Jeff F NDE

Experience Description

Introduction to Spirituality and the Naming of My Spirit Guide

A few years ago, my wife, daughter, and I played a fun game: we decided to name our spirit guides or guardian angels. I sensed mine was a feminine presence, so I named her Alicia. I didn't have a particular reason, I just liked the name. This detail will become important later in my story.

My family and I have always been open about spirituality. Around 15 years ago, I began to truly explore spiritual concepts after gradually stepping away from my strict Baptist upbringing. My mother, perhaps unknowingly, sent me a book called “Return from Tomorrow” by George Ritchie. This was my first introduction to the phenomenon of near-death experiences (NDEs), and I was immediately captivated. I read many other books and explored various websites dedicated to NDEs, including NDERF.org. My exploration extended to different views on consciousness; from the mainstream reductionist materialistic perspective to the increasingly accepted idea that our consciousness is non-local. According to empirical evidence, our consciousness seems to survive physical death. Immersing myself in these topics led to a profound shift in my worldview and may have helped prepare me for my own experience years down the road.

The Day of the Heart Attack: Signs, Struggles, and Help

On the day of my heart attack, I rented a mountain bike since mine was still in the shop. I was riding local trails that I often visited throughout the season. It had been a couple of months since my last ride. So, that Saturday morning, I felt an intense urge to ride since I was feeling energetic and ready.

The first mile went smoothly, but then I began to experience mild chest pain. I attributed this to my chronic acid reflux. I had dealt with similar discomfort in the past and years ago had even passed a stress test with flying colors. I assumed that my big breakfast was to blame, so continued riding. By the third mile, the pain got worse. I stopped to rest, but the pain did not subside. Light-headedness set in. I suspected something was wrong, but tried to convince myself it was just acid reflux. I decided to sit by the side of the trail, attempting yoga breathing to calm myself. Alone and struggling, I told myself, “If this is actually a heart attack, I am ready to go. My soul is tired and I am ready to leave this crazy world.” I was not suicidal, but I accepted the possibility that my time had come. Yet, my heart continued to beat painfully, keeping me conscious.

Three bikers were riding by and realized I was in distress. One raced back for help while the other two stayed and talked with me, keeping me awake until paramedics arrived. Interestingly, the bike shop manager had sent someone to check on me, even though I was only two hours into the ride where I had a three-hour window. Perhaps he sensed something was wrong, or maybe he was simply being careful since I was riding alone.

I was feeling disoriented, as I was picked up by paramedics in a golf cart and taken to an ambulance. Even then, I doubted the seriousness of my physical problems. I worried about the cost of an ambulance if it turned out to be only stomach issues. However, an EKG suggested a mild heart attack, and I was given a nitro pill as a precaution.

At the Hospital: Signs, Synchronicity, and First Cardiac Arrest

At the hospital, I was quickly admitted to the emergency wing, hooked up to IVs, and closely monitored. My wife joined me about 30 minutes later, helping to calm my growing anxiety and confusion. Then a beautiful young nurse entered and introduced herself as Alisha. She asked about my condition and explained the treatment process. My wife spoke with her more, and after Alisha left, my wife asked if I had caught her name. Suddenly, it struck me: this was the name from our “name your spirit guide” family game. Overwhelmed, I teared up, deeply realizing I was going to be okay, even though challenges lay ahead. My heart was beating irregularly, causing anxiety. But, I felt a profound calm at the same time. It was a strange sensation.

Moments after this realization, I suddenly “shifted out” because I experienced cardiac arrest. The initial sensation was rapid, even more so than falling asleep. It was incredibly peaceful. This was my first NDE, and though seemingly simple, it was no less profound than those I had read about. I strive to describe the experience as authentically as possible, acknowledging the limitations of language and my brain's ability to process it.

The First Near-Death Experience: The Void and Pure Consciousness

According to my wife, my heart stopped for around 30 seconds. Subjectively, it felt like a second, or perhaps hours or days. Time seemed non-linear. I was not aware that I had died. There were no memories of my previous life at that moment. I existed in pure awareness, in a peaceful darkness often called “the void.” I felt bodiless, like pure consciousness. This state seemed to be my fundamental essence before any mind-created manifestations. I describe it as my default condition before the universe existed. It was a place of absolute peace and love, where my “soul” could rest and recharge; comforted as if wrapped in a warm blanket. I was my true self, or higher self. Also present was God, the creator/ source, yet it also felt as though we were one and the same. This sensation is difficult to comprehend or describe. I was in bliss and did not want to leave.

