Post by Mysti on Jul 7, 2007 12:15:46 GMT -5
PASSING OVER -Near Death Experience
LIFE AFTER DEATH, THE TRANSITION PHASE.
About 35 years ago, Raymond Moody, Jr. a physician and surgeon, published his first book on the subject "Life After Life." Before that for about ten years, he had been collecting stories, reports by those who had been clinically dead on the operating tanble, but who came back to life and reported their experiences. Before Moody's book, many, well most who had these experiences were afraid to tell what they had experienced -- Because they'd be scoffed at. Some well-meaning doctors would tell them it was an hallucination. Some were even committed to mental hospitals. After Moody's book came out, a number of scoffers wrote responses, explaining away these experiences as chemical changes in the brain, and other sorts of similar explanations. One group of "good Christians" explained these phenomena as "Satan's work." While other Christians strove to argue that it was proof of Jesus Christ, etc.
No two experiencers are exactly alike. Each person has his or her own "way" of interpreting the Near Death Experience (or ÐNDEÏ as it's called in the literature). OK, lets go through a general outline of what the NDE is. Then we can go on to discuss differences and such, is more detail.
NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCES
The following are major components of a near death experience. Most of those reporting their experience do not go through (or do not remember) all of the pieces of the NDE listed below. But all do report some selection of these components as being in their NDE. While the sequence given below is the most common order, some do report different sequences. It is worthy to note that children who have had a NDE do report very much these same components in their experiences.
SEPARATION FROM THE PHYSICAL BODY. The sense of floating, usually almost at ceiling level. Ability to look (down, most often) at the physical body, see the body and see activity and be aware of conversation. Often these conversations are received mentally or telepathically. They are independent from their physical body. In army casualty wards and other places where a number of injured bodies are present, there is difficulty or inability to identify which is oneÌs own physical body.
ABILITY TO OBSERVE OPERATING ROOM OR PLACE OF ACCIDENT, etc., from quite different perspectives than the single perspective that the physical body would have. Usually this viewpoint is downward from the ceiling or from above the activity. The individual is fully aware of conversation and actions taken by doctors, nurses, etc.
ABILITY TO MOVE ABOUT AND TO OBSERVE OTHER PLACES in the hospital or in the vicinity of the accident. Sometimes the detached body visits the waiting room, and hears what relatives and friends are saying, noting what they are wearing and their behavior. One reported following a nurse sent to a supply room where the nurse was seen cutting her hand on broken glass. These observations are later confirmed by those who were observed. These stories of floating and observing what's going on are quite interesting. I don't know how the skeptics can argue against the subject seeing what the doctors and nurses are doing below him, seeing things he or she could not possibly see from the operating table. Even more convincing are their descriptions of what's going on in the waiting room -- what relatives are saying, what those there are wearing, etc. One subject, a mother, noted that her daughter was wearing miss- mated clothes. When she mentioned it later in her hospital bed, the aunt said "Yes, I just grabbed the first two pieces of clothing I could find put on your daughter." One lady's brother said somethjing like "She would have to get sick right now. I had to miss an importsant business meeting in Chicago." Later, when the brother visited her in the recovery room, she told him, ÐDon't bother about me. I'll be alright. You go on to your business meetings." Anyway, those passing are often very aware of what's going on, even in places remote from where the operation or accident is taking place.
FEELING OF PEACE AND WELL-BEING. This is a total sense of contentment, even divine bliss. An absence of any fear. This sense of bliss and lack of fear may occur before or after the passage.
MEETING LOVED ONES WHO HAVE PASSED BEFORE. This meeting may occur before or after the ÐPassage to Light.Ï There are also numerous reports from those on their deathbeds seeing their deceased relatives and friends (usually at the foot of their bed) before passing themselves. These loved ones often appear to be radiating light: ÐGlowing like Coleman lanternsÏ was one description. Well, as beings of light, we do glow like Coleman Lanterns. And when you put on the Armour of Light, that's the glow. Almost all reporting NDE's do tell us that they feel peaceful, even unconcerned about what's being done to their physical bodies. But less than half are aware of those who have gone before them being around or meeting them this early in the experience. Then there comes an attraction--a sort of magnetic pull to a darkness. One said to a dark cloud.
