Jack C's Probable NDE

Experience description: 

This experience began with hospital admission to have the gall – bladder removed and an umbilical hernia repaired. The gall – bladder job was expected to be regular keyhole surgery, but it was pointed out that it was sometimes necessary to ‘revert to the old method’ but that this could not be pre - determined .

I was not apprehensive of the pending elective surgery - I usually quite enjoy a short break of this kind.  I mention this only to eliminate any possible connection between fear and the event itself. 

At some stage during surgery, I suddenly found myself looking down on proceedings from ceiling height or a wee bit  higher- (the ceiling wasn’t there). I was watching what I quickly realized was myself lying motionless  

on the table with green clad figures around it – but it wasn’t really me – I was here.

I was instantly aware of my last memory of going off for the op. and was trying to make some sense of this new development.

It soon dawned on me that I had an unusual clarity of mind and was completely fascinated by what was happening. I was ‘ here’ not ‘there’. What I was looking upon was like an old shell that somehow was familiar – like an earlier edition. 

Then, to get a better view, moving to the right a little was necessary….it immediately happened! It is possible to move just by thinking. I wasn’t aware of any sound or voices.

I then remembered that I had read something of this kind of thing. (‘Life after Life’ Raymond Moody)  I realized that it IS true! 

It would be around this point that what I was looking at just changed.

Suddenly I was in a muted light pea green sort of environment.   This was the main light color and I had never seen anything like this before. The light had a quality rather than intensity.   Although very bright, the revitalizing was not in the slightest overpowering or unpleasant. It was natural light.  The really strange thing about it was that this light provided sustenance.  Whatever nourishment was required simply came from within this light. 

The feeling of indescribable well – being and comfort was completely overwhelming. This is central to it all.   I was standing now, rather than sort of floating, as before.   This was a place of healing and restoration and at some level it seemed I already knew this.   I was not aware of anyone else in this place.  

Next, was the awareness that many folk were gathering just behind, out of view, all of them having been connected to me in some capacity at some time.  I didn’t see or hear anyone. Just ‘knew’ it.

A very strong sense of not to turn round was present.

Also, realizing I could absorb a vast amount of simultaneous information through points located all over my body (I had a body) - the ankles in particular. It was possible to know what the folk behind were collectively thinking! The realization came that I had a choice of sorts to consider - return or remain, but at the same time, it wasn’t really an option. Return, it was. This seemed to be connected to the sense of not to turn round! 

The next recollection was the recovery unit and the indescribably overpowering sense of loss and disappointment that accompanied this return to the everyday mind. The greatest loss was the absence of this miraculous light, which illumined not just the place, but the very soul, it seemed. The subdued lighting in that ward was, in contrast, like the despairing darkness of deepest winter. 

This is a very sketchy account of the whole thing and I cannot capture the essence of it at all. There was the feeling of exhilaration, of freedom and a complete absence of fear (of anything). I have no idea of how long this lasted, although it seemed for ever, but the effects of it are timeless. This was a completely natural experience and one I wish I could repeat. If this is ‘death’, then I’m for it!

Some conclusions:

I was ‘conscious’ throughout, although deeply anaesthetized. I knew what was happening, knew I was having surgery.

 I knew who I was, with full memory of all immediate matters. There was no physical sensation at all, but mental awareness of everything - but with a different - a greater, enlarged consciousness now operating – with no effort on my part. I was simultaneously aware on 3 different 'life' levels. 

A major conclusion must be that consciousness is not seated in the brain, but much deeper. In the soul, perhaps? The term used to describe this is unimportant.

 This part of us is present throughout our earthly life and is our self created body which automatically becomes our vehicle for consciousness in the next chapter of the eternal life which we all have. 

Post surgery, I asked and was told that the gall bladder was detached using keyhole methods, but was unable to be removed this way. As the umbilical repair was to be done anyway, it was decided to remove the now separated gall bladder through this opening. Somehow, it slipped into the abdomen and had to be retrieved manually.

I have no awareness of any of this at this juncture, but things may have begun about this point.

The surgeon was fairly open, though guarded, about events – the ward staff all tight lipped.

Hospital policy, perhaps, but I wondered if this was to prevent or minimize possible litigation. 

The whole experience has been of immense benefit to me and I would be happy to return there any day of the week. I know I have ‘seen’ what lies ahead of this chapter of life. I have no wish to convince anyone of anything, nothing to prove. 

I have deepened as a person as a result, with some sense of the eternal aspects of our continuing consciousness, unbroken, even for a split second.

There was no sense of ‘time’ – it just didn’t exist – nor were any ‘doorways’ or walls of any kind to pass through. You just ‘were’ where you had to be.

The folk behind were ‘real’ people, although I didn’t look round. Relatives, family, colleagues, like minded folk, etc. 

A great feeling of elation, of well being, an overwhelming feeling of a ‘Love’, a place I didn’t want to leave, and a residual feeling of a certainty of being, are the main features, but I’m trying – and failing - to  describe something that is beyond words. 

What of religion? Forget it, I’d say. Those who trade in it, who advocate it, have no idea! It is man - made, but if it should produce well rounded more tolerant people, willing to help each other (all life really, there is no difference in essence between life forms, all have a common source and are therefore related), then it will serve a very useful purpose. We just don’t need the doctrinal approach at all. A hindrance to understanding – an abomination!

Was the kind of experience difficult to express in words? Yes     My choice of words just do not capture the depth or width of this marvelous event.

At the time of this experience, was there an associated life threatening event?          Uncertain      Not sure if it was 'life - threatening' but may have been considered so,

At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness and alertness?    recollection of time was hazy or more accurately, not present at all.

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:            Higher, fuller, more complete, abilty to know thoughts of others, knowing without seeing.

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 was able to see clearly at any distance, color and brightness were vivid, yet subdued. Whatever you wished to see just appeared in place and focus. No shadows seemed apparent.

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?            Elation, Extreme well being, Love for all Life, Perfect happiness, Fulfillment of all things

Did you pass into or through a tunnel or enclosure?          No      

Did you see a light?           No      

Did you meet or see any other beings?           Uncertain      Sensed (but knew) rather than seen anyone.

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?   Yes     There was no sense of Time and space 'opened up' as required

Did you have a sense of knowing special knowledge, universal order and/or purpose?     Yes     All Life has a common link at some level or place. There was total 'order' and no sense of even slight disharmony.