ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark
from another person. Each of us has cause to think with
deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.

—Albert Schweitzer, MD

This book is here because of the many people who have lighted the flame within me to write it. Along the way, the light has gone out at times, only to be rekindled by a spark from another person or being, both here and apparently from there as well. If this book shines, it is because they shine.

There are two people who are particularly responsible for lighting and relighting the flame that produced this book—Susy Smith and Rhonda Eklund-Schwartz. Over the years, I have been blessed to have known a number of graceful, caring, inspiring, and powerful women—and none exemplify these qualities more than Susy and Rhonda.

My sense is that Susy is insistent that humanity discover that survival of consciousness is as real as the light from distant stars. And Rhonda is adamant, along with her gifted mother, Marcia Eklund, that humanity discover that Spirit is the ultimate reality. Along with my bigger-than-life mother Shirley Schwartz, these women have graciously endured the endless questioning and re-questioning of their agnostic scientist family member in their respective roles as adopted grandmother, spouse, and mother.

If you get the sense that this work has been flamed first and foremost by women, you are correct. I wish to share my inexpressible gratitude for the contributions of a number of women “co-inspirators,” women whom you will meet in this book. They include:

Mary Occhino, the star of Angels on Call, along with her cadre of angels, who regularly goad me to get past fear and take advantage of the great opportunity to allow Spirit to prove itself. Mary is a true consciousness explorer, as well as a spiritual counselor for people worldwide. For the record, Mary does not favor the word “spirit.” She prefers terms such as Energies and Universe.

Hazel Courteney, whose beautiful books Divine Interventions, The Evidence for the Sixth Sense, and Countdown to Coherence continue to baffle and inspire me. Some of the most moving and transforming conversations I have experienced about the connections between science and spirit have been with Hazel.

Princess Diana, whose apparent continued association with Hazel, as well as with a number of research mediums, continues to surprise and enlighten me.

Carrie Kennedy, the corporate program director at Canyon Ranch, for her unfailing support and encouragement and for the mani -festations of our synchronous connections that continually remind us that much more is going on here than meets the eye.

Clarissa Siebern, the program coordinator of the Laboratory for Advances in Consciousness and Health, for her dedication and devotion to this work and her courage in sharing her personal and professional journeys in developing her own intuitive skills in communicating with Spirit.

There are many other women, given pseudonyms or not discussed directly in this book, who have played a critical role in this work, and I cannot thank them enough for their contributions. They include mediums, healers, research colleagues, and students. I have intentionally not mentioned some of my research colleagues by name because the focus of this book is so controversial, and there are sometimes “guilt by association” consequences. For the record, this work is not my work; it is our work, and that includes them and their extended spiritual families.

Besides these amazing women, there have been a number of men who have made essential contributions to this work.

Number 1 is Jerry Cohen, the CEO of Canyon Ranch, to whom this book is dedicated. Jerry has been a longtime behind-the-scenes supporter of the potential existence of Spirit and a larger spiritual reality. Jerry is one of the smartest, wisest, and silliest people I have ever met. Jerry, along with Mel and Enid Zuckermen, has slowly but surely nurtured energy and spirituality at Canyon Ranch. And with Gary Frost, PhD, and Richard Carmona, MD, he has championed responsible and visionary research and applications. Jerry birthed and oversees the Voyager Research Program. Much of the exploratory proof in principle research reported in this book, as well as the existence of this book as a whole, is here because of Jerry. And Jerry appreciates L.O.V.E.

Other men who have been co-inspirators in this work and deserve my deepest appreciation are:

Mark Boccuzzi, my research specialist, whose skills with computers and technology are matched by his compassion for animals and his commitment to the pursuit of truth, especially regarding the energetic and spiritual mechanisms of mind and health.

Robert Stek, PhD, a “retired” clinical psychologist who waited thirty years to fulfill his dream of doing this type of research. Bob joined the laboratory as a volunteer research associate and has become my colleague and buddy in this work—even if I had the money, his participation is priceless.

John Edward, who sat in the laboratory’s “hot seat” for three experiments before he became a superstar medium and who continues to be a champion for reuniting science and Spirit as he educates the world about the reality of mediumship. I am honored by your foreword.

Jonathan Ellerby, PhD, spiritual program director at Canyon Ranch, my younger spiritual brother, who published his first book, Return to the Sacred, as this book was being written, and who made me an honorary uncle to his “little Buddha” Narayan, helps to remind me that this work is especially for the children.

Albert Einstein, my physicist and ethicist hero, whose statues and busts sit in both my university and home offices, who persists in attempting to prove that he is still here and continues his passion and commitment for science and world peace. Now that this book is completed, I wonder if it is time for Albert to become formally involved with our research [smile].

There are many other men, not discussed directly in this book or given anonymous names, who have played a critical role in this work, and I cannot thank them enough for their contributions. They include mediums, healers, research colleagues, and students. You know who you are. I am blessed that they are in my life and part of the work.

I wish to highlight some very special people who contributed greatly to the manifestation of this book:

William Gladstone, my agent, adviser, and friend, who wrote the inspirational novel The Twelve. This book is here because he is here.

