Post by TRINITY on May 2, 2006 23:08:29 GMT 10
Near Death Experience Overview
Although most people who have come to death say they remember nothing, around 18% later report that “something happened.” That “something” is often a near-death experience (NDE). NDE's are relatively common. A Gallup Poll in 1993 led to an estimate that 12 to 15 million Americans personally experienced a NDE. As of 2001, almost 600 adults per day in the United States experience an NDE.
There is some controversy as to how to define a NDE. Researchers have not reached a consensus on how to define NDE. A letter to health care professionals from IANDS (International Association for Near-Death Studies) developed a NDE definition by consensus of the IANDS Board to be: “A lucid experience associated with perceived consciousness apart from the body occurring at the time of actual or threatened death or medical compromise”. The research definition I have used is similar, and is: "A lucid experience associated with perceived consciousness apart from the body occurring at the time of actual or threatened imminent death". NDEs may occur in adults or children. NDEs have been reported from the time of Plato, and in a variety of cultures around the world.
An important point is that you do not have to have physically died (with cessation of breathing and/or heart function) to have an experience like a NDE. Experiences identical to NDE associated with clinical death have been reported in a variety of circumstances in which there was no associated life-threatening event. Such circumstances may include, for example, non-fatal traffic accidents, mountaineering accidents, and childbirth. Experiences similar to NDE are relatively common in terminally ill patients, and are referred to as “deathbed visions” or “nearing end of life experience”. NDEs are one part of a spectrum of significant human spiritual experiences. An experience can be deeply significant and meaningful to the experiencer without meeting the strict definition of NDE. Such experiences may be referred to as “NDE-like experiences”.
What is clear is that NDE is not a hallucination or mental/psychiatric dysfunction. They are real experiences. Virtually all NDE experiencers we encountered felt their experience was real, significant and meaningful. When asked directly if the experience was dreamlike in any way, virtually all NDE experiencers we polled answered no. The NDE experience has been extensively documented in medical literature. Skeptics of NDE have not been able to find a plausible biological or physiologic explanation for NDE. This failure on the part of skeptics explains the large number of varied and generally unaccepted alternative explanations for NDE.
The level of consciousness during the experience was almost always described as fully alert, and often (as one experiencer described) “far more conscious than humanly normal.” These experiences seem quite apart from anything encountered in daily living. When NDErs surveyed were asked “Following the experience, have you had any other events in your life, medications or substances which reproduced any part of the experience?”, 81% answered no.
We are impressed with both the similarities and dissimilarities of NDE experiences. While some experiencers have a detailed and prolonged experience, others have a shorter and less "dramatic" experience. We believe all NDE experiences are significant and important in our quest to learn their meaning.
No two NDE experiences are identical, but within a group of experiences certain patterns become evident. Our most recent research is based on 315 NDEs shared directly with our web site. NDE experiencers describe one or more of the following (the order may vary):
1. Difficulty in explaining the NDE.
Ordinary language often seems inadequate to describe these extraordinary experiences (67% in our survey).
2. Associated life threatening event.
The threat may be real or perceived, physical and/or psychological.
3. Separation of consciousness from the body.
Sensation of viewing surroundings from a place other than the physical body. Some may see their bodies, and often frantic resuscitation efforts. They are generally able to hear what is being said, often to the considerable embarrassment of medical personnel involved in the resuscitation. In the out of body state, they are not able to interact physically with anything or anyone. There is often a sense of peace, and virtually never discomfort.
4. The ability to see and hear details of events (which may be close or distant from the body) while unconscious.
These details (which may include a pronouncement of death) are often later confirmed by others who are generally astonished and mystified that the experiencer was aware of these events while unconscious. In our survey, NDErs were asked “Did you observe or hear anything regarding people or events during your experience that could be verified later?” 37% answered affirmatively.
5. Experiencing intensely powerful emotions.
These emotions may include ecstasy, fear, peace and calm. Most NDEs are associated with very pleasant emotions, but around 18% are associated with emotions of fear, judgment, emptiness, etc. It should be noted that positive life changes are usually associated with frightening experiences, including a near complete absence of fear of death. The positive life changes are so significant, that most frightening NDE experiencers later say they are glad they had the experience.