THE PASSAGE TO LIGHT. Many describe this as a passing through a dark tunnel or cylinder with light at the end. Others speak of it as going through a dark valley or climbing a spiral staircase that starts in the dark, or as a passage through massive doors. A few describe it as being lifted up into heaven through the skies. One described it as an utterly black dark void. One said the tunnel was infinitely long, but that he was moved extremely rapidly through this tunnel. (Most who go through this the tunnel passage say it is very fast.) Others report the passage as tumbling through the sky or as speeding into outer space. One respondent said it was like a roller- coaster ride that plunges into a dark tunnel. My guess is that the event is so far outside ordinary human experience that it is not easily understandable. Many report hearing a very loud buzzing sound or as a hum or whine as they pass through the tunnel. This buzzing sound is or seems very uncomfortable to most. Just about all report the tunnel, if that's their experience, as seemingly infinitely long. But they also say that passage through the tunnel is extremely rapid. Some feel that thry are alone as they pass through the tunnel. Others say "beings of Light" or a single being, meets them in the tunnel. Children often say that a nice lady or that one or more angels took them through the tunnel. While the person is in the tunnel, they see ahead this LIGHT. Extremely brilliant.
Sagegreenspirit: My dad had a NDE when he was little. He remembers a light and him going towards it and his family calling him back
THE BEING OF LIGHT. At the end of the passage one meets the Being of Light. This Being is described as radiating a brilliance beyond anything ever experienced, but a light neither painful nor uncomfortable. This being radiates an overwhelming compassion and pure love. Those from the Christian tradition know without a doubt that this Being of Light is Jesus Christ. Those in Jewish and Islamic faiths interpret this Being as an archangel. Buddhists see this Being as the Buddha. Hindus meet the god or goddess of death. It is not clear whether this is a single entity that is seen to appear in accord with oneÌs own faith or whether there are various Beings of Light who appear, depending on oneÌs own religious background. However, not all meet the Being of Light. Some do meet angels or guides. I was amused by one young person's report of the guide he met as he exited the tunnel. His guide was wearing Levis and a T-shirt. No angelic white wings, etc., just a guy. And this guide appeared to be -- well the teenager said "about 27." Descriptions of this Being are wonderful to read. Some see the Being as the Christ, some as an angel, the Buddhist sees it as the Buddha -- it appears as the religious figure you'd expect from your own religious background. To some, it's just a huge cloud of light. Some say the person is meeting his or her own Higher Self. Yes, there's debate in the literature about this. Some say "Higher Self"; some say "Christ"; some say Íangel," etc. But whatever this Being is, all want to stay and bask in this overwhelming love. No one wants to leave the LIGHT.
REVIEW OF ONE'S LIFE. The Being of Light (in a few reports, an angel or spiritual guide) takes the person through an exhaustively detailed review of the person's life. Although the life is reviewed in great detail and often with a three-dimensional sense, this process moves very swiftly. The emotional pains that were inflected by the individual on others are a major focus: The individual undergoes the direct experience of the pain and grief suffered by those he has injured or hurt. Now, the "Review" seems to occur in perhaps less than a minute but it is very comprehensive. You not only see in a 3-dimensonal way all that you've done and all that hasd been done to you, but you also experience the pain and anguish of others that you have hurt physically or emotionally. (I'd guess for those like Adolph Hitler that such an experience would be more lengthy.)
