Recently one of the staff editors at the Sentinel paid a visit to a local Boston bookstore on his lunch break. Looking at the “recent best sellers,” this editor noticed an unusual phenomenon. Not one, but three of the books on the shelf were all first-person accounts of real-life journeys to heaven and back. 

These three best-selling books are Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon’s Journey into the Afterlife by Eben Alexander, MD; To Heaven and Back: A Doctor’s Extraordinary Account of Her Death, Heaven, Angels, and Life Again: A True Story by Mary C. Neal, MD; and Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy’s Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back by Todd Burpo and Lynn Vincent.

While other books have been previously published detailing people’s encounters with death, heaven, the afterlife, and near-death experiences, it’s probably fair to say that rarely have three such books wound up on the best-seller shelf at the same time. What does the popularity of these books mean?

It could be a clear indication that many people want to know that heaven exists. In what has long been portrayed as an increasingly secular and atheistic world, the fact that so many people purchase books about heaven’s actuality bids us look deeper. After all, doesn’t everyone naturally yearn to know the basic truth that life really is eternal? In a world that demands proof, books such as these can provide hope. In fact, they might lead their readers to a deeper study of the Bible, and perhaps guide some to read Mary Baker Eddy’s book Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures—both these books give a deeply metaphysical basis for helping anyone understand, not merely believe, that heaven is real and life is forever.

Doesn’t everyone naturally yearn to know the basic truth that life really is eternal?

Consider, for instance, this definition of heaven given in Science and Health: “Harmony; the reign of Spirit; government by divine Principle; spirituality; bliss; the atmosphere of Soul” (p. 587). This describes an entirely spiritual realm that is infinitely greater than some imaginary physical locale beyond “the pearly gates,” and one that doesn’t have to wait until after death, but can be experienced here and now. It also is consistent with the overall descriptions of heaven given by the three authors in their recent best sellers. And, while these books are not likely to give their readers the full understanding of heaven, the accounts can certainly increase readers’ faith. In turn, this faith may evolve into greater understanding—the understanding of spiritual truth, of reality itself.

After all, while no doubt the three authors’ descriptions of God and heaven differ somewhat based on their individual understanding of their experiences, their separate accounts nevertheless point to a common existence we all share in relation to our one divine Father-Mother God.

Perhaps the popularity of these books is a signal that, gradually, humanity is wakening to the fact that there really is a God who loves us and promises us the blessings of a full and eternal life.