Like the Stars Forever FAQ

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"Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever." - Daniel 12:3What happens when a profound Buddhist phenomenon meets the heart of Christian theology?In Like the Stars Forever, Fr. Francis Tiso and executive coach Rob Michelucci embark on a fifteen-year journey of dialogue, friendship, and spiritual discovery. Spurred by an exploration of the "rainbow body"-the mysterious dissolution of the physical body into light at the time of death-the authors seek to understand this phenomenon not as a foreign concept, but as one profoundly illuminated by the Christian doctrine of the resurrection.This book is a personal "credo"-a raw, heartfelt exploration of faith that bridges the gap between ancient contemplative traditions and the modern search for meaning. Rather than an academic treatise, it is an invitation to seekers of all backgrounds to explore the universality of grace, the dynamic nature of the Trinity, and the transformative power of the Resurrection.Through theological reflection, meditative practice, and the bonds of Christian friendship, Tiso and Michelucci model a path for believers to deepen their own spirituality and recognize the Light each of us comes from and carries.Proceeds from this book support Fr. Francis Tiso's ministry to migrant communities in the Diocese of Isernia-Venafro, Italy.

A New York native, Father Francis Tiso holds the A.B. in Medieval Studies from Cornell University. He earned a Master of Divinity degree (cum laude) at Harvard University and holds a doctorate from Columbia University and Union Theological Seminary where his specialization was Buddhist studies. He translated several early biographies of the Tibetan yogi and poet, Milarepa, for his dissertation on sanctity in Indo-Tibetan Buddhism. He has led research expeditions in South Asia, Tibet and the Far East, and his teaching interests include Christian theology, history of religions, spirituality, ecumenism and interreligious dialogue. Father Tiso was Associate Director of the Secretariat for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops from 2004 to 2009, where he served as liaison to Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, the Sikhs, and Traditional religions as well as the Reformed confessions.Father Tiso is a priest of the Diocese of Isernia-Venafro, Italy, where he now serves as chaplain to the migrant communities in the Province of Isernia and as canon in the cathedral. He is Diocesan Delegate for Ecumenical and Inter-religious Affairs. He was recently elected to the Board of Directors of Mind and Life Europe, which promotes research in neuroscience, philosophy, and contemplative traditions.Father Tiso has written and lectured widely, and is author of Liberation in One Lifetime (2014) and Rainbow Body and Resurrection (2016), two books on Tibetan studies. He is the recipient of grants from the American Academy of Religion, the American Philosophical Society, the Palmers Fund [Switzerland], the Centro Incontri Umani [Ascona, Switzerland], and the Institute of NoeticSciences in Petaluma, CA.Known as "the Jesus Lama," Father Tiso is currently working on a forthcoming contemplative practice text, Discerning Stirrings.Rob Michelucci is an International Coaching Federation Master Certified and Board-Certified executive, leadership, and life coach in the top 4% of coaches worldwide. He earned his Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree at Duquesne University, with specializations in psychology and theology. Over thousands of hours, Rob has coached leaders and teams across several Fortune 100 companies and a wide range of industries, and his specialties include spirituality. Rob also serves as a mentor coach and co-facilitated the capstone Duquesne University Professional Coach Certification Program from 2024-2025.A contemplative raised in the Catholic tradition, student of New Thought, and a Dzogchen practitioner, Rob's mission is to help people become more Aware.

From Rob's forward : I picked up a copy of Discover magazine in the summer of 2007, drawn to it by an article titled “Soul Search.” The article described a fantastic tale: a Catholic priest being sent to Tibet to investigate the bodily dissolution at death of a Buddhist monk to explore its possible connection with, and perhaps lend further credence to, the resurrection of Jesus Christ two millennia ago.My initial contact with Fr. Francis led to fifteen years of emails—I’d estimate in the hundreds!—as well as some virtual meetings; two meditation retreats; and a wonderful, dynamic, and nurturing dialogue, the culmination of which is the text you are about to read.In December of 2024, sensing that I had arrived at a place where the Spirit, largely by way of Fr. Francis’s direction, had led me to a deep understanding of the astonishing catholicity of the rainbow body phenomenon, I sent Father a summary of my understanding, made up of a series of short “articles”of faith, the fruit of our many years of exchanges. Hegenerously received these reflections, confirmed some, gently corrected or rearticulatedothers, expanded on almost all, and sent them back to me a year ago. Since 2025 marked the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council at Nicaea, he dubbed the summary and its reflections a “credo” ofsorts.I heard Fr. Francis would be in the States in the fall of 2025 for [a meditation retreat]; I quickly registered and sent Father a note to let him know I [was] very much looking forward to the event. A couple of days before the retreat, I received reply from Fr. Francis, letting me know he was having difficulty planning this leg of the trip because of a mix-up with the car rental company. He knew I’d be driving down and asked if I might pick up a hitchhiking priest near his other retreat location on my way from Pennsylvania to North Carolina. These twelve precious hours in the car with Father became a great meditation on the kinds of questions being asked of him during his talks—different ways of asking the same question I’d been asking for fifteen years—and it felt like the right time to make these teachings on the theology of the rainbow body more widely available.The text you are about to read follows [Fr. Francis' 2016 book] Rainbow Body and Resurrection, prayerfully extending its hypothesis “that the Christian doctrine of the resurrection merits consideration as a primary source for the notion of the rainbow body as it develops in the Dzogchen milieu of imperial Tibet” further into the theological realm, and precedes a forthcoming practice text from Fr. Francis. It is intended for all seekers of goodwill, and especially for Catholics and other Christians who are looking for a framework in which the Buddhist phenomenon of the rainbow body can be understood in light of the resurrection of Jesus. It is not the only framework in which the rainbow body phenomenon might be understood, and indeed some scholars propose little, if any, Christian influence in its development. For those, however, who may be drawn to the teachings contained herein, there is a convincing case to be made here. Not only are we called to hear “the voice of the Good Shepherd wherever it maybe found,” but Fr. Francis has also received a direct call from Christ to share the message of the universality of the rainbow body. I feel called to do the same."

