Tim B Possible NDE

Experience Description

I recall that it was like a portion of me floated out of my body and was looking down at myself on the bed. But the strange thing is that I was also in the bed, looking up at myself floating over the top of me. It was very strange; I was in two places as the same time observing myself from both vantage points. This lasted maybe a few minutes. There wasn't anything like a shock, or a sensation of being 'pulled' back. It abruptly ended.

There were no lights, tunnels, or anything like that. But there was a sense of calm. I wasn't scared, but I wasn't happy either. Hard to describe.

Background Information:

Gender: Male

Date NDE Occurred: 'About January 5th, 1981'

NDE Elements:

At the time of your experience, was there an associated life-threatening event? Yes Surgery-related 'Life threatening event, but not clinical death' I was shot on January 5, 1981. I was rushed to the hospital where they immediately operated. The bullet had gone through my liver, diaphragm, both lungs, shattered three of my vertebr', exited my torso and lodged into my arm. The actual experience I had was in the intensive care unit after the surgery. I don't know if it was one day or two or three, but it was after surgery and I was becoming more stabilized.

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? Less consciousness and alertness than normal Throughout the experience.

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

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

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

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? A sense of calm.

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

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 None

Have your religious practices changed since your experience? No

What is your religion now? Moderate None

Did you have a change in your values and beliefs because of your experience? No

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 It's hard to describe. The only thing I can say is that it was impossible to lie to myself any longer. I know that sounds strange, but it was like a total truthfulness hit my life experiences.

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? No

Have you ever shared this experience with others? Yes I was still in the hospital when I first told one of my sisters about it. After I got out, I told my family at dinner one night. They all thought I was crazy. They said it was the morphine giving me hallucinations. Others said there was a mirror on the ceiling. To this day (nearly thirty years later) they still think I imagined the whole thing.

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 was real. No doubt in my mind.

What do you believe about the reality of your experience now? Experience was definitely real It was real. No doubt in my mind.

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? No, I guess this interview covered it all.