From Our Viewpoint

Happy Eighth Anniversary to us! The Spring Newsletter each year celebrates this special time. It was in April 1982, that I wrote: “Greetings fellow AA-EVP members! We are on our way!” Now, eight years later, we are still on our way. You have made it possible

Normally, with the Spring NEWS, we review in capsule form the past year and the years preceding it. This year I thought we would do something different, and so I invite you to visit the windowsill above my desk. Fortunately, it is a wide windowsill able to hold the 40-50 objects on it, and those of you who have visited me in my office know I don’t exaggerate. You may or may not be interested in the state of my windowsill but its “life” began when I started the AA-EVP, and so you are responsible for many of the things found there.

Since 1982, I have traveled far. Before then I’d barely left the state. Now, the miles traveled would take me around the world several times. Some of the trips were business-pleasure, such as the lectures and workshops taught about voice phenomena in Milan, Italy and Easel, Switzerland. Others, including the three trips to Egypt and then England two summers ago, were sponsored by the AA-EVP. Some of us took tape recorders to see if the unseen would speak to us in ancient tombs and temples; churches and castles, and we found they did!

There are dozens of pictures and small objects on my windowsill. There is a crystal pyramid and a picture of the Cheops Pyramid. Each time I look at it I remember my first visit there and sitting on a stone ledge inside the entrance, waiting for the rest of my group. It was time for lunch and the guard took out his sandwich, which was all he had, wrapped in a piece of paper. He offered me half. How many of us, if we had been that guard having nothing in the way of worldly goods and probably very hungry, would have found the same generosity of spirit? When everything seems to pile up on me with people asking for my help, and I am tempted to say “No”, I think about that guard and ask, “Can I do less?”

A clay statue of Thoth, the Egyptian god of wisdom, science and writing stands next to a small wooden cross sent to me from Jerusalem. In my day-to-day living, I try to keep the precepts expressed by both symbols in mind. There is a small clay plaque bought at an outdoor bazaar in front of the Temple of Abydos when I visited Egypt the first time with my daughter. “The real thing, Lady. It came from the Temple.” Everyone knows it didn’t, but each time I look at it, I’m reminded of what my daughter and I recorded as we sat separately in two rooms of the Temple. I got the “blessing” I requested, and Becky recorded beautiful, unusual music.

There is a clay statue of “The Dying Lion of Lucerne,” that I found there the day before going on to Bagel. A statue cannot be imbued with life, it is not animistic, but the “Lion” expresses so well the grief that everyone suffers at times. Lest I get too serious, I look at the glass marble within several inches of the lion. It was given to me by Cindy, another daughter, after our last conference that some of you attended. This was to reassure me I hadn’t lost all of my ‘marbles’ during the preceding three days.

A typical English cottage sits to the right of the lion. It brings back memories of the AA-EVP trip to England in June 1988. It was a “magical” trip, filled with special moments as we explored the Tor, Merlin’s cave, Stonehenge, Glastonbury, and so on. If plans work out and we return to Switzerland in November followed by a week in England, there will be additional objects to add.

To the far right of the cottage, there is the red rose still in its vase and mentioned on page 153 of my book Voices of Eternity. It was in the light of the sphere which floated in front of my window one summer night. It survived the visitation in better physical shape than I, but although it is now dried, some of the redness remains and I would not dream of throwing it out. We shared too much together.

And so we come to the present. There is not room to describe everything on my windowsill; that would take several newsletters. Since my windowsill is an outgrowth of the AA-EVP and you are the AA-EVP, I thought you would like to see what you have brought about. You have enriched my life so much and I am grateful. Thank you!

Fear of Death

Not many people can face death with the equanimity of Emily Bront who wrote at age thirty, as death approached: “No coward soul is mine. No trembler in the world’s storm-troubled sphere. I see Heaven’s glories shine and faith shines equal, arming me from fear.”

A letter came recently from a new member who wrote: “I am one of those who suffers from an unreasonable fear of death. I hope through membership to prove to myself that death is not the end and in the process, to meet like-minded people who sound so adventuresome and so much fun.”

We hope the feature below, which was begun in the Winter NEWS, will help this member and others who face the same doubts and fears.

Evidence for Survival

This feature was started with the excellent contributions from Robert Camburn, PA and Monty Hearon, OR State Coordinator. I asked that other members send contributions to the series and I appreciate your response. We will conclude Monty’s contribution and then move on to the others.