THE TWO QUESTIONS. The Being of Light appears to ask two questions:1. What have you learned, what knowledge have you gained in your life. 2. Have you loved or learned to love and to be loving? But, the two questions: What knowledge have you acquired? This seems to bare out what many spiritual teachers tell us -- that we're here to learn. And Have we learned to love and to be loving? It's worth while I think for us to just think about how we would answer those questions. Also, I should mention that communication is a sort of mental exchange. You just know what the Being of Light is asking. And it's as though our brain is totally exposed. What ever you're thinking, this Being of Light knows even as you think it.
THE BOUNDARY. This appears as a sort of line across the path, perhaps a gateway one could go through. Or it can be just the sense that if one goes any farther forward to the Light, he will be unable to return to the physical body.
THE BLISSFUL STATE: At this stage there is also experienced an overwhelming feeling of divine love and bliss and an intense desire to remain in this wonderful environment.
RETURNING TO THE PHYSICAL
Now, those who do return to their physical bodies undergo these steps as well.
THE DECISION TO RETURN. Some ask to return to the physical body because they feel that a loved one (spouse, children, or parents) needs them or for other similar reasons. Some are told by the Being of Light that their life experience or life work is not complete and that they must return.
THE PHYSICAL BODY REPAIRED. In many cases, the person makes a complete recovery from the disease or injuries that led to the NDE. One reported total remission of inoperable cancer. One was told by the Being of Light not to let the doctors operate on his crushed limbs; the doctors all said he would never walk again without surgery, but he was walking, fully healed, within a couple of months.
PERSONALITY TRANSFORMATION. Even more remarkable: Those who do return find themselves much more at peace with the world, much more compassionate, much more sensitive to others and their needs, and have no fear of facing death again. One, previously a hardened criminal, said "I will always live my life [from now on] knowing that some day I will have to go through another life review." A pastor found his outlook changed completely from preaching "fire and brimstone" to preaching God's love. The atheist or agnostic returns with an unwavering knowledge that he has met GOD. There are no agnostics or atheists after a near death experience: They KNOW!
PRECOGNITIVE INFORMATION. The individual frequently brings back a sort of "memory" of events that will occur in their personal future. A few even have knowledge of world events yet to occur.
SUGGESTED READING:
Let me give you a bibliography: Just a minute. A Few of the Books on NDE and Survival of Consciousness:
Raymond A. Moody, Jr., Ph.D., M.D. (Bigelow Chair Prof. of Consciousness Studies, at Univ. Of Nevada)., LIFE AFTER LIFE. (1975) This is the classic work, which opened the door for academically respectable study of NDE and launched serious research into NDE. Easy reading. In his book: THE LIGHT BEYOND. (1988) Moody reconsiders his initial findings. Also easy reading.
Lee W. Bailey (Assoc. Prof. Of Religion & Culture at Ithaca College) & Jenny Yates (Prof. and Chair of Dept. Of Religious Studies, Wells College), ed., THE NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCE. A collection of articles by various scholars on the NDE and some first-person reports. Mixed reading.
Kenneth Ring, Ph.D. (Prof. Emeritus of Psychology, Univ. Of Connecticut), LESSONS FROM THE LIGHT. A comprehensive study of the NDE and its implications. Not difficult reading but a bit academic.
Kimberley Clark Sharp (formerly Asst. Prof. In Social Work at Univ. Of Washington), AFTER THE LIGHT. Her own NDE led Kimberley to interview others with NDEÌs and to develop her own understanding of the other side of life. Easy reading.
Gary E. Schwartz, Ph.D. (Prof. of Psychology, Medicine, Neurology and Surgery at Univ. Of Arizona), THE AFTERLIFE EXPERIMENTS. Proffer Schwartz provides evidence of life after death by testing well-known psychics (e.g.,John Edwards) under scientific laboratory controls, analyzing the messages that the psychics bring through from departed loved ones to subjects unknown to them. Easy reading but lengthy.
Mark Fox (Lecturer in Philosophy at Joseph Chamberlain College, United Kingdom), RELIGION, SPIRITUALITY AND THE NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCE. Fox relates the NDE to religion, theology, and spirituality. Very dull reading.
