Does anyone know if the LOST writers/producers had ever attended

[Duer 157099]

The Monroe Institute?

Because in some respects, the story line fits in very well with some of the things they do at TMI.

For example, TMI talks about a "park" where newly liberated (dead body) souls go for a debriefing and that often, there are group meetings there. TMI also has a program where they try to assist the newly liberated souls in finding their way (like Desmond?).

Has anyone read any connection between them?

[MorningGlow]

1. It's a common concept for a lot of faiths and belief systems, actually

I don't know anything about The Monroe Institute, but I instantly recognized the concept of a soul group (soul family) and loved ones (members of the soul group) who have passed on helping someone make the transition to the Otherworld. Also the notion of there being no such thing as time, so people who have passed on earlier, later, etc., can all gather in the same place, which is often someplace "earth-like" and pretty. Sometimes, to help the person pass, the Otherworld appears as a sort of hallucination that allows the person to continue in a vein similar to their earth-life until they're ready to learn the truth, that they've passed. (I was trained in paganism/wicca, BTW.)

[Duer 157099]

2. Common being a relative term, lol

While it's a very natural belief for me, I'm willing to bet that it's not quite "common" even amongst the open-minded of DU.

To me, that was what LOST was all about though, and TMI is (to me) the most recognizble group that promotes this concept these days, this time. But then it could just be they are the only one I'm very familiar with.

The unique thing about TMI is that they use a technology to facilitate the experience (hemi-sync).

[MorningGlow]

3. True 'nuff

:hi:

I read something today (somewhere online--don't ask me where though! :crazy:) that said the writers tried to make the Otherworld generic enough to speak to most major religions, hence the stained-glass window in the room where Christian and Jack talk, with Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, etc. symbols on it.

[Duer 157099]

4. That was one ecumenical church, for sure

Let's see, it had a cross, the Star of David, the Muslim moon and star, the Yin and Yang and two other symbols I can't recall.

Yeah, would that all churches were so accepting of other faiths, eh?

[MorningGlow]

5. Totally

Don't forget they also included the "wheel of life" that doubled as the donkey wheel from the island! :D