John C NDE

Experience Description

I was undergoing surgery to remove a tumor from my right adrenaline gland shortly after my eighteenth birthday. During the surgery, my heart stopped and I guess it was during this time that I left my body.

I was floating above my body in the operating room and saw the doctors working to revive me. I then left the operating room and saw my mother and my aunt in the waiting room crying. Next, I was in a tunnel or hallway that was dark. As I began to walk toward the light at one end, I began experiencing an indescribable sense of Joy and peace, as I got closer to the light. When I got nearer the light, I was nearly blinded by its brightness. But I still wanted to get closer, to walk into it further. Then I heard a voice telling me that I had to go back I could not be here yet. I didn't want to go back and hesitated because I didn't want to leave. I felt so much Joy, Love and Peace completely void of fear, doubt and all sense of negative human feelings and emotions. I wanted to keep feeling that way and had a sense that it was just the beginning of forever and there was more to experience. But, the voice spoke to me again (it was the most incredible voice and I wanted to see whose it was) telling me again to go back.

I knew that I had to obey, so I turned and began walking back. I retraced my steps and woke up a couple of days later in intensive care. When I described what happened to me and the setting of the operating room, it was exactly as I described even though I was unconscious when I entered the room I was able to describe every detail as I saw it in my spiritual state.

Background Information:

Gender: Male

Date NDE Occurred: October 1976

NDE Elements:

At the time of your experience, was there an associated life-threatening event? Yes Surgery-related Clinical death My heart stopped during surgery.

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 I was translucent.

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

Did time seem to speed up or slow down? Everything seemed to be happening at once; or time stopped or lost all meaning I had a sense that time had no meaning or purpose.

Did you pass into or through a tunnel? Yes Seemed like a tunnel, like a large storm culvert.

Did you encounter or become aware of any deceased (or alive) beings? Yes I didn't see anyone but I spoke to someone, as I have already described.

The experience included: Light

Did you see an unearthly light? Yes There was a light at one end. The light got brighter than anything that I have ever seen. It had a glowing quality to it.

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

What emotions did you feel during the experience? Sorrow at first seeing my mother cry, then joy and peace.

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 My emotions upon knowing that I had to return were of regret and disappointment that I could not stay.

God, Spiritual and Religion:

What was your religion prior to your experience? Moderate Roman Catholic at time of experience

What is your religion now? Moderate Christian attend a bible church

Did you have a change in your values and beliefs because of your experience? Yes I lived my life more fully after the experience and I have no fear of death; though I want to live I look forward to returning to the place I was at one day and completing my experience.

The experience included: Presence of unearthly beings

After the NDE:

Was the experience difficult to express in words? Uncertain The feelings of Joy and Peace that I had during the experience are hard to describe in words. The out of body experience is hard to describe especially the viewing of my own earthly body as the doctors worked to save my life.

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 feeling of Joy and Peace that really can't be described.

Have you ever shared this experience with others? Yes Astonishment, and at times disbelief. Most people don't know what to say.

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 wish everyone could have one it would be a better world.