Returning to Life: The Shock of Re-entry

Coming back from this state was the polar opposite of dying. It was a violent sensation as the medical staff used a defibrillator to revive me. My consciousness was abruptly forced back into my body. My wife witnessed the entire event, urging me to return. She later said I screamed something incoherent, possibly otherworldly. From my perspective, I only remember the violent return and my scream, feeling anger at being forced back when I felt absolute content where I was. Although I knew I had a family, at that moment I struggled to care since I was overwhelmed by the transition. It took time to readjust to physical life.

Differences from Typical NDEs

Unlike many other NDE reports, I did not experience an out-of-body experience (OBE), nor did I travel through a tunnel, or see a bright light. I simply shifted instantly from one reality to another. Perhaps my familiarity with NDEs meant I did not need to experience those stages, though that is just speculation. Upon returning, I was disoriented. It was similar to waking from a vivid dream but amplified significantly.

Second Cardiac Arrest and NDE: The Healing Meadow

Because of my first cardiac arrest, the medical team prepared me for angioplasty. I eventually received four stents in my left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery which was 100% blocked. They call this the “widow maker.” Strangely, all my other arteries were clear. This condition is known as single-vessel coronary artery disease, which is uncommon.

During preparations, I suffered another cardiac arrest. I am unsure how long my heart stopped, but my wife was told it was around a minute. In this NDE, I found myself in a beautiful meadow filled with pink flowers. I felt the same peace as before. There was no transition, just an instantaneous shift from one reality to another. This time, I was more aware of a form or body. I was “walking” through the meadow. Ahead was a large tree on a hill, and about a dozen Beings sat in a circle of white chairs nearby. The horizon was bright. I felt unconditional, healing love from these Beings. I sensed a Christlike presence as well. I vaguely became aware of time and realized that I had died and previously lived a physical life. No words were exchanged, only feelings and a “download” of information.

This is the best I could come up with at the time of writing this:

* Do not step any further

* You are loved more than you can possibly imagine

* We are assisting you in the healing process

* You must go back immediately; you have much more to do

* Physical life is precious and crucial to the universe

* Love is the most powerful force in the universe

This is how my mind currently interprets what I received. I may recall more later, but for now, this feels sufficient.

Returning Again: A Restored Peace

Once more, I was violently brought back to life. This time, I felt no anger. I felt only complete peace and a renewed appreciation for the importance of physical existence. As the doctors worked on my artery, I felt calm with a deep sense of certainty that things would work out. Even the doctor asked, while he was doing the procedure, with a thick Indian accent, "Do you trust me?" I replied calmly, "I have no choice." Just like I really had no choice but to come back because, in no uncertain terms, it was not my time yet.

Healing, Sensitivity, and Moving Forward

As I recover from the heart attack, I sense I will continue to receive insights and guidance. Immediately, I noticed increased sensitivity to life. For example, while outside getting fresh air, I tried to stomp on a weed in my flower bed in a feeble attempt to kill it. But, I felt unable to harm it because I was sensing a connection to it. That feeling has faded somewhat as I readjust to everyday life, but I hope it never disappears completely. Even a couple of weeks later, I still have not killed that weed.

I do not know what the future holds, but I hope to be part of making a positive difference in the world. I sense that the world is undergoing a chaotic transition, and I want to be a part of that change, spreading love and positivity in whatever way I can. I believe I am back for a reason, and for anyone reading this: you are here for a reason too. I can definitively say that everyone is absolutely loved beyond their earthly comprehension.

Much love and peace to you all

Background Information:

Gender: Male

Date of NDE: 10/4/2025

NDE Elements:

At the time of your experience, was there an associated life-threatening event? Yes
Two short cardiac arrests after a heart attack.

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? During both NDEs I suppose.
The first NDE was unfortunately very difficult to explain. I felt like I was pure consciousness. The second NDE was equal to a lucid dream but with enhanced absolute love and acceptance.

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? 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
I really can't describe it. My brain seems to remember the events happening in an instant but because of the quality of both experiences time didn't seem to matter. However, I ofter suspect if there is any corelation between the duration of when one's heart has stopped to the subjective passage of time during the NDE. Hard to say.

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 The vision aspect was lucid dreamlike. However, how I actually felt during both experiences was next level.

Please compare your hearing during the experience to your everyday hearing that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience Weird. I don't think I actually 'heard' anything.

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? No

Did you encounter or become aware of any deceased beings? Yes
The beings sitting in the circle from my second NDE ... I felt that some of them were my deceased loved ones.

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? Uncertain
My second NDE involving the meadow I felt a bright light in the horizon but I not allowed to come close to it. It was very clear I had no choice but to come back.

Did you seem to enter another world? A clearly mystical or unearthly realm
The first NDE was what some call the void. The second NDE involved an astral meadow with a mystical tree.

What emotions did you feel during the experience? Pure absolute peaceful unconditional acceptance.

