Bobbie K NDE

EXPERIENCE DESCRIPTION:

My near-death experience at the age of five, when I drowned

            I know that death is not the end of life. I know this because I am one of the lucky people who has had a “near-death” experience. When I was five years old, I drowned in a tributary of the Danube River in Mosonmagyarovar, Hungary. Like many other children, I was carried away by the rush of springtime water. My mother took her eyes off me only for an instant, and in that instant, my life changed forever.

            I was revived shortly after I drowned, but nothing was the same again. Something happened to me that I could not put into words. It was a ‘knowing’ that challenged my thoughts and beliefs for the rest of my life. I had vague memories of my drowning, but what happened after that defied my knowledge or experience as a child. I carried images and feelings in my heart that I knew were not memories and had very little to do with my physical experience.

            I started meditating for long periods of time in a dark place. I lived in Hungary, where many apartments had an inner and an outer door, with a space of about two feet between them. I sat in this space in total silence with my doll. I felt at peace. I craved this familiar peace.

            Another place I spent time was in front of a three-way mirror. If I tilted the mirrors at just the right angle, I could see many images of myself, the mirror, and my doll. I imagined the images seeing even more images. I wondered if there was an end to the images of me or an end to me, period. Instinctively, I knew there wasn’t. I became obsessed with infinity.

            My infinity obsession did not stop in front of the mirror. When I started school, I asked my father to teach me how to multiply. Instead of two times two, however, my numbers were millions and zillions. He thought it was a rather odd request, but I assured him that I wanted to make him proud by getting the best marks in my class.       

            Although I lived in a communist country, I went to church and had weekly classes in religious education. A priest came to our school, or sometimes we went to a chapel. I loved these sessions because the priest read fascinating stories to us. His instruction was more spiritual than religious. I couldn’t get enough!

            The priests were part of our community, and we spent a lot of time with them. I challenged a young priest with constant questions, such as how many buckets it would take to empty the oceans of the world or how many steps I would have to climb on Jacob’s Ladder in order to reach Heaven. He, in turn, asked how long it would take me to figure out the mystery of the Holy Trinity. I told him I already knew that one! I knew because I had ‘experienced’ the answer. I no longer remembered how I knew, but that knowledge became my truth. I knew that I was a very powerful being, that I was a part of God, and that my Spirit would never die. I was Spirit in a human incarnation.

            The church was just behind my home and on the way to my grandmother’s house. Each day, I went in, whether for mass, benediction, or just to meditate. I loved the smell of incense, the light of the candles, and the peaceful feeling I had when I sat in a pew next to a coffin that contained the remains of a saint. I felt safe there. Another place that brought me peace was the cemetery. I played there almost every day, visiting my baby uncle, aunt, and cousin’s graves and carrying on conversations with them. The gravediggers knew me well and were amused by my many questions and insights.

             I lived much of my life inside my head and created dreams for myself. I taught myself how to create my life. To this day, I feel at least partly responsible for the Hungarian Revolution. I wanted desperately to come to ‘Amerika,’ and I put a lot of desire and energy into that dream.

            In university, I studied English and philosophy. I found philosophy very disturbing. It asked me to question everything that finally made sense to me. It also recalled a ‘knowing’ that was buried deep inside. I didn’t comprehend what that was, because, in those days, what happened to me was not written or talked about. I repressed it consciously, but it kept creeping into my life. For example, the final thesis I wrote for my English degree was called “The Intersection of Time and Eternity.”

            I was almost 30 when I realized that I had had a near-death experience. It was a secret I carried inside me—a secret even from myself. Then one day, I saw a TV program about NDEs, and from then on, I started devouring books on the subject. Suddenly, everything made sense, and nothing did, but I understood why I perceived life in such a different way.

            Once I realized that I had ‘died,’ I knew I could help take the fear from others who were facing this transition challenge. For a number of years, I became a hospice volunteer, helping people deal with their biggest fear‑death. I put together prayers, readings, and music that I thought would make the process easier.

            Often, when I meditate, the light and warmth comes back to me. I hear a voice telling me that s/he loves me and is always with me.
            My NDE is not just a memory. It is something that is a part of who I am. It is a signpost that guides me toward God, but away from religion. I never saw Jesus or any other “being” on the other side, even though I was a strong Christian at the time. I do, however believe in God because I experienced God as love.  

The following poems are descriptive of my drowning. Basically, I floated down the river with my eyes open. The sun was shining brightly above the water, and I could see it through the water. I was in horrible pain when the water entered my lungs, and then it felt as if I could breathe water. I remember thinking I must have turned into a mermaid. My body then started speeding up, rushing toward a bright light. I went through a tunnel of sorts, but it was more like a light tunnel. On the other side was a warm, all-encompassing light. I felt a loving presence such as I had never before experienced. I felt comforted and so very happy. It then communicated to me that I had to go back. I was very angry that I had to leave and begged Him/Her to let me stay. The rest is in the poem. To this day, when I have a massage on my back, pain and anger resurfaces, probably from cell memory. My back was pushed and punched to get out the water, but I think the real pain was about being sent away from that incredible experience of love. 

