Healing Grief

by James Van Praagh

"Grieving is a natural process. It is through our losses that we can transform ourselves and find new meaning in life." --James Van PraaghJames Van Praagh, who possesses the extraordinary ability to communicate with the heavenly realm beyond our physical world, has changed the lives of millions of people who have lost loved ones. Now, in a book destined to open pathways of hope and healing for millions more, the renowned medium and author of the New York Times bestsellers Talking to Heaven and Reaching to Heaven reveals how the devastating sorrow of a loss can lead to incredible opportunities for spiritual growth--and bring a sense of renewal and focus to our lives.Van Praagh shares many insightful spiritual messages from deceased loved ones, who shed new light on grief and loss. These stories, along with accounts of his own personal experiences, assist us in viewing our losses as stepping-stones on our soul's evolving spiritual journey. In turn, we become aware of how we are connected to a larger universe, between the seen and unseen worlds. This deeply felt, wise, and compassionate book offers hope for a true healing of the mind and spirit, as we move beyond grief and loss--to a life of freedom, joy, and purpose.

Genres: Spirituality, Nonfiction, Self Help, Grief, Health, Metaphysics, Psychology

306 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

His very natural, easy-going style would lead you to believe that James Van Praagh is chatting with a friend on the telephone, not communicating messages from the grave. James is a survival evidence medium, meaning that he is able to bridge the gap between two planes of existence, that of the living and that of the dead, by providing evidential proof of life after death via detailed messages. "I'm clairsentient," he explains, "which simply means clear feeling. I feel the emotions and personalities of the deceased. I am also clairvoyant," he adds, clarifying that, "the first is feeling, the second is seeing, very much like Whoopi Goldberg in the movie, Ghost." The true essence of the messages are the feelings behind the words. James is an expert on this subject, since he has been in touch with those feelings most of his adult life. "The spirits communicate by their emotions. No words exist in the English language, or any other for that matter, which can describe the intense sensations."

Personality traits come in as well. If a person was talkative while alive, he will come through with plenty to say. James also relays physical traits and death conditions as evidence. "If I convey recognizable evidence along with even a fraction of the loving energy behind the message, I consider the reading successful."

James' public popularity began during his appearances on the NBC talk show The Other Side. The show concentrated on paranormal issues, and James became the favorite guest and resident expert on the subject of life after death. Even Howard Rosenberg, the Los Angeles Times distinguished television critic, dubbed James "spectacular".

Through the years his message of hope has touched a great many more people due to his television appearances on such shows as Oprah, Larry King Live, Dr. Phil, A&E Biography, Maury Povich, 20/20, and 48 Hours. His unique paranormal experiences during the past twenty-five years have seen him author best-selling books, create meditation programs and development videos, teach mediumship classes, conduct seminars to sold-out audiences, and produce successful television projects.

Reviews

[Christella Esco · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second time I have read this book. I read it many years ago after a breakup with someone I loved dearly. It was helpful then and has been helpful the second time around in the loss of both my parents in 2010 and 2022.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

IMO, this was not at all helpful in dealing with grief. I felt as if he was just regurgitating several of his readings with clients (similar to his "Talking to Heaven") and not really offering anything in the way of how to walk through the grief process. Also bothersome to me was the narrator of the audio CD; it was as if he was reading from an encyclopedia, his voice was monotone and grating. In the end, I couldn't even make it through half this book. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for comfort and help with their own personal loss.

[Katy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hmmm. This book helped me with the language of grief, and gave me some clues on how to help my husband who is losing his father. I had no idea the writer claims to be a medium, though, and these parts left me indifferent (I started skipping them altogether after I suffered through the first one). Medium or not, however, his understanding of the mecanisms of grief seems clear and reliable, and he displays a rare sensitivity to the needs of the bereaved.

[Dawn · Rating 1 out of 5]

James Van Praagh is an author, producer, celebrity, and self-proclaimed clairvoyant. Though I respect and enjoy his work and creativity on tv show "Ghost Whisperer", I found his book not for me following the death of a family member. I was looking for something more straight-forward or personal, possibly with a Christian slant. I found his work too airy and mystic for my liking as I am dealing with my grief. Perhaps it would speak better to someone else.

[Sara · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't finish it. Not worth my time.

