Susan NDE

Experience Description

My parents and I went to dinner at our local pizza inn. I was sitting to the left of my mom and my dad was sitting across from my mom in a booth. All was fine until I felt a deep pain in my chest. I thought I told my mom that I was going to pass out, but when I came to, she said I didn't say a word.

My whole body felt numb and tingling like when your foot falls asleep. I was a bit light headed, but we continued dinner and went home. I recall people I didn't know coming toward me, but only their faces, telling me to go back. I don't remember how I came back.

My parents did not take me to the doctor. I didn't relate this story to anyone for a long time, and I still only tell a select few - especially someone that is dying. I can tell them not to be afraid, it does not hurt.

Background Information:

Gender: Female

Date NDE Occurred: early 1970's

NDE Elements:

At the time of your experience, was there an associated life-threatening event? No 'was eating dinner with parents, had a bad pain in my chest and then passed out.' Other feeling fine. Having dinner.

How do you consider the content of your experience? Mixed

Did you feel separated from your body? Uncertain
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 When the people were telling me to 'go back'.

At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness and alertness? When the people were telling me to 'go back'.

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 It seemed as though I was weightless.

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? Uncertain I was moving (I think) but not in a tunnel or towards a light. People were either coming at me or me at them.

Did you see any beings in your experience? I actually saw them

Did you encounter or become aware of any deceased (or alive) beings? Yes I don't think I knew the people there. They kept telling me to go back. I only saw their faces and they were close up. They were coming at me or I was going to them.

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? No

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

The experience included: Strong emotional tone

What emotions did you feel during the experience? Didn't know where I was. Felt calm though. Like there was nothing I could do to stop what was happening.

Did you have a feeling of peace or pleasantness? Relief or calmness

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

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 Just to not be afraid of dying.

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? Conservative/fundamentalist Christian

Have your religious practices changed since your experience? Yes It has made me believe in life after death for sure.

What is your religion now? Conservative/fundamentalist Christian

Did you have a change in your values and beliefs because of your experience? Yes It has made me believe in life after death for sure.

The experience included: Presence of unearthly beings

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 know that when you die you don't really die. I am able to comfort those close to death because of what happened to me.

Have your relationships changed specifically because of your experience? No

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? Uncertain Prior to this experience I had the unique ability to speak along with others. Not actually reading minds, just an annoying habit as my dad would say. Now I am very in tune and have very vivid dreams. If I have a strong vivid dream about someone, say cheating on someone else, I will know it.

Are there one or several parts of your experience that are especially meaningful or significant to you? Them telling me to go back.

Have you ever shared this experience with others? Yes When this happened to me, NDE's were just hitting the media. It wasn't until I was in my twenties did I tell anyone, and then I was very shy about it. Most of the people didn't pay much attention.

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. Because people don't usually remember what happened to them when they pass out. I did and still do.

What do you believe about the reality of your experience now? Experience was definitely real. Just remember so vividly still. It helps me to comfort others that are facing certain death. Like my friend Donna who died from cancer and a broken heart almost two years ago. I hope I gave her some sort of comfort.

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? How did you feel, physically and mentally when you came back?