Please explain near death experiences.

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   Say Yes To Lifeposted 11 years ago

   Please explain near death experiences.
   
   I've been reading about them, and have found this out: 1) most of them are positive, where they meet an all-loving Being (God), and loved ones who have passed on before.  2) while suicides may have a similar experience, they risk ending up in a place of darkness and isolation. 3) While few people go to hell, it happens.  One was a 15 year old boy who had a serious illness; he had planned on becoming a minister.
   Have you had a near death experience?  What was it like?  How is the passage into heaven or hell determined?

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   dashingscorpioposted 11 years ago

   A part of me thinks whatever the person believes with regard to an after life is what he or she experiences in near death experiences.
   I have never had any grand illusions of what heaven might look like or feel like. Nor had I imagined angels or bright white lights. Back in 2006 I was on a flight going from LA to St. Louis to visit some friends. I felt a sudden pain in my stomach I had never known after drinking a glass of water. I told my then girlfriend I was going to the restroom. I never made it.
   Several minutes had gone by as I faintly heard my girlfriend yelling my name. My eyes were open the whole time but I saw nothing and I was slouched somewhat with my mouth open. A warm feeling started from my feet and went up my legs, thighs, pelvic, stomach, chest, neck, face, and suddenly I was completely alert.
   A paramedic had been trying to find my pulse throughout the process but there was none. When the plane landed I was removed with oxygen and met by medics.
   Here is what I remember seeing; NOTHING! No bright lights, no meeting with Big Momma, no harps, no face to face meetings with Jesus....etc It was just total silence! I felt so refreshed when I came to as if I were asleep for 10 hours even though I was told I was out for about 5 minutes!
   I thought to myself if people knew death feels this good I bet a lot of them would look (forward) to it. Later that night I was afraid to go to sleep, not because I had a fear of death but because I realized how quickly life on earth could be over. There were still so many things I wanted to do and places I wanted see. It changed my life.

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      Say Yes To Lifeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for relating your experience.  Did you actually die, though?  What illness did you have?

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      dashingscorpioposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      After I got off the plane they did a EKG, tested my blood sugar, and checked my blood pressure. When I got back to CA I went through several tests and nothing was detected. Since I was not on a machine that "flat lined" there was no "official" death

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      Say Yes To Lifeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      In that case, you probably just passed out.  Also, not everyone who "dies" has a near death experience.  Some people do, and forget also.

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      dashingscorpioposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I think it was having my eyes (wide open) and not having a pulse or not appearing to breathe is what led most people on the plane to believe it was far more than simply passing out. LOL!

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      Emanate Presenceposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      A fascinating account, well written, honestly spoken.

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   tcgopalposted 11 years ago

   Both of you (Say Yes to Life and dashingscorpio) indicate an open-minded approach to this matter of NDE.  That seems to be the primary requirement for understanding esoteric topics.  Sustained exploration and patience can take us to the non-verbal perception of such issues.  I feel that the more we perceive in that direction, the richer our life becomes.   
   From the many accounts of NDE, it is clear that what happens on the other side is somewhat related to the way we live on earth, but the links are only vaguely clear as of now.  Hopefully, research in that direction will someday reveal clear connections.

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   connorjposted 11 years ago

   
   
