Muzaffer E NDE

edited for clarity by Judy Shea

EXPERIENCE DESCRIPTION:

I was five or six years old,  and my family and neighborhood friends took a pick-up to drive to Karatas (city) where there was an ocean beach.  Even though the weather was not so good,  everyone went swimming.  I went into the water with my older brothers,  but I couldn't swim and the waves pulled me into the open sea.  I was always the shortest student in my class at school, and the water was way over my head – it was two to three times deeper than my height.  From underwater I looked up and saw surface of the water where the waves were rolling over me. I could feel myself being pushed and pulled by the current.  

 I passed out in the water,  and then I felt myself moving upward.  At the height of about ten meters above the water, (I don't remember if I was still moving upward, or whether I had stopped) I looked down and saw a hand in the water.  I didn't realize at the time that it was my hand – that's where my body was floating.

I saw a young man lift me up and bring me back to the beach. The last thing I remember is, being held by the legs with my head down, and someone shaking me.    

This happened thirty years ago, and I still tell my experience to everyone.  I do not care if people believe it or not – I know it was real, because it was I who experienced it. 

After many years, I found out that such experiences are called "Near Death Experiences," and I read some of them.  In my experience, I did not see any bright light, but, like other NDErs, I absolutely do not fear death anymore.  I am married and have two kids, but I do not fear death. 

During my experience,  I was very comfortable,  and that's how I learned how to be more focused and at ease in life.

Was this kind of experience difficult to express in words? No

At the time of this experience, was there an associated life threatening event?  Yes.  I was a child;  I could not swim and I drowned.

At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness and alertness?  I got my consciousness back when someone at the beach shook me, holding my feet up and my head down.

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.

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.  I did not hear any voices.

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

What emotions did you feel during the experience?  I was totally relaxed.

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? No

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? Yes

After I got more information about NDEs, I looked back at my life and I realized that I have been living a positive life and have not feared death.

Have you shared this experience with others?  Yes.

I get different reactions from people.  My best friend Abdurrahman told me that if he were to have such an experience, he would turn away from ordinary life and spend his life serving Allah. (God)  Some people find my experience interesting.

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:  Right after it happened, I knew that my experience was definitely real.

I'm the one who has lived this event and I don't care what others say. I don't think I have to prove it to others.  I just want other experiencers, and me as well, to relax. When I read the NDEs of others, I am calmed and relaxed, too.

Were there one or several parts of the experience especially meaningful or significant to you?

My soul left my body.  So when I had certain things happen  during my life, I could give them a meaning.

How do you currently view the reality of your experience:  I know my experience was definitely real.

Have your relationships changed specifically as a result of your experience?  This comparison isn't possible because I was a five or six year old kid when it happened.

Have your religious beliefs/practices changed specifically as a result of your experience? Uncertain.        I can't really make this comparison, because I was so young when it happened - I didn't have much in the way of religious beliefs then.  But I do think and ponder about religions and life after death a lot. I think people can make  changes in their lives which can affect whether they go to hell or heaven.

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?  I wish to meet other people who have had NDEs.

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

I felt comfortable while answering.

Are there any other questions we could ask to help you communicate your experience?  I can't think of any other questions that you could ask about my experience.  I would like you to know that I have told you about  my experience with sincerity.