“EVP is strong evidence for survival. My wife, Bobby, and I were taping. She asked if there was someone in our contact group whom she had known but I had not. “Yes there is,” was taped. She continued saying she was thinking of a friend she knew in college. A male voice said, “That’s Marie Curnan.” Several weeks later, while taping, she again asked for someone whom she knew but I hadn’t. The answer came, “Yes, it’s your father.” The requirement was met since her father, Oscar Olsen had died two years before we started going together. Two days later, I was taping alone and asked for Mr. Olsen. He replied, “Oscar Olsen.” I then asked if he ever saw his wife Esther, who was in the hospital recovering from surgery. He replied, “I’m watching her all the time.” In the weeks that followed, I had additional messages from him in which he gave his name and when I asked if he had a message for Esther, taped: “I’m beside her. I’m with her.”

Dorothy Elisson, ID wrote: “My father died seven years ago at age 82. Two years ago I

was awake and noticed the sun shining through the drapes. There, standing by my bedroom ‘door five feet away, was my father looking as he did at about age 45-50. He looked healthy and happy, and was solid because he blocked of f the wall as well as part of the doorframe. He was dressed as he was when he worked on the farm, wearing starched and ironed denim overalls, work shirt and a jacket. This was such a natural feeling seeing my father that finally I said “Hi” and then he was gone.

“My mother also died at age 82. Two weeks before her death she told me she had decided to go on, meaning she had decided it was time for her to die. A week after her death I was alone in my office catching up on some paper work. I became aware of a presence and felt a great love. I looked around and asked mentally, “Mom is that you? ... You did real well. Don’t be concerned about us here. We are fine. Just go toward the light because Dad and the others are waiting for you.” Then in my mind I heard my mother’s voice saying, “I can’t go on until you understand that I did love you as much as I loved the boys (my brothers.)” I had always felt that my mother favored my brothers over me but I had certainly never told her or anyone else that I thought this. Then the voice said, “Things look different from this side.” In a few minutes the presence was gone and I finally knew my mother had loved me as much as she had loved my brothers, she just showed it in a different way. I felt a sense of comfort and peace.”

Shari Langer, a new member from CA, wrote: “I would like you to know that there are not many people I can talk to about my experience, since there is much disbelief. So you can see what a comfort it is for me to have someone to write to about this experience, how grateful I am about you and your group.” Shari then went on and described several incidents that occurred after the death of her aunt last April. She was devastated by this death because her aunt had been like a second mother to her after her mother died 27 years ago when Shari was seventeen. The most significant incident happened one evening. Shari was in the den of her home where she had hung many of the pictures her aunt had painted. Shari continued her letter with, “One night I was praying and I said to God that love was stronger than death. I was staring at my aunt’s picture, just rambling, talking to myself and God. I was so up with God for taking her away. All at once my eyes caught a glimpse of something in the mirror on the adjacent wall. I turned around and right in front of me, I saw what I can only describe as a ghost, an apparition! There was a perfectly round shaped head, like a white cloud of steam or vapor. A neck, shoulders, half a body, no legs or feet. Standing over a chair so I could not see the bottom portion. You cannot imagine the comfort I felt. I can only say there must be a God, and there must be life eternal. I

don’t: know if I would ever have pulled out of my depression if I had not seen that figure. I will remember it as long as I live!’

Bill Weisensale, CA, wrote about the many years of correspondence he had with Harold Sherman, who established the ESP Research Associates Foundation and wrote over 60 books. My own book is dedicated to Harold was a dear personal friend. Harold took part in our first national conference and when he became too ill to continue with his Foundation, it became a part of the AA-EVP. Bill wrote that he had the opportunity to meet Harold in 1978 and continued with, “In the winter of 1988, several months after Harold had gone through the transition, on several occasions I thought I recognized his voice on recordings. When I asked about this I was told “Yes  Bill. He talked to you,” and “He is here now.” When I asked if there was any message he would like me to relay to his wife, Martha, I was given a brief two part message about him by another male voice.

“When I sent this message to Mrs. Sherman she replied that they had not set up any verbal code but that a friend in Florida who is not a taper (and whose existence I had not known about) had received exactly the same message telepathically from the other side. I will not say what this message was as it is possible it may also be received through others. In my opinion the message is unusual enough that it could not possibly have been coincidence and that therefore its’ only possible origin is Mr. Sherman himself.”

Bill has told me in confidence what the unique message is. I agree completely that only someone who is with Harold in the next dimension could have given Harold’s message to the man in Florida as well as Bill, both working independently and unknown to each other. This message, intended for Martha, is similar to the cross-correspondence cases famous in mediumistic literature and which present very strong evidence for survival.

