The summer
I was 8 years old, I was wading in a nearby creek at a family outing, as was
done on a fairly regular basis. I could not swim but moved along the edge of
the bank into deeper water, using the bank to hold on to, occasionally checking
to see how deep the water was. At one point I was aware of choosing to hold on
with one hand to see how deep the water was.
My next
awareness was of being submerged and cradled in a warm, wavy wafting motion at
the opening of a tunnel. The tunnel had billowy soft sides and was well lit,
with the tunnel dimensions decreasing and brightness increasing as it got closer
to a single bright light. I heard this wonderful soft music. There was no
sense of fright or anxiety. I was very curious as to where the music was coming
from, but the end of the tunnel was opaque and I could not see. The light seemed
to be just out of arms length, and I was aware that I just had to reach beyond
the opaqueness to get to the light. The source of the music was at the light as
well and seemed to be approaching more clarity at the light source.
The next
awareness I had was of laying on the rocks on the shore of the creek, in extreme
pain as I was being resuscitated. My sister had seen me and pulled me out of the
water.
I was
aware of being very cold, with water totally filling my nostrils and lungs, and
hurting as I tried to cough it up. I longed to be back in the water in the
warmth, hearing the music and going to the light.
I could
never express my experience, be taken seriously or be understood as a child. It
wasn't until I was an adult and heard of other experiences of NDE did I realize
what I had experienced.
Was the
kind of experience difficult to express in words?
Yes As a child, I could not express experience with any degree of exactness
for understanding to significant adults (older sister, parents).
At the
time of this experience, was there an associated life threatening event?
Yes While swimming I drowned
At what
time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness and
alertness?
As I was reaching out of the opaqueness at the end of the tunnel to the light
and music of the other side.
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:
There was a feeling of euphoria and extreme well being in that experience.
Never any feeling of anxiety, or struggling in the water.
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 The tunnel experience was bright and warm. The area of the end of the
tunnel and bright light and music was semi-opaque. The light appeared close,
like an arms length away. I felt I could reach it.
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.)?
Yes There was the unrecognizable music and source. The music was
soft and soothing but the volume seemed to be increasing at the light source.
Did you
experience a separation of your consciousness from your body?
Uncertain
What
emotions did you feel during the experience?
euphoria, sense of well being, nurtured,
Did you
pass into or through a tunnel or enclosure?
No I was
very close to the end of the tunnel about to reach through.
Did you
see a light?
Yes The tunnel had a white brightness or rays leading to the end of the
tunnel and to a warm more yellow light.
Did you
meet or see any other beings?
No
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?
Uncertain
Did you
have any sense of altered space or time?
Yes I seemed to be in the tunnel for a longer time, and knew the light and
clearness was very close
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 There was opaqueness at the end of the tunnel. I had a distinct
feeling I had to reach out of the semi-opaqueness at the end of the tunnel to
understand where the journey was taking me. I was just about to reach it
Did you
become aware of future events?
Uncertain
Did you
have any psychic, paranormal or other special gifts following the experience you
did not have prior to the experience?
Yes I have had several experiences with the paranormal. I have psychic
experiences with premonition, and knowing who is calling when the phone rings.
Recently, I have experienced the presence of my mother who passed a year ago, in
my house and in her room. I had a very continued psychic connection and a
previous life experience with a friend who recently passed. I experienced
astral travel, and very recently encountered the voice of this friend during
this astral travel experience.
Have
you shared this experience with others?
Yes I do not discuss much of this with people who do not appear to be psychic
or researched in this area. The interchange with those who have, has been very
enlightening and encouraging. The daughter of my recently departed friend had
some experiences with her mother at the time of her death.
Did you
have any knowledge of near death experience (NDE) prior to your experience?
No I was a child at the time of my NDE. It did not have much meaning until
I was an adult and took the time to research, and now having had previous
experiences with my mother, my friend and some acquaintances.
How did
you view the reality of your experience shortly (days to weeks) after it
happened:
Experience was definitely real My mother was always helpful but also a
practical joker. On two occasions since her passing, there have been physical
objects moved by my mother. One a magnifying glass that I had been looking for
moments before, to suddenly drop on the floor in the doorway to my office. As I
was sitting back down at my desk, I heard a clatter behind me, and turned to
see the magnifying class rocking back and forth on the floor where it had just
been dropped.
Were
there one or several parts of the experience especially meaningful or
significant to you?
I have had two
recent conclusive experiences with my departed mother and friend which cannot be
consciously disputed.
How do
you currently view the reality of your experience:
Experience was definitely real I physically saw the magnifying glass
drop to the floor and settle not five feet away from me. I cannot yet explain it
as I am not sure how spirit entities can move physical objects.
Have your
relationships changed specifically as a result of your experience?
Uncertain
My personal
belief and physical vulnerability has in most cases changed in my interaction
with others. I feel more in tune to the influence of the psychic and paranormal
experiences in today's world with personal and family interactions.
Have
your religious beliefs/practices changed specifically as a result of your
experience?
Yes
I believe
scientific explanation continues to narrow the disparity between conservative
science, ancient myth and religion in the understanding of life's process, and
examination of life and after life. Religion alone cannot explain many of the
profound human mysteries or the existence of the collective unconscious.
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 In as
much a child can interpret, and subsequent research offer possible explanation
for.
Are
there any other questions we could ask to help you communicate your experience?
In the three possible answer question response, (17, 19. 20, 22, 27. 29, 30)
"Uncertain" would be a more appropriate and less finite response.
