Janice H NDE

Experience Description

I was in a car driving towards the Coast of Oregon when my car went off the road and crashed. I was thrown out of the car, landed between two large boulders, and then the car landed on top of me. The two other passengers in the car were not injured. As I was being crushed by the car, I felt myself being squeezed so hard that my breath was leaving me and I thought to myself, 'Oh God, I am going to die.' About this time, I was being levitated to the sky. I looked down where my body was lying and my right leg was all twisted. I saw the two people that were traveling with me crying and were very upset over my injuries. The ambulance had arrived and the attendant was administering help to me. I watched them do what they could but I could not understand why everyone was so upset. I was feeling wonderful and happy. I knew that this was a wonderful thing that was happening to me. I continued to leave the scene of the accident and followed a bright light. I do not know how long this lasted but eventually I returned to my body. (It was after I had arrived at the hospital and had surgery.)

I had remained in a coma for several days before I returned to consciousness. I suffered extensive internal injuries and a crushed right femur, pelvic bone and several other bones as well. It was an intense memory that I have never been able to forget. Even though it has been almost sixty years since the accident, I can remember the exact feelings of peacefulness, and happiness as if it happened to me yesterday. It took a long time before I ever told anyone about the experience because I did not think anyone would believe me.

Background Information:

Gender: Female

Date NDE Occurred: June 1951

NDE Elements:

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

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? When I was watching the people who were crying over me.

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? Uncertain I am not certain if I went through a tunnel. I know I saw a bright light that I was headed for.

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

The experience included: Light

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 I saw and followed a very bright light.

Did you seem to enter some other, unearthly world? No

The experience included: Strong emotional tone

What emotions did you feel during the experience? I felt exhilarated and happy. Things seemed beautiful to me in every aspect.

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:

What was your religion prior to your experience? Conservative/fundamentalist

Have your religious practices changed since your experience? No

What is your religion now? Conservative/fundamentalist

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? No

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

Are there one or several parts of your experience that are especially meaningful or significant to you? Yes. My experience gave me a knowledge of the feeling of dying and I have no fear of it. The peace I felt during this episode was one of the most pleasant experiences of my life.

Have you ever shared this experience with others? Yes It took me several years before I shared this experience with family members. Their reaction was one of wonder and some uncertainty over the accuracy.

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 I knew it was real. It had happened to me and I felt that this was a message from God that I was going to be okay and that there was no need for fear. I felt like it was my own special secret.

What do you believe about the reality of your experience now? Experience was definitely real I still feel that it was a special gift given to me from God. It has made me a more trusting person and certainly more positive thinking.

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.