Children and the Near-Death Experience

Near-death experiences are often cited as providing strong survival evidence. This, as most people know, is where a person has been declared dead, been resuscitated and then describes what happened to him while dead. Since many of these reports are similar, they help reinforce the validity of such events.

Children, as I wrote on page 22 of my book, also have NDE. I am interested in exploring further the NDE that young children have had. They have not had the opportunity to read the metaphysical literature that abounds with these accounts. Chances are, they have not heard such cases discussed. If a significant number of children can give similar reports about what happens to them at death—which may or may not be like an adult’s experience I think we can then say we have additional good evidence for survival. I will be grateful to you if you know of such cases and ask the adult who was caring for the child at the time to contact me directly.

The following is one such report that was sent to me recently by a mother. I find it very significant and thought provoking. In this case, a child of three was sent back because of his size and brought with him a message that because of his age would not have realized was precognitive. This message was carried through, tragically, fourteen years later, and opens up the disturbing question as to what degree our life is programmed.

“My son had open heart surgery in 1963 at the age of 3½. During surgery his heart stopped several times. When we saw him after surgery he told us he had a dream. ‘A fisher man caught him in a net, looked at him and said he is going to throw him back because he was too small, he wants him to grow more.’ My son died in 1977, at the age of seventeen, killed by a drunk driver.”

You Must First Touch the Paint

What kind of life will we discover after death? Those of us who believe we survive death must wonder at times. Will we find pearly gates? Will we sing with the angels? Or, will we end up shoveling coal to help keep the furnace warm?

Robert Hyner, and his wife Meta, from West Australia joined the AA-EVP in September. I will quote from Robert’s eloquent letter about what he thinks life after death will be like.

“The thought of speaking with the next dimension is in one way awe inspiring and in another way absolutely logical. This life on earth is but a mirror of the other life. How else could it be? If life over there was vastly different it would be too much of a psychological strain to adjust to earthly conditions and also visa versa. Here the material is a test to overcome, and there, the control of thoughts is the main bug bear, whilst the material adjusts itself to the vibration of the person involved and hers or his thought-life. I wonder which is the hardest? The logical answer is that those whose thought-life is not pure would have problems there and find themselves in an environment expressing those thoughts. It is those who often long to return to earth, which they most likely do, as here exists a greater chance of hiding from yourself. They forget that purity of thought on earth is a necessary attribute, but one seems able to get away with it down here. It is difficult to reach those of the higher realms. All that lays behind them has little attraction. I suppose that when they contact us, it will be done out of love and compassion. How hard it must be for those more evolved beings to not interfere in our lives. How much they could tell us. But we must first touch the paint ourselves before we will believe the notice of the wet paint.”

C.E.T.L. Newsletter Publication

It is with regret that I must announce to our members the decision of Jules and Maggie Harsch-Fischbach to stop the publication of their newsletter. The pressure in their personal and professional lives became too great to continue. Both are employed full time and those demands, coupled with the many requests they received from the public for private and public appearances, expanded to such a degree they felt it wise to withdraw. When my husband and I visited them in October 1987 at their home in Luxembourg, we were impressed with their kindness and generosity, with their sincerity and openness. Whatever path they decide to travel in the future we hope it will bring them joy.

Electronic Transcommunication Suggestions

Bill Weisensale has sent me a list of suggestions that he felt would be helpful to tapers. Many of his suggestions agree with my own suggestions as found in Chapter 17 of my book. We both feel the earmuff type head phone is superior to the flat kind and should be worn when playing back a tape. Bill wrote, “This type of earphone generally has larger speakers which are better at reproducing the lower half of the audio spectrum where the voice band is located.

“When trying to understand weak voices, there is the temptation to listen at high volume levels. Actually there is an optimal level which varies slightly with each voice. This level is slightly uncomfortable. Repeated listening at very uncomfortable levels will in time cause hearing loss.

“Electronic transcommunication is awesome and fascinating. In time, without realizing it, one can become obsessed with this work. If you find taping is beginning to have a detrimental effect on other aspects of your life, slow down or even stop altogether.

“If you hear things you don’t want to hear remember the “off” switch is on our side. Like obscene phone calls, continuing to listen only encourages the caller.

“Always use common sense and take what you hear with a grain of salt. If some day someone who appears to be your aunt tells you to sell all your property and invest in junk bonds or to do yourself in because life is more pleasant over there—forget it!

“Never under any circumstances consider taping as “entertainment.” To do so invites lower level Spirits into your home who may entertain you in ways you are not ready for.

“Accord your friends in the Spirit World the same respect and consideration you would your friends in this world. Remember, most of humanity is over there. They are the main stream, it is we who are in the unusual circumstances. It is we who are trying to ee reality through a frosty window pane.”

