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Near Death Experiences

 

 

 

 

 

 

near death experiences Confused about NDE

Dear Diane,

At the age of 49 I suffered a heart attack. When they did the angioplasty on 26.03.2007, one of the arteries was accidentally blocked by one of the wires they were using and I went into V.F. They bought me back, obviously, but I had an experience while I was 'gone'. 

I have since experienced the strangest range of emotions and am so confused. I don't know who to speak to about it. My family, luckily, are all quite spiritually aware and so haven't thought I am crazy, they are just interested. Unfortunately they live 185 miles away, so I am unable to share with them as fully as I would like to.

Can you help? I hope you don't mind me e.mailing you.

Lin

 

 

 

Dear Lin,
So this just happened to you a few weeks ago... no wonder you're confused. That's pretty much the feeling right after a NDE. Just keep breathing... in and out, in and out... for now. Close your eyes and allow your mind to slowly take it all in. Your conscious mind is trying to integrate the experience with your previous knowledge but, so soon after, it may be more like a pinball bouncing from one thing to another. You probably don't even have words adequate to describe all you experienced at this point. It seems to take about 7 years for an NDEr to accept it, understand it to some degree, and realize some of the whys and whatnots of the experience. So for now just focus on relaxing and healing your physical body.

It's good you have your family's support as that can be the biggest problem when everybody thinks you've lost your mind. Physicians are the worst people to talk to (in most cases). Clergy, depending on their beliefs, can be a deterrent to further understanding unless they're willing to be open and just listen. Hospice nurses may offer the best comfort having witnessed so many people as they are dying, often seeing the Light and deceased relatives waiting to help them cross over.

I'd be happy to be here for you by email, it definitely helps to write one's thoughts down as in a journal and when re-reading later can help clarify what you went through and what it means to your life. You'll be continually moving towards finding your purpose in this life, what you soul took on human form to accomplish or learn in the physical world. A NDE is like a giant leap onto one's spiritual path from which one has probably strayed and it will affect every aspect of their life. If you've now realized that we are spiritual beings having human being experiences, not the other way around; that we are in the world but not of it, your consciousness has evolved to another level (and we live in a multi-dimensional universe). It means that we have to learn to live in a different reality than unconscious people do. It means a lot of changes ahead, often having to let go of old friends, family members, jobs, careers, ways of living, as we become our authentic selves. They can't always follow us where this unfolding of higher consciousness leads us. I can't always respond to your email quickly as I'm involved in many projects and it often takes me hours to respond to someone's questions, finding the time isn't always easy, but I try to respond within a month unless it's some sort of emergency. In the meantime, there are a lot of links I've taken the time to check out and link to on my web site that you may find helpful as you grow beyond this wonderful life-changing experience. Please take the time to explore them... especially read other people's experiences. There are also many books available by NDErs.

Also there is an organization for and about NDErs called the International Assn. for Near Death Studies that offers many more resources, including the research going on concerning NDEs. The have local support groups in many areas, but I just checked their site and there is no one in the UK, but if you write to them, they may be able to put you in touch with a local NDEr. Maybe that's your first step, start up your own support group using their resources.

May this be the start of a wonderful adventure for you. Many blessing on your spiritual journey.
Peace & Joy!
Diane


 

Diane, thank you so much, I have just picked up your e.mail and it makes so much sense. Will e.mail you in more detail; later. What a relief to communicate with someone who understands how I feel. I have just been in the garden, contemplating things and you have hit the nail on the head in so many ways. Thank you again. Lin

 

 

 

 

Difficult to embrace who I've become

Hi,
My names Yulonda and about 12 years ago, i had a near death experience. I experienced and still experience a lot of the events that i've read about...i raced through this dark tunnel..to the light and became the light...i felt the overwhelming peace and love ...I heard my deceased mother tell me to go back..i hoovered in the corner of the hospital room while i witnessed the doctor and nurses...i saw the machine where i flat lined..more importantly is the truth that i found in our being and the overwhelmeing peace and love for people and life that i still experience today. What i find to be difficult is embracing who i've come to be as a result of my experience.I've always loved people, but now i feel this unmistakable energy from people especially ones in need of healing...I hope i can talk to you about this since i know you've also had a near death experience.... it would be my first time talking with someone i know who know's what i'm talkig about... I can't wait to hear from you...thanks so very much for the opportunity to contact you....

Sincerely,
Yulonda

 

Dear Yulonda,
Thank you for writing to me about your experience. It sounds like your mission to to become a healer... have you taken any classes, are you a health professional now, have you attempted to do any healings, are you leaning in any particular direction? How can I help you?

Peace & Joy!

Diane

 

Hello Diane,

Yes, i'm currently in school getting my masters in professional counseling and i used to be Christian, but now i'm a Metaphysician. I go to a Metaphysical church and its pretty much in alignment with how i operate in the world. I guess what i wanted to know was, did you immediately feel different about your experience? Did you question the reason for your experience? What is the result of your experience? Are you able to hold in your mind that experience of being the light and the memory of bliss?

I guess i just wanted to hear how someone else has made meaning of that experience.

Sincerely,
Yulonda


Dear Yolanda,
I'm not sure that all NDErs feel the same or go through the same experiences after their NDE, and those who have had multiple NDEs, I'm sure it's a whole different thing... and people may answer these questions differently over time after the event. Bruce Greyson, a researcher at the U. of Virginia has looked into the after-effects of experiencers, but I haven't seen his results. You might ask the Int'l Assn for Near Death Studies for some info (they publish the near death scientific journal) to give you a better perspective or to figure out where you and your experience fit into the mix. Also I've listed some NDE stories on my web site which you might find interesting.

However, personally, and 35 years after my NDE... the experience changed my life drastically. Even when I tried to bury the memories so I could live my life in the physical world (unconsciously like everybody else), it (the memory of the Light) was always there and continually resurfacing to get me back on my spiritual path. The NDE opened the door but I still had a choice whether to pursue the meaning or not. Sometimes I went in other directions for a while, follow the crowd to fit it, sowed my wild oats... until I finally realized that didn't matter!

I tend to look at my life in 7 year increments... 7 years after my NDE I returned to college to study psychology (necessary to help me understand human behavior and development, social systems, community relations, the way the world works). I learned all this during my time on the other side but I had to learn to step down the information to the level humans could relate to in order to become a teacher. Seven years later I opened a business called The Stress Management Center where I taught meditation, assertiveness training, goal setting, time management, and what stress does to one's health and well-beiing, to help people get themselves together. It may have actually been one of, if not the first, stress manangement centers in the country. From there my sister and I started a mind-body-spirit intergation program before anybody started talking about that concept. Seven years later I wrote my first book, Through the Tunnel, followed by Sitting in the Lotus Blossom, followed by my first web site, Beyond the Veil, which continues to be part of my spiritual work. I see it as a process of evolving consciousness, each thing I do evolves into something else. I see my mission in life and my purpose in living as doing what I can with what I've learned to help humanity evolve consciously and live peacefully surrounded by the Light.

I think had I not had an NDE, none of this would have happened and I would have ended up wasting this lifetime wallowing in mindless clutter or some such dreary end. As it is, I still have so many things that I want to accomplish yet in this lifetime that I don't have time to sit on the couch, eating potato chips, watching TV, getting fat, bored to tears, like so many people seem to be doing.

Hope that helps you some.
Peace & Joy!
Diane

 

 

 

Medical professional skeptical but curious

 

Diane,
Thank you for sharing your story with the world.    
I am a medical professional, and have been involved in hundreds of near death or "code" situations. After I read Dr. Moody's book, I began asking ressusitated patients if they remember antything about their NDE. Maybe I asked the wrong ones, but no one that I asked ever remembered anything about the experience. Even though I do believe in the cycle of our spirits, or souls, and I realize Dr. Moody had tons more patient to interview, I never was able to confirm it for myself. That doesn't mean I don't believe you. However I have had patients ask me to do this or that ...something odd. One in particular comes to mind. A patient one day asked me to roll up his bed so he could look outside one last time, beacuse he was about to die. I joked and told him not to worry he was fine.
Within thirty minutes he died. Go figure?
Anyway, enjoyed your story.....
Walt

 

Dear Walt,
I can't tell you why some people remember an experience and others don't... nor why some people experience a life review, others don't; why some reach a bridge or border they aren't allowed to cross and others don't; why do some experience a tunnel and others don't; why do some people have a hellish experience. Research is well under way in a lot of these areas, it's just difficult to design the instruments. I've answered questionnaires by everyone from high school students to doctoral candidates to Bruce Greyson who designs the studies for the Journal of the International Assn. of Near Death Studies. I always complain that they're not asking the right questions or asking them in the right way... so research is still in the early stages for definitive answers to be found. I'd like to know these things myself. In the meantime I can only surmise that there is a reason some people experience a visit to the other side and come back to tell about it... perhaps we who do, are the ones who will tell others.

