John D NDE

Experience Description:

I awoke one night feeling utterly dehydrated. I got up to go the kitchen and it seemed that with each step I saw flashes of red. I made it to the kitchen and noticed that the clock read one in the morning. I suddenly realized that I was dying and became very frightened and I remember saying, 'Please God, no.'

I remember falling against the refrigerator and then against the stove. I immediately saw my body lying on the floor. I was not afraid and was curious at best.

Everything seemed to happen at the same time. It seemed as if the house had no roof, I kept rising and my body became smaller. I wanted to say goodbye to my parents and my brother but realized that it was not important, that everything we consider such a trial on Earth is so trivial that it is laughable. I could hear what I can only describe as a combination of music and singing, it was the most beautiful music that I have ever heard. It seemed as if I had complete knowledge of the universe. I can't even explain how wonderful I felt, words can do no justice to that feeling.

All of a sudden, I returned to my body and got up. I was very angry that I came back. I looked at the kitchen clock and saw that it was now four in the morning. In what seemed nanoseconds, three hours had elapsed.

Background Information:

Gender: Male

Date NDE Occurred: May, 1963

NDE Elements:

At the time of your experience, was there an associated life-threatening event? Yes Illness Other Raging fever My fever was intense. After my NDE, I felt better. The next day my mother brought me to the doctor and my fever was still 105 degrees.

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 really can't explain it. It was the most intense experience of my life. I was never so alert before or after my experience.

At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness and alertness? Towards the end when I felt I had complete knowledge of the universe.

Were your thoughts speeded up? Incredibly fast

Did time seem to speed up or slow down? Everything seemed to be happening all at once Time did not exist.

Were your senses more vivid than usual? Incredibly more so

Please compare your hearing during the experience to your everyday hearing that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience. The 'music' I heard was around and in me. It was as if it were vibrating.

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? Neither

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

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

Did you see an unearthly light? No

Did you seem to enter some other, unearthly world? Neither

What emotions did you feel during the experience? Exhilarated.

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? United, one with the world

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

Did scenes from your past come back to you? Neither

Did scenes from the future come to you? Neither

Did you come to a border or point of no return? Neither

God, Spiritual and Religion:

What was your religion prior to your experience? Liberal Atheist

Have your religious practices changed since your experience? Yes I was raised as a Lutheran but have no use for organized religion. I now consider myself a Spiritualist.

What is your religion now? Liberal Spiritualist

Did you have a change in your values and beliefs because of your experience? Yes I was raised as a Lutheran but have no use for organized religion. I now consider myself a Spiritualist.

Did you seem to encounter a mystical being or presence, or hear an unidentifiable voice? Neither

Did you see deceased or religious spirits? Neither

Concerning our Earthly lives other than Religion

During your experience, did you gain special knowledge or information about your purpose? Yes All the knowledge that I gained through the experience disappeared when I returned to my body.

Have your relationships changed specifically because of your experience? No I have always tried to be decent to others but perhaps more so after my experience.

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? Yes Although I was a sensitive before the event, I have had visions that saved my life during the war (Vietnam) and sometimes deceased friends will contact me while I am in a 'dream' state.

Are there one or several parts of your experience that are especially meaningful or significant to you? There is an existence beyond this and death is not to be feared. I realized that the universe, all matter seen and unseen, is part of the Great Creator or Divine Intelligence if you will.

Have you ever shared this experience with others? Yes Thirty years ago. Some or perhaps many consider me odd. Others have had paranormal experiences and are more likely to accept it. I really don't know if any of them were influenced by my experience.

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 I was mystified by it and it was not until years later when I begin reading heavily on the paranormal that I realized I was not 'delusional', that many others had experienced the same thing.

What do you believe about the reality of your experience now? Experience was definitely real I now realize that there is a purpose to life, the whys and wherefores are significant and deal with the progression of the spirit.

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

Are there any other questions that we could ask to help you communicate your experience? Not really.