EXPERIENCE DESCRIPTION:
I was sitting in the backseat of an auto that ran a stop sign with an obstructed
view and crossed a major highway. I was sitting in the rear seat behind the
driver and the car was struck broadside by an auto traveling 75 miles per hour.
At the time I was not wearing a seatbelt which allowed me to react at I saw the
impending impact by the other car. As I dove away from the point of impact, the
crash crushed the car where I sat and I was ejected from the vehicle.
As I was thrown across
the highway and sustained head trauma and other injuries, in my mind I was
floating above the accident scene watching the events unfold. The scene was
moving in extreme slow motion and most likely took place over less than a
minute. But to me it was unfolding over an extended period. I also experienced
my life flashing by with numerous scenes and memories of my childhood and vivid
memories of loved ones who had died previously as well as current friends and
relatives. I also experienced traveling down a tunnel seeing many of my
deceased relatives who seemed to be welcoming me. All these experiences were
calming and I felt at peace with the world and myself. Only when my reality
returned as I became conscious at the scene did I realize that I had not died.
Later, while in the hospital and during the next few weeks I asked my parents
and wife about the scenes that I was able to describe. For example, I described
two dogs owned by my grandmother that my brother and I had played with when I
must have been two or three years old. Many of the scenes that I was able to
describe was from early in my life that I can't remember today.
Was
the kind of experience difficult to express in words?
Yes At the time, I had not heard of out of body experiences that others may
have experienced
At
the time of this experience, was there an associated life threatening event?
Yes I was a passenger in an automobile that was struck broadside by another
auto traveling at 75 miles per hour.
At
what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness
and alertness?
While "floating" above the scene.
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:
While "floating" above the scene.
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 I recall that everything seemed to be clearer to 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.)?
Uncertain I don't remember.
Did
you experience a separation of your consciousness from your body?
Yes
What emotions did you feel during the experience?
calmness, soothing, acceptance, peace
Did
you pass into or through a tunnel or enclosure?
Yes As described, I was passing through a long tunnel.
Did
you see a light?
Uncertain I don't remember a bright light but a feeling of welcoming coming
from within the tunnel.
Did
you meet or see any other beings?
Yes I don't recall communication but passed by numerous deceased loved ones
who were smiling and welcoming me.
Did
you experience a review of past events in your life?
Yes As stated, most of the events and memories seemed to provide a pleasant
experience.
Did
you observe or hear anything regarding people or events during your experience
that could be verified later?
Yes As described, many of the event remembered were verified by my mother.
Did
you see or visit any beautiful or otherwise distinctive locations, levels or
dimensions?
Uncertain I was somewhere that I had never been before but I am unable to
further describe.
Did
you have any sense of altered space or time?
Yes As stated, the events seemed to occur in a slow motion time frame.
Did
you have a sense of knowing special knowledge, universal order and/or purpose?
No
Did
you reach a boundary or limiting physical structure?
Uncertain As I approached the "end" of the tunnel, I left the scene to
return to consciousness.
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 I shared some of the experiences with my wife and mother early, but
waited several years to truly open up to others about my experience.
Did
you have any knowledge of near death experience (NDE) prior to your experience?
No In 1972 prior to my auto accident, I had not heard of anyone else
experiencing near death experiences similar to mine. Only when I began to read
about other similar experiences described by others that I acknowledged that I
was not alone.
How
did you view the reality of your experience shortly (days to weeks) after it
happened:
Experience was probably real Since I could not explain the experience either
to myself and to others adequately, I tended not to share the experience with
anyone who was not close to me.
Were there one or several parts of the experience especially meaningful or
significant to you?
Seeing deceased loved ones who seemed to be welcoming me to somewhere.
How
do you currently view the reality of your experience:
Experience was definitely real It is still not totally clear to me. Today I
believe God gave my additional time on earth for some unknown reason, and I need
to praise Him and let me life hopefully as a role model to others.
Have your relationships changed specifically as a result of your
experience?
Yes
Life
and personal relationships are a gift from God; make the best effort to sustain
them.
Have your religious beliefs/practices changed specifically as a result of your
experience?
Yes
Although I was a Christian before the accident, I believe that I may have been
given a view of the after life that most do not experience.
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?
Other than bringing into this life two sons, this has been the most moving
experience I ever experienced and I feel that I am still trying to fully
understand it and what it means.
Did
the questions asked and information you provided so far accurately and
comprehensively describe your experience?
Yes