My theory is that is has to do with the evolution of consciousness. If there's ever going to be peace on this planet, we all have to want it so much, nothing else will be possible. And I think there's a matter of some urgency these days but people aren't waking up fast enough so NDErs are another way to get the message out, to accelerate the expansion of the human mind toward God-Consciousness (basically meaning the Golden Rule rules).
Peace & Joy!
Diane

 

PTSD from NDEs

Hi,

I seem to be affected right before disasters ... as well as many days after. So much that I cannot eat, am throwing up, very depressed and cannot sleep. I am fighting such fear and confusion. I had a really hard time after 9/11 and basically a VERY dark night of the soul followed. I lost 80 pounds (I was over weight big time at that point, I guess that was the silver lining on that one), and went through the same feelings that I am having now but much more intense. I was not even able to get out of bed, I felt SO hopeless and helpless! Now the day after Christmas (Sunday) I woke up sick as a dog and sad as sad could be with a knot in my stomach. I assumed it was the flu until I heard what had happened. I should also mention that sites of horror (Pearl Harbor, places in Germany, etc., have greatly affected me while traveling... I am very sensitive).


Oh I am rambling on ... sorry. I am just SO confused and scared. I feel like it is 'end times', I have a 5 year old and am so sad about what his future might be like... I just wish I KNEW for sure about the next step after this as well as why the suffering in the world. I have almost drowned 3 times, each time I was pulled out (once not even conscious) and my life was spared... I feel I had an NDE but cannot remember it, just for the fact of my behavior after the incidents. I was a VERY advanced child and have had some strange things happen to and around me but still doubt the after life on a very base level (go figure, some people are just thick). I pray to remember ... but have such faith issues, I know I get in my own way.


I am one of those people whom does not want a big house or lots of money, I actually donate the majority of our income every year to charities. I feel if one has enough they should share the rest...

Oh well, enough.... I have rambled on and on and still don't feel like I have even shown you the tip of the ice berg. I just want to find my peace so I may be of service to others... I have given people spontaneous readings from people crossed as well as just info on themselves ... but still manage to explain it away and discount experiences as wishful thinking on my or their parts.
THICK>>> huh!

Well, just wondering if you too had to go through anything like this... I am so sad. I am again feeling like I just do NOT belong here.
Blessings,
Magi

Dear Magi,
Sounds like you may have PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) from NDEs but I'd have to know more. When did your near drownings occur and under what circumstances, in relation to your sensitive experiences. What are your religious beliefs related to end times? What kinds of strange things happened to you as a child? You may also have been psychic from an early age and just never knew what to do about it.

I believe that having an NDE activates kundalini energy and a person's nervous system can run amuck. If you're not familiar with kundalini, please return to my web site a read up on it. If it continues out of control, it can cause all kinds of physical and mental symptoms in a person. Learning meditation, chakra balancing and kundalini yoga can help you get it under control and use it's power to help you spiritually and to benefit others.

Another source of help might be IANDS (Int'l Assn. for Near-Death Studies).
Peace & Joy!
Diane

Hi again,

Thank you SO much for your kind and thoughtful response. You are a nurturing soul... I am very eager to get a handle on this... I often feel that I am not from around here ... or don't want to be here ... not like wanting to be dead, just not wanting to be on earth. And yet the fear of leaving it is SO immense in so many ways, the unknown, leaving family and friends, the physical pain of leaving, etc. It is an odd mix of feelings really. But I feel like I am supposed to be here (volunteered if you will) to help others and yet I feel SO lost and scared sometimes it is really slowing me down.

Oh, I was not raised in any particular religion per se... I did go on my own quest at the age of nine to try and find a religion that fit me. I settled with Catholic but for the past 20 odd years have not been into any organized religion (too much dogma for me, just my opinion). And as far as the end of the world, according to the bible... I am not sure about the bible. It has been rewritten SO many times I tend to wonder how much was added by humans... I seem to feel that anything that frightens me can not be coming from 'God', I just see her/him as a really nice, caring, full of love kinda universal force ... like I said, I can't get into the dogma ... but I did, at around 12 or 13 years old, read Cayce and Nostradomus (sp?) (among others), and it freaked me out then, kinda left me with a knot in my stomach because I felt fear that it may be the truth. And with that, I have held certain fears with 'end times' for years. I am sure the bible also saying that the end will come does not help either...

I have read Kundalini info, channeling info ... well, just about any metaphysical subject you can think of, I have explored to one extent or another and have had so many personal experiences that I should be convinced already! But I still find myself with out faith ... again, thick... I just don't get it.
Oh, I can/do go on ... sorry once again! I have not even touched on my son... I have a log from before he could actually even speak of incidences that were odd. Once he started speaking he amazed me even more. I think some of the things he has said have helped my faith more than any other experience I have had ... for the simple fact I could NOT come up with a source (other than 'source') that it could have come from.

Thank you again for letting me bounce this off you.
Blessings,
Magi

Dear Magi,

I can tell you that what you're feeling (don't belong here, not from here, etc.) is fairly typical from someone who's had a NDE or similar spiritual experience so don't be alarmed... it too will pass, new fears will arise and fall too. Understanding is a continuous process. You'll study religions from every angle looking for answers and will only find more questions. You need to go within to find the answers (you already know, have just forgotten). As you get more distance from the event, you see more of the big picture and things will fall into place. Everything you go through is for a reason which may not become clear until years later but one day you'll be able to look back and see how it all fits and led you to where you needed to be to do what it is you're supposed to do.

I suggest you read my book Sitting in the Lotus Blossom to show you how higher consciousness thinking develops and evolves.
Peace & Joy!
Diane

 

 

NDE with Past Life Memories?

Diane – Not sure this qualifies as an NDE, but here goes:

I was rushed to the hospital with a dissecting aorta. I don’t remember anything after I asked a fellow seminar attendee to help me because something was not right. Though I don’t remember it, I must have had the hospital call my ex-wife. Somehow my present lady friend was notified as well.

The tear was more extensive than anticipated and the aortic valve was replaced and a partial repair of the tear was performed. My ex and three teenaged daughters were counseled on my impending death. The doctors said I had a 10% chance of making it through the night. I made it through the night but had a reaction to Heprin that caused kidney failure, lung collapse, body seizures, a stroke, and swelling. A tracheotomy was performed and I was put into a drug-induced coma and kept there for the next four weeks while they tried to stabilize the situation.

My kids tell me I looked like the Pillsbury Dough Boy.

What I remember is being in a large room floored with very heavy and rough-hewn timbers. I was being attended by women and men dressed in Egyptian like clothing. They had hair dyed with Henna and very heavy make-up. They kept talking about their roles in the movie they were in. The doctors were the highest caste and the nurses and technicians the lower caste. I remember that I was extremely thirsty and I kept asking for water and no one would give me any. They did continually perform some kind of a test that involved a feathery object and body fluids. This went on for what seemed like several days with the characters coming and going, but no water. They had just run a test that had results different from the previous tests and they were concerned. Finally in desperation I gave up and I remember releasing all my bodily fluids at one time and the nurses and technicians (or whatever they were) trying to stop me. I don’t remember the transition from the first scene to the following.

Next I remember being in a small room in a sandstone cave with a wall blocking my way to the front. I was unable to move and don’t remember a sense of being in my body. Near the ceiling there was a ledge and on the ledge were three birds – a pure white one; a pure black one, and; a black and white one. Through a hole in the wall up near the ceiling I could see light and hear the voices of elders discussing things. I also could hear music that reminded me of Yanni, who I don’t like. The elders were discussing a story of a child who lived in a log cabin on the mountain. I could just hear bits and pieces though I do remember a discussion about a special blue stone that they were going to give the child as a reward for what he had done. The stone had to be grown and was sky blue with very fine whiskers emanating from it. [I’m remembering more as I type. The following I’m not very proud of but include because it is part of the story.]

I remember I was jealous of the child because his parents were able to afford the cost of the stone. I stole the stone from the box where it was kept and destroyed it. The story kind of reset and continued where the child was given the jewel after some kind of crisis that he survived. During this the white and black birds would fly away for varying periods of time and return to the ledge. The black and white bird never left the ledge. The music would come and go. The elders always kept a fire going because I could smell the smoke. Time didn’t have any meaning in this circumstance so I don’t know how long this went on.

At some point the birds became agitated and starting flying around the ledge. The white one turned towards me and flew right at me causing a blinding white light. I woke up in the intensive care unit about four weeks after I had gone in. I still had the tracheotomy in and couldn’t talk. My family would come to visit and I would just get agitated because I couldn’t answer their questions. 5 weeks later I was moved to a rehabilitation hospital.

I spent the next three weeks in Stage one Cardiac rehab and finally was released to come home.

I have tried to discuss parts of this experience with my sister who had a similar aortic dissection ten years ago. Her interpretation is that I was trying to decide whether or not to “come back”. The doctors at the hospital essentially said,” Don’t worry about it and move on.” I can accept my sister’s interpretation, but am curious if there is more to it.

