Terry M NDE

Experience Description:

I and a friend had arrived within a couple of blocks to my home, when we had decided to explore what had then been a rough-framed home construction. The foundation was laid complete with basement and plywood flooring across what would become the first-level. A rectangular opening to the basement was the only visible void in this surface. We crossed the floor to further examine this opening. There was no staircase in place to reach the basement.

As we bent over to look, I had some vertigo and fell head-first to a concrete floor below. According to my friend, I remained still for about ten minutes, or so. It was during this time, that an impression of light (I do not know how else to clarify it) came to create a complete sense of certainty and knowing. I still yearn for it today that I come to greater understanding of its secret. For I know it contains all I seek.

Anyway, after my friend had descended by a stick-ladder that had been in place of a stair, and brought me to the surface, we went directly to my home to convey the incident to an anxious mother. I was reported to have made nonsensical remarks to questions asked of me. (Including, of my own identity.) I spent three nights, and days, in a hospital for observation, subsequently released whole and in good working order. Although, my skull was fractured, as one can imagine, the skin was unbroken, and I had no recollection of pain. I remember the doctor declaring he did not know how I had survived the trauma.

Background Information:

Gender: Male

Date NDE Occurred: Winter of 1963

NDE Elements:

At the time of your experience, was there an associated life-threatening event? Yes Direct head injury Life threatening event, but not clinical death I had fractured my skull, and at the time, lay unconscious.

How do you consider the content of your experience? Wonderful

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 It cannot be compared to ordinary consciousness, but only in its contrast does one find an idea of its nature. You are not confined to a localized consciousness we experience as sentient, physical beings. Instead, I was encompassed in a gravity of understanding that superseded the need for anything else. I cannot make a proclamation with any more weight than to state that this we accept as existence in a realm of time and space, is of no consequence to my, or anybody's permanence. This, unquestionably, is the effect of the light I found myself in, and as myself.

At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness and alertness? I was of six years in age, so I am unable to precisely recall the moment in question. I do, however, retain no fear of being ex-vivo, as the 'physical' is clearly unnecessary to my existence. This was the only conclusive knowledge gained while prostrate on the floor of the basement.

Were your thoughts speeded up? Faster than usual

Did time seem to speed up or slow down? Everything seemed to be happening all at once Space and time were of no value. This is the impression left to me.

Were your senses more vivid than usual? More so than usual

Please compare your vision during the experience to your everyday vision that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience. As I reflect upon it, colors were much brighter, and objects did not hold solid value as they would ordinarily. But, it did not matter. My mother said that I had responded incorrectly when asked what color I was seeing, etc. I can only attribute this to a lingering disorientation from this physical realm where such things are universally observed, as against the state of light in which these observations are fluid, but also of much, much less consequence.

Did you seem to be aware of things going on elsewhere? Neither

Did you pass into or through a tunnel? Uncertain

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? A light clearly of mystical or other-worldly origin

Did you see an unearthly light? Yes The light was all about me, but I was not distinct from it.

Did you seem to enter some other, unearthly world? Clearly mystical or unearthly realm The realm of light is another dimension distinct from this, but not separated. Only complete.

What emotions did you feel during the experience? There is no emotion, but unqualified acceptance and yearning. It is very pleasant, indeed, not to have place and time to depend on for existence. I was very happy, and it had no end.

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? Past flashed before me, out of my control

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? Moderate Catholic

Have your religious practices changed since your experience? No Religion is an artifact of experience in this realm. It is of no consequence to complete existence. This, I have been explaining to another for as long as I could complete a sentence.

What is your religion now? Liberal I do not practice religion.

Did you have a change in your values and beliefs because of your experience? No Religion is an artifact of experience in this realm. It is of no consequence to complete existence. This, I have been explaining to another for as long as I could complete a sentence.

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 No fear, always complete, always.

Have your relationships changed specifically because of your experience? No

After the NDE:

Was the experience difficult to express in words? Yes The experience elicited an impression composed, abstractly, of a confluence that included understanding, feeling and thought not amenable to verbal expression. To this day, if I draw myself to the impression, I am able to re-capture an impression still brilliant, yet unrecognizable in the course of ordinary living.

Do you have any psychic, non-ordinary or other special gifts after your experience that you did not have before the experience? Uncertain There are moments I know the outcome of events, but it is not a big deal. If I have this experience, we all do.

Are there one or several parts of your experience that are especially meaningful or significant to you? The reality of light.

Have you ever shared this experience with others? No

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 At the time, it did not mean anything except lost time in the apple orchard playing, or riding my bicycle lickity-split on a groomed, paved street.

What do you believe about the reality of your experience now? Experience was definitely real It is the only experience I would never question as real.

At any time in your life, has anything ever reproduced any part of the experience? Yes Once, I had become so agitated with events, that I rose above myself to witness my own laments and tears. I was without emotion, and merely observing my actions.

Is there anything else that you would like to add about your experience? If each of us were to have this experience but once, I should think the utility of religion would cease to be replaced with a rather more complete understanding and a cordiality exercised toward another unknown to beings that consider themselves individual. In the light is only where I ever felt complete and not separated.