How Much Does Spirit Weigh?
How much does a spirit weigh?
In 1901, after numerous experiments on people and animals, Dr. Duncan MacDougall determined that the human spirit weighed an average of 21 grams and that dogs didn’t have spirits. However, his results were considered false due to flawed methodology. All subsequent experiments using better methods and equipment have shown the spirit doesn’t weigh anything, but references to his work continue to show up in popular culture, including Dan Brown’s novel The Lost Symbol.
One might say the experiment was doomed before it even began. The basic concept of a spirit is that it isn’t physical, and therefore would be weightless.
So what is a spirit? And, where does it reside within your body? T
he soon-to-be released book, Dreams of Dying, tries to answer this question through a fictional story. The main character, a mother, who loses her family in a tragic car accident, vacillate between two lives, before and after the accident. At this time, Jesus appears and begins to offer her unorthodox guidance—repeatedly emphasizing she is a spirit, not a body.
Dreams of Dying has a compelling part where Jesus asks the main character if she believes God is a spirit or body. She answers, “A spirit.” He responds, “…if God made you in his image, wouldn’t you also be a spirit?” and “If you are a spirit, how can you be a body?”
Of course, the character resists the statement: “…how can you be a body?” as most people would. The body is right in front of us. How can you NOT believe you’re a body? Jesus’ explanation cannot be understood in one concise sentence, so he takes the main character on a journey, answering questions, while repeating emphasizing there is no death, only dreams of dying.
Author: Elizabeth combines her shamanic practice with the teachings of A Course in Miracles. She offers shamanic healing and spiritual counseling as well as teaches shamanic journeying.
For more information about Elizabeth Herrera, visit ShamanElizabeth.com.
Dreams of Dying releases January 7, 2014 and can be preordered through Amazon.com
- Genre: Visionary Fiction
- Paperback: 108 pages
- Publisher: Soul Rocks Books (January 7, 2014)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 178279428X
- ISBN-13: 978-1782794288
- EISBN: 978-1-78279-427-1
Quite the premise to put across in a piece of Visionary Fiction, Elizabeth. As a fellow traveler using New Thought principles and ACIM, will be very interested in what you do with it.
By the way, just as a teaser, if one uses the Spirit-soul-body paradigm to explain the human composite, I would argue that the Spirit is indeed weightless being purely spiritual, but the soul, where there is usually some "baggage," may not be completely weightless, at least not prior to its purification on the other side. Would explain why there are heavy souls and lighter ones. And some souls may return with old baggage intact, thus explaining why some babies are not the typical cherubs. Am playing here with hypotheses, but then I too am a VF author!
"Dreams of Dying" was inspired by a vivid dream. Before each writing session, I would pray for guidance and let the words flow. It was a gift, as all inspiration is.
Your personal website is very nice. I believe visionary fiction's purpose is to expose the myths, told so often that they seem to be true. But, a simple question or response can make a reader rethink their beliefs, and possibly change their life.
As an ACIM student, I believe this life is a dream, so technically, all of it would be weightless. 🙂
Hi Elizabeth. Both the title of your post and the title of your book are thought provoking, which, of course, is one of the things Visionary Fiction tries to do: provoke – open the mind to new ideas and possibilities. The teachings of A Course In Miracles has somehow found its way into my thinking and, as a result, into my story world. I'm looking forward to the release of your novel in January. Best of luck and welcome to VFA.
Margaret,
Thanks for the welcome! This forum will open so many doors for authors!
I took a peek at your website. Your books seem very interesting. You seem familiar with shamanism, or at least referenced totem animals. I practiced shamanism for 7 years before discovering ACIM, and was surprised that the two were perfectly compatible. Shamanism being the oldest known spiritual practice and ACIM being one of the newest! Truth is truth.
I look forward to many more discussions with you.
Reblogged this on Shaman Elizabeth Blog.
Hi Elizabeth, Congratulations on your new book (which I had the privilege of reviewing and loved).
Here is a link you may all enjoy to an current article re quantum physics and the scientist using it to prove that "death is an illusion"…I love the premise he finds in quantum physics which is that "life creates everything" so does not end – ever. Hope you don't mind me leaving this link – but I enjoyed it and it is a subject dear to your heart, Elizabeth!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-25…
Excellent article. I've always loved quantum physics. Think I'll share the links with an ACIM facebook group. Thanks again for your wonderful review…you have a way with words!
Everything we see is an illusion! Fascinating topic.
It's good to meet you. Look forward to many wonderful conversations!
Hi Elizabeth, What an intriguing premise to explore in a visionary fiction novel! Not to mention complicated… but made much more accessible through the venue of VF!
"Dreams of Dying" is actually quite short…posing simple questions and answers that cut through the clutter of religious dogma. Our ego loves to make it complicated! Thanks for your comment and it's good to "meet" you.