Joe M NDE

EXPERIENCE DESCRIPTION:

I have to first describe the circumstances leading up to the experiences. I was wrestling in the water of the local YMCA swimming pool. He, my friend, managed to pull me under and get on top of me. Normally this wouldn't have been a problem but he happened to catch me just as I had exhaled so I had no are in my lungs to fight back with. He didn't realize I was in trouble, he just assumed that my struggling was me trying to flip him in turn. I was in panic mode trying to get out from under him. Then I could hold my breath no longer and reflexively took in a long deep breath. The breath was water however, not air. Surprisingly this did not hurt.

All of a sudden a deep peace filled me unlike anything I've felt before or since (even when I was doing drugs). This is the hard part to describe: a darkness, pitch black, "enveloped" me at the same time but "enveloped" is only as close as I can get to explaining it. It wasn't scary. It was warm, comforting and safe. Safer than I've ever felt before. The next thing I remember watching the life guard giving me mouth to mouth to revive me. I wasn't floating above the scene as some people describe, I was watching it as if I were kneeling right next to them. I couldn't figure out what was going on. I didn't know why he was kissing me. Although I knew that that was me on the tiled floor I didn't realize until much later that I was watching myself. I was ignorant at the moment that I was separated from my myself.

The next thing I know I'm gasping desperately for air and thrashing about violently at the lifeguard as if I'm still drowning. After I calmed down the memory of the peaceful darkness came back to me. The out of body experience, if that is what it was, didn't come balk until years later when I was recounting the drowning to a friend. Because of that lapse of time I question whether it actually happened or is something my mind has made up.

Was the kind of experience difficult to express in words? Yes     Difficult to describe the darkness and how it felt

At the time of this experience, was there an associated life threatening event?          Yes     I drowned in a swimming pool

At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness and alertness?    If I understand the question properly I'd say my highest level of consciousness was when I was/had drowned. I can remember the feeling of breathing in water and the peaceful darkness that overcame me vividly. I would say the out of body experience was less because I didn't realize it was happening at the time.

How did your highest level of consciousness and alertness during the experience compare to your normal every day consciousness and alertness?    More consciousness and alertness than normal

If your highest level of consciousness and alertness during the experience was different from your normal every day consciousness and alertness, please explain:            If I understand the question properly I'd say my highest level of consciousness was when I was/had drowned. I can remember the feeling of breathing in water and the peaceful darkness that overcame me vividly. I would say the out of body experience was less because I didn't realize it was happening at the time.

Did your vision differ in any way from your normal, everyday vision (in any aspect, such as clarity, field of vision, colors, brightness, depth perception degree of solidness/transparency of objects, etc.)?  No      

Did your hearing differ in any way from your normal, everyday hearing (in any aspect, such as clarity, ability to recognize source of sound, pitch, loudness, etc.)?            No      

Did you experience a separation of your consciousness from your body?     Yes

What emotions did you feel during the experience?            Intense peace and safety. Confusion during the out of body experience.

Did you pass into or through a tunnel or enclosure?          No      

Did you see a light?           No      

Did you meet or see any other beings?           No      

Did you experience a review of past events in your life?    No      

Did you observe or hear anything regarding people or events during your experience that could be verified later?          Yes     The life guard giving me mouth to mouth and pressing on my chest.

Did you see or visit any beautiful or otherwise distinctive locations, levels or dimensions?           No           

Did you have any sense of altered space or time?   No      

Did you have a sense of knowing special knowledge, universal order and/or purpose?     No      

Did you reach a boundary or limiting physical structure? No      

Did you become aware of future events?       No           

Did you have any psychic, paranormal or other special gifts following the experience you did not have prior to the experience?     No      

Have you shared this experience with others?         No      

Did you have any knowledge of near death experience (NDE) prior to your experience?    No      

How did you view the reality of your experience shortly (days to weeks) after it happened:            Experience was definitely real    Don't understand the question.

Were there one or several parts of the experience especially meaningful or significant to you?    I realized afterwards that death doesn't hurt.

How do you currently view the reality of your experience:            Experience was definitely real    I definitely believe the peacefulness and darkness happened because the feeling was to vivid and I immediately remembered it afterwards. I can still sometimes get a hint of it if I focus hard enough. The OBE I still question but, despite that, that memory is pretty vivid as well leading me to believe it really happened.

Have your relationships changed specifically as a result of your experience?           Yes     I'm not afraid of strangers killing me. I feel envious of dying people because they are going to the place I'd like to return to.

Have your religious beliefs/practices changed specifically as a result of your experience?            No           

Following the experience, have you had any other events in your life, medications or substances which reproduced any part of the experience?         No      

Is there anything else you would like to add concerning the experience?        No.

Did the questions asked and information you provided so far accurately and comprehensively describe your experience?         Yes    

Are there any other questions we could ask to help you communicate your experience?   No. It was good.