Description of Near Death Experience

Kenneth Ring, a psychology professor and researcher, provided a compelling description of NDEs during a New York Times interview in 1988. He articulated that:

> "It involves a pattern of feelings and images and sensations which include a sense of the most profound peace and well-being that is possible to imagine. It’s a sense of being separate from the physical body and sometimes being able to see it as though a spectator off to one side or from up above."

Many individuals recount traveling through a dark tunnel towards a radiant light, where they often experience a comprehensive review of their life, possibly meeting deceased loved ones. In some instances, they receive messages urging them to return to their physical bodies, suggesting that their time has not yet come.

However, there are those who report little to no memory of their NDE, apart from the fact that they were close to death.

Mary Neal’s Near Death Experience

> “How you understand death directly determines how you experience life”

Mary Neal, a renowned orthopedic spine surgeon, approached life with a scientific mindset until a kayaking accident in South America in 1999 transformed her perspective. During the incident, her kayak capsized, and she became trapped underwater for 30 minutes, resulting in clinical death.

During this time, she encountered a serene existence filled with love, wishing to remain there. Yet, she was informed that her journey on Earth was not complete.

Since her return, Dr. Neal has passionately shared her experiences, encouraging others to recognize their potential for joy and fulfillment. In a Tedx Talk from November 2018, she emphasized that true living brings a joy that surpasses life's challenges, framing death as merely a passage to a greater existence.

Eben Alexander’s Near Death Experience

Eben Alexander, M.D., a well-respected neurosurgeon with a significant academic background, had his beliefs radically altered after a seven-day coma caused by bacterial meningitis. Initially given a slim chance of survival, he not only recovered but also experienced a profound shift in his understanding of consciousness, asserting that it persists beyond physical death.

In a 2018 discussion with Larry King, he explored the intersections of consciousness and quantum physics, which are now central to his worldview. His literary contributions delve deeper into these insights.

A Trip of a Lifetime

Though NDEs may not have been widely discussed recently, they have captivated human curiosity for centuries. The first recorded NDE dates back to the 18th century, but serious scientific exploration began in 1978. The Association for the Scientific Study of Near-Death Phenomena was initially based at the University of Virginia before relocating to the University of Connecticut, where it evolved into the International Association for Near-Death Studies (IANDS), co-founded by Kenneth Ring.

Raymond Moody's book, Life After Life, published in 1975, sparked widespread interest in NDEs, becoming a bestseller and captivating many readers, including myself at the age of 17.

In 1998, Dr. Jeffrey Long established the Near Death Experience Research Foundation (NDERF), aiming to broaden our collective understanding of death and the afterlife. The website continues to document NDE accounts globally, currently hosting 4,700 experiences.

What Does NOT Cause NDEs

Numerous theories have emerged to explain NDEs, often attributing them to neurological or chemical activities. Some proposed causes include:

• Lack of oxygen
• Excess carbon dioxide
• Temporal lobe seizure activity
• Effects of substances like DMT or ketamine
• Hallucinations
• Psychological avoidance of death
• Normal brain function shutdown

However, researchers have systematically debunked these theories, indicating that no scientific explanation for NDEs has been established yet.

Dr. Jeffrey Long, a leading NDE researcher, recently presented his theories at a Society for Scientific Exploration conference.

Profound Life Changes After NDEs

According to the IANDS website, around 80% of individuals who experience NDEs report significant changes in their lives. These transformations often include a newfound optimism, spiritual awareness, and various psychological and physiological shifts observed across age groups.

Common characteristics noted among NDErs include:

• Loss of fear of death
• A more spiritual, less religious outlook
• Enhanced abstract thinking
• Increased generosity and compassion
• Heightened sense of love and difficulty in maintaining relationships
• Surfacing of unresolved childhood issues
• Strong sense of life purpose
• Child-like wonder and joy
• Heightened sensory experiences
• Enhanced intuitive abilities
• Reduced stress and improved detachment
• Ongoing dissociation from the physical body
• Increased curiosity and desire for knowledge

Takeaways and Further Reading

NDEs present a compelling challenge to scientific understanding of death. They suggest that comprehending death can lead to a more fulfilling life. While grief is a natural response to losing loved ones, embracing the concept of death as a transition can foster resilience and joy.

Exploring the resources mentioned can deepen your understanding of life and death. This journey can begin simply by engaging with the literature on NDEs.

Links to titles on Amazon. (I don’t profit in any way)

• Alexander, Eben and Newell, Karen: Living in a Mindful Universe: A Neurosurgeon’s Journey into the Heart of Consciousness
• Alexander, Eben: Proof of Heaven
• Alexander, Eben: The Map of Heaven
• Neal, Mary: To Heaven and Back: A Doctor’s Extraordinary Account of Her Death, Heaven, Angels, and Back Again
• Neal, Mary: 7 Lessons from Heaven: How Dying Taught Me to Live a Joy-Filled Life

Partial bibliography from the IANDS website:

• Hagan, John C. III (Ed.) (2017). The Science of Near-Death Experiences. Columbia, MO: University of Missouri Press. Evidence-based research on NDEs by physicians and scientists, including accounts from those who have experienced NDEs.
• Moody, Raymond (1975). Life After Life. New York: Bantam. A foundational text on NDEs, providing an easy-to-read overview.
• Fenwick, Peter & Elizabeth Fenwick (1995). The Truth in the Light. New York: Berkley Books. A thorough study of over 300 NDEs in the UK by a respected neuropsychiatrist.
• van Lommel, P. (2010). Consciousness Beyond Life: The science of the near-death experience. Scientific evidence supporting the authenticity of NDEs and the separation of consciousness from the body.
• van Lommel, P., van Wees, R., Meyers, V., & Elfferich, I. (2001). Near-death experience in survivors of cardiac arrest: A prospective study in the Netherlands. Lancet, 358(9298), 2039–2045.