Experience Description

I believed I was very healthy with good eating habits and a strong exercise program. I did have a lot of heartburn. I woke up with severe heartburn at 12:30 am. I turned on my left side and waited for it to go away but it got worse. At some point I decided it was a heart attack so I tried my best to relax, I don't know why. The pain became very strong. Then the pain went away. I searched for signs of breathing – nothing; signs of a heartbeat - nothing. Absolutely no feelings of pain or worry but my mind was working. As time went on I became very happy, filled with joy. It was extremely dark, no sound no senses, nothing except my mind. I was not concerned about my family or anything. My thoughts were, I have died, and I will be the first in my extended family to find out what comes after death. I was so happy.

I began to leave my body when slam I was back in my body with pain, and hurt and worry. My sheets and body were soaked wet and the pain was back. When I went to a cardiologist, he confirmed to me that I had a heart attack.

I have now had bypass surgery and I am on lots of heart medication. My personality has changed; I am so much more relaxed - mellow. It has caused a serious change in me that everyone in my circle has noticed. I lost all fear of death. The death experience is painless and joyful.

Background Information:

Gender: Male

Date NDE Occurred: 'August 2005'

NDE Elements:

At the time of your experience, was there an associated life-threatening event? Yes Heart attack Clinical death (cessation of breathing or heart function or brain function) 'My heart stopped, breathing ceased all at home in bed.' Heart attack.

How do you consider the content of your experience? Wonderful

Did you feel separated from your body? No I lost awareness of my body

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 Mid level. After I became aware that I was dead.

At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness and alertness? Mid level. After I became aware that I was dead.

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

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

The experience included: Darkness

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? Joy.

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? Liberal

Have your religious practices changed since your experience? Yes All religions seem to be trying to explain the same event with their own particular spin. It does not matter which window you choose to look through.

What is your religion now? Liberal

Did you have a change in your values and beliefs because of your experience? Yes All religions seem to be trying to explain the same event with their own particular spin. It does not matter which window you choose to look through.

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? Yes

Have your relationships changed specifically because of your experience? Yes I am able to give and receive love now. It isn't the amount of time you have in this world it's what you do with that time.

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 When I saw the heart surgeon. He said he was very familiar with similar stories.

Did you have any knowledge of near death experience (NDE) prior to your experience? Yes Occasional TV and news articles.

What did you believe about the reality of your experience shortly (days to weeks) after it happened? Experience was definitely real At first I thought I must have dreamed the event. But when the doctor said I had all the signs of a heart attack I accepted it.

What do you believe about the reality of your experience now? Experience was definitely real

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