6. Hearing distinctive sounds.
Experiencers may report hearing a variety of unusual sounds or noise. They may be described as pleasant, musical, buzzing or ringing. Often music is described that is almost always beautiful beyond what is worldly possible.
7. Passing into and through a dark tunnel.
The tunnel is variably described regarding its appearance and size. We have not encountered an NDEr with a claustrophobic sense in the tunnel. Movement in the tunnel may be described as relatively slow or extremely fast may accelerate in the tunnel. Occasionally another being(s) accompany this tunnel passage, though usually it is traveled alone. A bright light is usually seen at the end of the tunnel, and seems to be the destination of the travel through the tunnel. A tunnel experience is described by 54% of NDErs surveyed.
8. Encounter with a bright light.
The light may be without form, or is often perceived as a being, either a spiritual being or a departed loved one. There is usually, associated and intense feelings of love, joy, or peace associated with this encounter. The light may be seen at a distance, or entered during the experience. A light was seen by 69% of NDErs surveyed.
9. Meeting others.
The experiencer may encounter other spiritual beings or departed loved ones. Deceased pets have been encountered as well as other animals (most often birds or butterflies). The encounter with others is generally described as joyous and loving. Other beings were seen by 74% of NDErs surveyed.
10. Life review.
At times, experiencers are presented with a rapid panoramic review of their lives. This life review may include brief reviews of moments of their past life, or may be extremely detailed, with a presentation of how the experiencers actions affected others around them. At times, the experiencer will actually see and feel their actions from another persons perspective, and actually feel what the other person felt. Some have received previously unknown information about ones life, i.e. adoption, hidden parentage or deceased siblings. A life review occurred in 35% of NDErs surveyed.
11. Seeing or visiting beautiful locations.
Some experience travel to beautiful cities, libraries, gardens, pastoral scenes and shiny bodies of water.
12. A sense of knowing universal order and purpose.
Some experience have a sense of deep understanding of the universe and/or life's meaning and purpose. Many NDErs state they were shown enormous knowledge, but could not return with it. Others return with their understandings. In describing universal order and purpose, by far the most common concept discussed is “love”. A sense of knowing special knowledge, universal order and/or purpose occurred in 62% of NDErs surveyed.
13. Reaching a boundary.
The boundary may be a gate, cliff, fence, water, or some other barrier which the experiencer perceives may not be crossed if they are to return to the body. A boundary was encountered in 44% of NDErs surveyed.
14. Awareness of future life events.
Some experience "flash-forwards" in time to witness themselves and events at a future time. Such visions may involve the experiencers future life, or may be more global. Such global visions are often apocalyptic. NDE “prophesy” has led to considerable discussion and debate. My impression is that such prophesies are not inevitable, and are subject to change by the choices we make. The IANDS web site (www.iands.org) has a section to post NDE associated prophecy, which may allow their prospective study. Awareness of future events is described by 44% of NDErs surveyed.
15. Decision to return.
The decision to return to the physical body may be voluntary or involuntary. If voluntary, the decision to return is often made following discussion with spiritual beings and is often associated with unfinished life lessons or responsibilities. Whether voluntary or involuntary, feelings of sadness, loss, depression and anxiety may follow return to this life. Involvement in a decision regarding return to the body occurred in 62% of NDErs surveyed.
16. Returning to the body.
Often (but not always) feelings of pain associated with the life threatening injury return.
17. Special gifts.
Some experiencers report psychic or other paranormal abilities after an NDE. Commonly described is a marked increase in intuitive ability. Another common phenomena is “electrical sensitivity” where NDErs discover their watches stop and nearby electrical devices (often lights) go out. There has never been a good large-scale scientific study of these phenomena. When we asked NDErs “Did you have any psychic, paranormal or other special gifts following the experience you did not have prior to the experience?,” 54% answered yes.
18. Changes of attitudes and beliefs.
A belief in God, loss of fear of death and a more loving interaction with others often follow an NDE. Virtually all NDErs have no fear of death. Some NDE experiencers establish more loving relationships. Other NDE experiencers find their change in attitudes and beliefs may alter previously established interpersonal relationship dynamics resulting in conflict with loved ones, family and friends. Changes in attitudes or beliefs following the NDE was described by 91% of the NDErs surveyed.
www.nderf.org/Media%20WriteUp.htm
Although most people who have come to death say they remember nothing, around 18% later report that “something happened.” That “something” is often a near-death experience (NDE). NDE's are relatively common. A Gallup Poll in 1993 led to an estimate that 12 to 15 million Americans personally experienced a NDE. As of 2001, almost 600 adults per day in the United States experience an NDE.
