Marjorie H's NDE

I was watching my husband undergo an eye exam when I experienced chest pains and passed out. I remember the kind paramedics talking to me, asking what hospital I wanted to be taken to and my doctor's name. I gave his name, but said he was on vacation for the next week. (I'm not sure if this was before or after the out-of-body experience). My first OOBE sensation was that I was floating above my body about 10 feet in the air. I felt very happy, not exuberant, but calm happy, That everything was wonderful. Then it occurred to me that I must be experiencing an OOBE and I started looking around for the tunnel. As soon as I did that, I zapped right back into my body. Afterwards, I remembered looking down at my body and thinking it was in pain, but "I" was not.

Any associated medications or substances with the potential to affect the experience? Uncertain     I was in a doctor's office when it happened. I think I was given oxygen immediately

Was the kind of experience difficult to express in words?          No      It is hard to communicate the sense of joy and peace

At the time of this experience, was there an associated life threatening event?          No response          I suppose I was in danger of a heart attack

What was your level of consciousness and alertness during the experience?            I felt very alert.

            Was the experience dream like in any way?  No.

Did you experience a separation of your consciousness from your body?          Yes    I was floating above my body.

What emotions did you feel during the experience?          Joy and peace

Did you hear any unusual sounds or noises?          No

LOCATION DESCRIPTION:  Did you recognize any familiar locations or any locations from familiar religious teachings or encounter any locations inhabited by incredible or amazing creatures?        No     

Did you see a light?         No     

Did you meet or see any other beings?         No     

Did you experiment while out of the body or in another, altered state? No     

My guess is that this took only seconds, but I'm not sure.

Did you observe or hear anything regarding people or events during your experience that could be verified later?         No     

Did you notice how your 5 senses were working, and if so, how were they different?     No      Did you have any sense of altered space or time?  No          Except for the floating sensation.

Did you have a sense of knowing, special knowledge, universal order and/or purpose?     Uncertain     I was happy to have this experience. It seemed very important, but I don't know if I related it to a near-death experience at the time. My doctor called it a near-death experience. I asked him if I really was near death and he said, "near enough." I told him I has shared this experience with a number of other people, several of whom said it was drug induced and could be duplicated in the lab with electrodes. This response came from the "scientific community" on the university campus who suspect anything "spiritual." He clearly didn't believe this explanation and suggested I contact you.

Did you reach a boundary or limiting physical structure?           No     

Did you become aware of future events?      No     

Were you involved in or aware of a decision regarding your return to the body?          Yes    It seemed to me that it happened when I started looking around for the tunnel.

Did you have any psychic, paranormal or other special gifts following the experience that you did not have prior to the experience?           No     

Did you have any changes of attitudes or beliefs following the experience?          Yes    It made me less anxious about death. It gave me some faith that I would "see" or be with loved ones who had died.

How has the experience affected your relationships? Daily life? Religious practices? Career choices?       I shared this with my husband and children. Especially my children (grown, obviously) were very interested and comforted by my experience.

Has your life changed specifically as a result of your experience?       Yes   

Have you shared this experience with others?        Yes    One person gave me an article that claimed, since it could be reproduced in the lab, that it was simple a brain function and not meaningful beyond that. Others took comfort in it, seeing it as an indication that we are more than our bodies. I was pleased to find that my doctor seemed to belong to the latter group.

What emotions did you experience following your experience?  An avid interest in others' similar experiences and any related research.

What was the best and worst part of your experience?    There was no "worst." It was all wonderful and encouraging.

Is there anything else you would like to add concerning the experience?       I would be interested in any of your findings that you would be willing to share.

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 accurately and comprehensively describe your experience?           Yes   

Please offer any suggestions you may have to improve this questionnaire.   I think you did a thorough job. I'd like to keep in touch.