Kevin R. Williams (Christian Writer), NOTHING BETTER THAN DEATH. Analysis of 62 reports of NDE from a Christian perspective. Many issues are considered. Free internet download. Easy reading.
P.M.H. Atwater, WE LIVE FOREVER. Atwater draws from her three NDEÌs, from experiences of others and from the writings of Edgar Cayce to develop her understanding of eternal life. Easy reading. AtwaterÌs book, CHILDREN OF THE NEW MILLENNIUM focuses on the NDEÌs of children.
DISCUSSION TOPICS:
Here are some possible areas of discussion, if the class wants to go into this topic more deeply. I will continue this Near Death Experience topic at our Wednesday informal chats.
1. The Being of Light and the Two Questions That Are Asked.
2. Proof of Survival of Consciousness -- Psychics & Mediumship.
3. The Nature of the Spiritual Body -- What You Lose at Death and What You Gain.
4. More Accounts of NDE's: Experiences of the Transition or Passage. Experiences of Going to Hell. Experiences of the Nature of Heaven. Experiences of Meeting Angels.
5. Explanations That Seek to Discredit the Near Death Experiences: Is NDE Some Form of Mental Illness or Hallucination or a Dying Brain Activity? Are NDE Researchers Reliable?
6. Prebirth, Rebirth and Reincarnation: OneÌs Purpose and Mission in Life.
Dragonhearts4: We did hospice care for my Grandma, she had been unconscious for a couple days, we knew when she was passing because we could hear her. She said she would wait until we finished dinner, then hopefully everything would be done before it got too late at night. My grandfather and her son came to meet her and take her over.
HOMEWORK:
GS: Beyond the standard meditation, visualization and journaling exercises -- I'd like to all of us to consider how we would answer the two questions that the Being of Light asks. ÐWhat have you learned -- what knowledge have you gained?Ï And, ÐHave you learned to love and to be a loving person?Ï
NEXT WEEK:
Directing Your Dreams and Astral Excursions.
Thank you Wrennie for your much appreciated help and assistance.
LIFE AFTER DEATH, THE TRANSITION PHASE.
About 35 years ago, Raymond Moody, Jr. a physician and surgeon, published his first book on the subject "Life After Life." Before that for about ten years, he had been collecting stories, reports by those who had been clinically dead on the operating tanble, but who came back to life and reported their experiences. Before Moody's book, many, well most who had these experiences were afraid to tell what they had experienced -- Because they'd be scoffed at. Some well-meaning doctors would tell them it was an hallucination. Some were even committed to mental hospitals. After Moody's book came out, a number of scoffers wrote responses, explaining away these experiences as chemical changes in the brain, and other sorts of similar explanations. One group of "good Christians" explained these phenomena as "Satan's work." While other Christians strove to argue that it was proof of Jesus Christ, etc.
No two experiencers are exactly alike. Each person has his or her own "way" of interpreting the Near Death Experience (or ÐNDEÏ as it's called in the literature). OK, lets go through a general outline of what the NDE is. Then we can go on to discuss differences and such, is more detail.
NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCES
The following are major components of a near death experience. Most of those reporting their experience do not go through (or do not remember) all of the pieces of the NDE listed below. But all do report some selection of these components as being in their NDE. While the sequence given below is the most common order, some do report different sequences. It is worthy to note that children who have had a NDE do report very much these same components in their experiences.
SEPARATION FROM THE PHYSICAL BODY. The sense of floating, usually almost at ceiling level. Ability to look (down, most often) at the physical body, see the body and see activity and be aware of conversation. Often these conversations are received mentally or telepathically. They are independent from their physical body. In army casualty wards and other places where a number of injured bodies are present, there is difficulty or inability to identify which is oneÌs own physical body.
ABILITY TO OBSERVE OPERATING ROOM OR PLACE OF ACCIDENT, etc., from quite different perspectives than the single perspective that the physical body would have. Usually this viewpoint is downward from the ceiling or from above the activity. The individual is fully aware of conversation and actions taken by doctors, nurses, etc.