[Tracie Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this author, so decided to read this book while I am not acutely grieving, since, if I was, I don't think I'd feel like reading. He writes here about loss, not just the loss of a loved one, but any loss. He discusses the unique pains of losing a child, losing a parent, losing a house, or a job. There are words of comfort, advice, and compassion. For reassurance that existence continues beyond "death", he has included many examples of loved ones that he has been privileged to reconnect across the great divide, both people and animals. He concludes with physical, emotional and spiritual healing meditations.

[Alona Perlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic!

This is not your ordinary book on Grief. It is a spiritual and psychological guide through the world of many kinds of losses. James Van Praagh is a wonderful storyteller. He weaves in beautiful stories to create a poignant framework for grief and bereavement. The book is beautifully written and appears to have healing properties. It has meditative practices, exercises and positive words to help the griever move through earth shattering pain! Thank you.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was recommended and given to me by a friend. At first I was a little thrown off by the title because I don't think we really heal from grief. I had trouble with some of it because Mr. Van Praagh and I don't have the same belief system. However, there is some really good information in it and some useful tools. It deals with all kinds of loss.

[Lowrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

lazily written imo. overall i do think i took something away from the message. i dont really believe in mediums, but i do believe that alternative views of the afterlife/reincarnation etc are helpful and can be comforting as we come to terms with loss.

[Rita · Rating 2 out of 5]

So so. Addresses all types of grief. Author is intuitive/medium so much correlated with his connections.

[Nancy Chambers · Rating 3 out of 5]

I perused this book because it’s New Age book and ew Age ideas which cannot be backed up with scripture. So since I’m a Christian only parts were useful to me.

[Christina Mages · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I cried through some of it. But it was a good book.

[Mari · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the first books I read after my son Michael was killed. James Van Praagh helps to guide you on the journey of grief. The book not only deals with murder, unexpected death, and the death of a child, but it also provides guidance on suicide, the loss of parents, and pets, as well.

If you, or someone you love is grieving, you may find a modicum of comfort in this book.

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[E. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like this as much as his other books (which actually helped me more with grief than this book did.) After reading about half of this, I was sort of able to come to my own terms with what was going on for me, in part because I realized I didn't need a book. I also just couldn't get into his writing in this one. I much preferred Talking to Heaven.

[Erika Birdsley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love James Van Pragh, so was excited to read this book, which was written in 2000.

About halfway through the stories started to sound the same and I lost interest. I didn't get the impression that his skills of perception, intuition, psychic abilities, etc., were any better than mine, either. Another disappointment.

[Jennifer B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Offers insight and comfort to anyone whom has experienced grief, despite their religious views, (or lack thereof). However, the author is a medium who also relays messages from the deceased, so that may turn some people off if they are closed to that sort of thing.

[J Crossley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Healing Grief by James Van Praagh presents a unique way of looking at grief. He is a medium, and he presents stories of people he has given readings to. He presents messages from loved ones who have passed. You get the sense in this book that no one ever "ceases to be."

[Brin Brin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good...

[Pattik · Rating 3 out of 5]

good book

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only read parts of this book that applied to me...about losing a family member. He is straight forward and has some good points.

[Vikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this right after my friend Kay's death. I also gave it to her husband. It was very good for me. It is good to grieve. It must be done.

[Vikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this right after my friend Kay's death. I gave the book to her husband. This book was very helpful to me right after her death. It is good to grieve. It must be done.

[MaryAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think James Van Praagh is fantastic. I really liked the book and cried often. Amazing stories.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A client loaned it to me, saying it had been a great comfort to her after her husband's death. I didn't expect to like it, but I find it's quite interesting and positive.

[Sel]

Enlightening read and it keeps the readers attention.

[Sandra Mckenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this on my nook,Van Praagh is very readable and has helped me so much already. And I'm not finished with either one. I will go back and reread this book again.

[Ann Christie · Rating 5 out of 5]

good stuff in here.

[Benjamin Barnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didnt really touch on the topic I was looking for talks about healing the grief lost in losing loved ones.

[Heidi Wiechert · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a great reminder that grief affects everyone differently and that it's ok to take what time you need in the different stages. There is no "right way" to grieve.

[Claudia Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent, compassionate book with steps for healing grief that are practical and comforting. I often recommend it to my clients.