Spirit Communications & the Afterlife:

For the past 25 years James Van Praagh has used his powerful paranormal experiences to help people bridge the gap between the Earth plane and other worlds.

Based on his communications, he's found certain commonalities when people crossover-- there's no pain when a spirit leaves the body, they are aware of being outside the body, and are greeted by loved ones who have already passed over. The deceased appear solid, but are vibrating in a higher frequency dimension, and often choose to represent themselves at a younger age than when they died, he continued.
\When spirits first pass over they enter the astral world, where they encounter lakes, gardens, and houses, said Van Praagh, adding that colors are more vivid, there's no nighttime, and everything a person could want is there. However, this rean, and eventually spirits move on to a higher level, he explained. Many of the communications he's received from spirits have to do with love and fear, and regrets over choices they made while alive. "I should have told my family I loved them; I shouldn't have done that; I should have believed in myself more," are typical of spirits' laments.

He also addressed why the scientific community continues to dismiss evidence for life after death. Science has been unable to measure phenomena outside the physical realm, yet quantum physics is getting closer to quantifying consciousness and what was previously unseen, and Van Praagh believes scientific views are beginning to change. To communicate with the deceased, he suggested developing a meditation practice, which can make the mind more receptive, and also being open to receiving messages in the dream state