Pam P Probable NDE

EXPERIENCE DESCRIPTION:

It was a cold day in November or December in 1962. It was cloudy and raining at the time. I was standing on the end of a dock at Wapato Park in Tacoma, WA with my older brother and older sister. I was wearing a heavy wool coat with plastic boots on to protect my only pair of shoes. After walking to the end of the dock, I looked at the water below and said aloud, "I wonder how deep that is." My older brother said, "Why don't you find out?" and the next thing I knew, he pushed me and I landed in the cold water. It was way over my head and I didn't know how to swim. My heavy wool coat soaked up the water like a sponge and I immediately sank to the bottom. Frantically, I fought my way to the surface and was able to take a quick breath before sinking below the water again. I kicked off my shoes/boots but was unable to remove the heavy wool coat. (Probably why Natalie Wood died with her heavy wool sweater on. Impossible to remove). I fought my way to the surface again, took another quick breath and sank below the water. The third time I surfaced, I wasn't able to take a breath before sinking once again into the deep water. I was exhausted, out of breath and knew I didn't have the strength to fight anymore. I was cold, shivering, frightened and panicked, knowing I was drowning.

I remember thinking about opening my mouth and sucking in the water to 'get this over with', when I saw a bright light way off in the distance. It was just a pinpoint of light--very bright in the deep water--but didn't hurt my eyes. Incredibly, the light moved very fast and within a fraction of a second, engulfed me. Suddenly, I felt very warm and comforted like a cold newborn baby being wrapped in a warm, soft blanket. I remember feeling very peaceful. I looked down at my arms and legs and they were glowing in the dark. I heard a voice say, "It is not yet your time. You'll be alright." I couldn't tell if it was a male or female voice. Next thing I knew, my brother grabbed the back of my coat and pulled me out of the water.

At the time of your experience was there an associated life-threatening event?   Yes  I was drowning at the time.

Was the experience difficult to express in words?  Yes     As an 8 year old, I didn't understand what I went through and never told anyone until just a few years ago when I was in my 50's. Now that I understand what happened to me, I can verbalize it more clearly.

At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness and alertness?    When I was lying at the bottom of the lake and the light engulfed me, was when I had my highest level of consciousness.

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   I can't explain how peaceful I felt when the light was upon me. I felt like had it been my time, I would have 'gone' right then and would not have had to actually suffer the pain of my body drowning. I have never felt such peace before or since and I've never heard that voice again either.

Please compare your vision during the experience to your everyday vision that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience.   I was born with crossed eyes and wore a patch for many years to correct it. Then I had to wear very thick glasses. I didn't have my glasses on and could only see a few feet without them. Yet I was able to see the light far off in the distance, crystal clear with no blurry edges.

Please compare your hearing during the experience to your everyday hearing that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience.   I remember hearing the rush of the water as I was sinking and resurfacing with no other sounds. The voice I heard was not an actual voice but more like given to me telepathically. Which I heard very clearly.

Did you see or hear any earthly events that were occurring during a time that your consciousness / awareness was apart from your physical / earthly body?   No  

What emotions did you feel during the experience?   Warm, peaceful, loved, comforted.  

Did you pass into or through a tunnel?   No  

Did you see an unearthly light?   Yes   The light was far off in the distance. I remember my eyes being closed as there was nothing to see under the water. The warmth of the light made me open them. It felt warm to me though it was quite a ways away. I couldn't gauge it in feet other than it was to my right and above me.

Did you seem to encounter a mystical being or presence, or hear an unidentifiable voice?   I heard a voice I could not identify
The male/female voice said, "It is not yet your time. You'll be alright." Very warm, very pleasant, very reassuring.

Did you encounter or become aware of any beings who previously lived on earth who are described by name in religions (for example: Jesus, Muhammad, Buddha, etc.)?   No  

Did you encounter or become aware of any deceased (or alive) beings?   No  

Did you become aware of past events in your life during your experience?   No  

Did you seem to enter some other, unearthly world?   No

Did time seem to speed up or slow down?   Time seemed to go faster or slower than usual
Time seemed to slow down and speed up at the same time. I had gone beneath the surface without a breath and couldn't hold my breath very long. Yet when the light appeared and I heard the voice, I don't know the interval in seconds of all that happening but it had to be quick as I hadn't had a breath in probably 30 seconds by then. Maybe even a minute.

Did you suddenly seem to understand everything?   Everything about the universe
When the light was upon me, I felt like I and the Universe were 'one'. Totally in harmony.

Did you reach a boundary or limiting physical structure?   No

Did you come to a border or point of no return?   No

Did scenes from the future come to you?  No 

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness suggesting that there either is (or is not) continued existence after earthly life (“life after death”)?   Yes   I knew when the light engulfed me, there is life after death. I knew my soul would have been taken at that moment had it been my time to go. And I also knew I wouldn't have to actually suffer the act of drowning as my consciousness/soul would have already left.

