John W NDE

Experience Description

I was alone in a large space - bright white light and warm and comfortable. I was very tired and ready to sleep. Sleep was a great temptation. I saw myself there wrapped in bedclothes but not necessarily in a bed. I somehow understood that to go to sleep was to NOT wake up and the decision was mine. My next recollection is of being in my bed in an emergency room of the hospital and seeing the door open. My wife appeared looking around the door and she looked so worried that I wanted to do something to cheer her up. I raised my right hand, which had previously been immobile and gave her the two finger V sign. At that point I knew I was going to be alright.

Background Information:

Gender: Male

Date NDE Occurred: 3/08/1974

NDE Elements:

At the time of your experience, was there an associated life-threatening event? Yes Accident. Direct head injury accident resulting in bilateral pneumothorax 'Life threatening event, but not clinical death' I was in the hospital in serious condition after an accident.

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 lost awareness of my body

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 Watching the door open.

At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness and alertness? Watching the door open.

Were your thoughts speeded up? Faster than usual

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? No

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? Complete peace.

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

The experience included: Special Knowledge

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

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? Moderate Christmas and Easter Episcopalian

Have your religious practices changed since your experience? Yes I have gone back to my church and become quite involved. I had drifted away before and had been somewhat agnostic.

What is your religion now? Liberal Episcopal church Active and involved church member

Did you have a change in your values and beliefs because of your experience? Yes I have gone back to my church and become quite involved. I had drifted away before and had been somewhat agnostic.

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 I knew that the decision to sleep (death?) Or stay awake and perhaps suffer more was mine to make.

Have your relationships changed specifically because of your experience? Yes My wife at that time and I have divorced. She has gone on to a new relationship (as have I) and I am happy for her. I am much more content with myself than I ever was before the 'incident'.

After the NDE:

Was the experience difficult to express in words? Yes I did not possess the vocabulary or knowledge to express what I felt at the time. I have tried to relate my feelings since many times and have difficulty still with the emotions that arise in the telling.

Do you have any psychic, non-ordinary or other special gifts after your experience that you did not have before the experience? Uncertain My life was less stressful and I was much more at ease with myself and others.

Are there one or several parts of your experience that are especially meaningful or significant to you? The DECISION part was most meaningful. Some ability was given to me to understand that it was in my hands to make the decision to go on.

Have you ever shared this experience with others? Yes A few weeks after being rehabilitated I tried to talk to my oldest son about my experiences. I don't know his reaction. He did quietly listen. I do not know at this time how he may have been influenced. He is currently in the hospital himself with a serious illness and may have his own experiences. I have since talked to an Episcopal Priest and a clinical psychologist about 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 It is a clear memory and has not diminished over the years. It removed fears from my life (death, failure, non-acceptance, etc.) and I feel has made me a better person.

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

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? You might ask how the person came to be in this position.