ABILITY TO MOVE ABOUT AND TO OBSERVE OTHER PLACES in the hospital or in the vicinity of the accident. Sometimes the detached body visits the waiting room, and hears what relatives and friends are saying, noting what they are wearing and their behavior. One reported following a nurse sent to a supply room where the nurse was seen cutting her hand on broken glass. These observations are later confirmed by those who were observed. These stories of floating and observing what's going on are quite interesting. I don't know how the skeptics can argue against the subject seeing what the doctors and nurses are doing below him, seeing things he or she could not possibly see from the operating table. Even more convincing are their descriptions of what's going on in the waiting room -- what relatives are saying, what those there are wearing, etc. One subject, a mother, noted that her daughter was wearing miss- mated clothes. When she mentioned it later in her hospital bed, the aunt said "Yes, I just grabbed the first two pieces of clothing I could find put on your daughter." One lady's brother said somethjing like "She would have to get sick right now. I had to miss an importsant business meeting in Chicago." Later, when the brother visited her in the recovery room, she told him, ÐDon't bother about me. I'll be alright. You go on to your business meetings." Anyway, those passing are often very aware of what's going on, even in places remote from where the operation or accident is taking place.
FEELING OF PEACE AND WELL-BEING. This is a total sense of contentment, even divine bliss. An absence of any fear. This sense of bliss and lack of fear may occur before or after the passage.
MEETING LOVED ONES WHO HAVE PASSED BEFORE. This meeting may occur before or after the ÐPassage to Light.Ï There are also numerous reports from those on their deathbeds seeing their deceased relatives and friends (usually at the foot of their bed) before passing themselves. These loved ones often appear to be radiating light: ÐGlowing like Coleman lanternsÏ was one description. Well, as beings of light, we do glow like Coleman Lanterns. And when you put on the Armour of Light, that's the glow. Almost all reporting NDE's do tell us that they feel peaceful, even unconcerned about what's being done to their physical bodies. But less than half are aware of those who have gone before them being around or meeting them this early in the experience. Then there comes an attraction--a sort of magnetic pull to a darkness. One said to a dark cloud.
THE PASSAGE TO LIGHT. Many describe this as a passing through a dark tunnel or cylinder with light at the end. Others speak of it as going through a dark valley or climbing a spiral staircase that starts in the dark, or as a passage through massive doors. A few describe it as being lifted up into heaven through the skies. One described it as an utterly black dark void. One said the tunnel was infinitely long, but that he was moved extremely rapidly through this tunnel. (Most who go through this the tunnel passage say it is very fast.) Others report the passage as tumbling through the sky or as speeding into outer space. One respondent said it was like a roller- coaster ride that plunges into a dark tunnel. My guess is that the event is so far outside ordinary human experience that it is not easily understandable. Many report hearing a very loud buzzing sound or as a hum or whine as they pass through the tunnel. This buzzing sound is or seems very uncomfortable to most. Just about all report the tunnel, if that's their experience, as seemingly infinitely long. But they also say that passage through the tunnel is extremely rapid. Some feel that thry are alone as they pass through the tunnel. Others say "beings of Light" or a single being, meets them in the tunnel. Children often say that a nice lady or that one or more angels took them through the tunnel. While the person is in the tunnel, they see ahead this LIGHT. Extremely brilliant.