DROWNING IN THE RIVER 

Drowning in the river

Spitting like rain, cold as pain.

Bubbles sparkle my last breaths of air

I flow on and on,

Keeping my gaze on the sun,

As the river carries me along.

My life is flowing in the river.

My peace is flowing in the river.

My joy is flowing in the river.

My love is flowing in the river.

See ME flowing in the river.

Swirling and dancing

under the sun.

Have I become a mermaid?

I’m breathing water now.

Effortless dolphin waves are

splashing against my brow.

Bobbing, lightweight, like a cork,

I flow on and on,

feeling the river run.

Eyes wide open, guided by the Light,

So familiar, so loved, so free.

Far from illusion, heading toward the sea.

I reach a tunnel, the water is gone,

my body no longer in sight.

My spirit soars lightning speed ahead.

Much to my delight,

I am on other side of life!

On the other side of life

With my eyes wide open, I saw the light.

My being was filled with pure delight.

Where am I? What place is this?

It is so bright! So bright!

I melted into a warm embrace—I felt no fear—not even a trace

of regret or sorrow or judgment or pain.

There was only love.

Nothing but love—warm love, overwhelming love, precious love,
expanding, embracing, accepting, nourishing, arms-wide-open  BIG HUG LOVE!

Warmth and light covered me like a blanket.

I heard a message in my heart

“My Dear Child!” it said,

“I cherish you and bless you.

You are a beacon, my shining star.

Filled with my light—that’s who you are.”

My SELF expanded.

I knew I was in the presence of God.

I breathed His love into my perfect soul.

“I am always with you.”

I heard God’s message loud and clear.

And then it was over—I felt a tear.

“Come back to us,” my mother cried.

God’s voice was within her, as she tried

to push water from my lifeless lungs.

Urgent hands, slapping, punching at my back...

I breathed. I felt a burning in my chest.

I became aware of pain again.

“Please let me stay,” I begged “I’m so happy here.”

“Please don’t send me away.”

God’s love again filled my heart,

and I knew we could never be apart.

In my mother’s eyes, I saw the fears,

But I glimpsed God’s love behind her tears.

I was only five—my life barely begun.

I had much to do—my time had not come.

I slipped fully back into my body then.

My new life was about to begin.

Was the kind of experience difficult to express in words? No       At the time, I had no words to explain it. I was only five. I had no knowledge about NDEs until much later, so I didn't talk about it.

At the time of this experience, was there an associated life threatening event?          No      

At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness and alertness?    I was very alert the whole time, but the experience of being loved on the other side was immense.

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:            I was very alert the whole time, but the experience of being loved on the other side was immense.

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    

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.)?            Uncertain      Hearing was more in my head than actual hearing.

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

What emotions did you feel during the experience?            From my poem:

I melted into a warm embrace—I felt no fear—not even a trace

of regret or sorrow or judgment or pain.

There was only love.

Nothing but love—warm love, overwhelming love, precious love,

expanding, embracing, accepting, nourishing, arms-wide-open  BIG HUG LOVE!

Warmth and light covered me like a blanket.

Did you pass into or through a tunnel or enclosure?          Yes     Eyes wide open, guided by the Light,

So familiar, so loved, so free.

Far from illusion, heading toward the sea.

I reach a tunnel, the water is gone,

my body no longer in sight.

My spirit soars lightning speed ahead.

Much to my delight,

I am on other side of life!

Did you see a light?           Yes     With my eyes wide open, I saw the light.

My being was filled with pure delight.

Where am I?;What place is this?

It is so bright! So bright!

Did you meet or see any other beings?           No       I felt only a loving being.

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?   Uncertain     

Did you have a sense of knowing special knowledge, universal order and/or purpose?     Yes     I had a feeling of infinity, that there was no end to me or to God.

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?     Uncertain      I feel very comfortable talking about death and have never forgotten or lost the experience. I also am very connected and can manifest what I want most of the time. I am very sure about my beliefs. God sends me messages every day, and I know where they are coming from. I have learned to listen and know the truth.

Have you shared this experience with others?         Yes     25 years. I did write an essay in College called "The Intersection of Time and Eternity," but I had no idea then why.

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    I knew it was real, but I didn't  know why. I got involved with some weird activities for a 5-year old. Please read my story.

Were there one or several parts of the experience especially meaningful or significant to you?    I didn't learn to swim until I was 18, but since then, I crave being near water. It is the place where I feel most peaceful and happy.

When I meditate, I feel the presence of the Being very strongly and often cry from the intense experience.