The show kicks off with a warm welcome to new listeners from WCW 2 AM in Saginaw, Michigan, now airing the show seven nights a week. Art then introduces his guest, Albert Taylor, author of “Soul Traveler,” promising an in-depth discussion on soul travel. Additionally, Art mentions an exciting technology update involving streaming video with G2 technology and a personal anecdote about a forthcoming appearance on “Larry King Live.” The episode also delves into the paranormal with the announcement of a new book co-written by Art and Brad Steiger titled “The Source,” which aims to tie together various paranormal phenomena into a single unifying theory. Art shares his limited tolerance for autographing books, urging interested listeners to order their autographed copies promptly. Lastly, Art reveals a unique collaboration with the rock band ZZ Top, who decided to use the voice of Ross Mitchell, associated with the show, in a new song, highlighting the band’s admiration for the program.
Albert Taylor discusses his book “Soul Traveler” and the challenges he faced with its release, including the fear of jeopardizing his standing at NASA and conflicting with his Catholic upbringing. He reveals he held back about 40% of his experiences in the first book, including details on reincarnation and what he calls “the game” of life, which involves understanding certain rules for living prosperously. Taylor shares insights on being open to life’s unexpected turns, illustrating this with a personal story of travel mishaps that led to a meaningful encounter. He describes how a disastrous start to a trip to Greece, involving misprinted tickets and missed flights, turned into an opportunity for a profound exchange with a fellow traveler. This conversation ultimately led her to cancel her trip to India to care for her husband, highlighting Taylor’s belief in the importance of love and care for others as the greatest lesson from his spiritual journeys.
Albert Taylor shares his experiences during his trip to Greece, emphasizing the value of exploring new places away from the constraints of tour groups. He recounts renting a motorcycle to venture into the mountains, discovering ancient ruins that predate what he initially thought were a thousand years old, only to learn they were from the 14th century BC. This discovery leads to a broader discussion about the importance of Americans traveling abroad to gain perspective on their own country and appreciate the advancements of ancient civilizations, which were far ahead of their time in areas such as irrigation.
The conversation then shifts towards the concept of “forbidden archaeology,” where artifacts that don’t fit into the current understanding of history are often disregarded by mainstream scholars. Taylor and Art Bell touch upon various out-of-place artifacts, like a 200,000-year-old battery and other evidence suggesting advanced ancient technologies, which mainstream archaeology often overlooks. This notion parallels with themes from popular culture, such as “Planet of the Apes,” where the discovery of artifacts from a previous civilization is suppressed to avoid repeating historical calamities.
The conversation touches on the early Christian community’s rejection of reincarnation, suggesting it was removed from teachings by a council vote, a decision Art Bell finds puzzling given the perceived sanctity of the Bible. Taylor proposes that this exclusion was motivated by a desire to maintain control over the populace, limiting their spiritual awareness and independence. The concept of reincarnation, according to Taylor, was likely seen as a threat to the authority of religious leaders by empowering individuals with the knowledge of their spiritual continuity beyond a single lifetime.
They explore the practical implications of reincarnation, questioning its value if individuals cannot remember their past lives. Taylor argues that, while the direct recall of past lives may be rare or non-existent for most, the essence of reincarnation influences one’s current life in subtle ways, much like childhood experiences shape one’s behavior in adulthood.
Taylor delves deeper into the nuances of reincarnation and its subtle impact on individuals’ lives, regardless of their conscious memory of past lives. He suggests that traits and tendencies developed over several lifetimes might manifest in one’s character in the present, akin to how one’s upbringing influences behavior. Highlighting cases where individuals, under regression, have recalled detailed information about past lives or exhibited skills and languages previously unknown to them, Taylor argues for the validity and significance of these experiences. He acknowledges skepticism towards regression therapy but points out instances that defy easy explanation, such as a child identifying a past life family and home.
Taylor further explores the concept of reincarnation as a means for the soul’s evolution, proposing that life, with its finite time, offers limited scope for experiencing and learning all that is necessary for spiritual growth. He likens the journey of the soul through multiple incarnations to attending school, where each life is an opportunity to learn and evolve, with some souls advancing more rapidly due to their experiences. This metaphor extends to the idea of “old souls,” those who have undergone many lifetimes and thus possess a depth of wisdom and understanding not necessarily related to their physical age.
Art and Taylor discuss the limitations of human perception, emphasizing that just because something isn’t visible or tangible doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist, much like radio waves. Taylor argues for the existence of the soul as an eternal entity, separate from the physical body, drawing upon religious and spiritual beliefs as well as personal experiences to support his viewpoint.
