Kything: The Art of Spiritual Presence

I appeared as an expert on Near-Death Experiences on the Donahue show in the mid 1990s. I knew I was up against two debunkers who were big intellectuals--both highly educated men. So, I prepared. The night before the show, in my hotel room, a friend from Florida, Dr. Patricia Berne who is a clinical psychologist and one of the authors of this book, was on the phone with me for over 45 minutes. She talked me through a guided imagery where I became totally relaxed and then she had me picture myself on the Phil Donahue Show - smooth and strong. In this guided imagery I never stuttered or stumbled. My knowledge floated up into my awareness and came out of my mouth - flawless. When we were finished she told me she had contacted a friend from an order of 300 nuns. All 300 nuns would be Kything with me -- the full hour of the show - sending me spiritual energy. It worked. I never felt this smooth and confident on a TV show as I did that day. You can read more about this story on my website www.barbarawhitfield.com

In her "Time Quintet" series, Madeleine L'Engle turns an obsolete Scottish word - "kythe" (to make known, to manifest, to show, to declare)into a means of adventure for members of the Murry family. Characters use the art or gift of Kything to communicate with one another over vast stretches of space and time. This book builds on L'Engle's concept and teaches readers techniques centered around meditation and contemplation as a way of opening up the mind to insight through communication with one's spiritual self. Structured and written well, I go back to this book often, attempting the exercises and finding them challenging, helpful and positive.