Sagegreenspirit: My dad had a NDE when he was little. He remembers a light and him going towards it and his family calling him back
THE BEING OF LIGHT. At the end of the passage one meets the Being of Light. This Being is described as radiating a brilliance beyond anything ever experienced, but a light neither painful nor uncomfortable. This being radiates an overwhelming compassion and pure love. Those from the Christian tradition know without a doubt that this Being of Light is Jesus Christ. Those in Jewish and Islamic faiths interpret this Being as an archangel. Buddhists see this Being as the Buddha. Hindus meet the god or goddess of death. It is not clear whether this is a single entity that is seen to appear in accord with oneÌs own faith or whether there are various Beings of Light who appear, depending on oneÌs own religious background. However, not all meet the Being of Light. Some do meet angels or guides. I was amused by one young person's report of the guide he met as he exited the tunnel. His guide was wearing Levis and a T-shirt. No angelic white wings, etc., just a guy. And this guide appeared to be -- well the teenager said "about 27." Descriptions of this Being are wonderful to read. Some see the Being as the Christ, some as an angel, the Buddhist sees it as the Buddha -- it appears as the religious figure you'd expect from your own religious background. To some, it's just a huge cloud of light. Some say the person is meeting his or her own Higher Self. Yes, there's debate in the literature about this. Some say "Higher Self"; some say "Christ"; some say Íangel," etc. But whatever this Being is, all want to stay and bask in this overwhelming love. No one wants to leave the LIGHT.
REVIEW OF ONE'S LIFE. The Being of Light (in a few reports, an angel or spiritual guide) takes the person through an exhaustively detailed review of the person's life. Although the life is reviewed in great detail and often with a three-dimensional sense, this process moves very swiftly. The emotional pains that were inflected by the individual on others are a major focus: The individual undergoes the direct experience of the pain and grief suffered by those he has injured or hurt. Now, the "Review" seems to occur in perhaps less than a minute but it is very comprehensive. You not only see in a 3-dimensonal way all that you've done and all that hasd been done to you, but you also experience the pain and anguish of others that you have hurt physically or emotionally. (I'd guess for those like Adolph Hitler that such an experience would be more lengthy.)
THE TWO QUESTIONS. The Being of Light appears to ask two questions:1. What have you learned, what knowledge have you gained in your life. 2. Have you loved or learned to love and to be loving? But, the two questions: What knowledge have you acquired? This seems to bare out what many spiritual teachers tell us -- that we're here to learn. And Have we learned to love and to be loving? It's worth while I think for us to just think about how we would answer those questions. Also, I should mention that communication is a sort of mental exchange. You just know what the Being of Light is asking. And it's as though our brain is totally exposed. What ever you're thinking, this Being of Light knows even as you think it.
THE BOUNDARY. This appears as a sort of line across the path, perhaps a gateway one could go through. Or it can be just the sense that if one goes any farther forward to the Light, he will be unable to return to the physical body.
THE BLISSFUL STATE: At this stage there is also experienced an overwhelming feeling of divine love and bliss and an intense desire to remain in this wonderful environment.
RETURNING TO THE PHYSICAL
Now, those who do return to their physical bodies undergo these steps as well.
THE DECISION TO RETURN. Some ask to return to the physical body because they feel that a loved one (spouse, children, or parents) needs them or for other similar reasons. Some are told by the Being of Light that their life experience or life work is not complete and that they must return.
THE PHYSICAL BODY REPAIRED. In many cases, the person makes a complete recovery from the disease or injuries that led to the NDE. One reported total remission of inoperable cancer. One was told by the Being of Light not to let the doctors operate on his crushed limbs; the doctors all said he would never walk again without surgery, but he was walking, fully healed, within a couple of months.
PERSONALITY TRANSFORMATION. Even more remarkable: Those who do return find themselves much more at peace with the world, much more compassionate, much more sensitive to others and their needs, and have no fear of facing death again. One, previously a hardened criminal, said "I will always live my life [from now on] knowing that some day I will have to go through another life review." A pastor found his outlook changed completely from preaching "fire and brimstone" to preaching God's love. The atheist or agnostic returns with an unwavering knowledge that he has met GOD. There are no agnostics or atheists after a near death experience: They KNOW!
PRECOGNITIVE INFORMATION. The individual frequently brings back a sort of "memory" of events that will occur in their personal future. A few even have knowledge of world events yet to occur.
