Integration comparison

2nd Experience description 10/16/04

1st Experience description 5/3/2002 

2nd Experience description 10/16/04: 

I was in a very peaceful place facing a very bright light that was not painful. 

There were several (3 or 5) tall thin people whose features I either did not see or cannot remember.  They seemed kindly.   

We were moving slowly toward the light. I have no memory of walking, we were just moving.  There was no discernible tunnel, but the space did seem to have boundaries. 

One of the people took my hand and said, "You can come with us." 

I looked up and said, "No, I want my Mom".  I do not remember being afraid, only that I wanted my Mom. 

The person released my hand and I began to back away from the light, again there is no memory of walking, just moving. 

I awoke to find my Mom hugging me and looking very worried. 

It ought to be noted that I had forgotten about this experience for many decades.  My mother used to tell the story of Michael's hallucinations about space aliens.  I must have told my Mom about the experience.  since on one knew about NDEs in 1958, she interpreted it as an hallucination. 

It was in 2001 during a protracted period (3 months) of intensive Taijiquan practice that local politician had an NDE.  Listening to her relate her experience, I had "a massive deja vu" experience.  Several weeks of deep meditation and Daoist introspection brought some of the memories back into consciousness.

Was the kind of experience difficult to express in words? No,
At the time of this experience, was there an associated life threatening event?          Yes     Systemic infection with associated extremely high temperatures
At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness and alertness?    unknown

How did your highest level of consciousness and alertness during the experience compare to your normal every day consciousness and alertness?    Normal consciousness and alertness
 
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      There was a very bright light in front of me.  It was not painful.  It seemed to obscure the features of the people with me.

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?     Uncertain

What emotions did you feel during the experience?            Peace, calmness, lightness, comfort

Did you pass into or through a tunnel or enclosure?          Yes     The walls of the "tunnel" were not apparent but there was a distinct feeling of a boundary at the end of which was the light.

Did you see a light?           Yes     Very bright, but not painful

Did you meet or see any other beings?           Yes     Three or five very tall thin people was features were not discernible

Did you have any sense of altered space or time?   Yes
            I was in  a place I had never been and time seemed slower.

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      i rejected the offer to proceed.

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?     Uncertain      Electronic devices seem to work poorly or not at all, around me.  I am the butt of jokes from computer folk who know that I get glitches that no one else does and are not reproducible.

Have you shared this experience with others?         Yes     43 years.  My wife seemed interested.  My older daughter is intrigued but is a practitioner of Eastern medicine.  After several "kindly negative" responses I have stopped telling people about the experience.

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
            I do not remember, but as a child I probably believed in the experience until convinced otherwise by my Mom.

How do you currently view the reality of your experience:            Experience was definitely real
            Body/mind work has realized the NDE as real.

Have your relationships changed specifically as a result of your experience?           Uncertain
            I suspect so, but since 12 year olds do not have much in the way of relationships, it is difficult to tell.  It has definitely influenced my life and how I relate to others.  I have never had a fear of death, I tend to be very liberal and have always been empathic.  Walking in the others shoes seems to be quite easy.  Others find me affable, easy going and unflappable.  I do not panic in crises.

Have your religious beliefs/practices changed specifically as a result of your experience?            No
Following the experience, have you had any other events in your life, medications or substances which reproduced any part of the experience?         Yes     Taojiqauna and qigong have allowed me to attain similar mind/body or out-of-body states.  This is onging.

Did the questions asked and information you provided so far accurately and comprehensively describe your experience?         Yes     As far as I am able to remember.