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 understand everything? Everything about myself or others
The first NDE in the void I believe I learned what my default state feels like. I was already familiar with the NDE phenomenon before I had my own. However, this experience really surprised me. It almost felt like I experience pure consciousness before I had any kind of experiences ... before anything was created. Yeah ... it was quite unexpected but reassuring how loved I (we) am by God (the source of absolute everything). Anyway, it was very difficult to comprehend and it may take me many many years to wrap my brain around it. And even then, I will only comprehend part of what that experience was. It was so profound that my brain sometimes doubts the experience because it doesn't understand it if that makes any sense.

Did scenes from your past come back? No

Did you reach a boundary or limiting physical structure? Yes
The second NDE was 'told' to not step any further.

Did you come to a border or point of no return? I came to a definite conscious decision to return to life
I was not given a choice. I had to return to my physical life.

God, Spiritual and Religion:

What was your religion prior to your experience? Unaffiliated- Nothing in particular- Religious unaffiliated
I was raised Christian (mostly Baptist) and slowly over time backed away from organized religion and move to a more personal spiritual journey.

Have your religious practices changed? Yes
I think my spiritual beliefs have only enhanced.

What is your religion now? Unaffiliated- Nothing in particular- Religious unaffiliated
It is pretty much the same as before but my connection to God (source) and spirituality in general seem to increase.

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

Did you have a change in your values and beliefs because of your experience? Yes
I just received the reminder as to who I am and how very important this physical life is.

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.)? Yes
I believe I had felt Christ but I didn't visually see him.

During your experience, did you gain information about premortal existence? Yes
I believe I went way back before anything was created and I still existed.

During your experience, did you gain information about universal connection or oneness? Yes

During your experience, did you gain information about the existence of God? Yes
I felt God's presence in both NDEs. The fact that I had no choice to come back informed me that something higher than myself is lovingly controlling things.

Concerning our Earthly lives other than Religion:

During your experience, did you gain special knowledge or information about your purpose? Yes
Only that I still have a purpose and still have much to do in my physical life.

During your experience, did you gain information about the meaning of life? Yes
Only that the physical life is very important. I think I had lost sight of that before my NDEs. Now I have a renewed appreciation of this physical life.

During your experience, did you gain information about an afterlife? Yes
I intuitively know there's life after death.

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? Yes
Love is the most powerful force in the universe. When I was in the void, it seemed that pure consciousness and absolute love was all that exisited.

What life changes occurred in your life after your experience? Unknown
I think that I was already on a spiritual path before my experience, However, the NDEs accelerated my spiritual journey. To what end? I'm not really sure yet. Maybe I simply need to encourage one person and my physical life is complete. I'm just a dude trying to do my best while I'm here. I know I have to keep my ego in check even when it comes to the spiritual things.

Have your relationships changed specifically because of your experience? Uncertain
Since it has only been weeks. Only time will tell.

After the NDE:

Was the experience difficult to express in words? Yes
What stood out to me was how I felt. I really can't explain it. Obviously, outside our physical bodies, we have no nerves. The feeling of love and acceptance was extremely powerful but not overbearing at all. It was very interesting.

How accurately do you remember the experience in comparison to other life events that occurred around the time of the experience? I do not know how my remembrance of the experience compares to my remembrance of other life events that occurred around the time of the experience
Yeah. I'm not sure. I know my brain is still struggling to put everything together. The only thing I remember vividly (even though it is very hard to comprehend) is how I actually felt during both NDEs. I didn't know (or don't remember) I could actually feel that way but as the same time it was absolutely familiar. I felt like I was home.

Do you have any psychic, non-ordinary or other special gifts after your experience that you did not have before the experience? Yes
The only thing I noticed so far as that I'm more empathic to life.

Are there one or several parts of your experience that are especially meaningful or significant to you? I know how it feels to just be pure consciousness surrounded by absolute love. I know I have loved ones on the other side helping me based on the evidence I had received from my second NDE by witnessing those beings sitting in a circle aiding in my healing process. I suspect that the healing wasn't just physical but also emotional and spiritual as well.

Have you ever shared this experience with others? Yes
My wife and 20 year old daughter where we pretty much share that same spiritual world view.

Did you have any knowledge of near death experience (NDE) prior to your experience? Yes
I was very interested with NDEs for quite sometime. I used to frequent this particular website often.

What did you believe about the reality of your experience shortly (days to weeks) after it happened? Experience was definitely real
I do question how my brain interpreted the experience often. However, I know in my heart that it was real, especially what I needed to learn from the experience.

What do you believe about the reality of your experience now? Experience was definitely real
It still only been weeks.

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? Uncertain
The questions are very helpful. because of the quality of the experience, I only hope that I was as accurate as I can. However, I don't completely trust how my brain remembers the experience because of its limitations.