A portion of the proceeds from the first edition of this book will support Fr. Francis Tiso’s ministry to the migrant communities in his Diocese of Isernia-Venafro, Italy, which relies entirely on private donors.By "a portion," it is meant that all proceeds, minus taxes to be paid from any book royalties, will be donated.Since 2016, there has been a massive influx into Italian territory of migrant individuals and families from many parts of Africa, West Asia, and Eastern Europe.As immigration law was not necessarily written with such migration in mind, many fell through systemic cracks; Fr. Francis created a voluntary organization to assist reception centers in the process of integrating people into European life in accordance with in-place legal requirements. This organization also opened a house of hospitality and works closely with lawyers, doctors, psychologists, and teachers to support individuals and families experiencing migration. The association has offered support for training in nursing, heavy equipment, and welding, as well as providing job placement, housing, medical care, language skills, and one-on-one counseling. In some cases, assistance has also been provided for paying bills and even apartment rental.The program has also included the building of a laboratory fully equipped to make plant extracts for herbal-based care and the offering of herbal-training workshops to both migrant and local communities, building solidarity. Thank you, through your purchase of this book, for helping Fr. Francis’s ministry and for continuing to serve those in need.

August 6, 2026: the Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord in the Church calendar.This date is significant as Fr., in his book Rainbow Body and Resurrection and in interviews since, has made links between this event and mystical light phenomena experienced by Christians and others, as well as the rainbow body.

Yes! To better understand this book, it is recommended you read the June 12, 2007 "Soul Search" article from Discover Magazine. To dive even deeper, we recommend reading both Rainbow Body and Resurrection, Fr. Francis 2016 book, and Chapter 12 of the 2021 book The Resurrection of Jesus by professor Dale C. Alison, Jr.

When a book is independly published, the authors have the option to select "returns not accepted." This is the case with Like the Stars Forever as proceeds from the book will go to support Fr. Francis' migrant ministry in Italy.

There are no formal plans for signed copies to be made available in mass at this time, but this isn't something being ruled out for the future. Keep your eye on this page!

This book reflects the authors’ personal research, prayer, and understanding of Catholic faith and spirituality. Co-authored by a faithful Catholic priest and intended to be in full fidelity with the teachings of the Magisterium, this work is intended to complement official Church teaching. We encourage readers to engage with this text in light of, and to continue their theological studies and spiritual formation through, authoritative sources like the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

