Experience Description

In my mind's eye, I would see drops of blood. They would fall to the floor. The drops of blood would morph, or turn, into red plants, like poinsettias. The poinsettias would morph into reddish pebbles on the ground. I would then see my feet walking on those reddish pebbles. Then, the ground would look more like just a dirt path. I did not have a sense that I was who I am now (‘me.’) It felt like I was sort of watching a movie. I never saw myself, except for my feet.

I would find myself walking to a village that looked like something out of a rural 16th century town (or at least what I would imagine that to be). It was heavily wooded. Not real sunny. There was a stone wall, with capstones, where a few women were talking. There was a dark haired man, dressed in a sort of burlap tunic. Everybody was dark and swarthy with very dark hair. The man would initially have his back to me. When I'd get closer, he would turn to me and smile and say something like, ‘We've been waiting for you. Welcome back.’ I'd then be directed to start grinding a type of grain with a mortar and pestle. I'd chat with others at the scene. I didn't feel particularly important - I was not a leader, simply part of a larger group. The working and chatting seemed to last a while. It felt so natural and peaceful. Then, when (in real life,) the treatments would restore my vital signs and the doctors would call my name, I would go into a lighter coma stage, and the man would say, ‘They are calling for you. You have to go back. We'll be here when you return.’ And, I'd awaken, at least to flutter my eyes or groan.

I went through this sequence of visions two or three times, over what seemed like the next three days. I found out later, that I had ‘crashed’ two or three times, and each time that had happened - after receiving a different treatment - I had come close to death. Subsequently, I had come back to life each time - aroused at least to the point where I could flutter my eyes and groan.

I have to emphasize - I felt that I was a female, but, at the same time, I did not feel like ‘me’ - like the person I am now. I didn't visually see myself as that person, either; I don't know what I looked like. It just felt like I was returning to some place meaningful, although the scene had no sense of familiarity to me (the person I am now.) It wasn't a scene out of a movie that I've been to, and the man didn't look like anyone I know or have ever seen. It could have been a hallucination, I guess, but it was unlike a hallucination in that it was so consistent each time.

I struggled with several relapses over the next nine months, but since I woke up from that particular coma, I was never able to will myself back to that place again.

That is my story.

Background Information:

Gender: Female

Date NDE Occurred: June 2001

NDE Elements:

At the time of your experience, was there an associated life-threatening event? Yes Illness Life threatening event, but not clinical death. I was in a hospital, in a week-long coma that was result of life-threatening blood disorder which caused strokes, seizures, and, ultimately, coma. I was given blood transfusions and other blood products and medicines while I was in the coma. I was X-rayed and MRI'd many times, too. My family was called to my bedside because I was expected to die (my organs were failing).

How do you consider the content of your experience? Positive

The experience included: Out of body experience

Did you feel separated from your body? Uncertain

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

Did time seem to speed up or slow down? No

Did you pass into or through a tunnel? No

Did you encounter or become aware of any deceased (or alive) beings? Yes Other people.

Did you see an unearthly light? No

Did you seem to enter some other, unearthly world? A clearly mystical or unearthly realm

The experience included: Strong emotional tone

What emotions did you feel during the experience? Peace and calm. I felt compelled to return to that place.

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? No

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? Liberal

What is your religion now? Liberal

Did you have a change in your values and beliefs because of your experience? Yes I am more open to the idea of reincarnation.

Concerning our Earthly lives other than Religion:


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

At any time in your life, has anything ever reproduced any part of the experience? No