Paul TG's NDE

Experience description: 

I was in a three-day summer camp with my older brother (the one that died) There was a swimming pool there, so he decided to teach me to swim.  when he had given me some fundamentals to work with, he told me to stay in the shallow, and close to the edge.  He the got out, and went to play with the roller skaters.  It couldn't have been more than five minutes of practice, before I decided to combine techniques and swim across the pool!  I made it halfway (8ft).  In my desperation, I did what they do on the cartoons, after struggling for what seemed like forever!  I stuck my hand out of the water, lowered my fingers, one at a time.  When I lowered them all, I let out my toxic air, with great relief.

They said that when they rescued me, I was lying on the pool floor.  They thought I was playing!  so, they waited!  for me to come up for air!  when I didn't, one of the counselors dove in after me.  No one knows how long I was there before being spotted!  Lotta Kids!

It's been a long time ago...I have always said that I remember like it was yesterday.  Guess I'm gonna have to stop saying that.  The experience itself is why I said that.  I cannot remember if the figures faded in, or I opened my eyes.  at any rate, I have never been faced with such brightness!  It was like being in a room that was being lit by it's personal sun...only brighter!  I really don't remember the number odd figures I saw (I always followed my religious background and figured 12) for a minute, these men just stared.  Then the middle one (peter) leaned forward and his face was inches away from mine.  Then he began to slowly shook his head 'no'.  As he did this, the bright lights very slowly began to softer, and slowly began to fade into a mixture of white and powder blue.  I should say, It was so bright in there, it was in black and white!  A bright light making all the people look like shadows.  I could make out faces, especially the one that leaned into me.  But they were all in black and white! anyway, as the white light began to fade, the number of people began to grow...at the same time, the shapes, or the heights were changing.  Color in the people, trees, chairs, etc.  then, there I lay.  In the middle of a circle of children and adults!

Any associated medications or substances with the potential to affect the experience?     No

Was the kind of experience difficult to express in words? Uncertain

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

I drowned.

What was your level of consciousness and alertness during the experience?           I was out.  Gone.  Dead.

            Was the experience dream like in any way?   no.

Did you experience a separation of your consciousness from your body?     No

Did you hear any unusual sounds or noises?           no.

Did you pass into or through a tunnel or enclosure?          No

Did you see a light?           Yes

correction, everything I saw was white light, or in that light.

Did you meet or see any other beings?           Yes

I didn't actually meet them, they were standing over me

Did you have any sense of altered space or time?   I definitely have since!

Did you have a sense of knowing, special knowledge, universal order and/or purpose?    Yes

I have, until now, Believed that I had a greater purpose than all others that did not go through this experience.  I have, since then, always felt someone was watching over me.

Were you involved in or aware of a decision regarding your return to the body?       Yes

Of the group of people in the light, the one in the middle, an older balding white man (who I always believed was Peter...you know, in the bible?) leaned forward.  As if to get in my face...stared right at me and began to shake his head.  After a few seconds, faces faded, colors changed from bright white, to slowly becoming blue...the number of people began to increase, and the sizes and shapes began to change.

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?   Uncertain

some of this, I'm just now beginning to accept.

How has the experience affected your relationships? Daily life? Religious practices? Career choices?       I was an activist...grass roots organizer...everything else was second to my role in changing the world.

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

reading some of your materials has caused me to at least consider that my entire life is a result of that incident!  It's exciting and frightening at the same time.  I am unsuccessfully fighting off the depression!  Considering seeing a doctor.  I feel like my life has been A lie!  Thought I was in control.  Thought what I had was ordained and I was carrying out a divine mission...now I wonder, has a door been opened, or did this experience simply alter my reality!

Have you shared this experience with others?         Yes

supportive, but I never thought they understood.

What emotions did you experience following your experience?  none

What was the best and worst part of your experience?      it's not over

Is there anything else you would like to add concerning the experience?        I was informed of my Brother's death in October.  two days before my 45th birthday.  The coroner's letter stated that he had been dead for three years, and they were just looking for the next of kin!!!  I'm an emotional wreck, reevaluating, decided to look for you all.

Following the experience, have you had any other events in your life, medications or substances which reproduced any part of the experience?         No