BibliographyAllison, Dale C., Jr. The Resurrection of Jesus: Apologetics, Polemics, and History. London: T&T Clark, 2021.Allison, Dale, and Father Francis Tiso. “Rainbow Body & The Resurrection with Dale Allison and Father Francis Tiso.” Posted by Circle of Atonement. May 5, 2025. YouTube video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VkWeRTsqTk.Annus, Amar. “The Mesopotamian Precursors of Adam’s Garment of Glory and Moses’ Shining Face.” In Identities and Societies in the Ancient East Mediterranean Regions: Comparative Approaches; Henning Graf Reventlow Memorial Volume, edited by T. R. Kämmerer, 1–17. Münster: Ugarit-Verlag, 2011.Aquilina, Mike. “The Banished Christian Monk Who Influenced Buddhism.” Angelus News, October 13, 2025. https://angelusnews.com/faith/aquilina-evagrius/.Aquinas, Thomas. Summa Theologiae. Translated by Fathers of the English Dominican Province. Westminster, MD: Christian Classics, 1981.Bernanos, Georges. The Diary of a Country Priest. Translated by Michael Tobin. San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2025.Bosveld, Jane. “Soul Search: Will Natural Science Pin Down Our Supernatural Essence?” Discover, June 11, 2007. www.discovermagazine.com/soul-search-16126.Catholic Church. Catechism of the Catholic Church: Popular Revised Edition. London: Bloomsbury Continuum, 2019.Christ Episcopal Church, Eureka CA. “Rector’s Forum with Fr. Francis Tiso.” February 27, 2022. YouTube video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyFxW7BqXvM.Cortezano, Rev. Teodoro A. “Stirring the Pot.” St. John Baptist de La Salle & St. Mary, Our Lady of Lourdes Bulletin, August 6, 2023. PDF. https://container.parishesonline.com/bulletins/14/0550/20230806B.pdf.Dalai Lama, His Holiness the. The Good Heart: A Buddhist Perspective on the Teachings of Jesus. Boston: Wisdom Publications, 1996.Evans-Wentz, W. Y., ed. Tibetan Yoga and Secret Doctrines: The Book of the Great Liberation. 1935. Reprint, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2003.Furthering Christendom. “Shentong, Rainbow Bodies, and Christian Belief.” February 2, 2025. YouTube video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0f-mwiyWsEw.Guinness, Loel. Rainbow Body. Chicago: Serindia Publications, 2018. Rainbow Body. Updated and rev. ed. Chicago: Serindia Publications, 2021.Leo XIV. Apostolic Exhortation Dilexi Te [I Have Loved You]. October 4, 2025. https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/apost_exhortations/documents/20251004-dilexi-te.html.“Holy Mass for the Jubilee of Sport: Homily of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV.” June 15,2025. https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/homilies/2025/documents/20250615-omelia-giubileo-sport.html.Matt, Daniel C., trans. The Zohar: Pritzker Edition. Vol. 9. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press, 2015.Putnam, Robert D. Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2000.Rohr, Richard. “Bigger than Christianity.” Center for Action and Contemplation. October31, 2016. https://cac.org/daily-meditations/bigger-than-christianity-2016-10-31/. Introduction to Oneing 1, no. 1 (Spring 2013).Second Vatican Council. “Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions (Nostra Aetate).” In The Documents of Vatican II: All Sixteen Official Texts and Their Teachings in the Life of the Church, edited by Walter M. Abbott. New York: America Press, 1966.“Decree on the Church’s Missionary Activity (Ad gentes divinitus).” In The Documents of Vatican II: All Sixteen Official Texts and Their Teachings in the Life of the Church, edited by Walter M. Abbott. New York: America Press, 1966.“Dogmatic Constitution on the Church (Lumen Gentium).” In The Documents of Vatican II: All Sixteen Official Texts and Their Teachings in the Life of the Church, edited by Walter M. Abbott. New York: America Press, 1966.Taivāne, Elizabete. “Dimensions of Mystical Anthropology of the XX Century: Hesychasmand Tibetan Buddhism Compared.” PhD diss., University of Latvia, 2005. https://dspace.lu.lv/server/api/core/bitstreams/36c0246d-4629-498c-8826-1850b344c063/content.“Doctrines of Man in Orthodox Christian and Tibetan Hagiographic Narratives.” Scientific Papers, University of Latvia. Oriental Studies 722 (2008): 121–27.Tillich, Paul. The Courage to Be. 1952. Reprint, New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2014.Tiso, Francis V. “Christology and the Catholic Encounter with World Religions.” Religions16, no. 1 (2025): 20. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16010020.Corps arc-en-ciel et résurrection: La dissolution du corps dans le dzogchen et lechristianisme ancien. Paris: Vues de l’espirit, 2024.“The Mystery of the Rainbow Body: Exploring Spiritual Transformation.” Posted by Broadcast Team Alpha. February 13, 2025. YouTube video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUzPefYor38.Rainbow Body and Resurrection: Spiritual Attainment, the Dissolution of the Material Body, and the Case of Khenpo A Chö. Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books, 2016.“Taking the Next Step in Rainbow Body Research.” Academia.edu. Last modified October 2019. https://www.academia.edu/40878745/Taking_the_next_step_in_rainbow_body_research.Vatican Access with Robert Duncan. “What the Dalai Lama Told a Catholic Priest About Christ.” Featuring Fr. Francis Tiso. Catholic News Service, May 30, 2026. YouTube video, 58:24. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S96RMrr8_Y4.Warner, Brad. There Is No God and He Is Always with You: A Search for God in OddPlaces. Novato, CA: New World Library, 2013.

As it is a gift-sized devotional with beautiful illustrations, the book will be made available in print format only (hardback) at this time.

A devotional, the book is 33 pages, 48 including front matter and endnotes.Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.25 x 7 inches.

There are beautiful illustrations in the book, with citations, illustrating the rainbow in Christian imagination over the centuries. Fr. Francis painted the cover image, which was enhanced by graphic designed Larry Hruska.

Like the Stars Forever is independently published; this helps to ensure more of the book's proceeds go to support Fr. Francis' migrant work in Italy.

Messages are appreciated! While we will do our best to respond to each inquiry, please understand Fr. Francis receives many e-mails and may not be able to reply to each one personally. Any questions or comments can be sent via the contact form on this site.