Experience Description:

I was in a dark void or space like in the universe without the stars in the distance was a light no definite shape similar to a puddle of spilled water.

The light was pulsating as if alive, I began to move toward the light, was being drawn, all of a sudden it was like I was moving at the speed of light.

The light was like a boundary but it was transparent, I passed through into the light: it is hard for me to find the words to describe the feelings one encounters. I was blinded by the light unable to see anything but the light did not hurt your eyes. It was like looking into the sun a million times over a pure white light. I felt warm, safe, peaceful, and in the presence of pure unconditional love. It was like the light was absorbing me, my life was being shown before me, I got emotional, maybe I cried, I was ashamed, but I felt the love and knew everything was alright. I know I was in the presence of God.

Background Information:

Gender: Male

Date NDE Occurred: 11/23/2004

NDE Elements:

At the time of your experience, was there an associated life-threatening event? Yes Surgery-relatedAllergic reaction Clinical death (cessation of breathing or heart function or brain function) Allergic reaction to succinylcholine, died instantly.

How do you consider the content of your experience? Wonderful

Did you feel separated from your body? Uncertain I clearly left my body and existed outside it

How did your highest level of consciousness and alertness during the experience compare to your normal everyday consciousness and alertness? More consciousness and alertness than normal I was viewing my life in the twinkling of an eye, I mean everything, I was asking questions but knew the answers instantly. Heard no voices but there was communication, knowledge and understanding.

At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness and alertness? When I went into the light.

Were your thoughts speeded up? Incredibly fast

Did time seem to speed up or slow down? Everything seemed to be happening all at once Inside the light there was no end to the space and time was unlimited, meaningless as my life passed before me instantaneously.

Were your senses more vivid than usual? Incredibly more so

Please compare your vision during the experience to your everyday vision that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience. The brightness of the light, pure white as snow, depth perception was endless no end a continual light.

Did you seem to be aware of things going on elsewhere? Neither

Did you pass into or through a tunnel? Yes Into the light.

Did you see any beings in your experience? Neither

Did you encounter or become aware of any deceased (or alive) beings? No

Did you see, or feel surrounded by, a brilliant light? A light clearly of mystical or other-worldly origin

Did you see an unearthly light? Yes A bright light like a star in a dark void just one star as I was drawn closer it was pulsating like breathing it was alive. As I neared the light it grew and encompassed everything it had to be a boundary between light and dark.

Did you seem to enter some other, unearthly world? Clearly mystical or unearthly realm

What emotions did you feel during the experience? Love, shame, peace, and forgiveness.

Did you have a feeling of peace or pleasantness? Incredible peace or pleasantness

Did you have a feeling of joy? Incredible joy

Did you feel a sense of harmony or unity with the universe? United, one with the world

Did you suddenly seem to understand everything? Everything about the universe

Did scenes from your past come back to you? Past flashed before me, out of my control I learned that the only thing in life is unconditional love. I also sensed or knew that a son who I lost in an accident at the age of thirty-two was safe and in the light. I know now that death is not the end there is life after death. I have a minor in Bible from Abilene Christian University; I'm lost now and am having trouble understanding some of the teachings of my religion. People around me say my personality has changed, I am more compassionate and understanding, things that used to be important don't mean anything anymore. I am more emotional, have a deeper sense of feelings for others; I care more for the plights of others.

Did scenes from the future come to you? Neither I believe that I had found my soul mate before this and came back to reunite with this soul.

Did you come to a border or point of no return? Neither

God, Spiritual and Religion:

What was your religion prior to your experience? Conservative/fundamentalist

Have your religious practices changed since your experience? Yes I now believe that everyone returns to the light which is God. I also believe that all have been here before in a past life or lives. This goes against all my previous beliefs, having a real problem in this area. But who am I to question the love and the power of God, all things are possible.

What is your religion now? Conservative/fundamentalist

Did you have a change in your values and beliefs because of your experience? Yes I now believe that everyone returns to the light which is God. I also believe that all have been here before in a past life or lives. This goes against all my previous beliefs, having a real problem in this area. But who am I to question the love and the power of God, all things are possible.

Did you seem to encounter a mystical being or presence, or hear an unidentifiable voice? Neither

Did you see deceased or religious spirits? Neither

Concerning our Earthly lives other than Religion

During your experience, did you gain special knowledge or information about your purpose? Yes My son was safe and in the light. One's purpose in life is to bathe in the warmth and love of the light.

Have your relationships changed specifically because of your experience? Yes Relationship with soul mate wonderful.

After the NDE:

Was the experience difficult to express in words? Yes Only in the sense that people have a hard time believing. I know that it was real. Told son at hospital in the recovery room that things went bad, that they had killed me and I had went into the light and did not want to return, I would have stayed. Was in the intensive care unit for a week before I was strong enough for surgery.

Do you have any psychic, non-ordinary or other special gifts after your experience that you did not have before the experience? Uncertain Have a sense and perception of knowing someone in a past life, a sense of having done things before.

Have you ever shared this experience with others? Yes Shared with son the day it happened. Son knows without doubt what I told him and knows that I indeed died, but has never said anything. Shared with family of my uncle at his funeral in April 2005, told them he was in a wonderful place because I had been there. I believe they were thankful and relieved.

Did you have any knowledge of near death experience (NDE) prior to your experience? No

What did you believe about the reality of your experience shortly (days to weeks) after it happened? Experience was definitely real I know I went into the light, the feelings, emotions and love experienced were real. I still find it hard to understand why I'm still here. It's like I'm caught between two worlds.

What do you believe about the reality of your experience now? Experience was definitely real See above.

At any time in your life, has anything ever reproduced any part of the experience? No