The discussion then shifts towards the nature of near-death experiences and their impact on individuals’ beliefs about the afterlife and the soul. Taylor notes the commonalities in NDE narratives across different cultures and beliefs, including those of atheists, suggesting that these experiences often lead to a profound spiritual awakening regardless of prior skepticism or disbelief in an afterlife. He recounts anecdotes of atheists encountering beings of light during NDEs, leading them to reconsider their beliefs about spirituality and the existence of an afterlife.
Art Bell decides to engage directly with atheists by opening a dedicated call-in line for them, intrigued by the idea of facilitating a conversation between atheists and Albert Taylor, who discusses spirituality, soul travel, and the notion of an eternal soul. Taylor asserts that through out-of-body experiences and near-death experiences, one can gain insight into the existence and journey of the soul beyond physical life. This leads to an interesting dialogue where a caller from Tennessee, identifying as an atheist, shares his beliefs rooted in scientific theories like the Big Bang and evolution, expressing skepticism towards the concept of a soul or an afterlife, viewing life as a finite experience that ends with death.
Taylor, while respecting the caller’s viewpoint, emphasizes his own spiritual journey and experiences that have led him to a firm belief in the soul’s existence and its ability to travel outside the physical body. He explains that his involvement in spiritual exploration was not to convince others but to document and understand the unusual phenomena he encountered.
Taylor and a caller from Tennessee delve into the implications of experiencing a near-death experience (NDE) and witnessing events from outside one’s body. Taylor empathizes with the caller’s skepticism, recalling his own disbelief and subsequent medical evaluations after his first out-of-body experiences. The discussion then shifts to the topic of proving the existence of the soul. Taylor clarifies that his intention is not to prove anything to anyone but rather to share his experiences and those of others who have reported similar phenomena. He suggests that the personal journey and exploration of these experiences are what contribute to an individual’s understanding of the soul’s existence.
Art Bell raises an interesting point about the difficulty of proving love, drawing a parallel to proving the existence of the soul, highlighting the intrinsic challenges in validating personal and subjective experiences. Taylor encourages skeptics to explore and experiment with the practices he outlines in his book, suggesting that personal experience can serve as a form of proof for individuals.
Taylor elaborates on the potential transformation of belief through repeated encounters with deceased relatives during out-of-body experiences. He suggests that such encounters, especially if they provide verifiable information, might lead one to reconsider the existence of life beyond physical death. The caller expresses skepticism, stating that he would question his mental state rather than the reality of the experience. Taylor shares that he had similar doubts initially and sought medical evaluation to understand his experiences better.
The discussion then shifts to a broader examination of beliefs and the challenges in proving the existence of the soul. Taylor emphasizes his approach is not about proving anything to anyone but sharing his experiences and those of others. He believes that personal experimentation and experience are key to understanding and validating the existence of the soul and spiritual phenomena.
The conversation transitions to an interaction with a caller who identifies as an atheist but is frustrated with religious proselytization. Taylor and the caller discuss the importance of personal belief exploration and the inappropriateness of imposing beliefs on others. Taylor recounts a positive exchange with Jehovah’s Witnesses, highlighting his openness to dialogue and the potential for such conversations to provoke thought and reflection.
A new caller from Seattle questions the definition of atheism, distinguishing between disbelief in God and disbelief in the soul. This leads to a discussion on the varied interpretations of atheism and spirituality, underscoring the complexity of personal belief systems and the quest for understanding beyond traditional religious doctrines.
The discussion continues with a caller expressing skepticism about traditional representations of God and preferring a more abstract understanding of divine or spiritual energy. This leads to a conversation about the believability of phenomena like the Eiffel Tower versus more subjective experiences like out-of-body experiences or encounters with divine beings. The caller expresses openness to believing in a soul due to contemporary accounts of out-of-body experiences, distinguishing this belief from faith in a specific deity or religious narrative.
Albert Taylor emphasizes that his goal is not to prove the existence of the soul but to share his experiences and those of others, encouraging individuals to explore these phenomena for themselves. The conversation underscores the complexity of spiritual beliefs and the distinction between personal experience and traditional religious dogma.
Art Bell then transitions to a broader discussion on the implications of soul travel, introducing a medical study suggesting the human body loses a small amount of weight at the moment of death, which some interpret as evidence of the soul’s departure. This introduces a scientific dimension to the conversation about the soul’s existence.
Lastly, Bell shares a personal anecdote about his need for symmetry and order, questioning whether such traits could be carried over from one life to another. Taylor suggests that while specific behaviors might not reincarnate, the underlying personality traits or tendencies, such as a drive for perfection, could persist across lifetimes.
Taylor emphasizes that it’s often the minor acts of kindness or missed opportunities to connect with others that are highlighted, rather than material achievements or failures. This perspective shifts the focus to the quality of interpersonal interactions and the impact we have on one another.
