Scott Y NDE

Experience Description 5179

When I was 17, my family was camping at Bear Lake in Idaho. We had a big barbeque and after went to the beach. My parents told my siblings and me to wait for at least an hour before swimming. There was deep water and they didn't want us getting stomach cramps. I, of course, being the rebellious and 'know-it-all' teenager that I was, ignored their warnings and swam out to a buoy that was about a half-mile out. When I was about halfway towards the buoy, I started to get cramps. I almost could not swim, but eventually was able to make it to the buoy.

I grabbed on tightly to the buoy and tried to rest the best I could. When I felt rested, I attempted to swim back to shore. While swimming, I again experienced excruciating painful cramps, so painful that I could not swim anymore. The water was deep and way over my head. I started slowly sinking to the bottom of the lake. I remember seeing the sunrays shine down into the deep water and the intense fear that I felt knowing that I would eventually drown. I held my breath for as long as I could until I started to breath involuntarily. When the water entered my lungs, I started choking and vomiting. This seemed to have lasted an eternity. It was one of the most fearful and painful experiences I have ever had.

All of a sudden, all of the pain and agony ended. I saw my physical body on the bottom of the lake. My face showed a lot of pain and distress. My spiritual body felt no pain, but only relief and peace. I felt free and liberated. I turned around and saw a long see-through tunnel. At the end of the tunnel was a very intense and bright light. I seemed to be physically drawn to the light, almost as if it was sucking me towards it. The light radiated love and peace. I wanted to experience it and be in its presence.

I then realized that my physical body was dead or dying. Fear overcame me. I realized that it was not my time to die. I wanted to live a long and fulfilling life and have all the experiences and choices that life brings. I pled and prayed to give me another chance at life. The next thing I remember is coming to the surface of the water and gulping for air. I felt so much pain and physical torment again. I slowly swam back and almost collapsed when I reached the shore. My family was off doing other things and did not see me come to shore. When I found my parents, they said I looked worn out and exhausted. All I told them was that I swam out too far and had some cramps, but made it back OK.

I did not share this experience with anyone for probably over four years. I knew and believed what had happened, but I was cautious to share it because I thought that no one would believe me. This near death experience (NDE) had a big impact on me. I became a lot more spiritual and had a desire to serve my fellow man. This experience has given me the knowledge that our conscience exists after death and that there is a Higher Power. It has grounded me spiritually and has been a source of strength that has helped me through life's trials and tribulations.

Background Information:

Gender: Male

Date NDE Occurred: August 1977

NDE Elements:

At the time of your experience, was there an associated life-threatening event? Yes Accident 'Life threatening event, but not clinical death' It was an accidental drowning.

How do you consider the content of your experience? Mixed

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 Things became more clear and vivid when I left my physical body.

At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness and alertness? When I left my physical body.

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

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 appeared brighter and more vivid.

Please compare your hearing during the experience to your everyday hearing that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience. It was more of a visual experience.

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 saw a long see-through tunnel. At the end of the tunnel was a very intense and bright light.

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 At the end of the tunnel I saw a very intense and bright light.

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

The experience included: Strong emotional tone

What emotions did you feel during the experience? Fear, anxiety, peace, tranquility, love, assurance, comfort.

Did you have a feeling of peace or pleasantness? Incredible peace or pleasantness

Did you have a feeling of joy? Happiness

Did you feel a sense of harmony or unity with the universe? I felt united or one with the world

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

The experience included: Boundary

Did you reach a boundary or limiting physical structure? 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

God, Spiritual and Religion:

What was your religion prior to your experience? Moderate Latter-Day Saint

Have your religious practices changed since your experience? Uncertain I became more spiritual and religious after my NDE. I have since left religion and am a Deist, but my NDE is still just as real and have kept me grounded spiritually.

What is your religion now? Liberal Non-Religious / Deist

Did you have a change in your values and beliefs because of your experience? Uncertain I became more spiritual and religious after my NDE. I have since left religion and am a Deist, but my NDE is still just as real and have kept me grounded spiritually.

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 This experience has given me the knowledge that our conscience exists after death and that there is a Higher Power. It has grounded me spiritually and has been a source of strength that has helped me through life's trials and tribulations.

Have your relationships changed specifically because of your experience? No

After the NDE:

Was the experience difficult to express in words? Yes It was at first. The whole experience was surreal. I did not think anybody would believe me. I did not share it with anyone until about four years later.

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? All of my NDE was significant to me.

Have you ever shared this experience with others? Yes I did not share this experience with anyone for probably over four years. Most have believed me. Some have been influenced by this experience by giving them hope in a life after death and that there is a Higher Power.

Did you have any knowledge of near death experience (NDE) prior to your experience? Yes I was taught about life after death in church. I did not know that NDE's existed.

What did you believe about the reality of your experience shortly (days to weeks) after it happened? Experience was definitely real It was not a dream. The whole experience seemed so real, especially when I saw my physical body.

What do you believe about the reality of your experience now? Experience was definitely real I still remember all of the details as vividly as I did 34 years ago.

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 am not afraid of death and look forward to the after-life when it is my time to die.