Giambalvo NDE

Experience Description

I fell into a ravine. The drop was more than 150 feet deep. This event was witnessed by my companions and my teacher. From where I fell, I could hear my best friend calling to find where I was. I was replying but he could not hear me. I saw him reach the spot and I saw my teacher lifting me in his arms. I also saw the ambulance arrive by road and park at the edge of the forest. I saw the paramedics get out of their vehicles. I did speak to my teacher, but no one could hear me, and from where I fell, it would be impossible to see everything I saw, as I was right inside the forest with my view cut off, and unconscious.

I remained in a coma for a half day then woke up. I was covered with injuries. For the people around me I have completely changed in character. According to the paramedics it was a miracle that I survived. I have never forgotten this experience.

Background Information:

Gender: Male

Date NDE Occurred: 1977

NDE Elements:

At the time of your experience, was there an associated life-threatening event? Yes Accident. Direct head injury 'Life threatening event, but not clinical death'

How do you consider the content of your experience? Wonderful

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? More consciousness and alertness than normal As above.

At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness and alertness? As soon as I fell. I could see everything, hear everything, but was unconscious (to the outside world).

Were your thoughts speeded up? Faster than usual

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

Please compare your vision during the experience to your everyday vision that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience. I could see everything, I was outside my body.

Please compare your hearing during the experience to your everyday hearing that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience. I could hear sounds at a distance and very clearly.

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

What emotions did you feel during the experience? Curiosity.

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? 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:

Have your religious practices changed since your experience? Uncertain

What is your religion now? Moderate

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

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? No

Have your relationships changed specifically because of your experience? Yes Relations with people, and my own reactions.

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

Are there one or several parts of your experience that are especially meaningful or significant to you? Leaving my body and observing other people.

Have you ever shared this experience with others? Yes Some years later - met with silence, thoughtfulness.

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 Completely special.

What do you believe about the reality of your experience now? Experience was definitely real I have left my body on another occasion, in the same way, but while I was relaxing, having a siesta.

At any time in your life, has anything ever reproduced any part of the experience? Yes I was just falling asleep, and while my eyes were still open, I saw myself leave my body, rise to the ceiling of my room and look back at me.

Is there anything else that you would like to add about your experience? No.