As the dialogue continues, callers bring up various challenges to Taylor’s experiences and the concept of soul travel. One caller from Illinois questions the scientific reproducibility of out-of-body experiences, suggesting that similar sensations can be induced through electromagnetic stimulation of the brain. Taylor acknowledges the experiments but argues that the depth and specificity of his experiences, such as gaining knowledge that he couldn’t have known otherwise, go beyond what these experiments have replicated.
Another caller challenges Taylor to explain how one could gain verifiable information through out-of-body experiences that couldn’t be known by natural means. Taylor concedes that if his experiences could be artificially induced to the same degree of detail and accuracy, he would be forced to reconsider the nature of his experiences. However, he maintains that the depth and content of his out-of-body journeys, which include specific and verifiable information, point to a reality beyond mere physical or induced experiences.
Taylor talks about his personal encounters with the non-physical, emphasizing how these experiences have led him to question the materialistic view of existence. A caller expresses skepticism, stating he would attribute any such experience to psychological or physiological factors rather than accepting it as evidence of a non-physical reality. This reflects a common scientific skepticism towards claims of paranormal experiences.
The conversation then shifts to the topic of night paralysis, a phenomenon that both Art Bell and Taylor discuss in terms of its widespread occurrence and the realization that it’s not an isolated or unique genetic defect but a common experience shared by many people globally. This leads to a broader consideration of out-of-body experiences (OBEs) as repeatable and verifiable phenomena, citing the work of Robert Monroe and other documented cases where individuals have gathered information during OBEs that they could later verify.
Taylor and Bell touch upon the historical continuity of such experiences, noting that the phenomena have been described similarly across thousands of years, suggesting a persistent and enduring aspect of human experience often relegated to the realms of the occult or dismissed as delusions. The dialogue also delves into the duality of belief in God without belief in the devil, with Taylor sharing a personal anecdote about his aunt’s spirit to illustrate his perspective on the afterlife, questioning traditional notions of heaven and hell.
The segment concludes with a reference to Dr. Malachi Martin and an NDE recounted by Sarah Colbert, highlighting the diversity of near-death experiences and their impact on individuals’ beliefs about life, death, and what lies beyond.
Sarah Colbert’s story of a near-death experience (NDE) that led her to what she described as hell prompts a discussion about the subjective nature of these experiences. Taylor posits that early out-of-body experiences (OBEs) can be influenced by one’s thoughts and fears, leading to “contaminated” experiences. However, he argues that with practice and control over one’s thoughts, it’s possible to have “contamination-free” experiences that are not governed by fear or preconceived notions.
Taylor distinguishes between experiences created by one’s own mind and those that provide verifiable information unknown to the experiencer, arguing that the latter offers evidence of accessing a reality beyond physical perception. This leads to a debate on the existence of hell and the devil, with Taylor sharing personal encounters with the spirit of his deceased aunt as a way to question traditional notions of punishment in the afterlife.
The conversation touches on the challenge of proving the reality of these experiences to skeptics, with a focus on the importance of personal verification and the repeatability of OBEs as criteria for validation. Taylor emphasizes that his journey into the astral plane has led him to believe in a consciousness capable of gathering information from non-physical sources, a concept that opens up broader questions about the nature of existence and the afterlife.
Albert Taylor discusses an upcoming conference in Boulder, Colorado, where he, along with other top authors on astral exploration, will conduct a three-day workshop and seminar. The event promises to offer participants comprehensive insights into out-of-body experiences (OBEs) and astral projection, aiming to provide a strong foundation for those interested in practicing and achieving OBEs.
The conversation then shifts to addressing skepticism surrounding the verification of OBEs. A caller from Philadelphia recounts a failed attempt by a family member to provide scientific evidence of an OBE by reading a keyword placed out of physical sight. Taylor responds by sharing his own efforts to verify OBEs through tasks like identifying hidden objects or numbers, noting that his most significant verifications occurred unexpectedly rather than during planned tests. He mentions an approach by NBC to participate in a show designed to test his ability to perceive contents hidden in a box during an OBE, highlighting the challenge of performing under the pressure of proving the experience scientifically.
Taylor emphasizes the importance of relaxation for facilitating OBEs and describes how the test environment’s stress makes it difficult for him to replicate his experiences on demand. Despite these challenges, he advocates for continued research into OBEs to gain a better understanding and control of the phenomenon. He shares his own skepticism before experiencing OBEs firsthand, underscoring the transformative impact of personal experiences in altering one’s beliefs about the nature of reality and consciousness.
