AJ Parr Weaves Spirituality and Research Into Compelling Narratives Exploring Consciousness and Near-Death Phenomena

Unraveling Life’s Greatest Mysteries

AJ Parr shares his transformative journey, discusses near-death experiences, veridical phenomena, and cultural misconceptions, while offering guidance to aspiring authors exploring spirituality, and unveiling insights into the nature of consciousness.

AJ Parr, a luminary in the realms of spirituality, comparative religion, and near-death experiences, has long captured the fascination of readers worldwide. With over twenty books to his name and an unparalleled dedication to exploring life’s most profound questions, he has established himself as a voice of authority and insight in his field. His works, from Stairway to Heaven: 25 Near-Death Experiences About Encounters with God, Jesus, and Paradise to The Girl Who Visited Heaven and Other Children’s Near-Death Experiences, reveal not only the breadth of his meticulous research but also the depth of his compassion and curiosity.

A Venezuelan journalist of international renown and a member of the Institute for the Scientific Study of Consciousness (ISSC), Parr’s passion for unraveling the mysteries of human consciousness stems from a life-changing personal experience—an event that set him on an extraordinary path of discovery. His tireless dedication to interviewing over 100 near-death experiencers, alongside his efforts to shed light on veridical NDEs and the possibility of an afterlife, exemplifies his commitment to marrying journalistic integrity with the deeply spiritual. Through his AJ Parr Spiritual Journalist YouTube channel, he invites audiences to be part of a dialogue that challenges scepticism and embraces wonder.

In the interview that follows, AJ Parr takes us behind the scenes of his writing journey, shares the transformative insights he has gathered, and offers heartfelt advice to aspiring writers delving into the vast ocean of spiritual and metaphysical thought. This exclusive conversation promises to both inspire and illuminate, as Parr reflects on the intersection of science, faith, and the uncharted possibilities of existence.

“AJ Parr is a masterful author whose profound insights and compassionate explorations continue to enlighten and inspire readers worldwide.“

AJ PARR (Alvaro Parra Pinto) is an internationally recognized Venezuelan journalist, bestselling author, and member of the Institute for the Scientific Study of Consciousness (ISSC). He has authored over twenty books on comparative religion, spirituality, and near-death experiences. He has conducted over 100 interviews with near-death experiencers, all of which are available on his AJ Parr Spiritual Journalist YouTube channel.

What initially inspired you to focus your writing on near-death experiences and spirituality?

Throughout my childhood and teenage years, my passion for writing inspired me to pursue a career as a journalist and author.

My writing journey was deeply influenced by my lucid dreams and, most notably, by a near-death-like experience in 1991, when I seemingly stopped breathing while asleep. I suddenly found myself immersed in pitch-black darkness, and after being terrified, I heard a clear voice say, ‘Surrender, all is one.’ I then merged with what felt like an infinite light, experiencing a profound connection to all of existence—a sensation I can only describe as oneness. I was shocked—not only could I see in all directions simultaneously, but I also realized that, instead of having a physical body, I was the light itself.

“Balancing journalistic objectivity with the unique nature of these experiences requires acknowledging their complexity and lack of definitive scientific answers.” – AJ Parr

Unable to comprehend my experience, I spent the next three decades studying the common roots of the world’s major religions and writing over 20 books on spirituality and comparative religion. More recently, my work has focused on near-death experiences (NDEs), the afterlife, and the nature of human consciousness.

How has your personal near-death-like experience in 1991 influenced your research and writing?

My quest to understand my experience first led me to explore religion, spirituality, philosophy, psychology, metaphysics, and, more recently, NDEs. This phenomenon typically affects individuals who come close to death or temporarily die and return. Often marked by sensations of leaving the body, traveling through a dark tunnel, encountering a bright light, and visiting otherworldly realms, it frequently results in profound personal transformations.

Seeking to understand this phenomenon, I embarked on an independent journalistic investigation into NDEs. To date, I have conducted over 100 personal interviews with near-death experiencers, all of which are available on my AJ Parr Spiritual Journalist YouTube channel.

