I was
swimming in cold, ocean water off La Jolla "Bird Rock" beach. My swim buddies
were returning to shore as it was way too cold for comfort. Only one friend,
Ted, had had the good sense to wear a wetsuit. As I attempted to follow, I was
caught in a severe rip-tide. It pulled me both out to sea and north, rapidly. My
swim buddies were already climbing up on shore as I tried and tried to swim
toward them. Soon, I was completely exhausted, more than two hundred yards from
where I had started to struggle and found I was unable to swim, paddle or even
stay afloat. My friends were much too far away now to help me. I managed to yell
"help" once and then realized I was done. I could not be sure they could even
see me from where they were, much less hear my pathetic call.
I began to
ponder the discomfort of drowning in the cold water. At first it hurt to swallow
the water. In short order it became tolerable and then I began to sink, the
waves breaking over my head. As I resigned myself to my fate, I found myself
suddenly in this brightly lit tunnel.
I remained
in a watery environment but, the water was no longer freezing and uncomfortable
but, warm and natural. I was gently deposited on the edge of a smooth,
cement-like, pool-side-like decking.
It was
very bright, very warm, tropical but, also very foggy. I could not see beyond a
few feet but, I recognized this place as home and knew home was just to the left
of me, somewhere beyond the fog. I was aware that being on Earth was a mission,
not the end-all reason for being. I was so relieved to be home. I anxiously
waited to be contacted and knew my friends/family would soon appear.
As I
relaxed on the edge of the deck, I was aware of a small voice, behind me,
calling my name. I did not want to turn around and acknowledge it for fear that
I might not be able to remain. The voice became more and more incessant. I knew
somehow if I did not turn around I would not have to go back. I also suspected
if I did, I would.
For some
reason the voice finally compelled me to turn and face it. Wham! I was suddenly
back in the cold, ocean water struggling for my life.
My friend
Ted swam to where I was. For him to have reached me several hundred yards from
the shore he had been on would have taken him many minutes under the conditions.
That means I was underwater for over ten minutes. I was so angry at him for
pulling me back from home.
I had no
reason to have regenerated the strength to swim again, so it made no sense to me
that I was suddenly able to swim back to shore. Still, with Ted encouraging me,
I somehow swam back and collapsed on the shore.
Since then,
I have no fear of death. I have faced many dangerous situations as a police
officer both before and after without fear. But, knowing there is really no such
thing as death does make a huge difference.
Was the
kind of experience difficult to express in words?
No
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?
Throughout. The only time I wasn't really focused was when i was actually
drowning.
How did
your highest level of consciousness and alertness during the experience compare
to your normal every day consciousness and alertness?
Normal consciousness and alertness
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?
No
What
emotions did you feel during the experience?
Great happiness and relief that, "That Earth experience" was over.
Did you
pass into or through a tunnel or enclosure?
Yes Like
floating in a drain pipe toward a bright, white light.
Did you
see a light?
Yes It was bright, warm and alluring.
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 Ted verified he had called my name several times from within five feet of
me. I had the perception he was very far away from my vantage point on the other
side.
Did you
see or visit any beautiful or otherwise distinctive locations, levels or
dimensions?
Yes Warm, tropical familiar place shrouded in fog, however. I knew it was
home and felt that the dwelling structures were to my left, nearby.
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?
Yes The knowledge that Earth was a classroom and that the mission was just an
unpleasant assignment.
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?
Yes Immediately afterward. We were all police officers and all EMT's. They
attributed it to shock and or cold-water delusions.
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 was in no position to argue with my
experience.
Were
there one or several parts of the experience especially meaningful or
significant to you?
Reincarnation
suddenly made a lot of sense.
How do
you currently view the reality of your experience:
Experience was definitely real No reason to not rely on my experience.
Have your
relationships changed specifically as a result of your experience?
No
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
