Anne C NDE

Experience Description:

I went through a very dark black tunnel. It was the blackest black possible. Then what seemed like a door opened and I entered what was the most beautiful place with the most beautiful music ever. I was just so happy to be there. Then, I was pulled back out through the door and again through the black tunnel. I felt a hand on my cheek. A nurse said she was just trying to save my life. I remembered later that I had said 'So who asked you,' to the nurse. I didn't want to come back and have never been afraid of death since. Now though I am afraid that I might not go back to that wonderful place so now I am afraid.

Background Information:

Gender: Female

Date NDE Occurred: 'November 15, 1996'

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) Twenty-seven hours after open heart surgery. Two heart valves replaced with titanium and a third rebuilt from materials of the two replaced.

How do you consider the content of your experience? Wonderful

Did you feel separated from your body? Yes 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 All of my sensory being seemed to be relaxed and alert more than I can ever remember.

At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness and alertness? When I was in the wonderful place that was so beautiful.

Were your thoughts speeded up? Neither

Did time seem to speed up or slow down? Neither

Were your senses more vivid than usual? Incredibly more so

Please compare your hearing during the experience to your everyday hearing that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience. The music of what I am sure was angels singing was more beautiful than any opera I have ever heard.

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

Did you pass into or through a tunnel? Yes The blackest black imaginable. Like a tunnel without solid sides.

Did you see any beings in your experience? Sensed their presence

Did you encounter or become aware of any deceased (or alive) beings? No

Did you see, or feel surrounded by, a brilliant light? Neither

Did you see an unearthly light? Yes The light only came after the door to heaven opened.

Did you seem to enter some other, unearthly world? Unfamiliar, strange place Already described. A door opened and it was the most beautiful place imaginable with the most beautiful music possible

What emotions did you feel during the experience? Extremely relaxed with no pain or stress.

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

Did you have a feeling of joy? Incredible joy

Did you feel a sense of harmony or unity with the universe? Neither

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

Did scenes from your past come back to you? Neither To die is faster than a blink of my eye. There is no pain in death.

Did scenes from the future come to you? Neither

Did you come to a border or point of no return? A barrier I was not permitted to cross; or 'sent back' to life involuntarily

God, Spiritual and Religion:

What was your religion prior to your experience? Moderate None

Have your religious practices changed since your experience? No

What is your religion now? Moderate None

Did you have a change in your values and beliefs because of your experience? No

Did you seem to encounter a mystical being or presence, or hear an unidentifiable voice? Unidentifiable voice

Did you see deceased or religious spirits? Sensed their presence

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? Yes No longer make value judgments on others. Much more tolerant of others.

After the NDE:

Was the experience difficult to express in words? Yes The beauty of the experience I can't find the words to express. Also the music. I am sure it was angels singing.

Do you have any psychic, non-ordinary or other special gifts after your experience that you did not have before the experience? No

Are there one or several parts of your experience that are especially meaningful or significant to you? The place I call heaven. I want to go back as soon as possible.

Have you ever shared this experience with others? Yes They had a wonderful feeling of wellbeing because they were afraid of dying and I took away their fear.

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 definitely real

What do you believe about the reality of your experience now? Experience was definitely real

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? I was assured by the doctors that I did not have any drugs in my system that would cause any sort of experience like I did. I was gone for over eight minutes.