KB NDE

EXPERIENCE DESCRIPTION:

I was swimming in the river under the watch of my older sister. We were not supposed to be at the river without an adult but I went along with my sister and her friends. I was bouncing around in the river while my sister was hanging out with her friends. I was not a good swimmer, I think I could float and doggie paddle. The river bottom changes constantly so in playing on what had previously been a sandbar, I step off and was over my head in the water. I struggled to gain my footing but began to sink in the water. Eventually I stopped struggling and a feeling of calm came over me. I saw my life (as brief as it was) flash before me. I experienced feeling very peaceful and happy to go toward the bright light ahead. The next thing I recall was someone grabbing me. My sister says she looked over and saw my hair floating on top of the water (my hair was waist length at the time). She rushed over and pulled me out by my hair. I do not recall anything that happened next. This experience was something we did not talk about because we were afraid we would get in trouble for being where we should not have been. Only many years later did it come up.

Was the kind of experience difficult to express in words? Yes     I was young at the time, so articulating what had happened was difficult.

At the time of this experience, was there an associated life threatening event?          Yes     Yes, I nearly drowned.

At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness and alertness?    When the sense of calm took over.

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:            When the sense of calm took over.

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.)?  Uncertain      In one sense it was faster, in another it was as clear as if you were in the moment.

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 recall hearing anything.

Did you experience a separation of your consciousness from your body?     Uncertain

What emotions did you feel during the experience?            Calm, peace, happiness.

Did you pass into or through a tunnel or enclosure?          No       No, I saw a light but did not make it through it.

Did you see a light?           Yes     It was a bright, streaming light.

Did you meet or see any other beings?           No      

Did you experience a review of past events in your life?    Yes     Yes, my life was passing by me and I felt happy about what I was seeing.

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     Yes, it was as if time was gone. There was no sense of time.

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

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     Yes, but not in detail. I have told close family or friends, in brief, that I nearly drowned as a child and it is true that your life passes before you.

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   

Were there one or several parts of the experience especially meaningful or significant to you?            The sense of peace and calm. It makes me less fearful of dying.

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

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?            Uncertain      Not changed, but reinforced.

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?         Yes