 

My life has been changed forever

Hello! I too had a NDE about two years ago. I have felt very alone in regards to this tremendously wonderous experience. I have expressed my 'dying' to a hand full of people. What I find difficult to do is describe the experience with words......in essence there are no words that can describe what happened to me. I believed there would be life after death but no I KNOW. My NDE occurred about 2 years ago when I experienced a mal gran seizure. Help came almost one hour later when my child and husband found me. I remember going through a dark and tight tunnel at an incredible speed. I immediately found myself in a bright and white light. My eyes were not hurt by this light although it was very brilliant. It was also filled with great peace and I had the sensation of warmth. I saw my uncle and my grandfather who had both passed away many years before. They were there to guide me on my journey but realizing they were 'dead' I willed my spirit to move towards my home. It was at this point I say myself being carried out of my home by EMS workers. My husband was on my right. I saw people around my house. I desperately tried to scream but I could not understand why they couldn't hear me. I propelled my arms and legs to run to my husband. But all I saw were colors of every kind swirling all around me. I then willed my hand to get the attention of my neighbor who was next to me and I was shocked to see that I went right through his body. It was at this time I realized I could not feel the heat of the sun or wind as I watched the leaves move on a tree. I now knew that I had died but I didn't know how this had happened. I felt so alone in this very beautiful light and very much afraid. A young man with a sparking gold robe appear out of no where. I became very frightened and all I wanted to do was go back to my family. The man said "Do not be afraid." As I turned to face him it was made known in my very soul that he was my creator. The love that eminated from this being which for me was Christ was beyond words. It was beyond all comprehension. He loved me so very much! I went into another tunnel this time filled with colors that aren't on this Earth and I saw how his large hands held me ever so gently. He took me to different plains of eternity. It was so very beautiful and filled with only love and peace. I saw other beings that had a different type of light surround them. I was made to learn that all that matters in life is love. I was actually shown all the times I had neglected to love and all the opportunities I had missed. This wonderous and loving Being never condemned me. I was told my this Being that if I chose to stay I will be happy forever and I will not want for anything. I was taught and shown many beautiful things and although I could have stayed I wanted to go back to my family. I was granted a second chance at life and with great speed I went into a dark tunnel and into my body. My life has been changed forever. All that truly matters is love.

 

NDEr has revelation

Diane:

I came to your website today and had a revelation.

You see I also had a NDE. I was quite young when it happened so I don't exactly remember all of the details, though I do still retain some faint visions about it. While I was still an infant, I awoke my parents in the middle of the night to me screaming. My father described the scream to be out of this world. They rushed to my room to find me covered in blood. A few days later, my mother noticed a crescent shaped cut on my tongue so we figured that I must have cut my tongue on my crib somehow.

The thing is though is I had a picture of Christ in my room in which I urged my parents to remove because it "frightened me". After I became able to talk more coherently I told my parents that the reason the picture scared me, was because it actually spoke to me. I also said that the sun came in my room once and talked to me. After I got older the memories faded away and I just chalked them up as dreams I just vaguely remembered from my early childhood. After I got older, my parents told me about them and it brought back a lot of the visions I had at the time and realized that they were reality.

Ever since about a year or so ago, it seems that things in my life keep happening with some intent to push me into a certain direction. After being an IT technician for a while I decided that is wasn't for me. I became increasing self-aware of my ability to psychoanalyze people. I began thinking about going back to college to study pyschology. Unforunatley, I have a lot of self-doubts about being able to accomplish what I want. I've been worrying about if I'll actually have the chance to go to school. I've been afraid of failing. Just yesterday I had a bit of a fit of rage in which I practically begged God to show me a sign about where my life was suppose to go. Later in the evening I spoke to a friend who is just beginning to find spiritualality/God. I came home and after a little while of surfing the net I got thinking about the conversation I had about him and my near death expeirence. So I typed "near death expeirence" into a search engine. I skipped the first couple of links for some reason and clicked on yours first. I read about your expeirence and then came across the part where you went to school for pyschology. As soon as I read that, a shiver came across my body, as I realized that this was the sign I had asked for. Something told me that is was conicdence, or that I was just "reading to much into it". It might not seem very significant just to read my story, but given the context that everything fell into today, it's almost cannot be fanthomed. What even made more sense is when I went back to the main page and saw "There are no accidents, you were guided to this site for a reason" This is when I truly believed that God had sent me to your site.

The ironic part is, I wasn't looking for any omens today. And espcially omens on the net. I just wanted to let you know about my NDE and how coming to your site effected me. Thank you very much.

Paul

Dear Paul,
Well now you know how our souls go about getting our attention, nudging us toward our spiritual path. Just keep following your instincts, these little coincidences will lead you toward your path. What you learned from your experiences will become more clear to you. Meditation is the most helpful thing you can learn to do to to keep you focused.

What led me to go back to college after 17 years to study psychology began when I threw my back out at work. My life was a mess at the time. My career path in advertising/sales promotion had collapsed, I was managing a fast food restaurant and lifting heavy containers of food prep when it snapped. I couldn't get out of bed one morning and was pretty much bed-bound for the next three months... I lost my job, had no insurance and no money. Eventually I got involved in a pain-management program that got me up and around again, but I could only be up for a few hours at a time. I couldn't work so I began volunteering at a battered women's shelter close to where I lived. I had always been the kind of person who attracted people with problems and even complete strangers would start telling me their problems... I was a good listener. Working at the shelter, I realized counseling and helping others was my calling. Basically I moved heaven and earth to arrange my life so I could go back to school. I started at a community college just to see if I could actually deal with being in college again and took all the requirements I was missing (I had had 1-1/2 years previously). I did so well that I transferred to a university and completed my BA in 3 years then went for my masters. It wasn't an easy path... I was a single parent with 3 teenagers at the time... I cleaned houses and offices, walked dogs, typed papers and other odd jobs, also got financial aid. So even though it may be difficult, it's extremely rewarding.

There are a lot of courses available now that take a more spiritual approach... even psychology has expanded. When I was in school, behaviorism was being invaded by the cognitivists and spirituality was only lightly talked about. I was a pioneer in bringing the psycho-spiritual aspect into the mainstream. Now we are bridging the gap between science and spirit so it's a good time to get involved. Don't worry about exactly what you want to pursue in the field, it will come to you as you go... as your spiritual path evolves. If I can be of any help along the way, please email me.
Peace & Joy!
Diane

Dear Paul,
The kind of degree you should go for depends on the kind of work you want to do and the kind of situation you want to work in (rather than how much money you can make). My path evolved as I went through the educational process, I didn't have clear goals in mind. New areas are opening up in psychology... when I was in school, psychoanalysis was out of favor, behaviorism was the prevailing model with cognitive and developmental coming up... now psycho-spiritual is all the rage. If you wanted to go in that direction, more and more curriculums are opening up. You might also combine it with music... there is music therapy as well as music thanatology (for the dying). so keep your options open and keep searching for your soul path. Your books will evolve out of your work.

Peace & Joy!

Diane

Diane,

Many thank you's for the reply. I'm glad that you told the story about your path in pyschology. I've been talking to many people about the field and most of them say the same, "Yeah, it's a really hard field to make it in". Though the odd thing is, most of them have no experience in the field and are just giving 2nd and 3rd person accounts, so I'm not really sure if I should take their advice to heart. I'm not really interested in psychology to make 6 digit figures or anything like that. It just seems to be one of the professional fields that I would greatly enjoy. I rather work a job I love for 8 dollars an hour than one I hate for 15 dollars. To me, career decisions are all about being happy, not trying to gain as many material possessions as you can. Don't get me wrong, money is there to enjoy, but I've never longed to drive an expensive European car and have a house in the snootty side of town. Currently, I'm not sure of exactly what type of employment I would like to take with the degree. I'm thinking counseling would be a great path to choose. I would really like to go after a PHd after college, but when it comes that time, I think it will be more clear if I want to go after it, or opt for a Master's instead. I have a few ideas for books also.

I'm also going to have to make a few life altering decisions to go. My other love in life is music. I was a professional bassist for about a year. I'm thinking about going on the road for a year or two to take care of financial situations (and see the world) and it seems like the little coicidences in life are pushing me in that direction also.

I have a question though. You said you went to community college first. Is it possible to go to community college for 2 years, then transfer to a university for 2 years and obtain your bachelor's that way, or do you have to do a full 4 years in University no matter what? I never was involved with degree oriented colleges so I never really understood the credit system.

Again, thank you for replying to my e-mail.

Paul

Yes, you can go to a community college for two years then transfer to a university. It's a cheaper way to go... get all your lower requirements out of the way at the community college. In some cases, life experience is considered.

I wish you well on your path.
Peace & Joy!
Diane

Reaction to anesthesia?

Hi:

I had my tonsils removed when I was about 10 years old. I'm 52 now. I remember during the operation looking down at myself from above. There was this very bright white light all around me and I heard someone say "Frank get the oxygen, Frank get the oxygen". I have always wondered if this was just a normal reaction to the anesthesia or was it an NDE. Can you help me put this to rest?

Thanks
Tom Di Salvo

Dear Tom,
I don't think that's a normal reaction to anesthesia. I've been under anesthesia a number of times and it never happened to me. It sounds like a first stage NDE, the out of body experience where you can see your body from above and hear what people around you are saying. Apparently you needed oxygen so something must have happened... was Frank the anesthesiologist?

A lot of anesthesiologists give reports of NDEs among patients when they took them too far under and had to bring them back... it sounds like that's what happened to you. The only way to check would be to ask someone who was there or check hospital records... and it's been a while.