   Well, I didn't really believe much before my 30-day comatose experience. I did indeed flat-line and was pronounced brain-dead. My experience was indeed most wonderful; however, I did not find a city of gold etc. My recollection was this:
   (1) my life flashed back before me (I being the observer) however, I kept going back before my birth, perhaps experiencing a time and space change?
   (2) I did not observe a bright tunnel of light; however, i felt like I was in a place of early mourning brightness.
   (3) I zoomed into a crowd of millions of people some seemed familar. Their ages varied yet most were old.
   (4) I climbed a hill and at the crest I passed between two standing stones (pillar - like). I was alone at this point.
   (5) I was in conversation with two "people" I am not sure if they were people or some derivitive of us. They seemed to communicate with me in unison and I do not have any recollection of mouth movement.  I felt like I knew them; yet I could not identify them.
   (6) They asked me if I was going to stay or go back. I believe they asked this many times.
   (7) At the top of the hill it was Eden-like and I believe I underwent some sort of healing here. There is no recollection of time.
   (8) When I awakened from my comatose state, I looked at my wife (she was waiting in my room) and looked at her and apparently said, "Is it ok if I go back?"
   I and my better-half think perhaps I was not talking to her.
   Now I most certainly cannot conclude that my experience was a indeed a visit to heaven; however, it was indeed most wonderful, void of worry, significantly peaceful, I certainly was far from being dead (although I was registering no brain activity). After my comatose experience I was infused with some knowledge that has indeed changed me. (i) God sees everything. I had my greatest confession after recovering from my coma. You cannot hide anything from Him. No need to worry about anyone who gets away with a crime; his/her time will indeed come.
   (ii) Although I am Catholic some of the greatest people (in God's eyes) of the 20th century are not Catholics or even Christians. I believe it is of the utmost importance to us to imitate Christ. Muhatma Ghandi and Martin Luther King Jr. were important in this "lesson..." (iii) There is no need to worry/fear. (iv) Our journey does not end with death; we truly pass-on...
   (v) There is significant help being provided for us here on this 3rd rock from our sun. Those so called coincidences are indeed help from Him. Please reflect on this one.
   (vi) Do not understimate the power of our Sacraments.

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      Emanate Presenceposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Another fascinating and beautiful account. When I saw the Question, I was looking for your answer, connorj, as I knew about your comatose experience. You didn't let me down!

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      connorjposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you Emanate P. and as always, your spiritual understanding is significant...

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      Say Yes To Lifeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      This is fabulous!!!!

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   Emanate Presenceposted 11 years ago

   Yoleen, (great username!) you have received some remarkable answers from people who shared their NDEs. I have only second-hand experience, but some stories to tell.
   
   My first wife was a person of deep Christian faith. One night in 1992 I was awakened by her convulsions in the bed. She was having a first time epileptic seizure. After unsuccessfully trying to cast out demons, I called 911.
   
   A benign tumor was found on the brain stem in her right temporal lobe. This area has been associated with visionary experiences, and of course people debate whether such visions are subjective or objective.
   
   Anyway, LaVerne went into brain surgery, and I was told she clinically died on the operating table. She recounted later that she experienced movement through a tunnel, and came to white light. A personage in light held up his hand indicating she was not to go further but to turn back. She lived of course to tell the story, and it seemed to have deep personal meaning to her.
   
   Another story comes from the facilitator of a consciousness workshop (The Dream: A Gathering of Equals) who told us that he had been living a very 'busy' life, was goal-oriented and pushing himself to 'get things done.' His inner voice prompted him over days to take time to listen in stillness, but he ignored it and pushed ahead.
   
   Then one morning he jumped into his new pickup truck and drove in a rush from the house on some errand, again ignoring the inner voice to pause and listen. As he was driving, an obstacle suddenly appeared on the road and when he veered, the truck went off the road, over an embankment, and flipped upside down. As he was held by his seat-belt, hanging upside down, blood dripping, he passed out. What he saw was a council of beings in light whose first words to him were, 'We have called this meeting....'
   
   Another story was told by Dannion Brinkley, who died when he was struck by lightening. In the 90s I watched one of his videos. One segment that stands out was when a man in the audience of Dannion's talk stood up and introduced himself, with a string of degree initials after his name. He asked, 'What are your credentials for talking about this subject?' I liked Dannion's response, 'I am Dannion Brinkley, D.O.A.'
   
   Before answering here I did an internet search as I could not recall Dannion's name. There is so much out on the subject of NDE, I am sure if you have continuing interest you will find more than enough to satisfy it. Best wishes to you.

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      Say Yes To Lifeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for telling me this.  This is amazing!  Since many people have had the experience of the Tunnel, your first wife's experience was not caused by the tumor.

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