My first experience of what I believe was some form of ADC occurred approximately 7-10 days after my fathers death. I was extremely close to my dad and his passing caused me great sadness. I was reading different books in the hopes that reading would bring me some comfort. One of the books I was reading was a collection of essays by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross entitled On Life After Death. In Kubler-Rosss first essay Living and Dying, she argues that the process that occurs when someone dies can be understood by examining what happens to a butterfly once it leaves its cocoon. She argues that much like a butterfly not needing its cocoon, a soul no longer needs it body.

As I was reading this thought provoking passage alone on my rooftop garden (a very spiritual place for me), a butterfly landed on the page of the book that I was reading. This butterfly was blue and purple and as I later found out, was not common in the geographic region that I lived in. As the butterfly sat on this page, I began to receive messages telepathically. As I watched this creature just sit on the page, I heard that I should not be afraid. I heard that my dad was ok and that he had made it to the other side. After sitting on my book for 10 minutes to so, the butterfly flew off and perched itself on the bench that I was sitting on. It remained here until I got up to leave about 30 minutes later. When I got up, the butterfly flew around my garden and disappeared.

Although I did not have any strong feelings about whether or not there was an afterlife, I was very much aware that this butterfly represented something much greater then a butterfly. I dont know if this symbol represented my father or some kind of spirit guide. I do however know without a doubt that this was a gift from the universe. This event began a spiritual quest that I am still on today. A quest that would lead me to several other experiences over the next 15 months.

Throughout the same week as the butterfly experience, I began to see butterflies everywhere I went. A yellow butterfly followed me the next day as I was walking down the street. Another butterfly circled the car I was in and flew away. My partner also became aware of the presence of butterflies around her. Since my dads death, whenever I have thought about him, I have become aware of the presence of a butterfly nearby, somehow ensuring that I see it and make those connections.

In my professional life I am a social worker. I recently had a client pass away. While I was at her funeral I was aware of a butterfly sitting just outside the window where I was sitting. As the coffin was carried out, I looked and saw that there was a butterfly perched on the coffin.

Butterflies are symbols of transformation. Perhaps my dad or something else was showing me that death is just a transformation.

Did you sense an awareness or presence of the deceased without actually seeing, hearing, feeling or smelling them ?  Yes
      Describe:   I received thoughts telepathically. I wasn't my dad's voice, just thoughts.

Did you hear the deceased or hear something associated with the deceased?  Yes
      Describe:   I heard that I should not be afraid. I heard that my dad was ok and that he had made it to the other side.
      Did the voice or sound seem to originate externally, or outside of you, inside of you, or did you not hear a voice or sound but had a knowing of what was communicated?   I didn't hear a sound but I knew what was being communicated. I remember that I began responding to what I was hearing. I remember saying "its ok, I'm not afraid".

      If you heard a voice or sound, was it similar or dissimilar to the voice or sound the deceased made when they were alive?   The thoughts were not in my dad's voice. In fact I can't recall them being in anyone's voice, just that all of the sudden I was thinking them.

      How clearly did you hear the deceased?   Thoughts were very clear

How long did the experience last?   The butterfly was around me for about 35 minutes or so, until I got up and left.

Could you sense the emotions or mood of the deceased?  I felt that my dad was at peace. I got the strong feeling that he was there as was ok.
      Describe:   I felt that my dad was at peace. I got the strong feeling that he was there as was ok.

Describe in detail your feelings/emotions during the experience:   An overwhelming sense of wonder; that I was a witness to some magical experience. I also felt a sense of comfort. I felt that my dad was around and watching over me. I felt a great sense of love.

What other attitudes and beliefs about your experience do you currently have:
          This event has been a transforming experience in my life. Since this experience, I have gone on a spiritual quest. I have read books, I have connected with a medium, and I have become friends with a woman who is able to see spirits on a regular basis.

Was there any emotional healing in any way following the experience?  Yes
      Describe:   I now believe that my dad is around me all of the time. I feel his presence around me. I feel relieved that he is no longer in pain and that he has found some peace and comfort where he is.

Did the experience give you any spiritual understandings such as life, death, afterlife, God, etc.?  Yes
      Describe:   I now believe strongly in the existence of an afterlife. I believe that death is only a transformation to other form of existence. I feel loved and cared for in a way that I had not really known before. I an not fearful of death anymore. I know that my dad will be there when I cross over myself.

Did you ever in your life have a near-death experience, out of body experience or other spiritual event?  Yes
      Describe:   I have had extremely vivid dreams about my dad where I have been to another place. I have also seen a woman who I believe one of my spirit guides. I will be writing more about these experiences over the next few weeks.

To the best of your knowledge, did the deceased, during their life, ever have a near-death experience, out of body experience or other spiritual experience?  Yes
      Describe:   In the last days of his time on this earth, my dad spoke of seeing other relatives who had already died. He also saw a big black dog several times. My father did not have a dog. The doctor that I spoke to about this said that my dad was probably experiencing some side effect of the morphine that he was on. I now believe that the veil between this world and the next was very thin for my dad. I believe that he was seeing guides that were there to help him cross over.

Did you see or visit any beautiful or otherwise distinctive locations, levels or dimensions?   Yes

      Describe:   In a dream, which I will outline later, I was with my dad and brother (who is still alive), in a beautiful garden. I remember how vivid the colours were. It felt like everything was alive.  

Has the experience affected your relationships?  Daily life?  Religious practices etc.?  Career choices?   My experience has enhanced my relationship with my partner. I have taken a keen interest in the whole area of spirituality. I have brought this interest into my work as well. I will soon be co-facilitation a group for my women clients on spirituality.

Has your life changed specifically as a result of your experience?   Yes

      Describe:   Overall, I have been able to deal with my grief a little better. I have taken great comfort in knowing and believing that there is more to us then what is here. I believe that if you are open minded, the universe will revel itself to you.