Helga's NDE

Experience description: 

Before I had the experience, I broke down at my desk  and I remember the arrival of the emergency physician and the ambulance.  Then I remember a black tube which turned into a brick tunnel, and on the walls of the tunnel there were old oil paintings which depicted scenes of my life. While I was crawling through the tunnel "on all fours", I felt like I was being crushed by an unbearable burden.  I could see a faint, but very bright light at the end of the tunnel.  I was being pushed forwards by the thought that that was exactly where I had to be.  The nearer I came to this light, the lighter the burden that was on me seemed to become.  When I got to the light I reached into it with my right hand first, and it was pleasantly warm - in contrast to the tunnel which was cold as ice (I was sweating anyway).

As I stepped through the light everything became very bright , airy and wonderfully beautiful around me, and I lost the burden that was previously threatening to crush me. 

I felt happy and free, as if I was lying in a fragrant meadow with a slight breeze on a warm summers day.  In the next moment I was lying in my grave, I could clearly see the walls next to me.   My husband and my daughter were standing above the grave and were completely devastated.  I called to them that they shouldn't worry, I was fine and I would wait for them.  After that my husband tossed in the rose he held in his hands, but my (at the time) 13 year old daughter refused to cast hers in, even though I repeatedly asked her to.  Suddenly I was back in the tunnel and another black tunnel appeared to my right. My consciousness slowly returned, and I could hear the doctor and the nurse saying excitedly, she's coming around again.  Later they explained to me where I was and what had happened and that I should write down my experiences.  

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?           As I stepped into the light and as I lay in the grave.

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 can't, I have had a similar level of consciousness before in my dreams


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     In the light everything was much clearer and brighter, in the tunnel normal outlines and colors

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?            In the tunnel - overwhelming, psychological dead-end  In the light - free and relaxed and filled with unbelievable peace and happiness



Did you pass into or through a tunnel or enclosure?          Yes     A brick tunnel, never seen this before or after - the stones were brownish, and there were pictures in gold frames on the walls depicting people and circumstances of my preceding life.  I didn't have time though to really look at the pictures



Did you see a light?           Yes     Brighter than anything I've ever seen before, but it wasn't blinding.  It was pleasant and sort of white, and it exuded peace and warmth 



Did you meet or see any other beings?           Yes     My husband and my daughter

Did you experience a review of past events in your life?    Yes     On pictures circumstances of my life with other people, but I can't describe any details



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?           Yes            As I stepped into the light, it was beyond description, it was so beautiful, it had to be a different dimension


Did you have any sense of altered space or time?   Uncertain     Can't say

Did you have a sense of knowing special knowledge, universal order and/or purpose?     No       

Did you reach a boundary or limiting physical structure? Yes     From the tunnel into the light, it was like a wall. I just knew it would be good for me if I stepped completely into the light.

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     Since I was five years old I have been having dreams that would come true again and again, concerning me and also others. I was a so-called sleepwalker.  I was often afraid, because I had no influence on the course of events. Have also read cards on and off.

Almost a year after my NDE I read the cards again and found myself in a kind of trance, though I was fully conscious, and I read the cards so precisely and knowledgeably for the lady I was reading for, that I was shaken up and bewildered myself, and since then I haven't touched the cards or done anything similar.  Since that time I've also been pretty much left in peace by my "dreams".  I have substantially contributed to this myself.  I have withdrawn my own sleep. Only with a television or a radio turned on.  

Have you shared this experience with others?         Yes     about 12 hours.  I talked to my doctor about it, and he suggested I write it down.

Did you have any knowledge of near death experience (NDE) prior to your experience?    Yes     Only the usual "talk" about the light, but no detailed information.



How did you view the reality of your experience shortly (days to weeks) after it happened:            Experience was definitely real    I am certain that my experience was real, because of my previous dreams and "visions" (positive and negative).  I am also an atheist by the way, doesn't sound logical, but all I know is that there is more out there than our "usual level of consciousness" will allow.

Were there one or several parts of the experience especially meaningful or significant to you?    I am not afraid of my own death anymore because I have already lain in my own grave.


How do you currently view the reality of your experience:            Experience was definitely real    see question 40



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       


Did the questions asked and information you provided so far accurately and comprehensively describe your experience?         Uncertain      I can't describe it exactly, 100%.  Apparently my daughter sat at my bedside at the ICU from time to time and tried to "wake me up".