Living on Purpose: Returning from a Death Experience to Become a Healer
On a late August Sunday afternoon in 2008, my husband rushed me to the ER due to rapidly worsening symptoms over ten hours. The source was unknown, but I had contracted an infection and quickly became septic. After arriving at the ER, I blacked out during triage and later regained consciousness in a Trauma Room. In a fleeting moment of lucidity, I saw my blood pressure was 49 over 28, and I understood the gravity of my situation alone. The infection had invaded my bloodstream, my organs were shutting down, my lungs were filling with fluid, and I had pneumonia.
A moment etched in my memory: The ER physician came to check on me. As he examined my pupils, I told him I felt very unwell. He responded softly, acknowledging my discomfort, and asked if I had any family in the waiting room. At that moment, I was alone; my husband had to deal with an emergency at home. Sensing my isolation, the doctor's manner shifted; he held my hand, providing comfort as I slipped into unconsciousness. I embarked on an extraordinary journey beyond life, and against all odds, I was given a second chance at life. However, not before experiencing a second near-death experience (NDE) in the ICU, where I was graced with a visit from my late mother before returning to my body—a reunion for which words cannot express my profound gratitude.
NDE Description: The two NDEs were strikingly similar except for my mother's presence in the second. As my life ebbed away, it felt like I was gently falling asleep. Silence enveloped me as I floated in a dark, quiet void. Then, a cloud-like formation began to materialize, its greyish-white hue emerging before me.
A moment etched in my memory: The ER physician came to check on me. As he examined my pupils, I told him I felt very unwell. He responded softly, acknowledging my discomfort, and asked if I had any family in the waiting room. At that moment, I was alone; my husband had to deal with an emergency at home. Sensing my isolation, the doctor's manner shifted; he held my hand, providing comfort as I slipped into unconsciousness. I embarked on an extraordinary journey beyond life, and against all odds, I was given a second chance at life. However, not before experiencing a second near-death experience (NDE) in the ICU, where I was graced with a visit from my late mother before returning to my body—a reunion for which words cannot express my profound gratitude.
NDE Description: The two NDEs were strikingly similar except for my mother's presence in the second. As my life ebbed away, it felt like I was gently falling asleep. Silence enveloped me as I floated in a dark, quiet void. Then, a cloud-like formation began to materialize, its greyish-white hue emerging before me.
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Published Research & Information on Near Death Experiences
Reference: www.iands.org
Characteristics of a Near Death Experience
Most near-death experiences (NDEs) are perceived as peaceful and loving, yet some can be unsettling. While each NDE is distinct, they commonly share certain characteristics:
- Intense emotions, often of profound peace, well-being, and love, though some are marked by fear, horror, and loss.
- An out-of-body experience, viewing one's body from above, sometimes observing medical resuscitation or instantaneously moving to other locations.
- A rapid journey through darkness, usually towards an indescribable light.
- The feeling of being in another place, possibly a spiritual realm or world.
- Extremely fast, clear thinking and observations.
- Meetings with deceased loved ones or possibly sacred figures, or unrecognizable beings, with whom communication is telepathic; these encounters can be consoling, loving, or frightening.
- A life review, experiencing past actions and their emotional impact on others.
- Occasionally, an overwhelming understanding of life and the universe.
- Sometimes, a choice to return to the body.
These elements are present in both comforting and distressing NDEs but differ in emotional tone. PMH Atwater, a leading NDE researcher, describes a serene experience in her book "Coming Back to Life" as follows:
- The sensation of floating out of the body, often leading to an out-of-body experience where events around the "vacated" body are seen and heard accurately.
- Traveling through a dark tunnel or encountering darkness, accompanied by a sense of movement or acceleration, and possibly the sound or sensation of wind.
- Moving towards a light at the end of the tunnel, a light of incredible brilliance, which may reveal people, animals, plants, lush landscapes, and even cities.
- Being welcomed by friendly voices, people, or beings, who may be strangers, loved ones, or religious figures, initiating conversation or imparting messages. A panoramic life review may occur, from birth to death or in reverse, sometimes reliving life rather than merely viewing it. This review often includes a judgment-like process with other beings or advice offered. A reluctance to return to the physical body is common, but there's usually a realization that one's earthly tasks are incomplete or a mission remains before they can permanently stay in this other realm. Experiencers often report a warped sense of time and space, discovering that these measurements are not necessary or valid. There can also be disappointment or even distress upon revival, as individuals feel the need to readjust to their physical form and the realization that they are no longer on "The Other Side."
