What you wrote was excellent and engaging. I felt the sincerity, simplicity and humility, Chuck. It was clear to me that you wrote this for others. I absolutely want to read your book. That you are a physician adds to your credibility. I love that you include the personal. I might see this as an introduction rather than a first chapter. I am guessing that your audience will be scientists as well as laymen. It is for the scientists that I would make this an introduction.

Reading what you have posted here made me drool to read what you have to say about the nature of consciousness. I could respond to your second question better after I read the rest of your book.

What kinds of questions would I want you to address? I don't have a grasp of the nature of consciousness.

You're doing a great job, Chuck.

More later.

With love and blessings,

Gloria

Dear Chuck, you know what I think of your book, it is quite remarkable and in my cords.
I see the actual evolution's theory is discussed by you and this is very interesting for me as I have always been puzzled by what they teach us at school like it was "gospel". It is becoming more and more inconsistent to say that all the variety and complexity of life ( now that we can observe both the invisible and Hubble's deep space field ) comes from random selection.
And the mystery of DNA, we can't observe its functioning and think of casuality. Is it believable that an assembly line in a factory is due to chance and works by chance?
And quantum physics. The one who is not completely upset by it has not understood it ( I think it was Niels Bohr to say something of the kind ).
So, thank you for your work!

Chuck, I agree with Gloria. I would place this as your introduction and then move into the chapters. I also wouldn't discount the scientific communities finding your book quite interesting. But I can understand why you would target the general public.
The nature of human consciousness. I, like Gloria would like to learn more.

I had my own out of body experience in January 1982. I did not have an opportunity to see a tunnel, as mine was pre-empted by a telephone call that came to the nurses station by my father.

Without going into an abundance of details as to the "whys" (subconscious of course) I began having many problems with my reproductive system and monthly cramps and unexplained pain and loss of blood. This went on for several months.
I was living in Alberta,Cananda at the time, where apparently it was quite common for surgeons to perform hysterectomies. This is what was recommended to me.
In hindsight, there were many things I could have and should have done. But I also believe I was meant to have this surgery. (that is a whole book onto itself)
I did not get a second opinion. And as it turns out, after the surgery, I did see another surgeon who told me clearly all I had was endometriosis, and did not need to have a complete hysterectomy. Too late, the parts were gone. I was 27 at the time. Had never had a child.

So I am out west, my family is in Ontario. My parents are divorcing. No one has any idea I am about to have this surgery. My father and I have had several brief moments in time, where we have had a psychic connection happen. This was one of them.

I went into the surgery thinking, if something happens to me, please take of my labrador, Sam.
I remember looking down at my body. I was on the guerny across from the nurses station on the third floor. There were nurses all around me. One was pumping my chest, another screaming, "we are losing her! she has no pulse." I very clearly remember thinking "that is ok. don't they know this is what I want. I want to die."

Suddenly the telephone rings. One of the nurses shouts, "It is Lynda's father. He is asking to speak with her."
The next I remember is opening my eyes and saying to them, "Please give me the telephone." Needless to say, there were a few gasps, and one of the nurses fainted.

That was in January. I flew home to visit in the summer. My father and I were having a very serious conversation about his divorcing my mother. I asked him then how he knew to call and why he felt the need to call when he did. He told me he was in a meeting, and suddenly could not get me out of his head. He left the meeting to call me at work, where they promptly told him I was in the hospital, but they weren't sure which one. He picked the first one that came up when he called information (as it turns out, the largest is in Edmonton, which would have been the likely choice. I was in a small community hospital on the outskirts). He did not hesitate and called the St. Albert hospital. He says he was guided, because he does not know how all of this happened. There was no problem with reception putting his call immediately to the nurses station.

I told him that what happened on that day returned me to my body, and this lfe. I can say without a doubt, had he not called, I truly don't think I would have returned.
I was ready and willing to die. I don't even think a choir of angels could have sent me back. But, who really knows. I didn't progress to the point that I met any guides, or angels, or masters. Perhaps if I had, they might have convinced me that I still had much work to do.
And so, here I am 28 years later. Still doing my work. And that day, when I think of it, feels as though it just happened.
Lynda

Pam(fortheloveofGodde)

Please, dear Chuck, don't stop writing.
Hugs
pitta