Post by Mysti on Jul 7, 2007 11:47:19 GMT -5
Near Death Experiences
It is more than possible that those who have experienced a Near Death Experience have really experienced what happens when we pass from this life. Anyway, I think it is certainly worth thinking about.
The following are major components of a near death experience. (or "NDE"). 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 one's 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.
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 "Passage to Light." 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: "Glowing like Coleman lanterns," was one description.
THE PASSAGE TO LIGHT. The majority 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." Another said the tunnel was infinitely long, but that he was moved extremely rapidly through this tunnel. (Most with 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. Children often say that a nice lady or that one or more angels took them through the tunnel.
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 one's own faith or whether there are various Beings of Light who appear, depending on one's own religious background.
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.
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?
THE BOUNDARY. This appears as a sort of line across the path, perhaps a gateway or 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.
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. 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 always live my life [now] knowing that some day I'll 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.
PRECOGNITIVE INFORMATION. The individual frequently brings back a sort of "memory" of events that will occur in their personal future. A few have knowledge of world events yet to occur.
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. 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 NDE's 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. Gary provides evidence of life after death by testing well-known psychics (e.g., John Edwards) under scientific laboratory controls, analyzing messages 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), Religion, Spirituality and the Near-Death Experience. Fox relates the NDE to religion, theology, and spirituality. Very dull.
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 NDE's, NDE's of others and the writings of Edgar Cayce to develop her understanding of eternal life. Easy reading. Atwater's Children of the New Millennium focuses on the NDE's that children report.
On-Line Reports of Near Death Experiences
www.nderf.org/ A collection of short accounts of NDE's.
Click here: Scientific evidence for survival of consciousness after death The account of certain scientific testing undertaken to establish the validity of survival of consciousness.
www.aglimpseofeternity.org/ A detailed account of a NDE.
www.mellen-thomas.com/NDE_story.htm This Mellon-Thomas story certainly has a lot to think about It is a very detailed account of a NDE with much to ponder about religious perspectives. Well worth reading.
You can find hundreds of accounts of NDE's by just searching for "Near Death Experience" on the internet.
It is more than possible that those who have experienced a Near Death Experience have really experienced what happens when we pass from this life. Anyway, I think it is certainly worth thinking about.
The following are major components of a near death experience. (or "NDE"). 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 one's 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.
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 "Passage to Light." 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: "Glowing like Coleman lanterns," was one description.
THE PASSAGE TO LIGHT. The majority 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." Another said the tunnel was infinitely long, but that he was moved extremely rapidly through this tunnel. (Most with 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. Children often say that a nice lady or that one or more angels took them through the tunnel.
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 one's own faith or whether there are various Beings of Light who appear, depending on one's own religious background.
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.
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?
THE BOUNDARY. This appears as a sort of line across the path, perhaps a gateway or 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.
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. 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 always live my life [now] knowing that some day I'll 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.
PRECOGNITIVE INFORMATION. The individual frequently brings back a sort of "memory" of events that will occur in their personal future. A few have knowledge of world events yet to occur.
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. 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 NDE's 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. Gary provides evidence of life after death by testing well-known psychics (e.g., John Edwards) under scientific laboratory controls, analyzing messages 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), Religion, Spirituality and the Near-Death Experience. Fox relates the NDE to religion, theology, and spirituality. Very dull.
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 NDE's, NDE's of others and the writings of Edgar Cayce to develop her understanding of eternal life. Easy reading. Atwater's Children of the New Millennium focuses on the NDE's that children report.
On-Line Reports of Near Death Experiences
www.nderf.org/ A collection of short accounts of NDE's.
Click here: Scientific evidence for survival of consciousness after death The account of certain scientific testing undertaken to establish the validity of survival of consciousness.
www.aglimpseofeternity.org/ A detailed account of a NDE.
www.mellen-thomas.com/NDE_story.htm This Mellon-Thomas story certainly has a lot to think about It is a very detailed account of a NDE with much to ponder about religious perspectives. Well worth reading.
You can find hundreds of accounts of NDE's by just searching for "Near Death Experience" on the internet.