EVEN MORE about this episode!

Join us for the incredible story of Dr. Tony Cicoria, a retired orthopedic surgeon whose life changed dramatically after being struck by lightning at Sleepy Hollow Lake. He takes us through the chaotic moments of his out-of-body experience and his mother-in-law's desperate attempts to revive him. This event not only changed his outlook on life but also sparked an unexpected passion for classical piano music.

Dr. Cicoria describes how he woke up with an unquenchable thirst for classical music, despite a lifelong love for rock and roll. A vivid dream of performing original compositions drove him to learn the piano from scratch, leading to a remarkable personal transformation. His story highlights the mysterious ways our minds adapt after traumatic experiences and proves that unexpected events can lead to profound growth.

Beyond music, Dr. Cicoria talks about how his near-death experience affected his spirituality and personal relationships. He shares his journey from a Catholic upbringing to profound spiritual encounters, discussing his evolving beliefs and the balance between his personal and professional life. We also touch on the connection between music frequencies and spiritual communication, offering tips for tuning into your own spiritual frequency. This episode explores how a life-altering event can reshape your purpose, ignite new passions, and deepen your understanding of life’s spiritual side.

Guest Biography:

Dr. Tony Cicoria is a retired, board-certified orthopedic surgeon who was Chief of Orthopedics at Chenango Memorial Hospital in Norwich, New York, and a Clinical Assistant Professor of Orthopedics at SUNY Upstate Medical School in Syracuse. He holds a BS in Biology from The Citadel and an MD, PhD from the Medical University of South Carolina. He completed his orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Virginia.

Dr. Cicoria's musical career began in an extraordinary way when he was struck by lightning in 1994 while speaking on a public telephone during a family reunion near Albany. This incident led to a presumed cardiac arrest, near-death experience (NDE), and out-of-body experience (OBE). Shortly afterward, he developed an insatiable desire to hear and play the piano, and began composing music that first came to him in a dream. He taught himself piano from 1995 to 1997, and then received formal instruction from Sandra (Campbell) McKane starting in 1998.

Due to his remarkable introduction to music, Dr. Cicoria was featured in the New Yorker article "A Bolt from the Blue" by Oliver Sacks, MD, and in Dr. Sacks' book "Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain."

Episode Chapters:

(0:00:01) - Journey With Dr. Tony Cicoria

(0:12:23) - Unexpected Passion for Classical Piano Music

(0:21:14) - Spirituality and Near-Death Experiences

(0:37:57) - Music and Spirit Communication Frequency

(0:48:35) - Spiritual Awakening and Healing

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