The thing to look at would be how has it affected your life? There would be some progressive spiritual unfoldment if you had an NDE. Hope that helps a bit.
Peace & Joy!
Diane

 

I remember it like it was yesterday

dear diane
when i was only 15 years old i was taken ill with direr & sickness and being a diabetic did not help me . So i was taken to bed & looked after by my mother but according to my mother i got woarse so she called the doctor owh got to me late when he did arrive & see me he said i better call for an amberlance because he is going into a commer. The amazing thing about this now is i can not rember eny of this but i do what happend latter. As far as i no i fell asleep and i was in this really Brita lite it all most resembled smog but i felt emense love all over & arond me . i felt like a feather but see throu my mind i did not want to leave but now i had to something told me but dident if you now what i mean. But then i felt my self falling so increadly fast but i was still not fritend by this . when i stopped i opened my eyes & see i was in some kind of ward the weared thing is i thourt this was a dream it was not i was acculy in I.C.U (intensive care unit). When i got better my mother & family told me that the doctors only gave me five minets to come around again if dident i would slip away.

Some 23 years on and i still remeber it as if it was yesterday. IT left me a messige that life is presius love your life &that stays in my mind day after day--paul

Dear Paul,
That's the way near death experiences are! Thank you for sharing your story with me. It sounds like you got the right message. I pray that you honor it every day by the way you live your life and express that love into the world.
Peace & Joy!
Diane

 

There are others out there

I don't know how I got on your mailing list, but Thank God I did! I went to a traditional Sunday school class this morning and came back with my usual empty feeling. I either can be argumentative or just keep my mouth shut during discussions. I normally choose the latter.

This morning, the teacher asked, "What is unconditional love?" All of us who have had NDE's know the answer. Those who have not, I have found in this southern Bible Belt community, are not ready to hear it.

I had already said, "I think that statement is insulting to our intelligence!" I was referring to a statement in our present text that indicated that only parents who are Christians can know unconditional love for their children.

I went on to ask if the author truly expected his readers to believe that parents who are Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, etc. could not know unconditional love for their children. I would say by the silence in the classroom that this was a correct assessment on my part.

When I returned home I had my usual Sunday "why do I even bother?" feeling. Checking my email, I found your message and clicked on your site.

By the time I read a few letters under "Paranormal Experiences" I had tears running down my cheeks. I have had 2 NDE's, the first at age 2 and the second in my 30's. Like one of the sweet letters I read on your site, my husband informed me (after my second experience), "If you ever tell anyone else about that, I'll have you committed." (He's not my husband any more and I've told lots of people!)

Thanks for letting me know there ARE others out there. I really knew it but live out in the country where it's quiet and peaceful , so sometimes I forget.

Val

Dear Val,
Thank you for your email... as you know there are no coincidencs. Please continue to go out and knock people off their foundations if that's your spiritual path. We NDErs came back with the mission, each in our own way, to wake people up. I think keeping quiet about it has held humanity back for too long!
Peace & Joy!
Diane

 

Difference between afterlife and near death experiences?

Could you tell me if AFTER LIFE experience is the same as NEAR DEATH experience and also what your opinion on this subject. Second question is since you mention traveling thru books of tunnel what is the trueth on old testament and new testament? I'm finding a lots of researchs on the new testsment of being a fraud and the proof is there. Not to be rude.

Thanks, Jerry

Dear Jerry,

There are degrees of near death experiences, some people experience more than others and time doesn't necessarily have anything to do with it. In the early stages there is a separation from the body during which the person sees what's going on around him and may go to where loved ones are while this is happening. At some point, he may feel pulled into a tunnel and see the white light. They may meet up with relatives who have gone on before or see angels or Jesus or Buddha. Up to here, people don't usually speak of it in terms of being in the afterlife. This is also as far as many people get, they may be pulled back from the experience, perhaps resuscitated. Those who continue the experience, go into the light or join with the light, become one with it. From there they may find themselves having either a hellish (Bardo) or heavenly experience, or they may find themselves in an environment similar to earth environment but a heavenly version of it. These are referred to more often as afterlife experiences. In my subjective opinion, afterlife experiences begin when one is pulled into the tunnel away from his physical body and surroundings, but it could be anywhere along the continuum. Some would say the afterlife doesn't begin until actual death, but having had the near death experience I had, I don't agree.

For your second question, I'm going to suggest you read my book, Sitting in the Lotus Blossom. It will answer many of these kinds of questions and in turn generate deeper questions which will expand your consciousness.

Peace & Joy!

Diane

 

What makes you decide to stay or come back?

I have not experienced ND, but I do believe in life after death. I have lost 2 brothers in freak accidents, my mother from cancer and my father from a stroke, my question to you is, what is the deciding factor to stay in the after life or return to life hear on earth? I feel so much pain from their passing, and my one brother left a 20 month old son that he adored-what makes you decide to stay or come back? Thanks for your time and any insight you can bring to me.

Sincerely, Michelle

Dear Michelle,

I'm not sure whether you're asking about the decision to return or not during a near death experience or after dying and spending time on higher planes and deciding whether to reincarnate so I'll assume you mean the former and are questioning why your family members crossed over rather than just have a near death experience and come back. I feel that when we decide to incarnate again, we also decide how long we will stay with that body... not to the exact moment, but within a given time frame, perhaps even in years, for example, in my early 20's or shortly after my 50th birthday. However we also decide on a mission before we come in and may give ourselves 10 years or 30 years or 90 years to complete it, after which we are free to return. So if we have an accident or get a disease where we come close to death and it is within the time frame, we could chose to cross over... if it's too early, we can chose to come back. It is very attractive, going into the Light, feeling overwhelmed by the love of God, seeing other relatives who have crossed over full of light and love... I didn't want to come back but I was told it wasn't my time, that I had more work to do. So it's not an easy answer. A better question to ask yourself would be why have you survived? You have all these guides, teachers, guardian angels watching over you, what are you doing to honor their lives and keep their spirits alive? Accept their guidance, learn to go within and follow your heart. Meditation is a great place to start but it only works if you practice every day. Go to Lessons Beyond the Veil: Meditation and begin.

Peace & Joy!

Diane

Has anyone ever experienced hell and came back?

Has anyone ever experienced hell and came back? I do believe in an afterlife but not in a hell except for maybe those living here who haven't reached the level of the heart to care about others. Those people to me are already in hell. but I don't know. I don't claim to have any answers. I do feel like the creator is trying to comminute with me these days. I have been reading the bible and things are starting to make a lot of sense that never did. but hell still doesn't make Sense nor do demons. I see them as symbolic of ourselves and our fears here on earth and our inability to take responsibility for our own actions. my experience wasn't that of near death but one day I asked for the truth and all of a sudden I felt this really strong presence on me. And I was in prayer for about three months almost entirely. This presence was with me for the whole three months like a hard condemning presence. I finally admitted that I was the one who did all the bad things in my life and no one made me do them. the presence started lifting and becoming easy on me. It was still there but not as strong or hard. that's the only way to describe it. I started reading mythology and began to think all religions and thought of the afterlife were myth. but there was still these unexplainable things that have happened to me in my life. I had a friend come to me in a dream once asking for help just three days before he died. no one believes I had this dream but I did. His face was very clear. though it was demonic. But I perceived this as his drug abuse not him. If I had known what it was I was seeing maybe I could have helped him? But I thought it was just a dream until I received a phone call from my brother that he had actually died. of an overdose. I don't know what it is that the spirit I perceive as what most call the holy spirit, (Even Indians call it this) Want's me to do but I am going to keep listening. And keep walking towards the light. With your story and others I am starting to believe It is not myth at all....but the only way for us to explain it to each other in terms we can understand...If you have any insight about hell I would be interested to hear it.

Thank you Lisa

Dear Lisa,

Yes, many people have experienced "hell" during near death experiences... there's a book about it and at least one web site, which you'll find among my links and in the bookstore. You'll find a description of the experience of "hell," which is actually something experienced during the Bardo in my book, Through the Tunnel. It's not a place but a state of mind... all Bardo experiences are constructs of the mind. When we turn to the light, they disappear. But it's definitely not a place we go to experience eternal damnation or any such thing.

Keep listening and walking towards the light... it's the journey.

Peace & Joy!

Diane

 

Organ transplant recipient has NDE-like aftereffects

I received an organ transplant two years ago, and although I do not remember the types of things you write about regarding NDE, the effect upon my being as a result of the experience is as you describe.

Greg

Dear Greg,

Many people have the experience of nearly dying without having any memory of what's come to be known as a near death experience, but as you've realized, the effect is the same. I think it's an evolutionary leap of consciousness that is quietly taking place for the benefit of humankind.

Peace & Joy!

Diane

 

Childhood NDE

when i was four years old my mother was in the hospital having my youngest sister. my dad droped myself and my oldest sister off to any one who would watch us .well one day in the arkansas moutains he was dropping us off and i was on the back porch of this home. i don't recall whos home it was, but anyway it was on this mountain side. i remember falling off in this deep ravine. i dont recall any pain but i remember floating up between the mountains and seeing beautiful colors and feeling everything would be alright, but i wanted to see my mother one last time to tell her bye and how i was ok not to worry. then i seen a man who resemble jesus who said my mother needed me but i could come back again one day and no matter what he told me always do the best you can. then i remember waking up and people around me asking if i was ok. then an ambulance pulled up and the guys in the back got out and looked at me and said he is fine.

sincerely from billy

 

Dear Billy,

Thank you for sharing your experience with me. It's interesting that so many people have these experiences but no one talks about them... well, many people who have never talked about them before find the courage to tell me about them. But if they were talked about openly, people would be more aware that there are other dimensions of experience and that we do not die, we simply move between dimensions in different forms. You were lucky to have this experience because you know and don't let anyone tell you it didn't happen. You know it happened and it should be a guiding force in your life to get you and keep you on your spiritual path.