- Intense emotions, often of profound peace, well-being, and love, though some are marked by fear, horror, and loss.
- An out-of-body experience, viewing one's body from above, sometimes observing medical resuscitation or instantaneously moving to other locations.
- A rapid journey through darkness, usually towards an indescribable light.
- The feeling of being in another place, possibly a spiritual realm or world.
- Extremely fast, clear thinking and observations.
- Meetings with deceased loved ones or possibly sacred figures, or unrecognizable beings, with whom communication is telepathic; these encounters can be consoling, loving, or frightening.
- A life review, experiencing past actions and their emotional impact on others.
- Occasionally, an overwhelming understanding of life and the universe.
- Sometimes, a choice to return to the body.
These elements are present in both comforting and distressing NDEs but differ in emotional tone. PMH Atwater, a leading NDE researcher, describes a serene experience in her book "Coming Back to Life" as follows:
- The sensation of floating out of the body, often leading to an out-of-body experience where events around the "vacated" body are seen and heard accurately.
- Traveling through a dark tunnel or encountering darkness, accompanied by a sense of movement or acceleration, and possibly the sound or sensation of wind.
- Moving towards a light at the end of the tunnel, a light of incredible brilliance, which may reveal people, animals, plants, lush landscapes, and even cities.
- Being welcomed by friendly voices, people, or beings, who may be strangers, loved ones, or religious figures, initiating conversation or imparting messages. A panoramic life review may occur, from birth to death or in reverse, sometimes reliving life rather than merely viewing it. This review often includes a judgment-like process with other beings or advice offered. A reluctance to return to the physical body is common, but there's usually a realization that one's earthly tasks are incomplete or a mission remains before they can permanently stay in this other realm. Experiencers often report a warped sense of time and space, discovering that these measurements are not necessary or valid. There can also be disappointment or even distress upon revival, as individuals feel the need to readjust to their physical form and the realization that they are no longer on "The Other Side."
PATTERN OF AFTEREFFECTS
Approximately eighty percent of individuals who have undergone near-death experiences report that their lives have been irrevocably altered by the event. Further scrutiny reveals a pattern of profound changes. These individuals returned not only with a new zest for life and a more spiritual perspective but also with specific psychological and physiological alterations previously unencountered. This holds true for children, teenagers, and adults alike.
Various researchers have endeavored to characterize these changes throughout the years. Despite the lack of funding for clinical studies, many believe that sufficient research has been conducted to warrant recognition of the aftereffects pattern and the dissemination of this information. Understanding what is typical for experiencers could mitigate any concern or confusion not just for the individuals affected but also for their families, friends, healthcare professionals, and the wider community.
The pattern of aftereffects from near-death experiences is best comprehended when categorized into major characteristics of psychological and physiological changes. Further details and explanations are as follows:
MAJOR CHARACTERISTICS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL CHANGES
A diminished fear of death, increased spirituality and decreased religiosity, an enhanced capacity for abstract thought, more philosophical, potential episodes of depression, increased generosity and charity, broader concepts of love coupled with challenges in forming and sustaining fulfilling relationships, surfacing of "inner child" or unresolved childhood issues, decreased competitiveness, a firm belief in a life purpose, rejection of former life constraints and conventional role-playing, intensified sensory experiences of taste, touch, texture, and smell, heightened intuitive/psychic abilities and the capacity to foresee or "re-live" the future, charismatic presence, and a child-like sense of wonder and joy.
Major physiological changes include altered thought processing, shifting from sequential and selective thinking to a clustered pattern where thoughts gather and ideas emerge spontaneously. Individuals become comfortable with uncertainty, exhibit increased intelligence, and demonstrate greater creativity and inventiveness. There is an unusual sensitivity to light and sound, significant fluctuations in energy levels, including surges throughout the body, and a reversal of the circadian rhythm. Blood pressure may lower, metabolic rates and substance absorption accelerate, leading to a decreased tolerance for pharmaceuticals and chemically treated products. Many turn to alternative healthcare treatments. Electrical sensitivity, synesthesia, and heightened allergies or sensitivities are also common. Some individuals may possess healing abilities and show a preference for a diet rich in vegetables and grains over meat. Physically, they may appear younger than before.
Sensitivity to light and sound can necessitate lifestyle adjustments. While some limit their exposure to sunlight, others seek it out. However, most share a challenge with loud or discordant noises, often finding "hard" rock music intolerable. A preference for classical, melodic, or natural sounds is common, with many using music therapeutically.