There is some controversy as to how to define a NDE. Researchers have not reached a consensus on how to define NDE. A letter to health care professionals from IANDS (International Association for Near-Death Studies) developed a NDE definition by consensus of the IANDS Board to be: “A lucid experience associated with perceived consciousness apart from the body occurring at the time of actual or threatened death or medical compromise”. The research definition I have used is similar, and is: "A lucid experience associated with perceived consciousness apart from the body occurring at the time of actual or threatened imminent death". NDEs may occur in adults or children. NDEs have been reported from the time of Plato, and in a variety of cultures around the world.
An important point is that you do not have to have physically died (with cessation of breathing and/or heart function) to have an experience like a NDE. Experiences identical to NDE associated with clinical death have been reported in a variety of circumstances in which there was no associated life-threatening event. Such circumstances may include, for example, non-fatal traffic accidents, mountaineering accidents, and childbirth. Experiences similar to NDE are relatively common in terminally ill patients, and are referred to as “deathbed visions” or “nearing end of life experience”. NDEs are one part of a spectrum of significant human spiritual experiences. An experience can be deeply significant and meaningful to the experiencer without meeting the strict definition of NDE. Such experiences may be referred to as “NDE-like experiences”.
What is clear is that NDE is not a hallucination or mental/psychiatric dysfunction. They are real experiences. Virtually all NDE experiencers we encountered felt their experience was real, significant and meaningful. When asked directly if the experience was dreamlike in any way, virtually all NDE experiencers we polled answered no. The NDE experience has been extensively documented in medical literature. Skeptics of NDE have not been able to find a plausible biological or physiologic explanation for NDE. This failure on the part of skeptics explains the large number of varied and generally unaccepted alternative explanations for NDE.
The level of consciousness during the experience was almost always described as fully alert, and often (as one experiencer described) “far more conscious than humanly normal.” These experiences seem quite apart from anything encountered in daily living. When NDErs surveyed were asked “Following the experience, have you had any other events in your life, medications or substances which reproduced any part of the experience?”, 81% answered no.
We are impressed with both the similarities and dissimilarities of NDE experiences. While some experiencers have a detailed and prolonged experience, others have a shorter and less "dramatic" experience. We believe all NDE experiences are significant and important in our quest to learn their meaning.
No two NDE experiences are identical, but within a group of experiences certain patterns become evident. Our most recent research is based on 315 NDEs shared directly with our web site. NDE experiencers describe one or more of the following (the order may vary):
1. Difficulty in explaining the NDE.
Ordinary language often seems inadequate to describe these extraordinary experiences (67% in our survey).
2. Associated life threatening event.
The threat may be real or perceived, physical and/or psychological.
3. Separation of consciousness from the body.
Sensation of viewing surroundings from a place other than the physical body. Some may see their bodies, and often frantic resuscitation efforts. They are generally able to hear what is being said, often to the considerable embarrassment of medical personnel involved in the resuscitation. In the out of body state, they are not able to interact physically with anything or anyone. There is often a sense of peace, and virtually never discomfort.
4. The ability to see and hear details of events (which may be close or distant from the body) while unconscious.
These details (which may include a pronouncement of death) are often later confirmed by others who are generally astonished and mystified that the experiencer was aware of these events while unconscious. In our survey, NDErs were asked “Did you observe or hear anything regarding people or events during your experience that could be verified later?” 37% answered affirmatively.
5. Experiencing intensely powerful emotions.
These emotions may include ecstasy, fear, peace and calm. Most NDEs are associated with very pleasant emotions, but around 18% are associated with emotions of fear, judgment, emptiness, etc. It should be noted that positive life changes are usually associated with frightening experiences, including a near complete absence of fear of death. The positive life changes are so significant, that most frightening NDE experiencers later say they are glad they had the experience.
