Mary S NDE

Experience Description

I was ten years old and swimming in a public pool (couldn't swim well). I got confused, swam into deeper water, and started to panic. Trying to yell 'help' I just choked down more water. It was very scared and exhausted.

Then all of a sudden, such peace came over me it was wonderful. I could see my arms floating in the water - I was above. A lifeguard finally got to me (I don't remember this part) but when he got me out of the water I could see my body in his arms. My swimsuit top was pulled up and I saw him pull it down for me. (Later this was verified.)

I came to in the first aid room - I'm sure after they did something to me. They kept asking me my name and I wouldn't tell them - so they thought I had some kind of damage, until they convinced me I wasn't in trouble (remember I was only ten). This experience has been with me all my life and I have been so interested in NDE and the afterlife since. I didn't get far enough to see a light or a tunnel. But I can still remember the life going before me - it was weird because it played every second I lived and it spun by so fast but it was like I was experiencing every second again, not just seeing it.

Background Information:

Gender: Female

Date NDE Occurred: 'July, 1963'

NDE Elements:

At the time of your experience, was there an associated life-threatening event? Uncertain Accident Almost drowned. Could see body from above 'Life threatening event, but not clinical death' I was trying to swim but started drowning.

How do you consider the content of your experience? Wonderful

The experience included: Out of body experience

Did you feel separated from your body? Uncertain I lost awareness of my body

How did your highest level of consciousness and alertness during the experience compare to your normal everyday consciousness and alertness? Normal consciousness and alertness Life passing before me - looking down on my body.

At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness and alertness? Life passing before me - looking down on my body.

Were your thoughts speeded up? Incredibly fast

Did time seem to speed up or slow down? Everything seemed to be happening at once; or time stopped or lost all meaning

Were your senses more vivid than usual? Incredibly more vivid

Please compare your vision during the experience to your everyday vision that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience. It happened so fast, but seeing myself and feeling the peace was wonderful.

Please compare your hearing during the experience to your everyday hearing that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience. I don't remember hearing the crowd (and it was a noisy public pool) as he was walking carrying me to the first aid room.

Did you seem to be aware of things going on elsewhere? Yes, and the facts have been checked out

Did you pass into or through a tunnel? No

Did you see any beings in your experience? I actually saw them

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? No

Did you seem to enter some other, unearthly world? No

The experience included: Strong emotional tone

What emotions did you feel during the experience? Peace a feeling of well being.

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? I felt united or one with the world

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

The experience included: Life review

Did scenes from your past come back to you? My past flashed before me, out of my control

Did scenes from the future come to you? Scenes from the world's future

Did you come to a border or point of no return? I came to a barrier that I was not permitted to cross; or was sent back against my will

God, Spiritual and Religion:

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

Have your religious practices changed since your experience? No

What is your religion now? Moderate Grew up Lutheran

Did you have a change in your values and beliefs because of your experience? No

Did you seem to encounter a mystical being or presence, or hear an unidentifiable voice? I encountered a definite being, or a voice clearly of mystical or unearthly origin

Did you see deceased or religious spirits? I actually saw them

Concerning our Earthly lives other than Religion:

During your experience, did you gain special knowledge or information about your purpose? No

Have your relationships changed specifically because of your experience? Uncertain

After the NDE:

Was the experience difficult to express in words? Yes I didn't understand what happened until many years later. But I did keep telling everyone 'I saw my entire life pass before me' it was like a movie band in my head and it was every second of my life.

Do you have any psychic, non-ordinary or other special gifts after your experience that you did not have before the experience? Uncertain I have had experiences when I was very troubled and I prayed and things happened like a rocking chair with a music box started to play. There were several things that made me feel an angel or something was telling me I was not alone. Very odd.

Are there one or several parts of your experience that are especially meaningful or significant to you? All events of my life shown to me in a moving band in my mind.

Have you ever shared this experience with others? Yes

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 didn't realize at the time what happened. But I kept telling everyone 'I saw my life pass before me'.

What do you believe about the reality of your experience now? Experience was definitely real I know my soul left my body. I think I was revived before I went too far into the NDE.

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