Andrea C NDE

Experience Description:

I went to a place that's pretty much indescribable, but I'm going to give it my best shot, here goes:

I was in a place, which was underwater, and I was going round and round unable to breathe. This went on for what seemed like an age. I was panicking and knew my time was ending. I thought I knew what it was like to be 'frightened' but now I really know. Suddenly everything went very calm and peaceful. It was the most wonderful feeling I've ever felt. I felt like a feather image of myself, so free and light. If I could have described myself at that moment in a word, it would be 'whisper'. A man appeared in front of me, chanting happily for me to go with him. He knew my name. He seemed familiar but I didn't know him. This man did not scare me in any way although I knew if I went with him that would be it for me. A force was pulling me towards him. I had to stop myself by wading in the water with my hands. I loved the place I was in and could have stayed there forever, life stresses and all known reality was gone. I had many experiences through my experience in hospital but I can clearly tell apart this one from all the other drug related hallucinations, etc.

Background Information:

Gender: Female

Date NDE Occurred: 8.1.2003

NDE Elements:

At the time of your experience, was there an associated life-threatening event? Yes Surgery-related Clinical death (cessation of breathing or heart function or brain function) I went for an operation that went terribly wrong, the surgeon cut an artery but did not notice, I spent nine days on life support following five life-saving operations, twenty-one units of blood etc., I actual went, twice!

How do you consider the content of your experience? Mixed

Did you feel separated from your body? Uncertain I lost awareness of my body

How did your highest level of consciousness and alertness during the experience compare to your normal everyday consciousness and alertness? More consciousness and alertness than normal I was so incredibly aware of what was going on, and it was very clear that if I followed the man I wouldn't have returned.

At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness and alertness? The beginning before I believe I passed through.

Were your thoughts speeded up? Faster than usual

Did time seem to speed up or slow down? Everything seemed to be happening all at once There was no time, time means nothing there.

Were your senses more vivid than usual? Incredibly more so

Please compare your vision during the experience to your everyday vision that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience. I could see the man clearly, I have his image in my mind even today but some things are still cloudy.

Please compare your hearing during the experience to your everyday hearing that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience. When you hold you head under the bath, this experience gave me the same sound, cloudy calm noise I describe it.

Did you seem to be aware of things going on elsewhere? Neither

Did you pass into or through a tunnel? Yes When the panicking stopped I was instantly in this beautiful place, I believe this was somewhere like reception.

Did you see any beings in your experience? Saw them

Did you encounter or become aware of any deceased (or alive) beings? Yes I feel somebody came to meet me, and I believe he was a late grandfather but I was fostered as a child so never knew my natural family. But something tells me it was him.

Did you see, or feel surrounded by, a brilliant light? A light clearly of mystical or other-worldly origin

Did you see an unearthly light? Uncertain It was a different light than normal, a beautiful light.

Did you seem to enter some other, unearthly world? Clearly mystical or unearthly realm it was a plce ive never known , somewhere you dream to be

What emotions did you feel during the experience? I felt that I was a faint image of myself in another place altogether.

Did you have a feeling of peace or pleasantness? Incredible peace or pleasantness

Did you have a feeling of joy? Neither

Did you feel a sense of harmony or unity with the universe? No longer in conflict with nature

Did you suddenly seem to understand everything? Everything about the universe

Did scenes from your past come back to you? Remembered many past events

Did scenes from the future come to you? Neither

Did you come to a border or point of no return? A conscious decision to 'return' to life

God, Spiritual and Religion:

What was your religion prior to your experience? Moderate

Have your religious practices changed since your experience? Yes I'm so confused now as I never really had strong beliefs before the incident, but now I know that there's something other than this life, I'm so much more calm and I don't worry about life's petty problems, etc.

What is your religion now? Moderate I truly believe it's all out there

Did you have a change in your values and beliefs because of your experience? Yes I'm so confused now as I never really had strong beliefs before the incident, but now I know that there's something other than this life, I'm so much more calm and I don't worry about life's petty problems, etc.

Did you seem to encounter a mystical being or presence, or hear an unidentifiable voice? Definite being, or voice clearly of mystical or other-worldly origin

Did you see deceased or religious spirits? Saw them

Concerning our Earthly lives other than Religion

During your experience, did you gain special knowledge or information about your purpose? No

Have your relationships changed specifically because of your experience? No

After the NDE:

Was the experience difficult to express in words? Yes It was a lot of emotion, smell, feelings.

Do you have any psychic, non-ordinary or other special gifts after your experience that you did not have before the experience? Uncertain I feel my senses are much stronger, I sometimes don't feel alone, but tell that to anybody here and they send the white coats in. :0)

Are there one or several parts of your experience that are especially meaningful or significant to you? The whole thing was amazing, and it's something I know you won't understand until it's time, which is a shame. I am not afraid of dying anymore.

Have you ever shared this experience with others? No

Did you have any knowledge of near death experience (NDE) prior to your experience? No

What did you believe about the reality of your experience shortly (days to weeks) after it happened? Experience was probably not real I kept thinking about it within weeks but it seemed too unreal.

What do you believe about the reality of your experience now? Experience was definitely real The feelings won't go away and I can still see in my mind the whole experience, I've forgotten everything else that happened in hospital. This was definitely real, I wish I could be hypnotized or something to prove it.

At any time in your life, has anything ever reproduced any part of the experience? No

Is there anything else that you would like to add about your experience? The feeling of entering my special place, the only regret is I can't share it with people I love, I desperately wanted them to see this place.