The World Is Embracing This Book

"The World Is Embracing This Book"

Betty J. Eadie's account of her "near-death experience" burst upon the national market last year and continues to attract hundreds of thousands of readers.

Q: Did you really die? What was it like?

A: "Yes, I died that night from complications following a hysterectomy. It wasn't painful. I felt strange, like having a foreboding feeling of impending danger. I had always feared death and dying, thinking that it was the end."

Q: What happened after you died?

A: "I felt a surge of energy. It was almost as if I felt a pop or release inside me, and my spirit was suddenly drawn out through my chest and pulled upward, as if by a giant magnet."

Q: Were you afraid?

A: "No, I wasn't frightened. I was more curious, wondering about what was happening. There was nothing unnatural about the experience; my sense of freedom was limitless."

Q: What did you do next?

A: "Many people talk about lights and tunnels, but the first thing I thought of was my husband Joe and my children at home. I wanted to see them, to make sure that they were all right. It was amazing, just a blur and suddenly I was in the living room of my home. Joe was reading the paper, and the children were having a pillow fight."

Q: Could they see you?

A: "No, but I felt that I could have contacted them if I had wanted to. They were surprised later when I told them I had observed Joe reading the paper and watched their pillow fight when they should have been going to bed."

Q: Where di you go then?

A: "Back to the hospital. I heard a rushing sound with tremendous power behind it, a movement that seemed unrelenting. I felt as if I had been swallowed up by a tornado. I could see nothing but the intense, almost tangible darkness. I had a very peaceful feeling; even though I was moving very fast, there was no fear or confusion."

Q: Was this "the tunnel"?

A: "Not a first, but the interesting thing was how it felt to be there, such a feeling of tranquility, a pleasant sense of well-being and calmness. There was no fear at all, only love and security and peace."

Q: Were you content to stay there?

A: "Yes . . . and no, I noticed the blackness began to take on the shape of a tunnel, and in the distance I saw a pinpoint of light. I felt myself rushing towards it at an astonishing speed; it was as though I was instinctively attracted to it."

Q: What was in the light?

A: "At first I couldn't tell. Then I noticed the figure of a man standing in the middle of a bright, white light, like the sun only far more brilliant. It was so brilliant white and bright. The light around him seemed to reach out to include me."

Q: What else did you see there?

A: "What surprised me is that it all seemed so familiar, like an amnesia patient regaining memory. There were rivers and gardens and waterfalls and people, lots of very busy people."

Q: What were they doing?

A: "Everyone had a purpose, a specific job. They knew what to do. There weren't any feelings of stress or being hurried or worrying about things. It was so wonderful."

Q: Did you learn anything new?

A: "It's not at all like reading a book. Your mind is completely aware of so much more. I could ask a question in my mind and the answer would come right into my thoughts. I quickly realized that I could ask anything and recieve the complete answer instantly. And I wanted to know everything!"

Q: Can you share what you learned?

A: "It is difficult to put into words why this happened to me, and all that I saw . . . a lot of it is in the book. The best way to put it is that I learned that people and feelings are more important than things and that love for one another is the greatest power in the universe. We must not judge others, but love others, in fact love everyone."

Q: What kind of reaction are your getting from you book?

A: "Of course my family and closest friends accepted what I told them right away . . . and as I began speaking to different groups, the interest grew and grew. Now that the book is available, I receive hundreds of letters weekly thanking me for sharing my experience. It has given them hope, new direction, but most importantly, love."

Q: Did you expect this kind of response to Embrace By The Light?

A: "The Whole thing has been exciting as we have tried to keep up with speaking appointments and interviews after the book came out last year. It hit #1 on the New York Times best seller list in September of last year. The publisher, Gold Leaf Press, has printed over 1 million books to keep up with the demand. People are excited about the book. The response has been wonderful."

Q: What does the future hold?

A: "Right now the book is back up to #1 on the New York Times list. My publisher has told me that Embraced By The Light will be published in 15 foreign countries this year. I will have another busy year, speaking to audiences nationally and internationally, and writing more books."

Q: Betty, what is your message?

A: "We are all to love one another. I know that. I have seen its wonderful, glorious, rewards. It is simply a matter of following the message which was clearly expressed to me: 'Above all else, love one another.' I will continue to try."