Bob Olson: Answers about the Afterlife

Enthralled while reading Bob Olson’s book, Answers About the Afterlife, I was delighted to have the opportunity to share a conversation with him. The extensive research Bob Olson conducted in a 15+ year time span includes accounts of people who have experienced near-death experiences or shared-death experiences, communication with people in spirit via mediums and channelers, and accounts of individuals who have had spiritual regressions. Approaching the subject matter in this book as an investigation, Bob Olson expresses in the introduction of the book, “It’s important that I explain how I arrived at these answers. I’m an investigator; not a psychic, medium or channeler. I’m also not a scientist. I’m an investigator who draws conclusions based on an examination of the evidence using logic, reason and pragmatism. I begin my investigations without bias or expectation and draw conclusions only after gathering and examining the available evidence. In other words, I look at the evidence first and draw my conclusions second.”

We began the conversation by briefly discussing my recent visit and Bob’s previous visit to Lily Dale, NY where many individuals seek to connect with their loved ones who have transitioned to the other side. According to the Lily Dale Assembly website, “Lily Dale Assembly is the world’s largest center for the science, philosophy and religion of Spiritualism, and is now celebrating its 134th year. The 2014 season, which began on June 27th and runs through September 1, will include a series of events and experiences to bring information, enlightenment, hope and peace to those who open their hearts to receive.” The 2010 HBO documentary, No One Dies in Lily Dale, offers an inside look as it explores the world’s largest community of mediums.

For clarification, I then asked Bob Olson to define the difference between a soul and a spirit as both terms are typically used interchangeably.