These interviews inspired my bestselling book, Stairway to Heaven: 25 Near-Death Experiences About Encounters with God, Jesus, and Paradise (Journalistic Research on Real Cases), in which I describe the common elements I found among heavenly experiences. It was followed by The Girl Who Visited Heaven and Other Children’s Near-Death Experiences (Journalistic Research on Real Cases), focused on childhood experiencers aged nine and under.

Can you share the most surprising or profound insight you’ve gained from interviewing over 100 near-death experiencers?

After interviewing experiencers of different ages and from various parts of the world, I’m struck by how varied and unpredictable their testimonies can be and the fact that both children and adults report the same common elements.

The differences are astonishing: While some describe visits to heaven or encounters with deceased relatives, spiritual guides, or religious figures like Jesus, Buddha, or Shiva, others recount journeys through hellish realms. Yet, despite these differences, they share the same commonalities.

Also striking are the so-called “veridical NDEs.” In these cases, individuals experiencing clinical death have reported leaving their bodies and observing events or overhearing conversations they couldn’t have perceived. Others have described meeting the spirit of people they didn’t know had recently passed or ancestors they had never met, later recognizing them in previously unseen family photos.

Although science has no definite explanation for these phenomena, my journalistic research has made me consider, more than ever, the possibility of an afterlife and that perhaps death, as most NDErs claim, is not the end but only a transition as well as a new beginning.

How do you approach balancing journalistic objectivity with the deeply personal and spiritual nature of near-death experiences?

Balancing journalistic objectivity with the unique nature of these experiences requires acknowledging their complexity and lack of definitive scientific answers, as well as prioritizing first-hand accounts. This is why I generally use direct quotes and include perspectives from scientific researchers in fields like medicine and psychiatry, among others, to allow for diverse interpretations.

What do you think are the most common misconceptions people have about near-death experiences?

Most people, including scientists, label these experiences as mere “fantasies” or “hallucinations.” However, I have interviewed many NDE researchers from various fields who believe otherwise, particularly in light of the growing number of “veridical NDEs.” 

Since no two NDEs are identical, many attribute these differences to the experiencer’s cultural and religious background. Nevertheless, I have interviewed Jews who encountered Jesus, atheists and agnostics who met God, and even a child with no religious upbringing who met Shiva.

Also worth mentioning is the fact that childhood NDErs aged five and under exhibit the same differences and commonalities reported by adults despite not having yet learned about religion or being socially conditioned. This seems to suggest that individual background is not as crucial as it seems.

Seeking to explain this phenomenon, I am presently working on a new book based on a speculative theory that blends NDE research with key insights from psychology, philosophy, mysticism, and even quantum metaphysics.

What advice would you give to aspiring authors who want to write about spiritual or metaphysical topics?

My main advice to aspiring authors of all genres is to write and keep writing no matter what. The only way to become a writer is by… writing! There is no other way. Yes, many techniques can help. But without constant practice, these are useless.

If you wish to write about spiritual or metaphysical topics, you will need to read a lot. Learn all you can and compare different views. Read the main books on these matters, and while you’re at it, take notes and write a list of all the ideas and important quotes that may come up.

When conceiving your new book, I recommend first “imagining” its content and writing an outline or at least a basic idea of what it will contain before actually sitting down and attempting to write it. Try at least to imagine the beginning and the end of the book. You can always fill in the gaps later.

Ideally, take your time to write this outline, including the main chapters that you would like to develop. Once you’ve finished, pick any chapter in any order you like and write a tentative draft without giving it much thought.  Slowly but surely, by working on one chapter at a time, you will start to give shape to your first draft.

Since 2011, I have headed a publishing services company dedicated to helping independent authors publish their books on Amazon and mentoring new authors who are eager to write their first book, guiding them through the process from idea to publication. If you’re interested in more details, please send me an email, and I will gladly respond.