Niel L NDE

edited for clarity by Judy Shea 5/22/11

EXPERIENCE DESCRIPTION:

When I was four, I went to the swimming pool alone to get some coins I had seen at the bottom. I could not reach the side of the pool after jumping in, and I couldn't stay above the water.  I remember accepting death.

The next thing I remember is seeing my mother jumping the pool fence and diving into the pool. (Her image was distorted as if I was looking through the water.)  Next, I remember lots of shouting and crying and my family all huddled over something. I remember trying to talk to them, but they couldn't see or hear me. Then I remember a tunnel with a light at the end. It was a very bright light, but it did not hurt my eyes. I can remember not wanting to return to my body, but being forced to go back, and then physical pain caused, not by returning, but the by the pain of being alive.

Two weeks later, I was awakened from my coma by a glass bottle breaking at my bedside.  That's when I told my parents about my experience.

Was the kind of experience difficult to express in words? Yes.     I learned that all our thoughts, words and actions have consequences.

At the time of this experience, was there an associated life threatening event?          Yes.     Drowning.   Another thing - my Grandfather died, aged 51, on the same day in another country.

At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness and alertness?    Immediately after my death.  I still remember the clothes people were wearing, the smell of cut crass, and seeing myself.

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:            Immediately after my death. I still remember the clothes people were wearing, the smell of cut crass, and seeing myself.

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.)?  Yes.     Everything was in focus and I could see perfectly, not just straight ahead, but 360 degrees around me.

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.)?              Yes.     I had difficulty distinguishing different voices.

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

What emotions did you feel during the experience?            Peace, bliss (neither happy nor sad,) and empathy.

Did you pass into or through a tunnel or enclosure?          Yes.     I passed through a very long tunnel and there was a very bright, captivating light.  I remember wondering why it did not hurt to look at it.

Did you see a light?           Yes.     The light was very bright, but warm and comforting.  It felt like "home."

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.     I can recall the entire event, yet I was clinically dead for 20 minutes.  I knew who pulled me from the pool, who was present, and every person's emotions, in unbelievable detail.

Did you see or visit any beautiful or otherwise distinctive locations, levels or dimensions?            Uncertain.      I don't recall knowing what the location was, but it certainly felt like I belonged there.

Did you have any sense of altered space or time?   Yes.     Time seemed to stand still.  (After my NDE, as a child I was convinced that I could slow down or speed up time with my mind.)

Did you have a sense of knowing special knowledge, universal order and/or purpose?     Yes.            Ever since,  I have been able to feel the emotions of those around me. Without speaking to them or even seeing them, I can feel their "energy."

Did you reach a boundary or limiting physical structure? Yes.     Something would not let me cross over, but I wanted to;  it felt so welcoming.

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.     I am able to feel other people's emotions.

Have you shared this experience with others?         Yes.     I recounted the experience to my family minutes after waking. They are aware that something very extraordinary happened but cannot understand it.

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.    My experience has made me aware of our connection to each other and that we are all ONE!

Were there one or several parts of the experience especially meaningful or significant to you?            The fact that I did not want to return, even to my mother.

How do you currently view the reality of your experience:            Experience was definitely real.    My experience and how I see it has not changed in 34 years

Have your relationships changed specifically as a result of your experience?           Uncertain.     

Have your religious beliefs/practices changed specifically as a result of your experience?            No.            I was too young to have had any religious beliefs.  Now I have no doubt there is a "GOD," but I don't belong to a particular faith.

Following the experience, have you had any other events in your life, medications or substances which reproduced any part of the experience?         Yes.     I once took LSD, and, for a short time, I felt some similarities.           

Did the questions asked and information you provided so far accurately and comprehensively describe your experience?         Yes.     And I think that the person who wrote the questions has either had an NDE, or someone close to them has.