James M Probable NDE

Experience Description

Heart attack occurred in emergency ward of a general hospital as I was being approached by the resident cardiologist. I was unconscious for about four hours. Upon awakening, I found myself in bed in what turned out to be in coronary intensive care ward. I was hooked up to several electrode connections and two medication pumps. I observed several doctors and nurses at the foot of the bed with my wife seated in a corner of the room. I concluded I was in serious condition and made a conscious decision that if I was to die, I would go peacefully without resistance.

I immediately sensed a warm comfortable feeling of euphoria and all the pressure on my chest disappeared. I observed the wall of the room across from me begin to take on the appearance of fieldstone with soft colors of blue, brown, rose, yellow and move. There were mortar lines separating the various stones. After the wall had taken shape, a tunnel portal (similar to those on a railway) started to form in the center. I noted the floor just inside the tunnel entrance begin to open in a zigzag pattern allowing a very, very bright white light to emanate through the floor. I felt compelled to enter the tunnel and I then floated towards the entrance. About midway between the bed and the tunnel, I noted my wife (a registered nurse) seated in the corner of the room and made a conscious decision to say, 'Good-bye Mary'. She responded with an angry, 'Don't you dare die, you have too much to live for.'

She later confirmed she heard my 'Good-bye', which prompted her response. I then forcibly resisted going any farther and I was suddenly back in the bed with all the associated discomfort and apprehension. I remained in intensive care for twenty-one days. After about one year of rehabilitation, I felt fine and resumed a very active and full life.

Background Information:

Gender: Male

Date NDE Occurred: 15 January 1990

NDE Elements:

At the time of your experience, was there an associated life-threatening event? Yes Heart attack Clinical death Heart attack.

How do you consider the content of your experience? Positive

The experience included: Out of body experience

Did you feel separated from your body? Yes

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

Did time seem to speed up or slow down? No

Did you pass into or through a tunnel? No

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

The experience included: Light

Did you see an unearthly light? Yes

Did you seem to enter some other, unearthly world? A clearly mystical or unearthly realm I saw a very beautiful fieldstone wall with a variety of soft and warm colors.

What emotions did you feel during the experience? Peace, warmth and euphoria.

Did you suddenly seem to understand everything? No

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? No

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 See main narrative.

God, Spiritual and Religion:

What was your religion prior to your experience? Moderate Non attending Anglican

What is your religion now? Moderate

Did you have a change in your values and beliefs because of your experience? Yes Lost all fear of death - I significantly and surprisingly outlived the doctor's most optimistic estimate of my survival. Although I still feel well, I was recently diagnosed with a large clot in the apex of my heart and my prognosis is poor.

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

Are there one or several parts of your experience that are especially meaningful or significant to you? The best part was being relieved of discomfort and apprehension. I had no adverse emotions as a result of the experience.

Have you ever shared this experience with others? Yes Resident clergy in the hospital confirmed hearing numerous stories of a similar nature. Friends and associates appear interested and do not question or express doubt when I describe the events as they occurred. One close friend (now deceased) was a radio technician who had suffered a non-fatal heart attack and who also had a NDE which he likened the tunnel and light to the failure of a picture tube of a television set when the power was disconnected.

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