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness that God or a supreme being either does (or does not) exist?   Uncertain   I didn't really 'feel' God at that moment. Nor do I know for certain the voice was an angel. I actually don't know who or what it was that talked to me.

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness that you either did (or did not) exist prior to this lifetime?   Yes   I now know for sure there is a time to live and a set time to die. It was not yet my time. When the time comes for me to go, I now know I won't be alone, I'll feel that warmth and comfort again and maybe the being attached to the voice I heard so many years ago, will be the one to guide me safely home.

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness that a mystical universal connection or unity/oneness either does (or does not) exist?   Uncertain   I felt 'one' with the Universe but it was only for a split second. It was more of a feeling than an actual experience.

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness regarding earthly life’s meaning or purpose?   Uncertain  

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness regarding earthly life’s difficulties, challenges, or hardships?   No  

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness regarding love?   Uncertain   I felt loved and accepted while the light was upon me.

During your experience, did you encounter any other specific information / awareness that you have not shared in other questions that is relevant to living our earthly lives?   No  

Did you have a sense of knowing special knowledge or purpose?   Yes   I don't know if its special knowledge but I know our time to go is pre-set or pre-destined. I also know God takes our soul beforehand so we don't have to suffer through the circumstances of our own death. I also suspect God has to take our soul first so the body can die.

What occurred during your experience included:   Content that was entirely not consistent with the beliefs you had at the time of your experience   I turned away from God as I saw him as angry, mean and vengeful. I was going to go to hell and suffer fire and brimstone according to the Baptist minister. I tried not to think about that too much. To feel the love I did and the contentment and the comforting, I'd never felt on earth before. It was a shock and a surprise. I didn't think God had those qualities.

How accurately do you remember the experience in comparison to other life events that occurred around the time of the experience?   I remember the experience more accurately than other life events that occurred around the time of the experience   I have never forgotten that light, the warmth, the comfort when I was so cold and frightened. The voice was full of peace and so loving. Hard to find the words to describe it. But this experience stands out more vividly than all others.

Discuss any changes that might have occurred in your life after your experience:   I decided to find God for myself. I've read the Bible 5 times and read most other versions. I have done research on other non-accepted versions of the scriptures and studied the world religions. I have sought God and He found me. I now know He is kind, loving and has an intense interest in us personally, unlike what religion has taught me. I am now an ordained Minister and am a Home Health Care Aid, a Certified Nursing Assistant working with elderly and hospice.

My experience directly resulted in:   Large changes in my life

Did you have any changes in your values or beliefs after the experience that occurred as a result of the experience?   Yes   God is real. He does exist. I do not believe that our loving Father sends us to hell nor do I believe there even is a hell. I believe earth is a negative planet and is the only 'hell' we face. I believe we all go to heaven when we die and there are several levels in heaven.

Are there one or several parts of your experience that are especially meaningful or significant to you?   All of it was significant. All was meaningful.

Do you have any psychic, non-ordinary or other special gifts after your experience that you did not have before the experience?   Yes   Watches don't run on me. They stop running after a few days.  Dr Melvin Morse stated this is a common reaction in many after having had a life after death experience.

Are there one or several parts of your experience that are especially meaningful or significant to you?     All of it was significant. All was meaningful.

Have you ever shared this experience with others?   Yes  Fifty years went by before I said anything. When my mother was old and dying last year, I told her of this experience to help her believe in a Good God and there is a Heaven. I hoped it helped her though she scoffed at my experience at the time, thinking maybe I dreamed it.

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 definitely real   I kept thinking about it but it didn't make sense to me. I didn't understand what happened to me or what it meant so after awhile, I tried not to think about it. I tried to even tell myself maybe I dreamed it????

What do you believe about the reality of your experience at the current time:   Experience was definitely real   I wouldn't/didn't make that experience up. It was very real.

Have your relationships changed specifically as a result of your experience?   Yes   I was the 3rd of six children. We fought all the time and broke each others toys. After this, I was more considerate.

Have your religious beliefs/spiritual practices changed specifically as a result of your experience?   Yes   It made me research as an adult, what I went through as a child. Did others have a same or similar experience? It made me research the Bible to see for myself who and what God really is. Not what a minister on a pulpit says he is. I wanted to find out for myself.

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

Is there anything else that you would like to add about your experience?   I want to feel the way I felt that day, again. It would be heavenly.

Did the questions asked and information that you provided accurately and comprehensively describe your experience?   Yes    Please offer any suggestions that you may have to improve this questionnaire.  Are there any other questions that we could ask to help you communicate your experience?  

What could a national organization with an interest in near death experience (NDE) do that would be of interest to you?        I love reading about other NDE's. Although I wasn't clinically dead and didn't receive psychic power after what happened to me, it did change my life. That's good enough for me. I want to continue reading yours and other websites and read actual experiences from readers.

Please offer any suggestions that you may have to improve this questionnaire.  Are there any other questions that we could ask to help you communicate your experience?                    Questionnaire was fine.