Jan S's NDE

One minute I was looking at the screen while the doctors were "feeding" the tube into my body and I was fascinated looking at the pictures of my arteries and heart and then nothing. I remember seeing my father and a few other people whom I knew - but after a while it was more a sense of not being amongst strangers - being safe - this "memory" only became a conscious memory when I awoke and apart from the above, the overwhelming feeling was of an indescribable happiness - calmness - everything will always be okay feeling -I have never experienced anything like this feeling, and it remains with me every day. I can, in times of normal human difficulty, bring it forth, and even though the traffic is still bad, petrol's expensive - none of that is more than a blip on the horizon -it's like an insight of wisdom - except I'm not sure where it came from, only to trust the feeling!

Was the kind of experience difficult to express in words?          Yes    I didn't feel it was necessary of particularly relevant, I certainly shared the experience, but words rather lessened than related the experience.

At the time of this experience, was there an associated life threatening event?          Yes    Undergoing angiogram after heart attack when my heart stopped while in procedure - fortunately, I was in the right place - the operating theatre!

At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness and alertness?  Immediately upon consciousness - everything was so clear.

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:        No distractions.

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?          Happiness, calmness, contentment, peace.

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?         Yes    My father and my sister in-law's mother and others I knew were grouped together. I felt they were pleased to see me but somewhat surprised. I got the feeling it was like being an unexpected but welcome guest.

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?  No     

Did you have a sense of knowing special knowledge, universal order and/or purpose?     Yes    The knowledge is spiritual and is impossible to convey. I know I am more at peace.

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    It was maybe a couple of weeks before I shared what had happened with anyone and the reactions have been mixed. Some people have taken solace, but I think that is motivated by our fear of death - almost like an insurance policy. Now, I don't talk about it because it's just not relevant most of the time. If I feel it may be of some help to someone, I do talk about it, as much as you can articulate an event like that.

Did you have any knowledge of near death experience (NDE) prior to your experience? Yes    I did have some knowledge of how powerful our soul or spirit is and that it has no limits, but no amount of bodily consciousness could equal the freedom of this experience.

How did you view the reality of your experience shortly (days to weeks) after it happened:   Experience was definitely real   I didn't - and still don't -view the experience - as separate from me. It was - and is - firmly integrated in soul and my inner intellect.

Were there one or several parts of the experience especially meaningful or significant to you? I have been left with the knowing -I feel I "got" this when I saw my father - that everything is as it is - and that is okay.

How do you currently view the reality of your experience:          Experience was definitely real         I am left with no then and now feelings. I'm not trying to be obtuse, but the time thing just doesn't apply here. If you like, it was a wonderful experience and it continues to be a wonderful experience.

Have your relationships changed specifically as a result of your experience?          Yes    I seem to be able to have more balanced relationships with people. I don't feel I have to "win" points anymore. If people are being emotional, I can now better empathize. I still have to work at it but I now have the tools.

Have your religious beliefs/practices changed specifically as a result of your experience? Yes    My faith has strengthened, but the labels are unimportant to me now.

Following the experience, have you had any other events in your life, medications or substances which reproduced any part of the experience?          Yes    I'm finding the more I embrace the experience and live with what I know - my insides just keep feeling better and better - it's strange but I can't put it into words - it just is.

Is there anything else you would like to add concerning the experience?          Don't be afraid - what you expect, need, want, will be there.

Did the questions asked and information you provided so far accurately and comprehensively describe your experience? Yes