Through a chance encounter with a psychic at Halloween party in 1992, Jeff’s discovery journey starts; where it lead him to delve further into the Civil War past and his connection with General Gordon, leading to a 10-year odyssey including the battlefields of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and Georgia as well as the library of the University of Georgia and the Library of Congress. Gathering information from official records, wartime reports and even love letters, Jeff Keene uncovered many parallels between his own life and that of General Gordon.
Jeffrey Keene shares with readers of Psychic & Spirit magazine, in this exclusive interview, personal truths and insights of his journey and his life.
P.S. 'There is so much in a name,' what does your first name mean? Favourite colour? Soul number (sum of the digits of your date of birth reduced to numbers between 1 and 9. example: 12.04.1956 = 1+2+4+1+9+5+6= 3+4+3 =1)?
I never looked into my name origin but now I may have discovered one of my tasks in life.
Jeffrey = English for “Gift of Peace”. German for “God’s Peace”.
Joseph = Means, “He Will Add”.
Keene = Celtic for “Wise/Learned”.
So, it appears that I am to take what I have learned in life and bring peace to the World. That may take a week or two but I will try to do my part.
My favorite color is blue. Not sure on figuring my “Soul Number” but if you could do it for me I would appreciate it. I was born on September 9, 1947 in Danbury Connecticut, USA.
P.S. Jeff, your soul number is 3. Why do you do what you do? When did you start? And what is in it for you-personally?
Now that I have retired from the Fire Service I have time to spend on getting the messages in my book and on my travels into the realm of reincarnation out to the public. I started lecturing back in 1995 long before there was a book. I have spoken at book signings, to retirement groups, at libraries; radio shows (over 25 so far) and have told my story in two film documentaries, in Another Life and Beyond Death. Most recently my story was on the Sci Fi Channel show Proof Positive. I will speak wherever people will listen. Now, as far as what is in it for me personally, I don’t think I will find the full extent of that until after I pass from this world. But, I do know that what I am doing now was laid out long before I entered this life.
P.S. An unusual, special or extraordinary memory of an experience that still sticks in your mind? What was the significance of it for you, etc. (something that you do not mind sharing)?
There is no one thing that led me to my connection with a long dead Confederate general. The most memorable event happened on an American Civil War battlefield. I had seen a few of the Ken Burns series on the Civil War in 1990 and while in the area of Maryland felt compelled to visit Antietam Battlefield Park where, in turn, I had a strange experience at a portion of the battlefield known as Sunken Road (aka Bloody Lane).
“I walked down onto the road itself. I had only gone a few yards when something very strange happened, something the likes of which I hope will never happen again. A wave of grief, sadness and anger washed over me. Without warning, I was suddenly being consumed by sensations. Burning tears ran down my cheeks. It became difficult to breathe. I gasped for air, as I stood transfixed in the old roadbed. To this day I could not tell you how much time transpired, but as these feelings, this emotional overload passed, I found myself exhausted as if I had run a marathon.
Crawling up the steep embankment to get out of the road, I turned and looked back. I was a bit shaken to say the least and wondered at what had just taken place. It was difficult getting back to the car because I felt so weak. I had regained most of my normal composure on the way back and said nothing to Anna about what had just happened.
What could I say? How could I explain it to her? I did not have any answers, just questions. I would one day receive my answers, but not until more than a year later and then from a most unusual source.” © Someone Else’s Yesterday by Jeffrey J. Keene 2003
It was later to find that I had walked into the location of the 6th Alabama commanded by Col. John B. Gordon. So, my story is backwards from what most people think. I did not have a great interest in the American Civil War until after the episode at The Sunken Road and after reading about Gordon in an old Civil War magazine a year and a half later.
P.S. A Turning point? Was there a teacher, a book, or an event that inspired/influenced what you do, or started you on your path?
Seeing my face in an American Civil War magazine in 1992. The photo was of Confederate General John B. Gordon. Gordon had been wounded eight times during the war (five times in one day at the Sunken Road during the Battle of Antietam) but lived until January 1904. I bought the magazine while on a visit to Antietam Battlefield.
Many people are startled by the resemblance when they view our pictures side by side. I realize now after ten years of discoveries that I have always had a connection to General John B Gordon. Do I still feel things now that I know the connection? Yes, before, during and after the discovery of the Gordon connection. All my life strange things had been happening to me, I just did not understand them until I had delved into John Gordon’s lifetime. I tell people that, “I did not find Gordon, he found me in an old farm road called Bloody Lane.”
P.S. What are you working on currently, and what is your next project?
Many of the things that Gordon did in his life are similar to things I have done or that I am in the process of doing at this time. Gordon's book, Reminiscences of the Civil War, came out in 1903, mine in 2003. I spent 35 years in Fire/Rescue and you can not get much closer to a combat unit in civilian life that the Fire Department. After Gen. Gordon retired from politics (twice Gov. of Georgia, three time Senator) he traveled the lecture circuit trying to reunite the peoples of the North and South. Now that I have retired from the Fire Dept, I have the time to travel and lecture to people about reincarnation with the hope that they too can be reunited but in this case the reunification is with themselves, the realization of who and what they truly are.
P.S. A favourite book/quote you were inspired/influenced by?
"There are only two ways to live your life.
One is as though NOTHING is a miracle,
the other is as though EVERYTHING is a miracle."
Albert Einstein
P.S. You are going on a much deserved holiday, what treasured items are you most likely to always pack and take with you?
A box of good cigars.
P.S. What would you like to be when you 'grow up'?
Smarter.
P.S. When you are not working, how do you have fun?
I like reading and traveling. I really enjoy talking to people. One on one, or large groups, it does matter.
P.S. If there is a next life, what would you choose to come back as? Why?
I would choose not to come back at all. I hope I can finish all my lessons this time around.
P.S. If there is no next life, how do you imagine you would be spending your time 'up there' anyway?
I will have to check into the choices given us when I return home (Other side). I think we look at thing differently when we are not saddled with are human brain. I suspect that I will be working to help others in some way.
Jeffrey J. Keene
14 Gorham Place
Trumbull, CT. 06611(USA)
Phone: 203-373-0304 (EST)
WWW.ConfederateYankee.net, Email: jeffreyk7@yahoo.com
Read:
Buy the book: Someone Else's Yesterday- The Confederate General & Connecticut Yankee: A Past Life Revealed- Jeffrey J. Keene, Blue Dolphin Publishing.
Please check recommended books list on Past Lives & Reincarnation.
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