Experience Description:

I am glad to finally to be able to share this with someone.

At the time of my most significant experience, I was a homeless teenager living in basically the worst neighborhood Philadelphia has to offer. I was there because I was a heroin addict and it was readily available to me in that setting. I don't want that to diminish any credibility of my account as you will see despite my lack of formal education I am relatively intelligent, (a gift from my experience).

Like I said I was homeless at the time and using heroin quite frequently. It was one time in particular that led me to near death. I had just gotten high in the Dunkin Donuts bathroom at early morning hours (3:00 am) with some friends I had at the time. When I walked out I saw them look at me and all of their jaws dropped. I saw them run over to me. I remember trying to ask them 'What's the big deal?' but no voice came out and I wondered why for only a second. Then it was like I was transported to another plane of light first white and then as I felt like I was gaining focus I realized it was a bright purple. I was traveling not as a human but as a force of energy, that I have come to describe as waves of light. There were others there also that guided me and communicated to me and welcomed me like a loving mother would and I could feel a connection with them that had no origin.

The feelings that I experienced then were overwhelming to me as a LOVE I never thought possible and peace beyond words. By this point, I had realized that I must have died and I truly didn't mind, in fact I was relived and would have cried in Joy had my body been with me. I still cry every time I think about what awaits me on the other side, like I can channel the peace and love that was there and it has been eleven years. I am still very much in touch with that dimension.

I never reached any destination but the fellow spirits that traveled with me told me of a source energy that all spirits must pass through and your true spirit will be revealed to you. I remember wanting to laugh because I knew that I was pure. At the time, I was confused because I was a homeless man and had done some things to support my habit that broke the Laws of MAN. The spirits reminded me of some of my better moments on earth that reflected the true nature of my spirit and the kindness that it holds. I was relieved and I believed them with all my being.

I was very much anticipating visiting this source of energy that they had told me of because I had a feeling that once that was done I had some important things to do (Don't ask me what, but whatever it was it was the reason I had been on earth). Unfortunately, I never made it to that point.

I then felt the worst pain I have ever felt, I could feel myself being ripped out of where I was and it burned, I woke up in the hospital bed throwing up and shaking uncontrollably sweating profusely and I was extremely mad at the doctor I cursed him up and down and I knew I was alive again. (I think, or I might be in Hell.)

Background Information:

Gender: Male

Date NDE Occurred: 1994

NDE Elements:

At the time of your experience, was there an associated life-threatening event? Yes Drug Overdose Clinical death (cessation of breathing or heart function or brain function)

How do you consider the content of your experience? Wonderful

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 I normally hated existing in this world, but there I felt like I was free and had purpose.

At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness and alertness? Right before I came back.

Were your thoughts speeded up? Neither

Did time seem to speed up or slow down? Neither If there was time it held no significance. And there were no boundaries or limitations to the spaces. If anything time was slower because it was more enjoyable.

Were your senses more vivid than usual? Incredibly more so

Please compare your vision during the experience to your everyday vision that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience. It seemed that everything there is communicated through light and vibrations of sound and soul.

Please compare your hearing during the experience to your everyday hearing that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience. Music.

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

Did you pass into or through a tunnel? No

Did you see any beings in your experience? Saw them

Did you encounter or become aware of any deceased (or alive) beings? Yes See above account. I believe they were guides or fellow angels.

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

Did you seem to enter some other, unearthly world? Clearly mystical or unearthly realm The light that guided me was the landscape ( I think)

What emotions did you feel during the experience? Intense goodness.

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? No longer in conflict with nature

Did you suddenly seem to understand everything? Everything about the universe

Did scenes from your past come back to you? Remembered many past events

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? Liberal I was raised in a two religion household and developed an early understanding of the conflict that arises between any said religion. I chose not to label myself with any one religion.

Have your religious practices changed since your experience? Yes

What is your religion now? Liberal I still share the same views as prior to me experience concerning organized religion but I have a new faith and understanding of life and the energy that it consists of.

Did you have a change in your values and beliefs because of your experience? Yes

Did you seem to encounter a mystical being or presence, or hear an unidentifiable voice? Definite being, or voice clearly of mystical or other-worldly origin

Did you see deceased or religious spirits? Saw them

Concerning our Earthly lives other than Religion

During your experience, did you gain special knowledge or information about your purpose? Yes That we are all spiritual beings and to learn from being on earth. What you learn here you will need in the next world. This is the test, all things bodily will leave, you will be the creator of another world.

Have your relationships changed specifically because of your experience? Yes

After the NDE:

Was the experience difficult to express in words? No I would say yes at the time, it has been a couple of years and I have some words to best describe it, now it is just hard for most people to understand.

Do you have any psychic, non-ordinary or other special gifts after your experience that you did not have before the experience? Yes Can't say.

Have you ever shared this experience with others? Yes

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

What do you believe about the reality of your experience now? Experience was definitely real Because I was there and it's eleven years later and I still am obsessed with it. You would be too.

At any time in your life, has anything ever reproduced any part of the experience? Yes