Near Death Experiences: A Glimpse into the Afterlife?

In the Autumn of 2008, Sarah Mitchell, a 38 year old nurse, found herself on the precipice between life and death after a severe car accident.

The impact left her unconscious, and as medical professionals worked tirelessly to stabilize her condition, Sarah recounts a remarkable journey beyond the boundaries of the physical realm.

Floating above her crumpled car, Sarah felt an overwhelming sense of peace.

A tunnel of radiant light beckoned her, drawing her towards an ethereal destination.

As she traversed this luminous passage, Sarah encountered deceased loved ones who conveyed messages of love and guidance.

The profound warmth enveloping her soul seemed to transcend the earthly experience.

You could be forgiven for thinking this is an extract from a novel.

In fact, this narrative was documented in the book “Beyond the Threshold: Personal Accounts of Near Death Experiences” by Dr Michael Anderson.

What is a Near Death Experience?

A Near Death Experience (NDE) is a term coined by Dr Raymond Moody back in the 1970’s. In 1975 Dr Moody released a book called Life after Life which, I thoroughly recommend. You can purchase it here from Amazon.

A Near Death Experience is a profound and often transformative event that some individuals report after coming close to death.

How Many NDE’s are being reported?

Researchers estimate that tens of thousands of NDE’S have been reported worldwide.

It’s difficult to determine an exact number of reported Near Death Experiences because they rely on individual accounts and may go unreported.

Not everyone who comes close to death will experience this phenomenon. The exact percentage is unknown but, it is believed that only 5 – 10% of individuals that come close to death will report having had an NDE of some kind.

So why is this happening?

This is the million-dollar question. There are, of course theories.

Let’s have a look at some of the sceptical theories first:

1. Neurochemistry – Suggesting that NDE’s are hallucinations caused by chemicals released by our brain during the experience. Or a lack of oxygen to the brain.
2. Drug Influences – This is also linked to chemicals in the brain as a result of drugs administered.
3. Cultural and Religious Influences – Suggesting that personal beliefs can play a significant role in shaping the interpretation of NDE’s.
4. Memory Formation and Reconstruction – The brain creating the memory after the near death event.

I have read many books on this subject. It started as I was looking for evidence of an afterlife when I was going through my own grieving experience following the loss of a loved one.

I tell you this because my opinion on this subject is biased as a result.

As I was typing the theories above, I was recalling evidence I had read about that, in my mind, proves these theories as wrong.

However, despite this, I still think it’s important look at and consider these theories.

Let me share with you my thoughts on this following extensive research.

Alternative Theories for Near Death Experiences

The book that really changed my mind on Near Death Experiences was “Proof of Heaven” by Dr Eben Alexander.

Dr Eben Alexander was a Neurosurgeon, he is a man of science. He didn’t believe that Near Death Experiences were anything more than hallucinations. He had Patients in his care report their own NDE’s to which he responded in scientific terms and dismissed any possibility they were real.

That was until 2008 when Dr Eben Alexander had his own Near Death Experience.

If this subject is of interest to you, I urge to read his book. It is the best and most profound NDE I have ever read about.

Needless to say, after this experience, Dr Alexander had a completely different view on Near Death Experiences. He had a profound new insight on the Afterlife and wrote about it beautifully.

As a man of science, Dr Alexander used his own experience to address the sceptical theories.

1. Neurochemistry – Dr Alexander suffered major brain damage as a result of contracting a rare form of bacterial meningitis. He was not expected to survive. His brain had effectively attacked itself and he had no brain function in the areas that would be responsible for hallucinations. The scans prove this. He was effectively brain dead.
2. Drug Influences – Dr Alexander explains that any psychedelic effect the drugs would have had, would be as a result of their effect on receptors in the neocortex in order to create hallucinations. However, there was no function in this part of his brain.
3. Cultural and Religious Influences – Dr Alexander was a man of science. He classed himself more of a nominal Christian, he was not deeply religious. He was born and raised in North Carolina, US.
4. Memory Formation and Reconstruction – As his brain was ‘rebooting’ when he came around from his coma, Dr Alexander experienced psychosis. He had very realistic visions and nightmares. But, once they passed, he was able to recognise they were just visions and nightmares. He recalls the NDE as more real than our life experience right here and now.

Similarities in NDE Reports

The problem with accepting Near Death Experiences as proof of an afterlife is that no two accounts seem to be the same.

There are commonalities such as:

• Out-of-Body Experience – Many individuals report a sensation of floating outside of their bodies. Being able to see their body and Medical Professional working on them. Some are even able to recount what surgeons were saying, what they were wearing and what instruments/machines they were using.
• Tunnel Experience – Not all individuals report this as a tunnel. I’ve seen it described as a funnel or, even just blackness with a sense of moving through it.
• Encounters with Deceased Loved Ones – Some report meeting friends, family member or, even pets that have passed. Others report of seeing God or Angels.
• Life Review – I find this part fascinating. Many people have described experiencing a life review. Often a panoramic review of their lives highlighting significant events and their impact on others.
• Intense Emotions – Feelings of profound peace, love and acceptance. Individuals often report that our earthly language is too limited to describe the beauty and intensity of it.
• Awareness and Knowing – A realisation that their experience is irreversible. They have been given the choice to return to life.

The fact that these similarities have been reported tens of thousands of times, across all ages, cultures and religions it’s what I find so convincing.

History of NDE’s

These experiences have been reported throughout history but grew with the advancements in medical resuscitation techniques.

The oldest recorded NDE dates back to ancient Greece.

A Soldier named Er was thought to have died in battle. However, after being placed on a funeral Pyre, Er miraculously revived.

He shared his account of his journey beyond death which was mentioned in Plato’s “Republic”.

Er described travelling to the afterlife, where he observed souls being judged for their deeds. After a period in the afterlife, Er was eventually sent back to the realm of the living with the knowledge of the consequences of his actions.

The advances in medical science today means that Near Death Experiences are happening more and more.

They are a phenomenon because science cannot definitively prove or disprove the reality of NDE’s.

Can we Take This as Proof of an Afterlife?

For me, this is the most compelling evidence of an Afterlife. However, even though there is ongoing scientific research being conducted, there is still an element of faith and belief. I’m not sure science will ever be able to definitively prove there is an afterlife.

If you believe these accounts then by definition you believe the ‘soul’ lives on beyond the body.

It is this belief that opens up an unimaginable amount of possibility.

Related Post – Synchronicities: Coincidence or Signs From the Universe?