 Page 3 kp: Do you feel that a belief in the near-death experience and life beyond the grave naturally lends itself to a belief in reincarnation? db: No, I think the fact that there is a near-death experience does, in no way, support a belief in reincarnation. As I've contemplated the near-death experience, my own and those of many other people I've talked to, it becomes obvious that it is designed to facilitate an understanding and comprehension of the 'one life' just lived. But do I believe that reincarnation is possible? Yes. That's a personal opinion of Dannion Brinkley. Do I believe that reincarnation is more than likely probable? I am leaning in that direction due to the work and great research being done today in the area of regression therapy. The more I study regression therapy, the more I see there is something very valid to it. kp: All around the world you remind audiences that they are awesome, mighty and powerful spiritual beings. What fundamental changes and new experiences could be expected to occur in the life of someone who comes into a real inner knowing of this truth? db: Expect changes and experiences inconceivable at the thought patterns through which we presently operate. The moment you begin to see yourself as the great, awesome and powerful spiritual being that you are, you begin to change, and you begin to change forever. The data and information you begin to attract into your systems, to draw upon, will increase your present capabilities over and over and over, expanded forever. kp: Dannion, you have contributed greatly to the cultural revamping of the way we view death and the art of dying. You have single handedly mobilized an army of thousands who volunteer in service to hospice. What is the next sector of spiritual awareness that you hope to target for expansion, or should I say, Dannionizing? db: Kathryn, it's exactly what we have been talking about throughout this entire interview: it is my deepest desire to create activism. I hope to forge an expansion of the awareness of simple issues that are fundamentally shaping our reality. Such as an awareness of the issues surrounding healthcare, what's going on in Bosnia, in Iran and Iraq. By first becoming aware of these issues we mobilize ourselves mentally and physically as we become motivated into spiritual activism. kp: Share with me who's work in the spiritual/metaphysical field you find most exciting at the present time. db: I think that anybody who's out here, trying to bring an awareness to spirituality, is a favorite of mine. There is a person working in a soup kitchen in Los Angeles, or New York City, right now, who is a hero in the spiritual movement. There is another person in Chicago, or Memphis, sitting in a room holding someone's hand while their loved ones have a chance to take a break from losing a mom or dad, who is another real hero in this movement whose work is very exciting to me. kp: Now, Dannion, for those who simply cannot bring themselves to work in hospice because they think they can't handle it, is there a word of hope that you can give them that they too can be part of this great spiritual movement? db: Sure! There are two ways to exist and define meaning in this life, Kathryn. You help those entering this world, or you help those leaving this world. The first breath and the last breath is the psychological nature by which we equate everything in life. The first breath of birth is joy and celebration, the last breath of death is fear, horror and anguish. At least, that is how we have begun to look at it. But most people are somewhere in the middle of those two breaths. So by helping babies come into the world, or helping the elderly to make their transition out of this world, you will find yourself in the spiritual balance, and the world will begin to change around you and everyone else. If you can work with pregnant teens, little crack babies, or tackle the abortion issue on your own ground , then you are doing great spiritual work. Or send $20 a month to a child in need, and you will be doing the work. kp: As you tour the country interacting with your lecture and workshop audiences, what do you find to be the biggest misconception they have of Dannion Brinkley? db: That I am sane! (laughter) You know, Kathryn, not all people, but a lot of people seem to have the misconception that I am somehow different from them. I am in this world as a spiritual being at a certain point and place in history. And as that, I am no different from anyone else. All I may have is a better understanding of certain things, but they have as much understanding of other issues, that I do not have. So, the biggest misconception is that I am anything greater than just an average 46 year-old guy who, like anybody else, is exploring his spirituality, wonderment and the understanding of this universe through every part of myself. We are all heroes, Kathryn, and we must not ever let anyone or anything deceive us into believing otherwise. kp: Now, if you could assume the stance of the observer, looking at yourself from the outside in, what would you like most about Dannion Brinkley and the life he leads? db: The change I like the change in the way he is learning to love, control, and to help himself thereby enabling him to help others along their chosen paths. Also, I like the fact that he truly listens to people and tries, the best he knows how, to make this world a better place.