A Scottish Friend

Jane Longmore and Lata Chennareddy of VA, are close friends who tape together at times. They report getting very good results. Jane says she h been mediumistic. since she was a young child.

In 1988, she began to receive messages through automatic writing and clairaudiently from a man who said he was Charles Rennie McKintosh. She had earlier heard a song dedicated to him and then bought a book about his architecture. MacKintosh was born in Glasgow in 1868 and died in 1928.

Jane wrote that she first met the “post-departum” MacKintosh in 1988. “I had been thinking about him and his art and he showed up. At that time I knew nothing of his life and throughout the coming months he went to great lengths to give me obscure facts that later proved true. He also told me that he had been “hiding” for years in some place where he was utterly alone. I suggested he move toward the light, which he did.” Since Jane and Lata have started taping, he has come through three times with strong, clear messages in a Scottish accent

A Spirit Photograph

Valerie Tjaden, N.J. State Coordinator, sent me the above picture. The Bernardsville Library, not far from where she lives, has a history of being haunted, going back to the Revolution. Formerly a tavern, the story goes that Phyllis Parker, a daughter of the tavern owner, went insane after discovering the body of Aaron Wilde, who had been hung as a Tory spy. Her father brought Wilde’s body back to the tavern and placed it in a closed coffin. Phyllis and Wilde had been in love, and when she opened the coffin in the middle of the night and saw Wilde, she became insane from then on. In the more than 200 years since the incident there have been many unexplained noises, and an apparition of a woman in a long flowing dress has been frequently seen.

In February, Valerie and her mother, along with Victor and Geri Devincenzo, N.J. AA-EVP members, went to the library to investigate. Valerie had talked to the librarian before the visit, and they were given permission to move about freely. Valerie said the above picture was taken outside of the library as she focused her camera on the window. She feels it shows a picture of a man’s face. Victor is now trying to learn more about the history of Wilde.

Valerie Tjaden, N.J. State Coordinator, sent me the above picture. The Bernardsville Library, not far from where she lives, has a history of being haunted, going back to the Revolution. Formerly a tavern, the story goes that Phyllis Parker, a daughter of the tavern owner, went insane after discovering the body of Aaron Wilde, who had been hung as a Tory spy. Her father brought Wilde’s body back to the tavern and placed it in a closed coffin. Phyllis and Wilde had been in love, and when she opened the coffin in the middle of the night and saw Wilde, she became insane from then on. In the more than 200 years since the incident there have been many unexplained noises, and an apparition of a woman in a long flowing dress has been frequently seen.

In February, Valerie and her mother, along with Victor and Geri Devincenzo, N.J. AA—EVP members, went to the library to investigate. Valerie had talked to the librarian before the visit, and they were given permission to move about freely. Valerie said the above picture was taken outside of the library as she focused her camera on the window. She feels it shows a picture of a man’s face. Victor is now trying to learn more about the history of Wilde. 

Psychic Theft?

As most of our members know, a psychic theft is when an object disappears from a spot and then, usually within a day or two, reappears either in the same place or some where strange. The recipients of these psychic thefts are baffled by the dematerializations and rematerializations of their objects. “Such things are impossible!” they say, but they happen! It appears that a psychic theft is yet another way spirits try to let us know they are around.

Tina Laurent, Wales AA-EVP member, called in March and told about an incident that happened to her, her husband Carl, and Ingeborg Frank, an AA-EVP member from N.Y. who spends a large part of her time in Europe. She and the Laurents have become close friends, through the AA-EVP. The last time she was in Europe, she made plans to meet them at an inn. After her shower, Ingeborg went to put on her slippers that she had left in the middle of the bedroom floor. They were gone. When the Laurents arrived they looked everywhere--the room was taken apart--but no slippers. Tina told Ingeborg not to worry, they would reappear before she left the inn. The next day, there the slippers were in the middle of the floor where they had been left.

Interestingly enough, before leaving home to meet Ingeborg, Tina had “asked” Frank, Ingeborg’s deceased husband, to give his wife a sign he was around. It appears Frank heard this request and lovingly showed Ingeborg he was with her.

We’re Getting Around

Word of our work continues to become known to others.

Hildy Becker, VA AA-EVP member, said a copy of my book is now in Cayce library in Virginia Beach.

Wayne Green, editor and publisher of “73 Amateur Radio”, reviewed my book in the Jan. 1990 issue of the magazine. Quoting from the review he wrote: “Another book, Voices of Eternity by Estep, explained how she set up rudimentary communications with the spirit world using a VHF radio and tape recorder. A chap named Raudive wrote a book on this twenty years ago, but his results weren’t nearly as convincing.”

