Vicki S's NDE

Experience description: 

I was standing on the roof of our old garage trimming an overgrown hedge - we had recently purchased the property. After completing the work, I stepped backwards from the edge to admire the result. I did not realize that there was a brittle plastic skylight set into the roof. Before I knew what was happening, I had fallen 10 feet onto the concrete floor below landing on my back and hitting my head.

I remember the sensation of falling and hitting the ground. The next sensation was of 'seeing' myself as a crumpled body below me on the floor. A split second later I was 'back in my body' but aware that this body was in some sort of spasm from the neck down - I had no feeling in my body even though I could see my limbs flailing about. I could move my eyes voluntarily but nothing else. At that moment I was conscious of a disjunction between my body and my mind/soul. It was as if the normal state of seamless synchronization had been broken and had exposed the two distinct constituents of my being. This 'out-of-sync' moment was replaced by a feeling of "coming to", and I began screaming for help as my 'seamless' consciousness returned.

A medical examination revealed that I had no broken bones or internal damage. I had sustained a hit on the back of my head which left me with a hematoma but no other problems. It would appear that I was lucky not to realize that I was falling before I hit the ground as I did not have time to tense my muscles in anticipation. Although I experienced trauma to my spinal cord, it sustained no damage other that bruising.

The feeling of disjunction is the strongest feeling that has stayed with me. I am fascinated by the realization that whilst still living, I momentarily experienced the separation of my body and my life essence, an event that normally is believed to happen only at death.

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

Was the kind of experience difficult to express in words? No

What was your level of consciousness and alertness during the experience?           I felt present throughout the whole episode, although in an altered state

            Was the experience dream like in any way?   It had elements of a dream in that time seemed to be suspended

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

I was a presence looking down from the ceiling in the corner of the garage to the left of my body lying on the floor below

Did you hear any unusual sounds or noises?           Absolute silence

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

Did you see a light?           No

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?           No

Did you have any sense of altered space or time?   Yes

In the sense that time appeared to stand still as I experienced the separation of body and mind/soul

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

For a brief moment the seamlessness of being human was broken and the separate entities of body and mind/soul were distinctly revealed.

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?       No

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

As time has passed I have developed a sense of calmness about my existence, after being initially disturbed by the incident in the days following the accident. I feel more aware of life experiences than I was before.

How has the experience affected your relationships? Daily life? Religious practices? Career choices?       The growth of myself as a person has reflected favorably on my relationships and daily life.

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

I do not climb up on the roof anymore!  More aware of internal and external experiences

Have you shared this experience with others?         No

What emotions did you experience following your experience?  Initially disturbed by what had happened, but by the time I had recovered from the bruising and stiffness, I felt a sense of calmness and sureness about life

What was the best and worst part of your experience?      One in the same - the disjunction between body and mind/soul

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