Helen Greaves' Testimony of Light is an outstanding example of telepathic communion between the minds of two close friends on either side of the veil. In the following extract, Helen's deceased friend Frances Banks records the experiences she had soon after passing over.
You remember that, when I was in the body, I once said to a prisoner at Maidstone (following a discussion on the possibility of life after death: 'A minute after you die you will be exactly the same!'
You recall, also, that that very statement was the first psychic message you gave me? You spoke the name of this prisoner who had died soon after my talk, without our meeting again, and you said 'He wants me to tell you that the last words you ever said to him were absolutely true...'
Well. I reiterate this statement (now that I too have made the transition), in full agreement with all that was implied in it. For it is so. As soon as I was able to bring myself to a conscious state of mind, after my withdrawal from my worn-out body, I knew that I was the same in essence. True, I felt light, and there was a new sense of freedom that was bewildering.
I was the same... yet not the same!
With a flash of realisation I decided that I must be stone deaf, for I could no longer hear any of the usual sounds of everyday life, the chatter and movement of human beings around me; the whistles of trains, the twittering of birds... There were no noises in this new consciousness. One of my first recollections was 'I am still conscious. The Change has taken place... but I cannot hear, neither can I see!' And for a space of time I seemed to lose my identity... I recall endeavouring anxiously to pierce through this new state to recall memory. 'Who am I? What did I do?'
It was a strange, almost eerie experience, for the name I had borne for over seventy years eluded me... At length I recall telling myself to 'Give it up and go to sleep' and, in a way, this is what I must have done. At least consciousness went from me. I remembered nothing more. How long this went on I have no possible way of knowing... perhaps in earth time, for a very short space.
But when next I came back to consciousness I seemed to be pulling myself up out of a thin sea of silver... Those are the only words I can use to describe the experience.
And the first face I saw was the smiling one of my dear Mother in religion - Mother Florence. I was so overwhelmed I couldn't speak... From then on I remember that I seemed to be in and out of consciousness... But now I found that I was lying in an open porch with a vista of blue and silver before me... This was beautiful beyond words and calming to my spirit. Trouble, anxiety and all sense of loss abated; a great feeling of peace enwrapped me.
'This is it' I kept assuring myself in wonder, 'I have made The Change!' I realised then that I could both see and hear as before, only now in a more intense way. I thought immediately, 'I wonder whether I can "get through". I must tell Helen about this...'
Later, as I grew more accustomed to this new consciousness, I was able to 'commune' (I cannot explain this by any of our former terms), with both Mother Florence and Father Joseph. How delighted I was to meet them! And to know that Father Joseph was indeed the same splendid, wise soul I had known, in my Community days... He was again able to help me much. He gave me confidence...
I felt as if I was 'convalescing'... as indeed I suppose I was from the effects of my last painful illness...
It was borne in on my thoughts that an 'aura' of sadness surrounded me. 'They will be burning my body' I said to myself.
Immediately an intense desire filled me to be again with all those friends I had loved and those who had loved me, at this solemn ceremony.
In an inexplicable way, and due no doubt to my intense desire, I was able to be present with you all in mind and consciousness, whilst still lying here in this silvery light. I wondered if this was what astral travelling must have been like... But it was a wonderful experience...
I 'saw' you all... I was grateful to those who had journeyed to Maidstone to be present at these last rites. I gloried in the beautiful flowers. I wanted to weep at Richard's mystical interpretation of the change which had separated me (though only seemingly) from you all. I longed to say 'thank you' to those who had made my last days on earth comfortable. I 'read' the thoughts of Bertram Woods that the Fellowship was losing a tireless worker. I felt 'lifted up' in mind and soul because I was being missed, because there was so much affection and because Richard was wisely making this a hopeful farewell, without the heavy burden of emphasised sorrow and mourning which would have saddened and distressed me.
Then, just as inexplicably as I had become part of these scenes, it all faded. I was lying here, at peace. 'So this is death!' I recall saying to one of the Sisters who was beside me – 'Life separated by density – that is all!'
Elation filled me. I knew now that I could 'tune in' and even 'see' the earthplane, if desire was strong enough to loosen the barrier between your world and my new one. The possibility rested with me... This, I realised, was my first lesson... Now I dwelt in a realm of Thought; and such Thought Power, when rightly implemented, can penetrate the dense plane which is the world of human habitation. I did not feel that I had really gone away into a far country... I could still keep in touch... With this blessed feeling of consolation I must have drifted again, or slipped into a state of passivity.
My next experience came with a strong thought – Exeter! Again, I was with you in spirit, in the vast Cathedral where the small gathering to remember me was almost swallowed up in the big empty building. This time I was less emotional. I was able to participate in an objective way. My mind could apprehend the order of service... I felt humbled as never before by the kindliness of the souls gathered in that chapel, by the excellently thought-out oration of Colonel Lester, by the constructive 'aura' of the prayer forms as well as by the expressed faith of that Memorial Service.
By the time the London Memorial Service was held I had 'progressed' sufficiently in this method of extension of consciousness to be able to make my presence known to those who could open their minds to this new dimension of thought. I felt that certain present 'saw' me or were 'aware' of my presence with the Sisters. To me this was uplifting and comforting... I relaxed into peace. Life goes on for me know on a fuller and more abundant scale of living...
From Testimony of Light, copyright 1969 by Helen Greaves, published in 2005 by Rider.
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