The next place that I go
Will be as peaceful and familiar
As a sleepy summer Sunday
And a sweet, untroubled mind…..
I had heard about The Next Place by Warren Hanson from a number of people. It was one of those books that kept popping up on my radar whenever I started researching books for grief.
Although a picture book, I believe it is for children and adults alike. It tells, in very simple illustrations and text the story of what happens when we die, the afterlife if you like. It is a spiritual book without being specifically religious, though clearly describes a most heavenly place in terms of environment and oneself.
When I was reading it, I just experienced the most wonderful feeling of comfort and peace. I believe in life after death so for me, it just reinforced what I already believe to be true. It filled me up with a sense of awe that this awaits those of us who leave our earthly bodies and venture forth on the next stage of our journey. It affirms that my loved ones who are no longer here with me on earth are indeed at one with themselves and the universe. It’s an incredible uplifting and inspiring book.
The publishers describe it thus, “The Next Place is an inspirational journey of light and hope to a place where earthly hurts are left behind. An uncomplicated journey of awe and wonder to a destination without barriers……….it is above all a celebration of life.”
Warren Hanson is not only an accomplished writer, but an artist, speaker and musician. His book, The Next Place was published in 1997 and according to his publisher has brought peace and hope to over 600,00 people nationally. Warren himself writes this about his book -
“The Next Place is a peaceful, comforting, quiet and hopeful book for times when we face the loss of someone we love. Or for when we face the reality of our own certain death. It is very deliberately not a traditionally religious look at death and the hereafter. We live in a world of many beliefs and backgrounds. I did not want the book to leave anyone out of its message of comfort. So I created the words and the illustrations in such a way that I hoped the reader would bring his or her own faith to it. Since the book came out, it has been embraced by people of many different religions and beliefs.”
Go treat yourself and everyone else you know with this little gem of a book about living and dying, about hope and comfort, about life stretching on……in the next place.
The very air will fill with brilliance, as the brightly shining sun
And the moon and half a million stars are married into one.
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for this Maureen! I didn’t know that such a book existed.
Muriel, thats what I love about the internet, you learn and find out so much more.
Sounds like a good book for those grieving and wanting some sense of peace. Thank you for sharing Maureen!
Thanks Joy, its a simple and uplifting book which I think would help those who are grieving. Some might say its an idealistic view of what's next, I like to think regardless of beliefs if this book provides an adult or child a snippet of comfort then its a great book.
This is a powerful topic, my feelings are when you have given your life to the Lord you know that your eternal resting place is with him. This is contingent upon, you staying faithful to God's word, praying, fasting and allow God to use you for his Glory. Stop by and share with us: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bloggers-Unite/227139297315313
Thanks Marie for sharing your beliefs prompted by The Next Place. It is a simple yet uplifting story of what awaits……
Interesting the reactions to your blog. Your comments on the book are expressive and well said. Whatever your belief system, when you grieve, you can be more open to new things and some people are less open.
I think I saw the book years ago and if it is the one I think, it is a beautiful and touching book for all ages
Thats very true Roberta grieving either shuts you down or opens you up. Sometimes you have to do the first to get to the second. Thanks for your insights, always interesting.
Thanks for the review, Maureen. I may go look for it and check it out. If it is fitting for who I am thinking about, it may become a gift to a family member who recently lost her husband. Especially knowing that you mentioned that it is not particulary a religious preferrenced book, it may serve as a nice 'comfort' book for my "mixed religion" family member. Since you reviewed/read it- would you think it would be a thoughful gift or not?
Hi Veronica
It is the sort of book that could easily be given as a gift, to inspire, uplift and comfort
Thanks for letting us know about this book, Maureen. I believe in the afterlife. I’ll bet there are as many versions of it as there are people who envision it!
I am sure there are Adriene, but you know something really weird that happened to me. I read a book about what heaven was like (it was a religious book and a lady had these visions or dreams). She described the most magnificent flowers and garden. A month or so later I visited a medium and my son came through and mentioned the very same thing about the flowers, garden and the colours…….Thats always stuck in my mind. I guess we will all experience our very own flowers and garden as you say.
Hello Maureen -
You're probably going to have some trouble believing this about me since I write a lot of silly situational stories to help people to relax and giggle for a while, but I am a seriously deep thinking person. So much so, that I have trouble sleeping at night since my brain never shuts down. I think quickly and rapidly process a multitude of things simultaneously. I have spent much time reflecint upon life here on Earth and life after we depart. I've withheld much of my thoughts to only me. I would enjoy this book very much.
Charlie there is always more to people than we see on the surface. I think many of us would ponder on such things, and have in respect to life after death. We often contemplate such things in the quiet moments of night, when our brain seems to race in all different directions. This book can still that frenetic activity just for a moment and take us to a different reality. I hope you get the opportunity to read it.
As a pediatric oncology nurse, this is one of my most comforting books. The illustrations provide a great tool for visualization. One of my best friends is celebrating the 5th anniversary of the death of her son today. I intend to go home and read this book again.
Bette as a nurse myself paediatric oncology was always one area I couldnt face. I admire you so very much for your courage and strength, you must be a very special person. It is such a comforting book, it makes me feel peace to think my son is in his next place.
~ Maureen