Channel 11, CBS Baltimore, spent several hours in my home the end of March. The producer asked many questions about voice phenomena and we made a five minute recording together. Two messages were taped. The interview will be shown in April.

The Lily Dale Assembly, the largest center in the world for the religion of Spiritualism and Metaphysical New Age philosophy, has asked me to lecture and teach a workshop about how to record voices this summer. Joseph Merrill, Program Co-Chairman, contacted me after he had read a review of my book in a Spiritual Frontiers Journal. The day of my lecture is July 22, followed by the two day workshop. I have received an early program for the summer’s activities and it looks excellent. You may want to write for a copy. The address is: Lily Dale Assembly, 5 Melrose Park, Lily Dale N.Y. 14752. Phone: 716-595-8721

SAC 15th Annual Conference

The Spiritual Advisory Council will hold its summer conference at Lake Forest College from June 16-21. The theme is: “A Journey of Transformation.” The campus is in IL, just north of Chicago. The planned program is excellent. Last year I was privileged to be a part of the program and I can recommend this conference highly to our members. If you are looking for a six day respite from your daily routine, you will find it here on this lovely campus. Write to Paul Johnson, Founder and President of SAC for more details: [Address withheld].

Some Bouquets

“Your newsletters are very nice. They give me in put as to why I exist. God bless you.” John K TX

“You column ‘Dp We Survive’ in the Winter News, hit home with me. Since a child, I have tried to convince people of ongoing life.” Clara Laughln, VA

“This latest one (Winter) was especially good for me in that you described so beautifully the reason why our loved ones do not/cannot make contact with us via EVP. AA-EVP is a mind-extender.” Irene Nelson, WI

“What would we ever do without you?” Anne Smisko, VA.

“I particularly enjoyed ‘From My Viewpoint’ (Winter). You managed to really reach me with your inspiring words about our place in the world and the choices we all have.” Valerie Tjaden, N.J.

Membership Report

We continue to have a paid membership of over 200 with positive growth for the last year. For the eighth year in a row, men continue to outnumber women, with 54%. Our members live in 35 states, the District of Columbia, and 11 foreign countries.

Garage Sale

My husband is on the mailing list for government sales. He mainly buys oscilloscopes which he reconditions and sells. Recently, in one lot from John Hopkins Science Lab, 3 used Sony reel—reel tape recorders were included. He has corrected the minor problems they had and they are now available to the first three people who send $60. Try it for 15 days. If dissatisfied, return by UPS. You pay the shipping back. Your money will be refunded.

Sony model-IC 2 77-4, 4 Track, 3 Speed, Single Motor, Tape Deck

Switzerland England November 1990

It’s not too soon to start thinking in a positive way about going with us to Basel in November, followed by a week in England!

I have talked to my travel agent, told her what I have in mind, and she is making the necessary contacts and planning the itinerary.

We will fly from JFK in N.Y. arriving in Zurich the following morning. From there we will be transported to the Hotel Europe in Basel. We stayed at the Europe last November and it is a modern, excellent hotel with two restaurants that are ranked among the city’s best. Located within a five minute walk of the conference, it is very convenient. After arriving at the Europe, we will have time to check in before going over to register for the conference that starts Thursday afternoon.

I think most people are interested in paranormal healing. At times, it offers an alternative to main-stream medical care or can be used in conjunction with it. Speaking from my experience of last year, I know the four day program will present outstanding people in the field of healing from around the world. There will be a wide selection of lectures, workshops and panel discussions to attend from Thursday until the conclusion on Sunday afternoon.

On Monday, we will leave to spend a week in magical, mystical England. Our stops will include Bath, Salisbury Cathedral, the Tor, Glastonbury, Avebury, Stonehenge and several days in London. We are trying to make plans to visit one or more of the fields where the mysterious circles have appeared.

The cost will include: Round trip air from JFK, all Basel conference fees and the banquet Saturday night, hotel(s) in Basel and England, breakfast each morning and some dinners. The anticipated date for the trip is Nov. 7-Nov. 19. The cost for the thirteen day trip is not firm but is tentatively estimated to be about $2600.

If you are interested, please sign the enclosed and return it to me within 15 days. This doesn’t commit you but please don’t send it back unless you are serious about going.

Odds and Ends

Deadline for the Summer NEWS is June 23.

Again, thank you for your caring, for your support, for making the last eight years possible.

Always my best wishes, Sarah Estep