Near Death Experiences

The fear of death has given rise to a host of speculations about afterlife. Religions, philosophies and cults have multiplied over the millennia, all trying to answer our need for comfort about this seemingly absurd fate that awaits each of us. And now science has turned its gaze toward the matter of death. (1) More specifically, near death experiences, (NDE). These experiences represent all races of people. All ages. All nationalities. All religions. No religion. Atheists. Theists. Agnostics. Educated. Uneducated. Rich. Poor. Leaders. Homeless. And, yes even the criminals. Such as, murderers and thieves. (3) There are also many aspects to near death experiences, such as; what a NDE is, what the experience is like, if it is real, and three different theories as to why they happen.

In a near death experience, a person faces some physically life-threatening event, be it an illness, accident, etc. From this point, all the agony and limitations of being mortal seem to cease and the individual experiences a related phenomenon to the NDE, something called the "out of body experience". The experiencer usually reports leaving his or her form in what is often defined as his or her "true form," which may actually be shapeless. The individual is sometimes confused since he or she has not yet adjusted to being in such a state. One often notes feeling as though his or her senses are enhanced as reports claim the experiencer seems to be able to see over vast distances and can hear even the slightest sound. Before the individual has too much of a chance to get used to the state, a dark tunnel is often reported to close about the form of the individual. He or she then travels at what is described as remarkable speeds through the tunnel towards a bright light at what appears to be the tunnel's end. This light is often described as being extremely bright, but since one lacks physical optical sensors in this state, there is no discomfort to look; in fact, NDErs often note they have no desire to turn their attention away from it. A feeling of serenity, peace, and an extreme sensation of love seems to emanate from the light, which is often described as being a functional entity of some sort, many make it out to be what is referred to by the religious as God. The light communicates telepathically with the experiencer and calms him or her. NDErs often reiterate how much it feels like they have returned somewhere they have been before instead of immigrating to a new location. The light may then bring to the individual's attention his or her life review, which is kind of like a recap of his or her entire history from every viewpoint. In other words, everything the person did or said that may have had an impact on another being for good or ill becomes subject to a kind of role reversal. The experiencer feels the effects of his or her own actions. This life review seems to be the catalyst for many experiencers changing their attitudes and behavior once they resume a physical state. After the life review, unless the light explains to the individual that "their time has not yet come", it generally asks the experiencer if he or she would rather stay in this home-like realm or return to their physical existence. The individual may notice a barrier between his or her present location and what is referred to as "the other side". The simplest thought about one's friends, pets, siblings, parents, children, etc. seems to give the light all the answer it needs. Before the experiencer may even be able to realize that he or she has responded with an answer, a physical sensation may be felt for the first time since before the experience started as they enter their body and resume consciousness. (2)

The near death experience is among the most powerful experiences that a person can have, one of a family of experiences, which may occur with or without being close to death. It may permanently alter a person's perceptions of what is real and important. One most extraordinary aspect of NDEs is that the underlying pattern seems unaffected by a person's culture or belief system, religion, race, education, or any other known variable, although the way in which the NDE is described varies according to the person's background and vocabulary. There is no evidence that the type of experience is related to whether the person is conventionally religious or not, or ahs lived a "good" or "bad" life according to his or her society's standards. An experience may include the feeling out of the physical body, moving through darkness or tunnel, encountering the presences of deceased loved ones and other entities, and an indescribable light or menacing darkness. Many people say they have glimpsed the pattern and meaning of life and the universe, or have been given information beyond ordinary human capacities. For most people the experience is joyful beyond words, although others tell of unpleasant or terrifying experiences. When adequately understood, every type of NDE reveals issues of deep significance to the life of the individual and to humankind in general. (4)

Are they real? Medical technology may bring survivors, but science is not able to explain what happened inn the process. Like all human experiences, the NDE no doubt has a biologically based trigger; yet its impact is most often felt as a psychological or spiritual event. For people who believe that only physical events can be real, the NDE, or even the idea of such a thing, may be disturbing or seem ludicrous. Yet the phenomenon cannot be dismissed just because we cannot explain it. A 1982 Gallup Poll estimated that at least eight million adults in the US alone have had an NDE; the figure is now believed to be closer to thirteen million. Experiences have been reported through the centuries, from many cultures and religious traditions. Whatever the near-death experience is, it is neither recent nor local. Something happens, and it changes people's lives. (4)

One theory is that it is a deliberate ploy of the human race to help