Peace & Joy!

Diane

thank you dianne for your courage to speak out. i never wanted to say much about it because i felt people would think i was crazy. now im grown and live a good life and i treat people like i want to be treated . now im a policeman in (town deleted) Georgia. if you ever come threw say hi and have a merry christmas.

 

 

NDE changed my life

Hello,

My name is Mac and I had a NDE in the year 1999 august. It was a wake up call for me. I had a drug over dose which now I no longer do. I'm no saint but this experience changed my view of life and how I was living it.

Since that time my focus has seem to be greater. I now own my own business which sells a food product and its doing well

I also became deeper involved with my life long passion (music). I started a band something I was afraid to do. I play lead guitar and sing. I still don't know the big picture but something or someone is leading me in my spirit and I look forward to the future regardless of the hard times.

Just thought I would let you know this.

one other strange thing. I live close to the river where you had your nde. I have been thinking about it for the last month and today I found your web site .I've been wanting to go there for some reason. Its like my spirit is drawing me to go. What do you make of it ? I think theres something special about that river. got to go bye.

Thanks

Mac

Dear Mac,

Thank you for writing. It's wonderful to hear from people who have this kind of wake up call in time to get back to their spiritual path. It is your soul you have awakened to and whose path you are following (and leading). Perhaps the river is symbolic of the emotions in your music and the desire to go there is a soul message that will lead your to expand your consciousness in that direction. I would go, just sit and meditate to the sound of the river, see what comes. I think there is a need for more musicians who have had NDEs to awaken others through sound vibrations. I wish you well on your path.

Peace & Joy!

Diane

 

 

NDE by drug overdose

This happened to me many years ago and I was afraid to tell anyone about it. I use to do drugs and pop pills and drink heavy. I was on a binge at the time when this happened to me. I remember that night which is etched in my mind forever. I was drinking,poping pills,and doing drugs when I felt quite ill. I told my buddies that I was going upstairs to lie down. As I was going up stairs I had this nauseateing gut feeling come over me .I struggled to get to my bedroom and laid on the bed. Thats when things started to really happen. Everything started to spin around and it started getting black. I tried to call for help but no sound came from my mouth. I knew that I had over dosed and was going to die.

The next thing that happened I felt myself floating and looking down at my self lying on the bed .I was not moving and my face looked real pale. The next thing that happened my grandmother and grandfather were standing beside me holding my hands. They were both smiling at me. We started walking towards what looked like a dark tunnel and proceeded to walk through this tunnel. It was dark and felt cold and damp,but as we proceeded on our way I felt totally clam. I dont know how far we walked but eventually I could see a bright light approaching us. When we came out what I saw was a beautiful warm and bright place and I felt totally at peace. I dont know how long I stood there with my gran parents. It was so peaceful and so warm, that for the first time in my life I felt free from all the pressures of everything. After a while my grandparents turned to me and told me that it was not my time and that I had alot of things that were not finished that had to be done .Then we turned and walked back the way we came .We were looking down at my body lying on the bed and my grandparents both looked at me and said that when my time came that I would know and that my road in life had many hardships ahead, but that they would be watching over me and all my children. They then told me to go back to my body which paramedics had been working on trying to revieve me. I felt myself been drawn back into my body and then I was revived. I was taken to the hospital for observation and released the next day.

What happened to me is hard to explain but it also changed my life for the better,even with all the hardships over the years. My grandparents still come to me. Sometimes they are in my dreams and sometimes I have seen them standing at the foot of the bed smiling and watching over me. They are my gaurdian angels, for without them I surly would have died .I might add that I never told anyone about this for years for fear they would think that I was crazy and it was a wonderful experience.

Seth

Dear Seth,

I'm honored you chose to share your experience with me. I understand what you mean about talking about it. The good thing is that it's being talked about so much now and people want to hear it. People like us often turn to the ministry, alternative health care and volunteerism, especially hospice, because people believe there is more to life than they have been led to believe and hearing our stories gives them hope... so don't be afraid to share your stories with others... just be sure you share them with the people who are open to hearing about it. I wish you well on your spiritual journey.

Peace & Joy!

Diane

 

Difficult time getting over NDE

Diane

I recently, March, had a near death experience as I was very ill, I had Septicemia. I'm having a difficult time getting over the experience, to realize that such a short time ago I almost died, it's overwhelming. I did read one of your email replies that mentioned it may take 7 years to get over such an ordeal. Do you have any suggestions towards this recovery. I find myself wanting to tell everyone about my experience, realizing that some do not want to hear it. I'm not sure if I want compassion, sympathy, or for people to realize that they should be happy with what they have, their health, and their great potentials in life.....

Belinda

 

Dear Belinda,

I hope it's comforting to know that many people have gone through the same experience and that their lives changed, often quite drastically. NDErs are usually motivated to make changes in their lives and turn to a higher calling (many of us end up working with hospice or as hospital volunteers or go into the ministry). But there's an ongoing process to it, shedding of the old ways and materialism, becoming one's authentic self, discovering one's spiritual path, understanding how to live as both a human and divine being. It seems to take about 7 years to integrate the experience into one's life and that's just the beginning. It's not something one gets over, it becomes one's life.

Just relax and allow your soul to guide you toward your mission in life. Write, paint, draw, sing about your experience, it's very cathartic. Don't tell everyone about it but as you develop your intuition, you will learn discernment and you'll know who needs to hear about it. Expect to have ups and downs, it's not a smooth, predictable nor easy journey. Definitely learn meditation (you'll find lessons on my web site) to connect with your soul or higher self for guidance. Bless you on your path.

Peace & Joy!

Diane

 

Why do some people not remember their NDE? and other questions

Hi Diane. I would like to say that for the most part I do believe in near death experiences, but there is a part of me that does not believe, because I have heard of some people who have said they were clinically dead but had no out of body experiences. Why did some people have them, but others did not?? Does God "forget" about some people? My other question concerns reincarnation. Have we all lived past lives, and is each successive life a "step up" so to speak, in reaching our ultimate goal? My next question has to do with time in the next life. Is time the same as we know it here on earth?Are there clocks and watches? Final question: Other than the challenge of striving to become more like God in the next world, are there any other challenges? For example, here on earth, we have mental challenges, such as, striving to do our best in school/college/work and physical challenges, such as seeing how fast we can run, how high we can jump, etc. I enjoy these challenges of life and would hope we can attain levels of physical and mental greatness in the next life. In other words, I know how important love is in this world and the next, but it seems like things might get a little boring in the next life without these different challenges. Hope to hear from you.

 

Dear Dan,

Why some people have or remember an experience beyond the body and some don't is probably an unanswerable question. It may have to do with the level of spiritual development, in some cases NDErs are told they won't remember, for some people it may be enough to know that they died and were brought back, but the purpose of an NDE seems to be to set the person on their spiritual path and even those who don't have any recall seem to be more attracted to spirituality than they were before so maybe it doesn't matter whether they remember anything.

We've probably all lived thousands of past lives and since no one has spent a dime on researching the subject we don't know as much as we could if it were taken seriously. Most modern religions stress one life because if we knew we had other opportunities we might be careless with this life-- and really what is important is the life we're living now. It's becoming more clear that the "step up" theory is not really accurate. It's more like our Soul is accumulating experiences to round out it's personality. We may be studying qualities or characteristics and in each life we experience it from a different angle to broaden our perspective-- to eventually become Whole (see Bletzer, Self-Disclosure of a SOUL Memory). It is our Soul that is evolving, not our human being. The Soul may already know everything, but it is not enough to "know," one must experience it to incorporate it into the Whole Being. So reincarnation is more of a process of becoming through experience-- becoming what? Now there's a good question. I could say co-creators with God in the Universe and essentially that's true, but I'm not sure how to make that understandable. You'd have to forget everything you know about being human living in the physical world and imagine yourself as a great and powerful spiritual being that lives and breathes in a world without form or limitations, and that's hard to grasp unless you've had an NDE or an experience of connecting with higher consciousness.

In the physical world, we experience time as linear, but in the spiritual world there is really no time (and definitely no clocks or watches!). Everything may be happening simultaneously, no past no present no future, just now. It is certainly irrelevant and unnecessary-- which it really is here also. The sun and the seasons imposed time on us, but a lifetime of 100 years on earth is only a brief flash to our Soul..

As I said above, life goes on after the death of a physical body, which is just a temporary state of being. There is much to learn and do on the other side, depending on the level of spiritual development of the Soul. Integrating the experiences and knowledge from each physical life is the task of younger Souls, refining the talents and interests pursued in life is another. Older Souls are closer to becoming Co-Creators and this is pretty intense, certainly more challenging than anything we can create in the physical dimension. Let's stretch the imagination a bit and say that this might mean learning to create a solar system that obeys all the physical laws and planets capable of supporting life and intelligent life forms capable of housing other Souls who want to experience being human. Is that challenging enough?!

Obviously this is all speculation, I have no idea what I'm talking about!

Peace & Joy!

Diane

Thanks for answering my questions. I've become more interested in all of this in the last few years because of the death of both of my grandparents, who were like parents to me. It would be nice if there was a way i could contact them to see how they are doing since they passed away, but I know this is impossible. Again, thanks for your letter and answers.