Taylor explains his view that the soul and spirit can be considered the same, representing one’s true essence beyond physical limitations. He touches upon the idea that the soul, or spirit, possesses essence and substance, possibly evidenced by a rare medical study indicating a small weight loss at the moment of death, which some interpret as the soul departing the body.
The discussion then explores the capabilities and characteristics of the soul, suggesting it retains consciousness, intelligence, a sense of humor, and other personal traits while shedding attachment to material and insignificant things. This leads to intriguing questions about the soul’s maturity, its state during different physical conditions like comas or intoxication, and whether it is affected by physical states at all. Taylor posits that the soul exists independently of the physical body, both before birth and after death, and operates on a multidimensional level that transcends physical limitations.
An interesting point raised is whether the soul can manipulate physical matter. Taylor is open to the possibility, mentioning an experience at a psychokinetic (PK) party where individuals attempted to bend spoons with their minds. While skeptical at first, Taylor was intrigued by witnessing a friend successfully bend a spoon, leading him to reconsider the potential of the mind (or soul) to influence physical objects.
Albert Taylor reflects on the power of the human mind, sharing a personal experience where he bent a spoon, showcasing the potential for psychokinetic energy. This anecdote serves as a testament to the unseen capabilities that may lie dormant within us, suggesting that there’s more to human potential than commonly understood.
The conversation transitions to the difference between the soul and the spirit. Taylor simplifies this complex topic by stating he sees the soul and spirit as representing the same essence—our true self beyond physical form. This perspective streamlines the discussion, focusing on the essence of what makes us who we are beyond our physical existence.
A caller inquires about the practical implications of reincarnation, particularly the significance of past lives if we cannot remember them. Taylor suggests that while direct memories of past lives may not always be accessible, the experiences and lessons from those lives influence our current existence. He mentions that techniques like hypnosis and past life regression can sometimes unlock these hidden memories, providing insights into how past lives continue to shape our present behaviors, preferences, and even fears.
Taylor shares an intriguing episode from a past life regression session he attended, highlighting the interconnectedness of experiences and the possibility of accessing memories that transcend our current life. This story underscores the complex nature of human consciousness and the potential for it to encompass experiences beyond our immediate awareness.
Albert Taylor explores the concept of psychokinetic energy, recounting a personal experience where he bent a spoon, suggesting a part of us can indeed affect physical matter. This leads to a conversation about the nature of the soul and spirit, where Taylor posits that both represent our true essence beyond physical form. He suggests that every living thing possesses a conscious energy, reflecting on the similarities between humans and animals and pondering the spiritual essence of animals.
A caller brings up the topic of reincarnation and the significance of past lives if we cannot remember them. Taylor explains that past experiences, even if not consciously remembered, influence our current lives and behaviors. He discusses the potential for hypnosis and past life regression to unlock memories of past lives, although he acknowledges that not everyone will recall past lives through these methods. Taylor shares an anecdote about attending a past life regression session, where he and a friend visualized scenarios from past lives, highlighting the interconnectedness of experiences and the possibility of accessing memories beyond our current life.
The conversation then touches on skepticism regarding spiritual experiences and the afterlife. Taylor empathizes with skeptics, stating that personal experiences are crucial for shifting beliefs. He advises those trying to experience out-of-body states to focus on relaxation and letting go of the need for control.
A caller who identifies as a born-again Christian shares his transformation after coming to know God more closely, expressing his changed perspective on life and the afterlife. This prompts a discussion about the perception of God as loving versus vengeful, with the caller and Taylor debating the human tendency to project human traits onto the divine.
The discussion broadens to include a Native American perspective on the soul and spirit, introduced by a caller named Jesse from Washington. He explains that, according to his upbringing, humans possess a physical body, a spirit, and a soul. The spirit resides within the physical body, transitioning to the spiritual plane upon death, while the soul, comprising many layers like a tree, transitions to the soul plane. This view suggests a complex interplay between different aspects of being, with reincarnation allowing the spirit to pick up new layers or experiences in subsequent lives.
Albert Taylor finds common ground with Jesse’s description, relating it to his own understanding of multiple non-physical forms that humans possess, including the astral, ethereal, subtle, and mental bodies. This leads to a discussion on the protective and personality-giving roles of the spirit and the pure, creative force of the soul that permeates all things.
The conversation shifts to the purpose of life and reincarnation, likened to attending a vast school where souls learn lessons at different levels of existence. A critical question arises regarding the utility of these lessons if there’s no conscious continuation from one life to the next. Taylor and the caller agree that reincarnation operates in the background, influencing actions and reactions through conditioning rather than conscious recall, similar to Pavlov’s conditioned responses in dogs.
Albert Taylor concludes the show by promoting his book “Soul Traveler,” which details his experiences and insights into the wonders beyond physical existence