Editor’s Note: Thanks to Zoom, I had the wonderful opportunity to speak with Stephen Chong in Australia to talk about his latest book, The Afterlife: A Journey To. Before becoming an author, Stephen enjoyed a professional career as a trainer, helping individuals and organizations develop and reach their potential. Our conversation revealed how a life-changing accident led to a profound spiritual awakening and inspired him to begin writing again. Want to know more about the afterlife, reincarnation, living now with joy and purpose? The book offers an imaginative and inspirational exploration of heaven, human suffering, and the possibility of life beyond death. Readers interested in consciousness, spirituality, and the afterlife may find themselves drawn into Athar’s journey and the many levels of heaven revealed through the book. The book also offers an opportunity to reflect on how our choices affect others and how we might live with greater awareness and compassion.
Stephen had retired from writing when, in 2019, he fell approximately 15 feet from a ladder and fractured his neck. Fortunately, his wife was home that day, even though it was not part of their usual routine. Her presence made a crucial difference during the emergency. The accident became a turning point in Stephen’s life, and during his rehabilitation, he experienced a spiritual awakening that changed his sense of purpose. He felt an overwhelming urge to write a book about the afterlife, despite having no particular knowledge of what happens when we die.
As Stephen explained, the title kept swirling around in his mind: The Afterlife. His first thought was essentially, “What do I know?” Yet that question became the beginning of an extraordinary creative journey. He decided to sit at his computer each day and see what came to him. With no storyboard, character development, or clear idea of what he would write, he found that each time he sat down, it felt as though he were taking dictation. He describes being carried into heavenly realms through the eyes of his main character, experiencing different levels of heaven as the story unfolded. He could hear the music, see the colors, and follow the conversations.
The story begins with Athar, the main character and Stephen’s guide to heaven, who introduces himself from his new home:
“My name is Athar. At least it is now that I am here, in heaven. I can tell you the story only now. I couldn’t back then, when it was too painful, when it hurt too much. But now I know what happens. More than that, I now know why. I am not here to tell you what to believe. I am here to tell you what is true.”
Through Athar and the other characters, readers encounter the consequences of human actions and the suffering that can result from the pain we cause others. The story also explores those who have created their own suffering and become trapped within it.
These experiences invite reflection on responsibility, compassion, personal choices, and the possibility of understanding our lives from a spiritual perspective. The journey through heaven is not simply about discovering what happens after death; it also raises important questions about how we live and how our actions affect ourselves and others. Stephen shared he felt this was one of the most important insights he gained through writing the book.
Stephen Chong’s website: https://www.stephenchong.com.au/
Find his book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Afterlife-Journey-Know-What-Happen-ebook/dp/B0C1HVYVDG/
ROC Metaphysical Youtube Interview with Stephen Chong
