The two books that helped me develop my spiritual side

My spiritual experience started in Seaside, Oregon, in October 2023. I walked into Beach Books. Extremely hungover, reconsidering my life as I walked around the store. Now I am sober, with this trip being the start of the turning point for me. Two books called to me that put me on my spiritual path. The first one, Shadow Magic: Unlocking the Whole Witch Within, by Nikki Van De Car. It had beautiful art that I couldn’t stop looking at. Then I saw one that strongly spoke to me, even though it had a plain cover. Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon’s Journey into the Afterlife by Eben Alexander, M.D. Both of these books launched my growth.

Shadow Magic

Upon my return home, I made an effort to reduce my alcohol use, even though it would take until January 18, 2024. Even though I hadn’t read the books yet, I kept thinking about them. Mentioned to a friend that, for some odd reason, both of them caught my attention. Being a very spiritual person, she suggested that I was meant to read them. At first, I was afraid of the heavy content in both. Even though I wasn’t brought up with extreme religious beliefs, Shadow Magic talked about tarot cards, which were meant to be bad. Proof of Heaven is about a neurosurgeon who had a near-death experience. Throughout my life, I have wavered between believing in various things. More individuals around me seemed to believe this to be it as I grew older. After we pass away, nothing happens. Finally, one day, I opened Shadow Magic to read a few pages. Realizing I didn’t have a set of tarot cards, I went to the Three Rivers Mall to pick up a set. My first reading using the material from the book was on January 25, 2024. The unexpected accuracy of my cards encouraged me to keep reading. One interesting parallel between the book and my life is that I was dealing with my shadow issues at the time I bought it, and drinking was a big part of that. Readings continue to be on point, to where I can’t write it off.

Proof of Heaven

Proof of Heaven is, without a doubt, my favorite book of all time. After I had finished Shadow Magic, I read a lot of other books, as Proof of Heaven sat on my shelf. With the topic of death, I wasn’t ready until tragedy struck. One of my best friends was murdered by her husband. She was a young mother of only 29 with her whole life ahead of her. Several of her friends and I witnessed numerous rainbows in the days leading up to her funeral. With my newly gained spiritual knowledge, I knew rainbows were a sign from the deceased. At her celebration of life, I caught glimpses of rainbows off random reflections in a way that didn’t seem normal to me. Once I finally read Proof of Heaven, I felt an overwhelming comfort. Chapter 7: The Spinning Melody and the Gateway had me thinking of her. This book gave me hope that there is something more. Most importantly, I felt I was meant to read it at the time I did.

Why did I gravitate towards these two books when I was in a dark place? I believe that I was meant to read them. As I grow more spiritually, it becomes hard to believe in coincidences. Both covered areas in my life I need to address at some point. They have helped me expand my knowledge while motivating me to continue on my path. My advice is if a book grabs your attention, read it. There’s a chance it's meant for you.