Energy surges moving up and down the body, sometimes accompanied by visible "lights," are frequently reported. Researchers often associate this phenomenon with the release of "kundalini," a term from Sanskrit that refers to a coiled energy at the spine's base. It is posited that kundalini and spiritual energy are identical, although this theory is not scientifically proven.
HELPFUL NOTES
Adapting to aftereffects requires time. The initial three years can be particularly disorienting, as if the individual is not fully present. It is recommended for experiencers and their families to join or establish a local IANDS group and to consult in-depth research studies on aftereffects for further understanding.
Approximately eighty percent of individuals who have undergone near-death experiences report that their lives have been irrevocably altered by the event. Further scrutiny reveals a pattern of profound changes. These individuals returned not only with a new zest for life and a more spiritual perspective but also with specific psychological and physiological alterations previously unencountered. This holds true for children, teenagers, and adults alike.
Various researchers have endeavored to characterize these changes throughout the years. Despite the lack of funding for clinical studies, many believe that sufficient research has been conducted to warrant recognition of the aftereffects pattern and the dissemination of this information. Understanding what is typical for experiencers could mitigate any concern or confusion not just for the individuals affected but also for their families, friends, healthcare professionals, and the wider community.
The pattern of aftereffects from near-death experiences is best comprehended when categorized into major characteristics of psychological and physiological changes. Further details and explanations are as follows:
MAJOR CHARACTERISTICS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL CHANGES
A diminished fear of death, increased spirituality and decreased religiosity, an enhanced capacity for abstract thought, more philosophical, potential episodes of depression, increased generosity and charity, broader concepts of love coupled with challenges in forming and sustaining fulfilling relationships, surfacing of "inner child" or unresolved childhood issues, decreased competitiveness, a firm belief in a life purpose, rejection of former life constraints and conventional role-playing, intensified sensory experiences of taste, touch, texture, and smell, heightened intuitive/psychic abilities and the capacity to foresee or "re-live" the future, charismatic presence, and a child-like sense of wonder and joy.
Major physiological changes include altered thought processing, shifting from sequential and selective thinking to a clustered pattern where thoughts gather and ideas emerge spontaneously. Individuals become comfortable with uncertainty, exhibit increased intelligence, and demonstrate greater creativity and inventiveness. There is an unusual sensitivity to light and sound, significant fluctuations in energy levels, including surges throughout the body, and a reversal of the circadian rhythm. Blood pressure may lower, metabolic rates and substance absorption accelerate, leading to a decreased tolerance for pharmaceuticals and chemically treated products. Many turn to alternative healthcare treatments. Electrical sensitivity, synesthesia, and heightened allergies or sensitivities are also common. Some individuals may possess healing abilities and show a preference for a diet rich in vegetables and grains over meat. Physically, they may appear younger than before.
Sensitivity to light and sound can necessitate lifestyle adjustments. While some limit their exposure to sunlight, others seek it out. However, most share a challenge with loud or discordant noises, often finding "hard" rock music intolerable. A preference for classical, melodic, or natural sounds is common, with many using music therapeutically.
Energy surges moving up and down the body, sometimes accompanied by visible "lights," are frequently reported. Researchers often associate this phenomenon with the release of "kundalini," a term from Sanskrit that refers to a coiled energy at the spine's base. It is posited that kundalini and spiritual energy are identical, although this theory is not scientifically proven.
- Electrical sensitivity describes a condition where an individual's energy field or forcefield impacts nearby electrical equipment and technological devices. The effects are often sporadic, with some individuals noticing stopped watches, squealing microphones, failing tape recorders, uncontrolled television channel changes, bursting light bulbs, dropped telephone connections, and computers losing memory, among other phenomena. Those who become comfortable with their new traits tend to report fewer incidents compared to those still adjusting.
- Physical and attitudinal changes lead individuals to modify their approach to health, employment, finances, lifestyle, and relationships. It is as though they must relearn the use of their body and mind. After adjustments, most lead healthier, more productive, and spiritually fulfilling lives. Ignoring or suppressing these aftereffects can result in a sense of incompleteness and later, unexpected breakthroughs.
- The aftereffects are genuine and cannot be concealed. While their onset may be delayed or their impact reduced, their complex and transformative potential cannot be denied.
- Regardless of the drama associated with near-death experiences, the true value and meaning lie in what follows.
HELPFUL NOTES
Adapting to aftereffects requires time. The initial three years can be particularly disorienting, as if the individual is not fully present. It is recommended for experiencers and their families to join or establish a local IANDS group and to consult in-depth research studies on aftereffects for further understanding.
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