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Beyond the Sphere:
Encounters with the Divine

Beyond the Sphere: Encounters with the Divine

People have reported encounters with God since the beginning of recorded history. Visitations gave rise to every major religion, influencing the hearts and minds of billions of believers.

These powerful events are part of the human record, but it is unclear how accurate they are or how frequently they occur. However, reports from those who claim to have encountered Divinity are fairly consistent: There’s something unfathomable out there.

Al Guart, a committed agnostic, diminished these accounts as possibly the result of overactive imaginations, mental illness, mythology or drugs – until the first of his unexpected encounters in 1980. He kept silent about his experiences over the past forty years, working to integrate them into daily life while trying to fathom how and why they happened.

In this ground-breaking book, Al relives two Divine encounters in stark, journalistic detail. Along the way, he takes a hard look at historical accounts of Divine appearances and challenges the renderings of God left in their wake. He offers the fruits of his spiritual inquiries for consideration but encourages readers to seek their own direct contact with the Creator – and to settle for nothing less.

Book Reviews

- Anthony Mancini Author, Journalist and Director of the Journalism Program at Brooklyn College, City University of New York.

The writing is lucid as a mountain stream. More importantly, I was captivated by the content. Al performs the neat trick of getting as close as one can to defining the ineffable.

- Robert Morton Publisher, World Tribune

Beautifully written. Addressed ultimate issues, not fluff. Great synopsis of the major religions. If any book could make God accessible to almost anyone, this is it.

- Angela Fanesi Publisher of Preferred Health Magazine

Truly inspiring testimony! I couldn't put it down! Growing up in a spiritual/ religious family, I've always believed in a higher being, spirit, and/or energy. That is why the journey taken by author Alfred Guart in 'Beyond the Sphere' really hit home. It was honest, it was educational, even humorous at times. The revelations experienced in this book remind us that if we continue to seek Spirit and remain open to the ways in which it may present itself in our lives, then maybe we too can be touched.

- Joseph Cohen Author, Write Father, Write Son: A Bond-Building Journey

Admitting that you have personally had a Divine Visitation is one thing. But making sense of it — as ephemeral and fleeting as it is — while putting it into historical perspective is an entirely different matter.. With humorous anecdotes, colorful analogies, and insightful questions, Mr. Guart’s fresh approach is cogent and concise. His wisdom and unorthodox perspective provides each of us the foundation for gaining a deeper connection with our own divinity. If you allow it, this unconventional book will move you Beyond your Sphere.

- James Hogue NYC Public School Teacher

I have always wondered what lies beyond this life, why humans have a conscience, why some don't? Who hasn't wondered that? I also love philosophy. I find the experiences of the author, intriguing. At different points in my life I've been more religious than at other times. We may not ever fully know all the answers to all the questions in life, but we sure do think about them. Every person at one time or another says, "why me." I think reading a book like this will open up a healthy, spiritual dialogue for the religious as well as the agnostic. I will highly recommend it to all my friends.

- John E.

Highly Recommended Well written page turner with clear insights into spirituality in different forms. Every anecdote seemed like the opening to another book. Highly recommended book I hope the author follows this up with an expansion on what he’s written here. A memoir of his career as an investigative reporter would be most welcome.

- Janet

I highly recommend this book! It was very insightful and awakened my interest in re-establishing my relationship with God. It was a much needed read for me.

- Cathy Brown

A divinely enlightening exploration about encounters with God. By combining personal experience and research on the experiences of others with divine, Guart shows that these brushes with the Great Spirit exist in all our lives, we just have to know where to look and to open our hearts to the possibility. And to appreciate the Divine in all you do, to instill empathy and goodness in our children. My favorite passage, "Imagine for a moment God is not merely the distant object of your dinner time prayer, but the prayer itself, and the voice that carries it, and the scent of the food and the warm plate and the table it's on..." It's the embodiment of "namaste"--bowing to the notion of God in someone else, in all of us. It offers a springboard into a better, kinder world.A divinely enlightening exploration about encounters with God. By combining personal experience and research on the experiences of others with divine, Guart shows that these brushes with the Great Spirit exist in all our lives, we just have to know where to look and to open our hearts to the possibility. And to appreciate the Divine in all you do, to instill empathy and goodness in our children. My favorite passage, "Imagine for a moment God is not merely the distant object of your dinner time prayer, but the prayer itself, and the voice that carries it, and the scent of the food and the warm plate and the table it's on..." It's the embodiment of "namaste"--bowing to the notion of God in someone else, in all of us. It offers a springboard into a better, kinder world.

- Sharon E.

I have always had a personal relationship with God having moments since my childhood knowing God was showing me my purpose and leading me along its path. What joy it is to know God's gotcha all the time! In the good times and the bad times, God's always there. Al Guart's book is a breath of fresh air for those who need to know God's gotcha if you only love and trust Divinity. Actually, it is fun to be surprised by times you know God just entered your space, and guided you to help a stranger, or to be patient, or to move on a tough project you feel called to do, knowing God will open the doors and lead you to successful completion. The book is succinct and an easy read for the newcomer who wants to know how these joyful encounters and experiences can be theirs, too. For so long there has been secular public pressure to look with disdain upon ordinary people who believe God has called them to do something to improve a situation, etc. The author shares how in his young years he was looking, searching, for divine truth. He explored various spiritual avenues and enthusiastically participated in them. Then he discovered the spirit of God and the joy was profound. Reading his story filled me with delight to know someone else was experiencing what I have been experiencing. Loved ones many times don't understand how these God moments can occur for them. This book gives them insight into how they might enjoy personal God moments too. It's worth the read to learn how to experience God's joys.

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