Dear Dan,

I don't know, there are some pretty good mediums out there. Read James Van Praagh's book, Talking to Heaven... also the Guggenheim's book, Hello from Heaven (personal stories of communication)... John Edward's book, Crossing Over... anything by Sylvia Browne.

Peace & Joy!

Diane

 

Struggles after a NDE

After reading your article, I'm sitting here with tears streaming down my face and sobbing uncontrollably. I had a near death experience in January of 1997 and have been struggling like you did to find answers to all of my questions and feelings. It seems no one here on earth can understand what I went through (or maybe they're afraid to learn this knowledge) and when I try to explain my experience to them, they act like I'm crazy or that I have made up things I saw. Since I came back, I have been struggling like a fish out of water - not knowing how to feel, how to act - just like I'm a wanderer here on earth. My only solace is being alone with total peace and quiet around me. I can't seem to go to church anymore because I find the congregation so cold and out of touch with God. Instead, I have thrown myself into a new business at age 50, and I work constantly. I just feel like I don't belong here, and I can't find my purpose for having my life saved. I know that the only reason I'm alive is because of a lot of prayer, and I simply don't feel worthy.

I'm so glad I found your article, and I can't wait to read your book - not so much to find out what happened to you, but to find out how you have survived since returning. You're a brave person to write about these things, and I thank you.

 

Dear P.J.,

I'm glad you found my story and realized you're not alone. That's what's so great about the internet, being able to spread the information. When I had mine in 1971 there was no one to talk to and my life went crazy after it. The best thing I can tell you is to keep on doing what you're doing, there will be a lot of changes even though you don't plan them, you're being guided, and when you look back there's no way you could have known how you got to where you end up. I've found from myself and other NDErs that it takes about 7 years to integrate the experience and be more aware of your spiritual path. People today have the advantage of knowing others who have had the experience but I think the 7 years still holds true. A good thing to do is to keep a journal. It helps clear your thoughts and when you look back on it, you'll get a clearer perspective on your path. You don't know now where it is leading you so just follow your heart, your interests, what makes you happy. Definitely learn to meditate, it really helps to calm the inner turmoil and helps you live in peace and trust your inner wisdom. If I can answer any questions, please feel free to email me.

Peace & Joy!

Diane

 

Thank you, Diane, for answering my e-mail. It's nice to know someone cares about this phenomenon. I haven't had a chance to get your book yet, because I've started a new business, and we're trying to build it up. It's getting really busy now, so much that we have to work late every evening. I even worked on July 4th!

I do have a few questions, if you don't mind trying to answer them for me. How do I find my purpose for having my life spared, and will I know it when it comes? Why am I finding it so difficult to find my spiritual path back to God? My NDE was strange to say the last, and if you will bear with me when I try to describe it, maybe you can make some sense out of it with all of your research you have done. My problems arose from post-surgery. I developed a condition called ARDS (adult respiratory distress syndrome). I also had septecemia and other severe complications. The female physician who caused all of this was walking out of my room the last evening before I died. If it hadn't been for a doctor friend of mine coming to see about me, I wouldn't be here. He recognized my condition and had me in ICU within 10 minutes. I was on life support (ventilator) and in a coma for 8 days.

I was aware I was going to die. My daughters and the rest of my family were called to come to the hospital. There was absolutely no hope. My doctor friend, said that he had never seen anyone live with ARDS, and neither had any of the other doctors he called in to examine me. When I died, I wasn't aware that I had, but I knew I was going somewhere and felt myself crossing through what felt like a wall of water or some kind of material. I stepped into a totally dark place and peace and security surrounded me. Up to my right was the brightest light anyone could ever see with light rays coming from it. I will never be able to describe how glistening and pure it was. I've told people that if you put flood lights on a hill of diamonds, it still would not be as pure as this light. To my left was something I can't quite remember, but it seemed like a gray mass which resembled something I had to crawl through to be able to get anywhere else. I was hesitant about trying to find how to get into it, because I had the feeling I would never get out of it. So, I "floated" there for my 8 days before I came back.

I can distinctly remember telling myself that I would just stay there, because no one could ever hurt me again. I just can't describe the wonderful feeling I had. I knew that I could go up to the light at any time, but was afraid to go there, too. Then I heard my youngest daughter's voice screaming at me to come back and to wake up. When I did wake up, I later found out that she was literally screaming at me as loud as she could. I remember thinking.....what on earth does she want now? And that's the reason I woke up. My doctor friend still calls me his "miracle patient", because he said that absolutely no one can live through ARDs.

Does any of this make any sense to you? I hate to type so much and bother you again, but I am desperate for answers that may lead to a little understanding. Thank you so much!!

 

Dear P.J.,

As for your experience, I'd say it reflects your life, indicating something has been holding you back, most likely a fear. Possibly as deep as a past-life fear carried into this existence to resolve. My guess would be a bad death, maybe suffocation, perhaps in a cave-in of some sort.

It's interesting that you say you're starting a business, certainly a risk-taking move. Is this entrepreneurial step a new direction for you? If it is, it could indicate movement along your spiritual quest for understanding. Nothing to do with whether you succeed or fail, but that you are stepping out of your comfort zone and crawling through that "gray mass" to see what's on the other side. In the course of this journey, you will have to deal with your fears and once you face them and realize they have no power over you, that no matter what, YOU survive, you'll experience a big growth spurt in coming to know yourself-- Self-Realization. Eventually you will come to the full understanding that you are a spiritual being having a human experience, not the other way around.

Your life wasn't spared, P.J. On some level you chose to come back rather than stay in that peaceful, safe place where no one could hurt you even though you knew that meant you'd get hurt. On some level, you knew then there was something you wanted to come back to do. The only problem is, you forgot! Return to the body often does that. Our Ego thinks it's protecting us by burying information we really need, but the subconscious can be accessed. Hypnosis is one way, including past-life regression, but meditation is really the best way. By learning to listen to the Silence, all knowledge is available to us.

As to Degree of Difficulty, if it were easy, everyone would be enlightened, as some guru said. I think in the Bible it says something like many will start, few will finish, and it is like walking the razor's edge. It's not an easy path and many give up before they really get started, many will fall into deep despair. Let go of needing something to happen and it will unfold in your life. Be guided by your inner wisdom, trust that you have higher guidance and that you are never alone. Everything that you are doing today is creating your future, follow your heart, do what you love to do. Practice compassion and forgiveness. If it feels good, you are on the path. Keep doing what you're doing as long as it serves you. When it stops feeling good, when it begins to hurt or gets fearful, you are off the path. Just make a course correction. If you have stopped meditating, go back to it. Clear your mind, get out of your own way, and listen to your Soul.

Peace & Joy!

Diane

 

Thank you, Diane, for responding to my questions. You're a very kind person. Hopefully one day I'll have the joy in my life that you've found in yours!

 

The Near Death Experience

by Father Peter McDermott

Picpet@aol.com

It would take far too long for me to describe all the events which culminated in my being the victim of an attempted assassination. Suffice to say that I had led a somewhat dangerous, sinful and precarious life prior to this particularly fateful day......

For some reason, the most likely being that they had been paid to be sick on that day, probably by the people who badly wanted me out of the picture. So much for loyalty. Regardless, I was without my usual compliment of three body guards on that night. I really should in hindsight have realized something was not quite right, but in all likelihood my arrogance had got in the way of my seeing the obvious, I nevertheless went on with my business for the day. As evening drew in, as was my custom, I made my way to a strip club I often frequented. As I walked down an alley between two department stores, suddenly I felt something was very wrong. Call it a sixth sense if you like. I became nervous, and instead of continuing down the alley, I turned and began to walk back the way I had just come. But it was too late! A man whom I did not recognize suddenly appeared in front of me, and produced a chopped down rifle from beneath his coat. As he raised it I realized I had nowhere to escape, I was trapped helplessly between the two walls of the long alley. He pulled the trigger of the rifle. It made a very unusual sound, not as a normal carbine rifle would. I felt the impact and sharp pain as something hit me in my left hip. I distinctly remember thinking. shouldn't a bullet from a rifle hurt more than that? I moved toward the shooter, in the process retrieving my own Browning 9mm high power pistol from its holster beneath my arm. I raised it in his direction, fully intending to put a bullet in his head, I was somewhat renowned locally for my skills as a marksman, and to achieve a head shot at that range would have been a breeze for me. But for some reason my body would just not do what I wanted it to. My final memory before blacking out was the sound of my gun going off ineffectually into the air, as I was surrounded by a dark fog, and slumped helplessly and unconscious to the ground.

My next recollection, was of being in the hospital, I was in great pain. As the pain further intensified I suddenly found myself floating in perfect comfort, now altogether free of that excruciating pain. I was hovering about six feet above the bed. I had never experienced a feeling anything like it before. In a way it was surreal, and yet at the same time I knew it was really happening to me. I found myself looking down at my contorted pain racked body laying there below me on the bed. I could clearly hear the doctors excitedly giving instructions, and was watching fascinated as a junior doctor shouted to his assistants for a crash cart. I somehow instinctively knew the body below me was dead, but at the same time, I did not feel dead, in fact I felt more alive at that moment than I'd felt when being in supposedly perfect health. Another thing which really hit me hard in its realization, was that I had no concern at all over my obvious demise, none whatsoever.

