Experience Description

I experienced civil war soldiers marching along a long walkway upwards. I was told that it was not my time to go. My feeling was of purgatory or hell. But there was more too. It that I cannot put to words. It was as though I had more to do and to prove my worthiness.

Background Information:

Gender: Male

Date NDE Occurred: 'May 27,1994'

NDE Elements:

At the time of your experience, was there an associated life-threatening event? Yes Accident Other 'Water Main explosion - 12'' pipe ruptured and hit me causing broken back, pelvis, nerve damage, etc. Injuries should have caused death Doctor said. They ran out of blood and had to use plasma. Details when we speak.' Internal injuries.

How do you consider the content of your experience? Mixed

The experience included: Out of body experience

Did you feel separated from your body? Yes 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 No, coma.

At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness and alertness? No, coma.

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

Please compare your vision during the experience to your everyday vision that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience. Increase awareness and desire to achieve something. That something is what I still search for today.

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 Not really sure, but I feel as though a passage was involved.

The experience included: Presence of deceased persons

Did you see any beings in your experience? I actually saw them

Did you encounter or become aware of any deceased (or alive) beings? Yes Soldiers and past relatives.

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? A clearly mystical or unearthly realm Location Not recognizable too me. It's gloomy for some reason.

The experience included: Strong emotional tone

What emotions did you feel during the experience? Sad and scared. It bothers me still.

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 Not sure, main focus was the future.

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? Moderate

Have your religious practices changed since your experience? No

What is your religion now? Liberal

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? Yes Cannot explain briefly.

Have your relationships changed specifically because of your experience? Yes Mainly just my family.

After the NDE:


Was the experience difficult to express in words? Uncertain The feelings involved. I did however write a poem that was published.

Do you have any psychic, non-ordinary or other special gifts after your experience that you did not have before the experience? Uncertain Dreams of future events that later came true.

Are there one or several parts of your experience that are especially meaningful or significant to you? The whole experience.

Have you ever shared this experience with others? Yes Close family only.

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 probably not real Still have problems determining what it was and what it meant. But in some way I know I was given a second chance. I was told that I would never walk or have kids. I am walking and have a son. My view of life and the world is extremely open to views I never would have thought of.

What do you believe about the reality of your experience now? Experience was probably not real I really do not know.

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

Are there any other questions that we could ask to help you communicate your experience? I am doing this for others, I am not looking for anything. I know what I experienced and I really am not concerned with whether it was real or not. It was an experience that in some way altered my life.