Gateways to the Otherworld: The Secrets beyond the Final Journey, from the Egyptian Underworld to the Gates in the Sky
Philip Gardiner

Reviewed by Sabrina Williams 
 

Philip Gardiner provides evidence of an afterlife in his December 2007 release, Gateways to the Otherworld: The Secrets beyond the Final Journey, from the Egyptian Underworld to the Gates in the Sky. Beginning with an exploration of ancient myths and religious archetypes, Gardiner provides a balance between fantasy and science, illustrating the plausibility of both perspectives. Just because an idea has its roots in ancient mythology does not mean it cannot be proven through science.

Gardiner’s view is that there are still many facets of the paranormal world left to uncover, a major one being life after death. He feels that many answers are already available through the study of religion and mythology. While illustrating the similarities among the world’s religions, he notes one objective common to most belief systems. This is the need to create an Otherworld. In some religions, it is something akin to Heaven, a place visited after life on Earth is over. In others, the Otherworld is a place that can be visited today. It is a possible parallel universe or alternate stream of consciousness that trained Shamans have the ability to access.

But Gateways to the Otherworld is much broader than a course on religious studies. After the initial connections are made and the universal archetypes are established, he continues on to his own research into how Shamans could possibly reach this Otherworld. Meditation, drugs and trance are all methods that can be used to experience this altered sense of awareness. Gardiner explains that the Universe operates on a specific frequency of electromagnetic energy and Shamans use these tools to align their own energies to the same frequency. These electromagnetic waves are envisioned as being serpentine, and Gardiner explains how the serpent resurfaces time and time again throughout history. 

He explores different ways science may be proving the existence of the Otherworld to be a fact. From quantum physics to thermodynamics to electromagnetism, Gardiner explains how we are just beginning to scratch the surface of the many possibilities. He uses these concepts to illustrate how certain locales can actually be centers of incredible power, enabling people to more easily access the Otherworld. The Great Pyramid of Giza is a recurring center of activity. The structure seems to have been built to be specifically conducive to Shamanic activity. Other structures are touched upon, and the book contains black and white photographs of many of the locations. 

Gardiner even chronicles his own unofficial scientific experiment whereby he created conditions conducive to an alternate state of consciousness for one individual. This individual actually went on to have an out of body experience, and though he was an objective subject, he recounted several experiences that could be labeled as paranormal. Brain wave activity factors into much of Gardiner’s research. 

After the author completes the reasoning behind his assertions, an appendix furthers the exploration with tales of mythology for the reader to interpret. A second appendix features a timeline. The text is arranged in a double-column, textbook style layout. While Gardiner just touches on the various outlets of religion and science, he creates an extremely logical base to further research. Modern science really is just in infancy, and many of his theories may be proven in the near future. But as Gardiner states, science evolves just as human thought does, and what we envision as truth today may be considered myth tomorrow. He offers a wealth of hope and common ground to the theologian and scientist, alike.

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