Holly B NDE

Experience Description

I had not been feeling well for several weeks, but this was not unusual because I have several health conditions. One evening, my husband and I went to see *Mary Poppins*. Shortly after the musical began, I got up to use the restroom. On my way back to my seat, I stumbled and felt very lightheaded. I managed to sit down, and my husband asked if he should get the car. I told him that I didn't think I would make it.

The next thing I remember was having tunnel vision before passing out. During this time, I felt warm and comfortable, and all my pain was gone. I experienced an incredible sense of peace and calm. I wasn't thinking about anything or anyone in my life. I couldn't see anyone, but I wasn't surrounded by complete darkness either. I no longer had a physical form. Somehow, I knew there were people or beings around me who were communicating with one another about me. They seemed to be deciding whether I should stay or go. Their communication was nothing like the way we communicate here. There were no audible words, but I understood what was happening. I felt as though I must have known these beings because I wasn't afraid of them at all. I felt completely comfortable and never wanted to leave.

Eventually, I heard someone calling my name from a great distance. Then I felt a shove in my back. Suddenly, I opened my eyes and took a large breath. From that moment on, I was fully conscious.

My husband was kneeling in front of me, calling my name. I was sitting in a wheelchair, and there was blood all over my face and hands. I asked him what had happened. He told me that shortly after he asked whether he should get the car, my head fell backward and blood began coming from my mouth. He carried me out of the theater and tried to revive me. According to him, I wasn't breathing, and he couldn't find a pulse for several minutes. He was certain that I wasn't going to survive.

I still remember the incredible warmth and peace I experienced while I was unconscious. Returning to my body left me with a tremendous sense of loss because I never wanted to leave that peaceful place. Looking back, I sometimes feel guilty because I wasn't thinking about my husband or anyone else in my life while I was there. But the truth is, I simply wasn't thinking about them. I was completely at peace. I feel that it wasn't my time to die, although to this day I don't know why I was spared.

Afterward, I learned that my body had stopped absorbing iron properly, and I needed several bags of blood. I underwent every test imaginable, including a bone marrow biopsy. Eventually, I received iron infusions, and this type of episode has never happened again. The doctors still don't know exactly what caused it. I continue to have other health problems, but I haven't had any further problems with my iron.

Background Information:

Gender: Female

Date of NDE: 03/04/2012

NDE Elements:

How do you consider the content of your experience? Entirely pleasant

Did you feel separated from your body? 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? Directly after I took my first breath. I felt very aware of everything around me, almost like a surge of energy.
When I took that first breath, I was completely aware of everything around me and was completely alert. Prior to this, I was lethargic and had a lot of brain fog. The feeling did not last too long.

At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness? More consciousness and alertness than normal

Were your thoughts speeded up? No

Did time seem to speed up or slow down? No

Were your senses more vivid than usual? More vivid than usual

Please compare your vision during the experience to your everyday vision that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience I didn't have a visual experience.

Please compare your hearing during the experience to your everyday hearing that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience I didn't have an audible experience.

Did you seem to be aware of things going on elsewhere? No

Did you pass into or through a tunnel? No

Did you see any beings in your experience? I sensed their presence

Did you encounter or become aware of any deceased beings? Yes
I felt their presence, but could not see or hear them. If I were to guess, it would have been my grandparents on my mom's side of the family.

Did you see or feel surrounded by a brilliant light? No

Did you see an unearthly light? No

Did you seem to enter another world? A clearly mystical or unearthly realm
Again, I couldn't see or hear anything, but I knew I was not on earth. I was surrounded by warmth.

What emotions did you feel during the experience? Comfort, love, peace

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? No

Did you suddenly understand everything? No

Did scenes from your past come back? No

Did you reach a boundary or limiting physical structure? No

Did you come to a border or point of no return? No

God, Spiritual and Religion:

What was your religion prior to your experience? Christian - Catholic
I was not a practicing Catholic, but I do believe in a higher power.

Have your religious practices changed? No

What is your religion now? Christian - Other Christian

Did your experience include features consistent with your earthly beliefs? Content that was both consistent and not consistent with the beliefs you had at the time of your experience
I have always believed that there is something after death, but I was not sure. I believe in soul families. I am no longer afraid of dying.

Did you have a change in your values and beliefs because of your experience? Yes
I try to provide comfort to those who are dealing with terminal illnesses themselves or with a loved one.

Did you seem to encounter a mystical being or presence, or hear an unidentifiable voice? No

Did you encounter or become aware of any beings who previously lived on earth who are described by name in religions (for example: Jesus, Muhammad, Buddha, etc.)? No

During your experience, did you gain information about premortal existence? Yes
I did not know that sense of peace and warmth existed. It was nothing I have ever experienced before or since.

During your experience, did you gain information about universal connection or oneness? No

During your experience, did you gain information about the existence of God? No

Concerning our Earthly lives other than Religion:

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

During your experience, did you gain information about the meaning of life? No

During your experience, did you gain information about an afterlife? Yes
I knew I was surrounded by loved ones.

Did you gain information about how to live our lives? No

During your experience, did you gain information about life's difficulties, challenges and hardships? No

During your experience, did you gain information about love? No

What life changes occurred in your life after your experience? Moderate changes in my life
The greatest change in my feelings is that I am no longer afraid of death. My frustration is that I feel I was spared for a reason, but I don't know what that reason is.

Have your relationships changed specifically because of your experience? No

After the NDE:

Was the experience difficult to express in words? Yes
It is hard to verbalize a feeling.

How accurately do you remember the experience in comparison to other life events that occurred around the time of the experience? I remember the experience as accurately as other life events that occurred around the time of the experience
I can describe the events directly prior to and after my experience as well as I can remember how I felt during the experience. It is hard to put into words, though.

Do you have any psychic, non-ordinary or other special gifts after your experience that you did not have before the experience? No

Are there one or several parts of your experience that are especially meaningful or significant to you? I felt like my life mattered to something beyond this world.

Have you ever shared this experience with others? Yes
I shared my experience with my family while I was still in the hospital. I only share it with people who I believe need to hear it.

Did you have any knowledge of near death experience (NDE) prior to your experience? Yes
I have read about this subject before. I have also been visited in dreams by loved ones who have passed.

What did you believe about the reality of your experience shortly (days to weeks) after it happened? Experience was definitely real
I know what I felt, and I know I wasn't breathing or did not have a heartbeat at the time.

What do you believe about the reality of your experience now? Experience was definitely real
I feel the same about my experience now.

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

Did the questions asked and information that you provided accurately and comprehensively describe your experience? Yes