Initially, while watching them all working frantically on my dead body, the sounds of them talking, and occasionally shouting instructions to each other was very clear. But I noticed that the sound of them as they continued was becoming less distinct and almost distant like a radio which was not quite tuned to the channel correctly. At the same time I felt myself being powerfully drawn away from the scene taking place below me. All of a sudden I was enshrouded in a light which was so bright it was beyond description, its intensity seemed to absorb the scene before me instantly. It seemed to immediately consume and envelope all that it touched, it had such enormous power that nothing could effect it. But rather had to become part of it in its intensity. The light had such immense power it seemed to me that it could penetrate through steel or anything else for that matter. It was the primary and wholly dominant element over all things.

I had heard of occasions, when people had claimed to have died, and experienced going into a tunnel of light, but there was no tunnel for me, just the intensely powerful light. It did not hurt my eyes in the least, which struck me as being quite odd. A light of this intensity you would have thought would burn the eyes right out of your sockets. But no, it was a entirely benevolent light, a caressing nurturing light, and in a strange inexplicable fashion a cleansing light. Suddenly with a jolting shock I found myself in another place. A place that I am to this very day somewhat at a loss to describe. The words necessary to describe such utter perfection have yet to be developed. Our language is hopelessly inadequate to describe what I was both seeing and feeling. I was however acutely aware that I had traveled a very great distance over an extraordinarily short time. I had been transported at a speed beyond the simple and childlike comprehension of us as mere mortal men.

I was standing in a beautiful wooded area which was as perfect as can possibly be imagined. There was not one dead blade of grass, or one single brown leaf on a tree. There was music coming from everywhere, it was all around, seeming to emanate from everything, even from me. It was not earthly music, there has never been an orchestra on this world in the whole of our history, which could even come close to the overwhelming beauty of this soothing joyful heavenly sound. In every direction I looked were breathtakingly beautiful flowers of every imaginable hue and color, flowing endlessly like a glorious carpet into the distance, their scent was soothing and intoxicating. I looked down at my feet, and could see that somehow as I walked, they did not damage or crush the flowers and grass beneath them. I was intuitively aware of a symbiosis between them and me, I had the distinct impression, I was no longer an external individual being, but a part of something bigger, something unseen, with power unspeakable, yet incredibly loving and nurturing, a feeling akin to being enfolded lovingly in your mothers arms as a little baby. As I walked on, I came upon a small stream, the water was crystal clear, I could see fish with vivid colors swimming within its pristine flow. As I looked up, I became aware of people who had gathered around me, they were smiling in welcome. I knew who they were, although it was somehow a spiritual recognition, not a physical one. The people were family members and relatives, some were friends who had previously passed away, some many years beforehand, and some far more recently. The recognition I realized, had to be spiritual, because they did not look as they had when on earth, they looked good, glowing with health, an aura of complete peace and joy surrounded them, and seemed to radiate outwards from them. I suddenly realized why the disciples had not recognized Christ, after his resurrection, when walking on the road to Emmaus with them, he was in a different form, a resurrected body. These family and friends were the same. They were still the ones I loved, but looked so different. The recognition of them was spiritual, a simple knowing intuitively who they were. They were all dressed in flowing white robes that reflected the light.

I asked many questions, they were instantly answered, it was as if I had suddenly acquired access to all knowledge, exactly at the very moment I needed it. Distracted, I looked up, and saw a flight of birds overhead, and as I watched their graceful soaring, I felt something gently touch my leg, and upon looking down I saw Peppy, my pet toy poodle who had been such an important inseparable companion during my youth. I remembered the day he had passed away, I had cried a river of tears, and had been inconsolable. Here he was, just as he had been when we took him home as a small puppy, joyful at seeing me once again, I dropped to my knees and scooped him into my arms, his wet tongue wildly licking my face. Love is eternal I heard a distinct voice say, coming from deep inside me.

Off in the distance, I could see a wall that stretched off into the distance in either direction. I had never seen a structure such as this before. The wall must have been hundreds of feet high. Within the wall was a gate. It is hard to describe the gate because of its size and magnificence. It appeared to be made of gold, and had huge designs made of a pearl like material which glittered and shone. The pearl like material seemed to defuse and reflect light in many colors. I knew there was not enough gold in the entire world to make this gate. It must have weighed thousands of tons. The gate was so intricately decorated that it was impossible to see through it to what lay beyond. But protruding up above the top of the wall were spires which shone like gold, and seemed to reach up into the sky for miles, hundreds of them. They were the most beautiful things I had ever seen.

Suddenly in a flash, I was in a different place, it was something of a shocking transition. I found myself standing on the top of a tall hill. There beside me stood a tree, regaled with the most magnificent blossoms of lilac, their fabulous scent wafted gently over me in waves. I felt the presence of a man standing close next to me, he put his arm gently around my shoulder, like a loving and concerned older brother would do when showing love and affection to his younger sibling. I recognized who this man was instinctively, on realization of this my heart began soaring with indescribable joy, I was filled with an absolutely overwhelming sense of love far beyond anything I have ever experienced before, it was flowing like a river from him into me, embracing filling and totally encompassing me, lifting me, filling me to overflowing. It was Jesus the Savior I had heard so much about during my childhood days at Sunday school. I tried desperately to turn and see His face. I desired to see His face in that moment more than anything else in the world, but for some reason I did not quite understand, it was just not possible. Something prevented me from looking into His face. I looked at His hand resting gently upon my shoulder, it was dark skinned and strong, but when I looked the other way, it was as if my vision blurred, and I could not see His face. I felt like a small child. I wanted to cry because I could feel His overwhelming love for me, but at the same time I could feel the pain I had inflicted upon Him by the dreadfully sinful way I had lived my life. I felt so deeply ashamed at the knowledge that I had hurt and wounded this Savior so full of such total overwhelming love. The things I had done in my life washed over me in giant waves of regret, I felt as if I had just emerged from a sewer, completely exposed and covered in the stink and dirt. It was now all out in the open, nothing was hidden. At that very moment I repented from the very depths of my soul for all I had done, I could feel the deep pain I had inflicted on this being of pure perfection, I felt as if I did not deserve to even be in His presence, I was absolutely unworthy. I instantly understood what the word abomination meant, I was the essence of abomination. I heard Him say in a voice that reached way down deep down inside me. "You understand now, don't you?" Oh yes I indeed understood, I understood like I had never understood anything before that moment. Suddenly without warning, the weight of a hundred heavy steel anvils was instantly lifted from me, I felt as if I could jump fifty feet into the air, the horrible sin, the filth, the deep desperate shame, the feeling of separation and unworthiness, had immediately been removed, and had been replaced by a peace beyond belief. I knew I had been forgiven.

A vision of the earth appeared before me, off into the distance. I knew this was just a vision and not real, it was being provided to teach me something I needed to know. I could see lights by the thousands, coming up towards us like small blue white flares. "Those are the prayers of the faithful who love me," He said, "each one comes to the foot of the Father, and each one is heard." "Peter you need to know this. I am with all of you who love me, always." He went on talking to me for what seemed a very long time to tell me some very personal things, and giving me instruction. As He finished I placed my hand upon His, as it rested oh so gently upon my shoulder, and in a millisecond I found myself back in the hospital.

Initially, at least for a short time, I was so sad and bitterly disappointed to be back here on this earthly world, I did not want to be here at all. This was not the place I desired to be, I wanted with all my heart to be back there standing next to him. Then I remembered the instructions he had given me and his words, "I am with you always." I knew this was true for I could feel Him there with me. I knew it was going to be OK.

I spent another day and a half in the hospital, and was sent home. All my possessions now made me feel uncomfortable and dirty. I knew now what they represented. I did not desire them any more. What I desired, you could not go to the store and buy. What I wanted was not made of solid matter with a price tag. I had noticed over the last day or so, that strangely I had gained immense knowledge I had certainly not possessed before. A deep and profound knowing. I found myself thinking in a way completely differently from the way I thought before. I knew I had been truly blessed, a glorious blessing which not many people who had done evil at my level were given the opportunity to receive. I was indeed a new creation. I knew I had to change everything in my new life.

One by one I gave all my possessions away. I am sure my wife thought I was crazy. I had sent her and my daughter to Mexico. I knew the men who were responsible for my attempted assassination would no doubt try again, and I did not want any possibility that my wife or daughter to be involved in that. Besides my wife's mother was very elderly, and it would be a great help to her to have them there to help take care of her.

I started to study intensely the word of God. It was very strange though, it was as if I already knew it instinctively. Somehow during my meeting with Him, I had miraculously been given all I needed to do His work. When I met someone going through a hard time spiritually, I knew instinctively what to say. His voice would speak within me, guiding me. I knew however, that it did not come from me, for I knew nothing of scripture, but when someone needed the right words, somehow it just naturally came. "I am with you always," kept going through my mind. I finally came to the realization that, it was not about me at all. It was all about Him. He was everything, and everything I needed was Him. He was my only desire.