John Nelson, the gifted editor of The Sacred Promise, who is a skilled writer of nonfiction and fiction. In numerous phone conversations, John has called me “bro,” and I experience this slang title with great reverence (even though I now know that it is used widely by Hawaiians); and Cynthia Black, president and editor in chief of Beyond Words Publishing, and her partner and publisher, Richard Cohn, who not only saw the potential of this book (along with their colleagues, who transformed the rough draft into a polished and beautiful book) but insisted that it be edited by John.

Over the years, the investigations reported in this book have been funded entirely through private gifts or businesses. No federal or state funds have supported this work. Countless people have graciously donated their time and expertise to the work, and I know we all consider it a great privilege to be able to do so.

Other individuals have donated funds—even after they died. Susy Smith, for example, provided funds from her small estate to help the laboratory, and a trickle of funds from her continuing book sales somehow finds its way into her account at the University of Arizona Foundation. To protect donors from unwanted solicitations, I have not included their names in this book. They know already how precious their giving has been. And I know that if a larger spiritual reality exists, their gifts for this work will keep on giving.

Some of the research reported in this book was conducted at the University of Arizona; much of it was privately conducted in my and others’ personal lives. Though I have had a few vocal detractors at the university (and elsewhere) who have attempted to discredit me and the work, on the whole, the university administrators, faculty, and students have been for the most part understanding (and even encouraging at times).

The University of Arizona, as a major research and teaching institution, appreciates the importance of academic freedom to pursue knowledge rigorously and creatively. I have mentioned specific administrators and colleagues in previous books, and my gratitude for them grows as my body of work unfolds. I especially wish to thank Dr. Al Kaszniak, professor and former head of the department of psychology, for his wisdom, commitment to integrity, and exceptional humor.

I would like to express my special appreciation and admiration for Allan Hamilton, MD, professor of surgery and psychology and former chair of the department of surgery at the University of Arizona. Allan is a scientist’s scientist. His book The Scalpel and the Soul is breathtaking, and his work has lighted the flame in me. He has been an ardent supporter of pursing research on the possible roles of energy and Spirit in healing and life enhancement. Though he may not know this, Allan has helped rekindle my passion from time to time.

Finally, I must acknowledge the apparent collaboration of the larger spiritual reality in this book. Scientists can’t help using judicious words such as alleged, apparent, and possible—it’s in our blood to be cautious, even when we’re being bold. However, let’s be blunt for a moment. Some things are ultimately either yes or no:

Either Spirit exists, or it does not.

Either Spirit is here, helping to direct this work, or it is not.

Either Spirit is calling upon us to wake up, to discover our true identity and reality, and to join with it to heal, grow, and transform, or it is not.

If the answers to these questions happen to be no, so be it. We will hopefully learn to live our lives in harmony with nature and each other whether or not a larger spiritual reality exists.

However, if the answer is yes, and we can establish this scientifically, then the Universe is more marvelous and exciting—and filled with more wonders and opportunities—than most of us can imagine.

The history of science reminds us that we have the power of possibility to make these kinds discoveries and transform our minds and hearts in the process. As Einstein said, “One may say the eternal mystery of the world is its comprehensibility.”

Many peoples and cultures around the world have believed, and continue to believe, that Spirit is real and plays a fundamental role in our lives and the life of the planet. What science may be doing is finally addressing and validating these experiences and beliefs and hopefully in the process advancing our knowledge and practical applications.

A case in point is the discovery and evolution of flight. The capacity to fly was once only a dream, shared by ancient peoples and evolving cultures as well. But the Wright brothers, and a number of other pioneers, ultimately discovered that we have the potential to create machines that could enable us to fly. The Wrights’ first flight lasted only twelve seconds.

Most of us could not have imagined then that in a single century we would have flying machines of all shapes and sizes taking off and landing literally every second of every day around the world. And what is even more amazing to me is what was once previously unimaginable is now taken for granted.

If this book is correct—and I again underscore if—the Spirit airplane appears to be taking flight. Though the metaphorical flight was brief, it looks like it has taken to the air nonetheless. In the process, we are experiencing a Wright brothers moment.

If we too are ultimately spirits, and we have the potential to soar, shall we learn to fly?

If we invest the time and effort to do the science, will our potential connection with Spirit evolve into something as spectacular and reliable as contemporary earth and space flight?

And will we, in the foreseeable future, take all this for granted, too?

If Spirit indeed exists and is calling us, then the truth is that we owe “Them Folks” (as Jerry Cohen affectionately calls them) a tremendous debt of gratitude. They deserve our deepest respect and thankfulness.

Despite my seemingly never-ending agnostic questioning and doubting, in light of the evidence revealed in this book, it seems prudent to hedge my bets at this point and give the spirits the benefit of the doubt.

With the greatest humility and appreciation for your apparent patience, persistence, and participation, if you are really here, we thank you!

PS. I invite you to read the appendices, especially Appendix A, which include key questions and commentary—from self-science to risks in connecting with spirits and unhealthy skepticism, to the opportunity for healing the planet.