Florence O NDE

Experience Description:

I knew I was dying, seconds before I actually died. My husband was there. I hit the floor and he grabbed me. I looked at him from way above his head; he was holding me and screaming at me. He looked at my body and yelled my name, and then yelled get back here right now. I watched him from way above him and laughed. I thought, 'Does he think that's doing any good? Yelling at me and I'm not in there, I'm in...' and then I realized where I was. I was in a tunnel, going in backwards. I thought to myself, 'please don't let me die like this. Not like this.' It was then I tried to turn around to face the tunnel, but a woman in a yellow dress grabbed my shoulder and my waist and pushed me back into my body. I opened my eyes, and I was looking at my husband. It wasn't until almost a year later, that my Uncle showed me some old photos that he had in a shoe box. One of the photos was of the woman in the yellow dress. She was my grandmother's sister, Maggie. My great-aunt.

Background Information:

Gender: Female

Date NDE Occurred: 2001

NDE Elements:

At the time of your experience, was there an associated life-threatening event? Yes Accident Clinical death (cessation of breathing or heart function or brain function) Accidental drug interaction.

How do you consider the content of your experience? Wonderful

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 I have died before, when I was a child. I'm not sure how to answer this question. I did decide to become a psychologist after this though.

At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness and alertness? See above.

Were your thoughts speeded up? Neither

Did time seem to speed up or slow down? Time seemed to go faster than usual Husband said I was only dead for about two minutes. I thought I was gone for maybe thirty minutes or so.

Were your senses more vivid than usual? Neither

Please compare your vision during the experience to your everyday vision that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience. I've always seen spirits. My grandmother and my daughter can see them too. I'm not the best at it. My grandmother is the best.

Please compare your hearing during the experience to your everyday hearing that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience. Not sure how to answer this question.

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

Did you pass into or through a tunnel? Yes I saw the tunnel, but I only got a little way into it.

Did you see any beings in your experience? Saw them

Did you encounter or become aware of any deceased (or alive) beings? Yes She loves me. My grandmother was there too, but it was my aunt Maggie who pushed me back.

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

Did you see an unearthly light? Yes A glowing light. Soft. Friendly.

Did you seem to enter some other, unearthly world? Clearly mystical or unearthly realm The tunnel was beautiful, seemed out of place with the rest of the world.

What emotions did you feel during the experience? Laughter. Happiness. Freedom. One part was sad though, when I realized how I would die. I don't mind dying, but I didn't want to die like that. It was important that I not bring shame to my family.

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

Did you have a feeling of joy? Happiness

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? Past flashed before me, out of my control

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

Have your religious practices changed since your experience? No

What is your religion now? Liberal

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? 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? Uncertain I've changed my life around. I don't like hanging around with people who don't have it together anymore.

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 I was born with intuitions. My whole family is.

Are there one or several parts of your experience that are especially meaningful or significant to you? Meeting Aunt Maggie, knowing that my grandmother and my family will be there when I'm really ready. Also, that I had to straighten my life up and make my family proud so I can join them with pride.

Have you ever shared this experience with others? Yes I shared it with my husband first. Then I talked to some elders about it. This isn't something that I felt comfortable discussing with everyone though. Only with people who could help me understand it, or had experiences similar to it. Indians are more open to these things, so I talked mostly to us.

Did you have any knowledge of near death experience (NDE) prior to your experience? Yes I've died before, when I was a child.

What did you believe about the reality of your experience shortly (days to weeks) after it happened? Experience was definitely real I viewed it the same.

What do you believe about the reality of your experience now? Experience was definitely real It's real. It's as real as I'm sitting here right now.

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'm not afraid of death.