guide asserts that everyone is born with six senses; the trick, of course, is to learn how to use each of them. To educate readers toward a higher level of psychic ability, Van Praagh discusses the basic skills involved in mediumship (development of increased awareness, communication with spirit guides) and the worlds that invisible phenomena inhabit (the energy fields that envelop the body, the channels through which spirits make contact). To enhance intuition, he recommends daily meditation, breathing exercises and visualization; for the more difficult task of connecting with the higher vibrations of the spirit world, he suggests group work with like-minded people to help build the requisite psychic energy. But as individuals increase their receptivity to spirit communication, Van Praagh warns that they may become vulnerable to psychic vampires and other harmful astral entities. The auric shield, which is like a "brilliant glass shell" surrounding the human body, is an essential safeguard against these negative forces, and the author provides exercises to maintain and strengthen it. This excellent primer demystifies the work of mediums, and for people who hope to reach out to their deceased loved ones or meet their spirit guides, it offers simple and accessible guidance. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.


From AudioFile
Van Praagh's book will appeal primarily to those who already believe in psychic phenomena, but he works hard to make it both convincing and appealing. He grounds accounts of his psychic experiences with learning from many traditions and explains both terms and processes carefully. Barrett Whitener is a fine choice as narrator. His delivery combines the lucid clarity of a scholar with the gentle tones of an old friend. When he reads Van Praagh's stories of encounters with spirits, he enters into the spirit of them, often sounding as if these are his own personal experiences. Subtle shifts in tone communicate humility, surprise, and wonder, sometimes all at the same time. G.T.B. © AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine


Book Description
Millions of people have been enthralled -- and had their lives changed -- by James Van Praagh's amazing psychic ability to communicate with other spiritual realms. In his previous books, he has shown us what lies beyond our own visible world, explaining that death is not the end of existence and how communication with the departed can bring solace, hope, and love into our lives. Now in perhaps the most important book he has ever written, Van Praagh helps us to develop our own innate psychic talents. For the last several years he has worked with tens of thousands of people, refining techniques that we can use on our own. Combining his own inspiring experiences with testimony from others who have been touched by their spirit family and guides, Van Praagh encourages us to embark on our own journey of discovery. In Heaven and Earth: Making the Psychic Connection, the author leads us: To truly see, feel, and listen to our inner voice To strengthen our energy field in order to make contact with spirit To recognize signals from spirit beings To acknowledge the actions of angels in our daily life To create a development circle to increase our sensitivity To overcome our fears and limitations To protect ourselves from negative or harmful forces Most of us go through life without developing and honing the wonderful, natural, God-given abilities that are inherent in all of us. As Van Praagh once told an interviewer, "I'm not so different from anybody else. Maybe I listen more. We're all like radio stations, sending and receiving signals. TVs, radios, cell phones all transmit waves through the air which we don't see, but we're able to receive a picture, get the sound. It's much the same." We all have burning questions -- about romance, about our departed relatives and pets, about our own prior lives -- and Van Praagh gives us the tools to find the answers. Best of all, spirits can serve as teachers, companions, motivators, and even protectors. We have only to find them, and with Heaven and Earth, we have the perfect guide.


About the Author
James Van Praagh is arguably the most famous and successful spiritual medium of our time, world-renowned for his extraordinary ability to communicate with the spirits of men, women, children, and animals who have died. His lectures, demonstrations, and spiritual tours have drawn many thousands of people in the United States and abroad. He has been a featured guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Larry King Live, and countless other television and radio shows, as well as being interviewed in The New York Times, People magazine, and elsewhere. He lives in the Los Angeles area. To learn more about the author's work and appearances, you may find information on his Web site, www.VanPraagh.com

FROM OUR EDITORS

The Barnes & Noble Review
As human beings, we are and always have been curious. At one point or another, most of us have asked ourselves and others the following questions: What happens to us after we die? Why are we here? How can we live a good, fulfilling life? Will we ever meet our soul mate?

There have been many teachers who have shed light on these questions. You may have felt an affinity with one particular teacher or with several. James Van Praagh has joined the ranks as one of our modern guides, and in Heaven and Earth you will find further insight as he shares the story and process of how he opened up to and developed his own psychic powers. And here's the best part: He shows you how you can, too!

Through his years of ardent study, Van Praagh has developed a series of time-tested exercises to help you connect with the realm of the spirit. In this book, you will learn various meditation techniques that will heighten your sensory awareness; help you become more focused; energize your mind, body, and spirit; and connect you with your spirit guides.

And if the proof is in the pudding, then you'll find many real-life examples here of people who turned their lives around when they developed their psychic awareness. One woman finally found the strength to leave her abusive husband and fulfilled her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse; one mother was able to make peace with the tragic death of her teenage daughter; and one man overcame drug addiction, turned his life to helping others, and met and married the woman of his dreams. And these are just a few examples of the countless stories he has to share.

So, you see, you too can not only change your life but also make the world a better place, when you connect with the eternal energy of love and spirit. Van Praagh writes, "Ordinary people are transforming the world without even knowing it. By their kindness, positive thoughts, uplifting energy and love, they are literally changing the consciousness of the world. It is my desire that you also become a transformer." (Jennifer Forman)

FROM THE PUBLISHER

James Van Praagh reveals the techniques that anyone can use to contact "the other side." Combining his own experiences with the testimony of others who have been touched by their spirit guides, Van Praagh encourages us to embark on our own journey of discovery

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Prominent clairvoyant Van Praagh (Talking to Heaven) has been on Larry King Live, Oprah and the New York Times bestseller list. His latest book part fragmentary memoir and part how-to guide asserts that everyone is born with six senses; the trick, of course, is to learn how to use each of them. To educate readers toward a higher level of psychic ability, Van Praagh discusses the basic skills involved in mediumship (development of increased awareness, communication with spirit guides) and the worlds that invisible phenomena inhabit (the energy fields that envelop the body, the channels through which spirits make contact). To enhance intuition, he recommends daily meditation, breathing exercises and visualization; for the more difficult task of connecting with the higher vibrations of the spirit world, he suggests group work with like-minded people to help build the requisite psychic energy. But as individuals increase their receptivity to spirit communication, Van Praagh warns that they may become vulnerable to psychic vampires and other harmful astral entities. The auric shield, which is like a "brilliant glass shell" surrounding the human body, is an essential safeguard against these negative forces, and the author provides exercises to maintain and strengthen it. This excellent primer demystifies the work of mediums, and for people who hope to reach out to their deceased loved ones or meet their spirit guides, it offers simple and accessible guidance. (Nov.) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

AudioFile