Me: Erik, let’s see if you can get Heath Ledger for us.
Erik: Yeah, sure. He’ll be pretty easy to reach.
Me: Okay, great.
(Long pause, then Erik returns with Heath)
Jamie: Oh, yeah, I forgot about his accent!
Me: Yeah, isn’t he from Australia?
Jamie: Yes, that’s what he’s saying. I’m just used to him playing all the American roles.
Me: Hello, Heath!
Heath: Good morning to you!
Me: So, do you know about what we’re doing here and what questions we’re gong to ask?
Heath: Yes, I’ve been well-informed.
Me: Okay. First of all, can you share what beliefs you had about death and the afterlife before you crossed over? And did those change after you died?
(Long pause)
Jamie: Yes, he will share that. He was also sharing that you might want to be aware that your list is getting out.
Me: What do you mean?
Heath: The names. All of the names on the list. And there are several over here that are wondering why they’re not on the list!
Me: Oh, no! Well, my brain isn’t altogether sometimes, so just tell them to pop their names into my mind, and I’ll put them down!
Heath: Naw, they say you have to reach a certain status to have your name on Elisa’s list!
Me: Oh!
Jamie: He has kind of a poking fun attitude.
Me: So, I guess you’re on the A-List, Heath!
Jamie (chuckling): He straightens up. He’s dressed kind of nice actually. He’s wearing jeans, a t-shirt and a casual dress jacket over that.
Heath: Yeah, the people over here were joking that that’s what it meant to be on your list to do an interview. So, my beliefs when I was alive, I compare it to the change of the seasons. They very much changed as I reached different seasons in my life.
Jamie: He’s got a bit of a mumble with this accent.
Heath: As I became more mature, I explored other beliefs. I never associated myself with a specific belief like Christianity or Buddhism. I was just kind of interested in bits of all of them. But I think that, because of my openness, I feel that I carried on so much energy—other spirits, other people’s attention they give to me being in the limelight. I feel that is what led to my physical breakdown. I never had signs when I was growing up of being unbalanced or incapable of finding my own center, but as I began to open up and explore more, it never dawned on me to protect myself from that energy.
Me: So, what happened?
Heath: Ah, it became very hard for me to focus, to quiet down. It’s as if there was always a parade or a bar inside of my head—the conversations, the ideas—
Me: Was that from other spirits you weren’t protecting yourself from?
Heath: I know that might sound kooky, but now, l see that was what I was opening myself up to.
Me: So, you’re talking about shielding yourself from other spirits?
Heath: Yes.
Me: Oh, I see. Not necessarily evil spirits, but spirits nonetheless.
Heath: Yes, I’m sure there were all kinds. I had moments over the last three years of my life when I would find sheer joy and balance, and then the next day, a worrisome feeling for no reason. And I don’t think my “psychosis state” came about just out of the blue. I really feel it was my ability as an actor was to look at occasions and incidences to be open enough to mimic them and adapt to them. I’m inspired by how adaptable humans are, but most people won’t allow themselves to do it.