kp: If you could spend one week inside the mind and body of any figure from history, who would it be and why? db: I really don't think there is anybody, but if I could I would spend that week in the hearts and minds of the entire world so that I could feel their dreams and understand their needs; all in the hope of being better able to help them. kp: Dannion, you mean to tell me that there is no one in history from whom you would like to glean knowledge or inspiration? db: I don't really have any heroes my mother was my hero, Kat. Well, okay, as I think about it Asklepios. I would like to spend a week inside the mind and body of Asklepios, as he is viewed in mythology. kp: Speaking of mythology, Dannion, it has been written that being struck by a lightning bolt is one of the greatest gifts possible for a man to receive from God. Have you ever perceived your experience as a gift from God? db: No! No matter what and why? We do not need to have near-death experiences to become great healers and great consciousness awakeners. I do think what happened to me was necessary because at some point in time, an event had to take place, which would help me to do that which I was destined to achieve. I can't say that I believe in predestination, nor do I believe I was struck by lightning by accident because I have simply seen too much over these last years. kp: What keeps you on track today, Dannion? Are you still visited by the 13 beings of light or do you receive instruction and direction in different ways now? db: I am still very much in that world. I have created a center that allows me to enter those realms at will; for once you become aware of that place you can always return there. It is not some distant, far off place. And yes, I have to deal with guides. Actually, I'd like to give everybody who is wishing that they could meet and be in touch with their guides, a piece of advice. I'd like them to know I have several guides I wish they could meet and could become really good friends with so they would go off and leave me alone! So, for all of you people out there who are wanting to become aware of your guides remember that is not always a rewarding experience. Especially if you get one that is exactly like you are! For me, it's my guide Alex, and he drives me crazy. kp: Why does he drive you crazy? db: Because he is always right! kp: Well, Dannion, what new spiritual adventures in living are you looking forward to in the future both professionally and personally? db: I am looking forward to continuing my investigation into shamanism, not as a mythology, but in the context of a cultural relationship between lightning and shamans. For there I know I will find my true identity, along with the meaning behind what happened to me as I research the cultural history of lightning shamans. kp: What brings you personal joy? db: A moment to myself when I can sit back, fold my arms, have a panoramic life review, and know that I 've done my best that day. It also brings me immense joy to know that I have contributed to the lives of the thousands, and thousands, and thousands of people who write to me as well as touching the lives of those I see everyday. Just to have someone smile at me and say, "thank you," brings me the greatest joy imaginable. kp: Dannion, since you have seen life from both sides of reality and you have had years of experience to reflect upon it, in your opinion, what is the ultimate meaning of our existence? db: To have as much fun as you can possibly have learning how to love yourself. To recapture your glory as a mighty, powerful spiritual being, while remembering you are also a playful one. And that by being in the middle of all the things going on around you, it helps you to absorb both sides. This includes the good as well as the bad; which, when we are fully open to it, offers an understanding of how to make it all balanced. kp: Well, Dannion, if lightning had not struck on that fateful day in 1975, where do you think you would be today and what would you be doing? db: If lightning had not struck on that fateful day, Kat, outside of my mother reinforcing to me that there was life after death by what she described on her deathbed, I certainly don't think I would have come to the spiritual understanding I have today. Before 1984, I worried about whether or not I would have come to the spiritual enlightenment I enjoy today without being struck by lightning. Even now it is very embarrassing to be a spiritual lecturer seeing an audience of 300 to 2,000 people who all got to the exact same point I'm at without having to die! Believe me, Kat, it can be a pretty humbling experience to see them all at the same place I am when I've been dead a couple of times, with a couple hundred grand invested in it, while all they did was just walk in the door. So, in answer to the question, I think that I would still be the biggest jackass, probably worse than ever or I would have somewhere met someone who talked a little louder, hit a little harder or shot a little faster! kp: Well, quite fortunately for us, that never happened. However, the time has come to bring this interview to an end. Dannion, thank you ever so much for taking the time to do this interview today. |
