Experience Description

I had been touring India with my brother when I was stricken with malaria and associated illness in the town of Puri, south of Calcutta. I was too ill to leave and was treated by an Indian doctor. I remember very little about the illness other than I was in and out of consciousness for many days. I believe I lost thirty pounds in weight. I remember the doctor saying I was dangerously dehydrated but could not hold fluids down. The doctor came in and said to my brother, 'He's gone.' I rose out of my body; saw the doctor, my brother, and a friend. Everything in the room was very vivid. I seemed to float into a blinding light and a hand reached out and took my hand. I felt, I guess a rapture-like feeling of peace and serenity. I saw a man in shadows who said, 'You can go back if you want or you can continue this journey.' I wanted to come back. He let go of my hand. I floated back into my body, opened my eyes, stood up, I felt great, and to the disbelief of everyone walked to the ocean with a feeling of pure joy.

Background Information:

Gender: Male

Date NDE Occurred: Dec 1969

NDE Elements:

At the time of your experience, was there an associated life-threatening event? Uncertain Illness Clinical death (cessation of breathing or heart function or brain function) Don't know what you mean.

How do you consider the content of your experience? Wonderful

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 Floating out of my body.

At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness and alertness? Floating out of my body.

Were your thoughts speeded up? Incredibly fast

Did time seem to speed up or slow down? Everything seemed to be happening at once; or time stopped or lost all meaning

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? No

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 In the story.

The experience included: Light

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? Yes

Did you seem to enter some other, unearthly world? A clearly mystical or unearthly realm

What emotions did you feel during the experience? Joy.

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? I felt united or one with the world

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

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

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? Liberal none

Have your religious practices changed since your experience? Yes I became a spiritual person, previously no set beliefs.

What is your religion now? Liberal inclusive

Did you have a change in your values and beliefs because of your experience? Yes I became a spiritual person, previously no set beliefs.

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 There is life after death, we're all connected.

Have your relationships changed specifically because of your experience? Yes I became a better man.

After the NDE:


Was the experience difficult to express in words? Yes I tried to explain the experience to doctors and they assumed I was mentally deranged - kept it to myself all these years.

Do you have any psychic, non-ordinary or other special gifts after your experience that you did not have before the experience? Yes Rather not say.

Are there one or several parts of your experience that are especially meaningful or significant to you? My whole life changed, my belief system, my goals, plans, altered my life.

Have you ever shared this experience with others? Yes Very cautious sharing my story.

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 Mystical.

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

At any time in your life, has anything ever reproduced any part of the experience? Yes My brother and mother both gone, paid me a visit of love, most recently.

Is there anything else that you would like to add about your experience? I really didn't realize how many of us are out there.