Today I am a priest. Not the kind of priest who spends his time, going through constant rituals, but the kind that Christ wants us to be. Out there with the people, as He was. Looking for the lost sheep. Hopeless lost people like I used to be. People who are not even aware of the damage they are doing to themselves and God. Trying to show them the way, teaching them of Him. Helping them change their lives through Him before its too late. Saving them through His grace, from the very real place called Hell that surely exists for folks such as I used to be. I went to Sunday school as a little child, and accepted the Lord into my life, and then walked away from Him. But, He did not walk away from me, and it was that simple act as a child, and I know because He told me so, which gave me the second chance later in my life. When Jesus said, "Suffer the little children to come unto me" this I believe was so important, we have yet to fully understand its significance. What is already there, can be repaired, but what was never there cannot be fixed.

I leave you with this. Jesus is there, right before you, reach out your hand, invite Him into your life. Get rid of all the garbage, which you mistakenly think is so important to your life, embrace the real life, which is eternity with Him. You have no idea the joy there is in knowing Him as your personal friend and savior. There is nothing even close to the knowledge that He is in you and you in Him, This earth cannot provide you with anything of value other than the very temporary comforts of life.

This is the reason I am missionary today. I travel across the greatest mission field in the world, the USA. I believe Billy Graham put it best, when he said. "Why would I fly over the greatest mission field in the world, to get to my mission field". Those that choose to help me, do so out of their desire to serve our Lord. And I thank them, and bless them in His name for that.

I pray you will find Him without having to experience the pain and heartache I did. There are much easier paths to His door.

 
Did you come back from your NDE with a vision of the future?

I came back with a positive sense about the future, not just in terms of survival of life on earth and the planet itself, but with a strong feeling that peaceful co-existence is coming to the whole planet-- soon.

What I saw on the other side was a world where everywhere I looked, the landscape, the environment, the buildings, was more beautiful than words can describe. It was very similar to pristine places on the earth, but everything was enhanced so much more. The beings I saw appeared to be enjoying being together and participating in the world around them-- without aggression, greed, territoriality, anger, fear, distrust, prejudice, hatred, envy, jealousy, guilt, vengeance, superiority, or the need to control other people. These beings expressed the spiritual aspects of their humanity, building productive, happy lives and communities through their creativity and ingenuity, and their passion for life. Everyone does what they love to do-- with joy, good humor, sincerity, compassion, honesty, truthfulness, integrity, and to help each other. The feeling of being loved is everywhere.

What I saw was a possibility of how life on earth could be-- if we could just turn down our reptilian brains enough to lose our militaristic tendencies toward each other! If humanity has any real enemy, besides itself, it is the natural forces of the physical universe (earthquakes, volcanoes, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, wind, asteroids, climate changes). There is only one way to perpetuate the human species and that is through the path of knowledge-- that's why we have the rest of our brain! That's where we should be putting our energy and resources, so we can learn to predict natural disasters and build safe cities of sound buildings to protect our fragile bodies from forces we cannot control. We concern ourselves too much with our differences and are in denial about our common enemy.

Since coming back 26 years ago, I have seen an acceleration of consciousness (meaning more and more people are aware they are spiritual beings having a human experience) spreading throughout humanity and I believe it is approaching critical mass. Is it mere coincidence that this will occur around the Millennium? I don't know. Is it the predicted Second Coming? I think not, in the sense that some religions have been teaching. It think it is the evolutionary process of mind, body and spirit becoming one. I think that something is going to occur that will trigger a massive expansion of consciousness instantly in people all over the world. Some ancient mystery will be revealed to us all in the same instant and this realization that we are all one with God and God is All-Love will set us on a course toward peaceful co-existence. Of course, later, those religions will say, "See, we told you so." But I do not think it is the return of Jesus, the person, rather the return of the Christ-Spirit to earth. The form it will take will be totally unexpected.

 

I get many questions concerning the validity of NDEs.

I suggest for anyone interested in the research being done, contact the International Association of Near-Death Studies (IANDS). However, Ed Riess, who is doing NDE research, emailed me a copy of a chapter from his unpublished manuscript, which I found particularly interesting because it involves NDEs of blind people. Here is an excerpt from his conclusion reprinted with his permission. For more information, contact Ed at EdRiess@aol.com.

"Firstly, after reviewing the large number of cases which verify that NDEr's observations were of real events, it is possible to say with certainty that these people were either (a) out of their bodies and observing objective phenomena with operational senses of at least sight and hearing, or (b) they were psychically aware of objective phenomena as if they were in the observation positions they claim to have occupied, whatever the means by which information was planted within their consciousness and became part of their awareness. The first of these suggests that consciousness and even sensate awareness existed separate from their physical bodies, and the second suggests that some kind of psychic capability reliably conveys detailed observational information during such an event. Either one of these speaks volumes about the incompleteness of normal physics in explaining our reality.

Secondly, after interviewing many NDErs and witnessing their collective sincerity, it's not difficult to think it likely that since their observations are so accurate, perhaps also is their testimony that, like these verifiable portions of their NDEs, the remainder of their experiences are also not dreams or hallucinations, a concept strongly supported by the very consistency of these other more mystical aspects of their experiences. A simple example of this is the fact that NDErs who experience spiritual events tend to adopt very similar philosophies after their experiences, no matter whether they entered their NDE incidents as atheists or highly religious people of any faith. These experiencers say that they do believe in God and have an appreciation for "the spiritual", but in a way that is different from the more narrowly defined spiritual practices and doctrines that are characteristic of most religions. Instead, they explain real spiritual truth as being concerned with treating other human beings with love and respect, and not at all with doctrine and denominations.

To take this further, several important aspects of NDEs seem to be not influenced by situations present in the experiencer's life. Documented cases of NDEs cover circumstances of combat, attempted rape and murder, electrocution, near-drownings, hangings, suicide attempts, etc. as well as a broad range of medical conditions. As both Ring and Sabom report, the lack of influence on these important aspects by circumstances in people's lives remains valid for people of various occupations, social backgrounds, personalities, education levels, incomes, prior beliefs, prior knowledge concerning NDEs, or regions of residence, and note that studies have been made on NDEs occurring in South America, India, England, Continental Europe and Japan. Sex and race also show no relationship to these aspects of a person's NDE. Most surprising is the fact, already mentioned, that this holds true for religious orientation as well. Again, the significance of these facts should be clear. If NDEs were the result of dreams and/or hallucinations, the chance that the entire group of reported results would agree on these items of spiritual importance would be vanishingly small."

© 1997 Ed Riess

 

I had a similar experience, but wasn't near death...

Quite a few people have written me about experiences that sound a lot like an NDE, but they weren't near death at the time. Some were frightened, others reported a beautiful experience; most have suffered, either or both, physically and mentally following their experience. To some, it happened once; to others, many times. Few of them knew what was happening to them at the time, nor since, and they have been afraid to talk about it because of reactions they have gotten from people in the past. Some have been tormented by the fear of it happening again for many, many years and have been much relieved to find out, after emailing me, that they are not alone and they are not crazy!

This phenomena is not something you'll find described in medical or psychological literature. Western religions may refer to it as "spiritual conversion," or being "born again," but offer no further insight. But in eastern religious texts, it is clearly defined. It is called K undalini and it is latent energy within each human being with the potential to open one up to God-Consciousness. By using certain breathing and yoga techniques and balancing your Chakras (body's energy centers), it can be awakened slowly and controlled, but it often, and I believe more and more lately, awakens spontaneously without any effort by the person. It is also the precursor to the experience of dying, as the energy leaves the body and returns to the soul.

Unfortunately, in the past and still today, because it is basically an unknown, many people end up in mental hospitals or become physically ravaged by the affects of this powerful energy. Doctors don't know what is happening to the person any more than the person does. There is information out there however, once you know what to look for and, if this unsettling experience has happened to you, I suggest you do some research to understand it and learn how to make it part of your life.

For more information:

Spiritual Lessons

Links

Books

 

I wish I could have a near-death experience...

I've received emails from several people who feel the same way, and I can understand that because I'm also a person who doesn't believe anything I can't see, touch, etc. These writers are having trouble believing what their religions have taught them and simply relying on faith; they want to be sure, and feel that having an NDE would make them sure.

Unfortunately, it's not something we can plan and, even if a person has one, there's no guarantee they will remember anything. Many people who are resuscitated, have no memory of a conscious experience in another dimension. So there are those who know and those who can only believe-- or not. However, we're not just talking about things that happened to people thousands of years ago that we can only read about in books, we're talking about things that are happening to people today, and through the miracle of the internet, many people have the opportunity to communicate with those who have had these experiences, and live them vicariously to determine what they can accept into their belief systems. If 13 million people have had similar experiences, it seems there must be something to them.

One of the things I realized during my experience was that I had done this before (died and gone through the tunnel), many times (which leads to my belief in Reincarnation). Part of the process of becoming fully human is remembering what we already know (self-realization). There is part of us (our soul or subconscious mind) that already knows everything. We can access that part of our mind in several different ways-- some memories come to us in dreams or in quiet, contemplative moments; some in moments of extreme emotional distress or bliss. Or they can be brought into the conscious mind during deep meditation, yoga, or by using hypnotherapy or certain drugs. Personally, I think it's better to access higher planes these ways than to have to go through the dying experience. Although you won't have the full core experience, you, at least, come to realize that you are capable of having conscious experiences in other dimensions of the Universe and this opens you to seeking on a higher level than religious teachings have allowed.

The answers lie, not in outside searching, but through seeking the wisdom within ourselves. It is there you will find the reassurance you seek.<