It has already been found that a cynical outlook is linked to heart disease. Now, research shows that people with high levels of cynicism in later life are also more likely to develop dementia.
News
“Lives changed forever”: near-death experience conference call (IANDS 2011)
The International Association for Near-Death Studies (IANDS) is a non-profit educational organisation devoted to the understanding of NDEs, their personal effects and their spiritual implications. One of IANDS’s activities is an annual conference, and this year’s conference will take place on the weekend of 2-4 September 2011 (Labor Day weekend).
Western belief in reincarnation on the increase
A recent New York Times article on the growing Western belief in reincarnation is causing a bit of a stir.
The article is called Remembrance of Lives Past and it originally appeared in the NYT on 27 August. It has since ‘reincarnated’ (sorry) in the San Fransisco Chronicle and elsewhere.
The author is Lisa Miller (left), the religion editor for Newsweek and author of the book Heaven: Our Enduring Fascination with the Afterlife.
Miller cites several indicators, both statistical and cultural, of a growing interest in reincarnation among Westerners (but primarily Americans):
A new international organization for reincarnation research: IISIS
A new organization has been founded to support research on reincarnation, past life regression and soul evolution — the Institute for the Integration of Science, Intuition and Spirit (IISIS).
Conference Call: ‘Mysteries of Near-Death Experiences: Perspectives from Experiencers, Science and Spirituality’
The International Association for Near-Death Studies (IANDS) is a membership organization providing information about near-death and related experiences to experiencers, researchers, educators, health care providers, and the interested public.
IANDS’ purpose is “to promote responsible, multi-disciplinary exploration of near-death and similar experiences, their effects on people’s lives, and their implications for beliefs about life, death, and human purpose.” Among its various activities is a periodic conference in North America.
Lovers’ reincarnation story told in new book: ‘Lifetimes Ago’
Lifetimes Ago: A love story inspired from past life memories, by Susie Schecter
(published by iUniverse, March 15, 2010)
Susie Schecter is a writer and teacher based in Orange County, California. In 2001, she and her new boyfriend experienced several “meaningful coincidences” around the start of their relationship. “This feels like it was meant to be,” he said. They decided to turn to hypnotic past life regression to uncover whether they were soul mates or if they had ever met in another life.
Are narcissists as attractive as they believe?
Not surprisingly, people who enjoy gazing in the mirror rather too much like to think that they are very good looking. But could they be right? Some new research now suggests that others would probably agree with them — narcissists really do seem more attractive than average.