SUGGESTED READING:
Let me give you a bibliography: Just a minute. A Few of the Books on NDE and Survival of Consciousness:
Raymond A. Moody, Jr., Ph.D., M.D. (Bigelow Chair Prof. of Consciousness Studies, at Univ. Of Nevada)., LIFE AFTER LIFE. (1975) This is the classic work, which opened the door for academically respectable study of NDE and launched serious research into NDE. Easy reading. In his book: THE LIGHT BEYOND. (1988) Moody reconsiders his initial findings. Also easy reading.
Lee W. Bailey (Assoc. Prof. Of Religion & Culture at Ithaca College) & Jenny Yates (Prof. and Chair of Dept. Of Religious Studies, Wells College), ed., THE NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCE. A collection of articles by various scholars on the NDE and some first-person reports. Mixed reading.
Kenneth Ring, Ph.D. (Prof. Emeritus of Psychology, Univ. Of Connecticut), LESSONS FROM THE LIGHT. A comprehensive study of the NDE and its implications. Not difficult reading but a bit academic.
Kimberley Clark Sharp (formerly Asst. Prof. In Social Work at Univ. Of Washington), AFTER THE LIGHT. Her own NDE led Kimberley to interview others with NDEÌs and to develop her own understanding of the other side of life. Easy reading.
Gary E. Schwartz, Ph.D. (Prof. of Psychology, Medicine, Neurology and Surgery at Univ. Of Arizona), THE AFTERLIFE EXPERIMENTS. Proffer Schwartz provides evidence of life after death by testing well-known psychics (e.g.,John Edwards) under scientific laboratory controls, analyzing the messages that the psychics bring through from departed loved ones to subjects unknown to them. Easy reading but lengthy.
Mark Fox (Lecturer in Philosophy at Joseph Chamberlain College, United Kingdom), RELIGION, SPIRITUALITY AND THE NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCE. Fox relates the NDE to religion, theology, and spirituality. Very dull reading.
Kevin R. Williams (Christian Writer), NOTHING BETTER THAN DEATH. Analysis of 62 reports of NDE from a Christian perspective. Many issues are considered. Free internet download. Easy reading.
P.M.H. Atwater, WE LIVE FOREVER. Atwater draws from her three NDEÌs, from experiences of others and from the writings of Edgar Cayce to develop her understanding of eternal life. Easy reading. AtwaterÌs book, CHILDREN OF THE NEW MILLENNIUM focuses on the NDEÌs of children.
DISCUSSION TOPICS:
Here are some possible areas of discussion, if the class wants to go into this topic more deeply. I will continue this Near Death Experience topic at our Wednesday informal chats.
1. The Being of Light and the Two Questions That Are Asked.
2. Proof of Survival of Consciousness -- Psychics & Mediumship.
3. The Nature of the Spiritual Body -- What You Lose at Death and What You Gain.
4. More Accounts of NDE's: Experiences of the Transition or Passage. Experiences of Going to Hell. Experiences of the Nature of Heaven. Experiences of Meeting Angels.
5. Explanations That Seek to Discredit the Near Death Experiences: Is NDE Some Form of Mental Illness or Hallucination or a Dying Brain Activity? Are NDE Researchers Reliable?
6. Prebirth, Rebirth and Reincarnation: OneÌs Purpose and Mission in Life.
Dragonhearts4: We did hospice care for my Grandma, she had been unconscious for a couple days, we knew when she was passing because we could hear her. She said she would wait until we finished dinner, then hopefully everything would be done before it got too late at night. My grandfather and her son came to meet her and take her over.
HOMEWORK:
GS: Beyond the standard meditation, visualization and journaling exercises -- I'd like to all of us to consider how we would answer the two questions that the Being of Light asks. ÐWhat have you learned -- what knowledge have you gained?Ï And, ÐHave you learned to love and to be a loving person?Ï
NEXT WEEK:
Directing Your Dreams and Astral Excursions.
Thank you Wrennie for your much appreciated help and assistance.