Niel L NDE

Experience Description

When I was four, I went to the swimming pool alone to get some coins I had seen at the bottom. I could not reach the side of the pool after jumping in, and I couldn't stay above the water. I remember accepting death.

The next thing I remember is seeing my mother jumping the pool fence and diving into the pool. Her image was distorted as if I was looking through the water. Next, I remember lots of shouting and crying and my family all huddled over something. I remember trying to talk to them, but they couldn't see or hear me. Then I remember a tunnel with a light at the end. It was a very bright light, but it did not hurt my eyes. I can remember not wanting to return to my body, but being forced to go back.

Then I remember the physical pain caused, not by returning, but the by the pain of being alive.

Two weeks later, I was awakened from my coma by a glass bottle breaking at my bedside. That's when I told my parents about my experience.

Background Information:

Gender: Male

Date NDE Occurred: December 1976

NDE Elements:

At the time of your experience, was there an associated life-threatening event? Yes Drowning. Clinical death (cessation of breathing or heart function or brain function) Drowning. Another thing - my grandfather died, aged fifty-one, on the same day in another country.

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 As above.

At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness and alertness? Immediately after my death. I still remember the clothes people were wearing, the smell of cut crass, and seeing myself.

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 Time seemed to stand still. (After my NDE, as a child I was convinced that I could slow down or speed up time with my mind.)

Were your senses more vivid than usual? Incredibly more vivid

Please compare your vision during the experience to your everyday vision that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience. Everything was in focus and I could see perfectly, not just straight ahead, but 360 degrees around me.

Please compare your hearing during the experience to your everyday hearing that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience. I had difficulty distinguishing different voices.

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? Yes I passed through a very long tunnel and there was a very bright, captivating light. I remember wondering why it did not hurt to look at it.

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 The light was very bright, but warm and comforting. It felt like 'home.'

Did you seem to enter some other, unearthly world? A clearly mystical or unearthly realm I don't recall a location but I certainly felt like I belonged there.

What emotions did you feel during the experience? Peace, bliss (neither happy nor sad) and empathy.

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? Liberal To young!

Have your religious practices changed since your experience? No I was too young to have had any religious beliefs. Now I have no doubt there is a 'GOD,' but I don't belong to a particular faith.

What is your religion now? Liberal I don't think we are able to comprehend the simplicity and enormity of everything.

Did you have a change in your values and beliefs because of your experience? No I was too young to have had any religious beliefs. Now I have no doubt there is a 'GOD,' but I don't belong to a particular faith.

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 Ever since, I have been able to feel the emotions of those around me. Without speaking to them or even seeing them, I can feel their 'energy.'

Have your relationships changed specifically because of your experience? Uncertain

After the NDE:

Was the experience difficult to express in words? Yes I learned that all our thoughts, words and actions have consequences.

Do you have any psychic, non-ordinary or other special gifts after your experience that you did not have before the experience? Yes I am able to feel other people's emotions.

Are there one or several parts of your experience that are especially meaningful or significant to you? The fact that I did not want to return, even to my mother.

Have you ever shared this experience with others? Yes I recounted the experience to my family minutes after waking. They are aware that something very extraordinary happened but cannot understand it.

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 My experience has made me aware of our connection to each other and that we are all ONE!

What do you believe about the reality of your experience now? Experience was definitely real My experience and how I see it has not changed in thirty-four years.

At any time in your life, has anything ever reproduced any part of the experience? Yes I once took LSD, and, for a short time, I felt some similarities.