6. Hearing distinctive sounds.
Experiencers may report hearing a variety of unusual sounds or noise. They may be described as pleasant, musical, buzzing or ringing. Often music is described that is almost always beautiful beyond what is worldly possible.
7. Passing into and through a dark tunnel.
The tunnel is variably described regarding its appearance and size. We have not encountered an NDEr with a claustrophobic sense in the tunnel. Movement in the tunnel may be described as relatively slow or extremely fast may accelerate in the tunnel. Occasionally another being(s) accompany this tunnel passage, though usually it is traveled alone. A bright light is usually seen at the end of the tunnel, and seems to be the destination of the travel through the tunnel. A tunnel experience is described by 54% of NDErs surveyed.
8. Encounter with a bright light.
The light may be without form, or is often perceived as a being, either a spiritual being or a departed loved one. There is usually, associated and intense feelings of love, joy, or peace associated with this encounter. The light may be seen at a distance, or entered during the experience. A light was seen by 69% of NDErs surveyed.
9. Meeting others.
The experiencer may encounter other spiritual beings or departed loved ones. Deceased pets have been encountered as well as other animals (most often birds or butterflies). The encounter with others is generally described as joyous and loving. Other beings were seen by 74% of NDErs surveyed.
10. Life review.
At times, experiencers are presented with a rapid panoramic review of their lives. This life review may include brief reviews of moments of their past life, or may be extremely detailed, with a presentation of how the experiencers actions affected others around them. At times, the experiencer will actually see and feel their actions from another persons perspective, and actually feel what the other person felt. Some have received previously unknown information about ones life, i.e. adoption, hidden parentage or deceased siblings. A life review occurred in 35% of NDErs surveyed.
11. Seeing or visiting beautiful locations.
Some experience travel to beautiful cities, libraries, gardens, pastoral scenes and shiny bodies of water.
12. A sense of knowing universal order and purpose.
Some experience have a sense of deep understanding of the universe and/or life's meaning and purpose. Many NDErs state they were shown enormous knowledge, but could not return with it. Others return with their understandings. In describing universal order and purpose, by far the most common concept discussed is “love”. A sense of knowing special knowledge, universal order and/or purpose occurred in 62% of NDErs surveyed.
13. Reaching a boundary.
The boundary may be a gate, cliff, fence, water, or some other barrier which the experiencer perceives may not be crossed if they are to return to the body. A boundary was encountered in 44% of NDErs surveyed.
14. Awareness of future life events.
Some experience "flash-forwards" in time to witness themselves and events at a future time. Such visions may involve the experiencers future life, or may be more global. Such global visions are often apocalyptic. NDE “prophesy” has led to considerable discussion and debate. My impression is that such prophesies are not inevitable, and are subject to change by the choices we make. The IANDS web site (www.iands.org) has a section to post NDE associated prophecy, which may allow their prospective study. Awareness of future events is described by 44% of NDErs surveyed.
15. Decision to return.
The decision to return to the physical body may be voluntary or involuntary. If voluntary, the decision to return is often made following discussion with spiritual beings and is often associated with unfinished life lessons or responsibilities. Whether voluntary or involuntary, feelings of sadness, loss, depression and anxiety may follow return to this life. Involvement in a decision regarding return to the body occurred in 62% of NDErs surveyed.
16. Returning to the body.
Often (but not always) feelings of pain associated with the life threatening injury return.
17. Special gifts.
Some experiencers report psychic or other paranormal abilities after an NDE. Commonly described is a marked increase in intuitive ability. Another common phenomena is “electrical sensitivity” where NDErs discover their watches stop and nearby electrical devices (often lights) go out. There has never been a good large-scale scientific study of these phenomena. When we asked NDErs “Did you have any psychic, paranormal or other special gifts following the experience you did not have prior to the experience?,” 54% answered yes.
18. Changes of attitudes and beliefs.
A belief in God, loss of fear of death and a more loving interaction with others often follow an NDE. Virtually all NDErs have no fear of death. Some NDE experiencers establish more loving relationships. Other NDE experiencers find their change in attitudes and beliefs may alter previously established interpersonal relationship dynamics resulting in conflict with loved ones, family and friends. Changes in attitudes or beliefs following the NDE was described by 91% of the NDErs surveyed.
www.nderf.org/Media%20WriteUp.htm