David S NDE

Experience Description

Ran a mini-marathon on a very hot (a hundred degrees plus) day. Became more and more impaired, trying to finish, until I collapsed. Awakened in an ice-bath, conscious of worried faces observing me. I presume they were doctors. I was very worried that I was in grave peril.

Suddenly, I was watching doctors working over a body on a table. I was either above, and/or I have the recollection of being behind large glass doors - and I was willing (maybe shouting) that they NOT pull the sheet over that poor schmuck lying there, who happened to be me. All of the sudden, I was back in my body, feeling my heart and temperature racing. Then I remembered to have FAITH. It is so simple. I had forgotten to have faith in my panic. No sooner did I 'remember' to have faith than I could feel, palpably, that I was slowing down, cooling down, feeling much more peaceful, that I was going to be alright.

I immediately began lecturing and testifying to everyone there (as the doctors recalled with some amusement - and I hallucinated that my parents, old teachers, etc. were there) how important 'Faith' is, etc., etc. I was happy, relieved that I was 'safe', returned. Actually, I was sick for probably the next month, loss of appetite, trouble walking up stairs, etc., having so depleted and exhausted myself physically.

Background Information:

Gender: Male

Date NDE Occurred: 'July 1977'

NDE Elements:

At the time of your experience, was there an associated life-threatening event? Yes heat-stroke while running in race 'Life threatening event, but not clinical death' Heat stroke - touch and go - immersed in an ice bath.

How do you consider the content of your experience? Mixed

The experience included: Out of body experience

Did you feel separated from your body? Yes I clearly left my body and existed outside it

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 While out of body - intensely focused on body.

At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness and alertness? While out of body - intensely focused on body.

Were your thoughts speeded up? Faster than usual

Did time seem to speed up or slow down? Everything seemed to be happening at once; or time stopped or lost all meaning It all seemed somewhat attenuated - lost sense of time - and while I was in peril, it did seem 'speeded up'.

Were your senses more vivid than usual? Incredibly more vivid

Did you seem to be aware of things going on elsewhere? Yes, and the facts have been checked out

Did you pass into or through a tunnel? Uncertain Felt like I was on the other side of doors (glass doors).

Did you see any beings in your experience? I actually saw them

Did you encounter or become aware of any deceased (or alive) beings? Yes Hallucinated parents and teachers who I thought were there in the hospital room with me.

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? No

Did you seem to enter some other, unearthly world? No

The experience included: Strong emotional tone

What emotions did you feel during the experience? Fear, anxiety, wonder, shock of awareness, intense regret, of having forgotten (of God, faith), relief.

Did you have a feeling of peace or pleasantness? Relief or calmness

Did you have a feeling of joy? Happiness

Did you feel a sense of harmony or unity with the universe? I felt united or one with the world

The experience included: Special Knowledge

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

Did scenes from your past come back to you? My past flashed before me, out of my control Importance of faith.

Did scenes from the future come to you? Scenes from the world's future

Did you come to a border or point of no return? I came to a barrier that I was not permitted to cross; or was sent back against my will

God, Spiritual and Religion:

What was your religion prior to your experience? Moderate Jewish

Have your religious practices changed since your experience? Yes Reinforced my faith.

What is your religion now? Moderate Jewish

Did you have a change in your values and beliefs because of your experience? Yes Reinforced my faith.

Did you seem to encounter a mystical being or presence, or hear an unidentifiable voice? I encountered a definite being, or a voice clearly of mystical or unearthly origin

Did you see deceased or religious spirits? I actually saw them

Concerning our Earthly lives other than Religion:

During your experience, did you gain special knowledge or information about your purpose? Yes Importance of belief, faith, God - and I apparently shared my special knowledge very directly with all who were there.

Have your relationships changed specifically because of your experience? No

After the NDE:

Was the experience difficult to express in words? No

Do you have any psychic, non-ordinary or other special gifts after your experience that you did not have before the experience? No But I had two specific, non-accident involved 'out of body' experiences previously, where I clearly left my body and roamed, all the while watching my body asleep on my bed.

Have you ever shared this experience with others? Yes Started immediately afterwards - people interested, fascinated - changed? Don't know.

Did you have any knowledge of near death experience (NDE) prior to your experience? Yes Was at the bedside of a woman who was dying, and just before she passed, she described being very peaceful, with spirit guardians on either side of her.

What did you believe about the reality of your experience shortly (days to weeks) after it happened? Experience was definitely real Revealed power of will, faith, confirmed the view I have of two 'worlds' - spiritual and physical - that we inhabit.

What do you believe about the reality of your experience now? Experience was definitely real Unchanged - have told the story many times.

At any time in your life, has anything ever reproduced any part of the experience? Uncertain Previously, similar experiences (out of body) indicated above.

Are there any other questions that we could ask to help you communicate your experience? Nope.